JP2009230182A - Information input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a noncontact type input device requiring no manual operation, available by an unspecified number of users, and hardly affected by noise. <P>SOLUTION: This input device includes a plurality of sensors arranged for detecting a breath, and specifies an input direction to the device based on a detection value of each sensor, to be output as the input direction of the user. The input device specifies three directions such as a depth direction (front direction), a left depth (left-diagonal) direction and a right depth (right-diagonal) direction, as depth directions with respect to a face on which the sensors are arranged, and eight directions (plane eight directions) such as vertical directions, lateral directions and diagonal directions with respect to the face on which the sensors are arranged. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information input apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus for inputting information using breath.

Various information processing devices such as personal computers and navigation devices mounted on vehicles are widely used. Then, an information input device for inputting various information to these information processing devices is required. As typical input devices, there are a mouse, a joystick, a keyboard, a cursor, a touch panel, and the like, all of which require manual operation.
However, a conventional input device that requires manual operation is insufficient for users who are handicapped or users who cannot release their hands while operating a steering wheel in a vehicle.
On the other hand, if there is an information input device capable of inputting without releasing a hand from a keyboard or the like being operated, the operability of input can be improved.

In view of this, various users have been proposed according to the user to be used and the usage scene.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for obtaining a binary input signal by detecting the strength of breathing and the biting force with a mouthpiece held by an operator.
Patent Document 2 discloses a device that extracts the movement of a human hand using an image sensor disposed between steering wheels and that can operate an in-vehicle device based on the extracted operation instruction.
Furthermore, in Patent Document 3, when it is determined from the sound input to the microphone that the breath is inhaled or inhaled, the sound power is converted into a physical quantity such as speed, and the display color, moving speed, and moving distance of the image on the screen are converted. For example, a technique for converting an image into a display parameter and manipulating an image on a screen is disclosed.
JP-A-06-139011 Patent No. 3997002 JP-A-11-143484

  However, when the input device of Patent Document 1 is used as an input device of an information device disposed in a computer or a vehicle, the position information can be input to the information device without releasing the hand from the keyboard or handle. As an input device, it is necessary to always hold a mouthpiece in the mouth, and there is a problem in terms of operability when applied to a moving body such as a vehicle. Further, since it is a contact type input device that can be put in the mouth, it is not suitable as an input device for an information device used by an unspecified number of people.

  Further, the input device of Patent Document 2 can be used as an unspecified number of input devices, but since the hand is released from the keyboard and handle, there is a problem in operability particularly as an input device for a vehicle. . In addition, there is a problem that it cannot be used by users who are handicapped.

  In the input device of Patent Document 3, input is possible without taking your hands off the keyboard and handle. However, since voice is input to the microphone, an error is detected in a place where there is a lot of noise. It becomes easy and it becomes difficult to operate a computer and an information device.

  Voice recognition devices are widely used as devices that allow input while operating keyboards and handles. However, music, conversation, noise, etc. other than the user's voice will affect the recognition rate. Therefore, the usage environment is limited.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a non-contact type input device that does not require manual operation, can be used by an unspecified number of users, and is not easily affected by noise.

(1) In the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of sensors for detecting wind, a breath direction determining means for determining a breath direction based on a detection value of each sensor, and the determined breath direction as an input direction An information input device comprising: an output means for outputting.
(2) The invention according to claim 2 further comprises breath input determining means for determining whether or not a breath is input from detection values of the plurality of sensors, and the breath direction determining means determines that the breath is input. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the direction of breath is determined when the information is received.
(3) In the invention according to claim 3, at least two of the plurality of sensors are arranged in a row direction, and the breath direction determination means detects a sensor arranged in the row direction as a breath direction. The information input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a direction on a plane and a direction having a depth are determined based on the value.
(4) In the invention according to claim 4, the sensor includes a heat source arranged in the center and a plurality of temperature detection means arranged equidistant from the heat source, and the temperature detected by each temperature detection means. The information input device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein each physical quantity corresponding to is used as a detection value of a sensor.
(5) In the invention according to claim 5, the sensor is arranged in a direction in which the arrangement surface of the temperature detecting means intersects the arrangement surface on which each sensor is arranged. The information input device according to 4, is provided.

  According to the present invention, since the direction of breath is determined as the input direction based on the detection values of a plurality of sensors that detect wind, the operation by hand is unnecessary, and it can be used by an unspecified number of users, and is affected by noise. A non-contact input device that is difficult to receive can be provided.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the information input device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
(1) Outline of Embodiment In the information input device of this embodiment, a plurality of sensors for detecting breaths are arranged, the input direction to the device is specified from the detection value of each sensor, and output as the user input direction.
As the input direction to be specified, as the depth direction with respect to the sensor placement surface, three directions of the heel direction (front direction), the port side (left oblique) direction, the starboard (right oblique) direction, and the top and bottom with respect to the sensor placement surface, Eight directions in the left and right and diagonal directions (plane 8 directions) are specified.

  As the detection value of each sensor, the direction and strength of the breath are detected, a breath vector for each sensor is created, and the presence / absence of the depth direction and the depth direction are determined based on the sum of the direction vectors in the same direction. The depth direction is specified in some cases, and the plane 8 direction is specified from the detection value of the individual sensor when there is no depth direction.

The sensor is composed of a heating element and a thermistor arranged concentrically around the heating element, and outputs a voltage value of each thermistor as a sensor value.
When breath is blown on the sensor, the temperature decreases due to the strength of the air flow, and the output voltage of each thermistor changes. The speed, strength, and direction of the breath are detected (determined) from the change value of each thermistor output voltage.

  Alternatively, the sensor that detected the strongest breath may be specified, and the direction of the sensor specified this time may be specified as the breath direction from the sensor specified last time. When the sensor specified last time and this time is the same, the heel direction of the specified sensor is specified.

  In addition, when the air conditioner is on or when the windows or doors are open, the detection values of the sensor are affected as disturbances. Therefore, it is possible to detect these disturbance states and correct the sensor detection values. Good.

(2) Details of Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an information input device 10 of the present embodiment.
The information input device 10 includes an information processing unit 11 and a sensor unit 12. The information input device 10 is connected to various information processing devices such as a personal computer (PC) 20 and a navigation device, and functions as input means for the information processing device.

  The information processing unit 11 stores a CPU (central processing unit) 13 that executes various arithmetic processes for determining a user's breath, an A / D 14 that converts an input signal from the sensor unit 12 from analog to digital, and various programs and data. ROM 15, RAM 16 for temporarily storing data being processed as working memory, and interface (I / F) 17 connected to various information processing devices.

In the ROM 15, as various programs for determining the user's breath in the CPU 13, main processing (FIG. 4), initialization processing (FIGS. 5 to 7), breath input determination processing (FIG. 8), breath speed calculation routine ( 9), programs for performing various processes such as a breath direction determination routine (FIG. 11), an input direction calculation routine for each sensor (FIG. 12), a breath direction calculation routine (FIG. 14), and the like are stored. Yes.
The ROM 15 stores a voltage change value-breath speed conversion map (FIG. 10) in which the breath speed corresponding to the voltage change amount (voltage change value) output from each of the sensors K1 to KN is defined. Yes.

  The RAM 16 functioning as a working memory has N sensor fail flags (matching the number of sensors), N temporary sensor fail flags, a cough sneezing flag, a breathing flag, a sensor change value buffer, a sensor direction buffer, and a sensor size buffer. Various areas such as a breath direction buffer, a sensor wind speed fail counter, and a sensor wind direction fail counter are secured, and corresponding flags, data, counter values, and the like are stored.

FIG. 2 shows the structure and characteristics of the sensor used in this embodiment.
FIG. 2A shows a state when the sensor K is viewed from the front, and FIG. 2B shows a side surface (a state when (a) is viewed from below). In addition, when referring to an individual sensor, 1 to N are added and expressed as sensors 1 to N, but when indicating an arbitrary sensor, it is expressed as a sensor K. The same applies to the thermistor TH and thermistors TH1 to THm.

In the sensor K, m thermistors TH1 to THm are arranged on the heat source R and the same circle centered on the heat source R (equal distance from the heat source R). In this embodiment, m = 4.
The heat source R is composed of a resistor and generates heat when energized.
Heat from the heat source R is detected by the thermistors TH1 to TH4 arranged at an equal distance from the heat source R, and a corresponding voltage value (physical quantity) is supplied to the information processing unit 11. As a result, four voltage values are supplied to the information processing unit 11 from one sensor K.
The temperature of the heat source R changes depending on the applied voltage, and the applied voltage is set to a predetermined temperature T (for example, 45 degrees) higher than the ambient temperature as a default value, but can be changed to any temperature. Alternatively, the ambient temperature may be measured when the power is turned on or constantly, and the temperature may be applied so as to be higher than the ambient temperature by a temperature t (for example, t = 10 degrees). The temperature t in this case can also be changed to an arbitrary value.

FIG. 2C shows the temperature-resistance characteristics of the thermistor TH.
As shown in FIG. 2C, the thermistor TH is a thermistor whose resistance decreases with increasing temperature. That is, an NTC (negative temperature coefficient) thermistor is used.
In contrast to the NTC thermistor, a PTC (positive temperature coefficient) whose resistance increases may be used. In this case, the voltage supplied to the information processing unit 11 needs to be corrected to be reversed.

The detection of the breath by the sensor K configured in this way is as follows.
In the state where no breath is blown to the sensor K, the heat from the heat source R is equally transmitted to each thermistor TH, so that the detected temperature of each thermistor TH does not change.
On the other hand, when the breath is blown to the sensor K, the air between the heat source R and each thermistor TH flows. As a result, heat from the heat source R becomes difficult to be transmitted (each thermistor TH is cooled by the air flow), and the temperature detected by each thermistor TH is lowered according to the air (breath) flow. Then, as shown in FIG. 2C, the output voltage from each thermistor TH decreases as the temperature decreases, resulting in an increase.
That is, the output voltage of each thermistor TH decreases according to the intensity and direction of the blown breath, and the direction and intensity of the breath are determined based on the amount of change in the voltage and voltage.
The sensor K of this embodiment is composed of a plurality of thermistors TH and a heat source, and detects the breathing speed and breathing direction of each sensor K from the voltage change value corresponding to the temperature change value. A sensor that detects the strength may be used. A wind pressure sensor is arranged in place of the sensor K, and the wind direction (breath input direction) and the wind speed are detected from changes in the wind pressure sensor for detecting each maximum wind pressure in the same manner as the third embodiment described later. Good.

FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of the sensors K.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, eight sensors K <b> 1 to 8 are arranged around the display device 21 of the PC 20 connected to the information input device 10.
As described above, by disposing the sensor K around the display device 21, it is possible to input the depth and the direction with a breath while confirming the image displayed in relation to the input. It becomes easy to recognize by matching.
In addition, you may make it arrange | position around the main body of the information processing part 11. FIG.

Each sensor K is arranged in a direction in which the arrangement surface of each thermistor TH intersects the arrangement surface on which each sensor K is arranged. Specifically, the direction in which each sensor K is arranged with respect to the display device 21 is as follows. As shown in FIG. 3B, the display screen of the display device 21 and the front of the sensor K (FIG. 2A). Are arranged so that the heat source R of each sensor K faces upward. However, the direction of the heat source R of each sensor K may be arranged so as to all face the center of the screen, or conversely, may be arranged so as to face all the outside of the screen.
The direction of the heat source R of the sensor K can be determined by the shape and size of the region where the sensor K is disposed. For example, the heat source R may be arranged outward when the arrangement area is narrow, and may be arranged in the center when it is wide.

Next, a breath input process performed by the information input device 10 configured as described above will be described.
FIG. 4 shows the main process of the information input device that performs the breath input process.
In the breath input process according to the present embodiment, an initial process for initializing the apparatus (step 10), an input by the user's breath is determined to determine the breath direction, and the determined breath direction is set as the user input value by the I / F 17. A breath input determination process (step 40) and an end determination process (step 90) output to the connected information processing apparatus are performed.

5 to 7 are flowcharts showing the contents of the initialization process (step 10).
This initialization process is executed at the time of startup due to power ON or the like, and initialization for all the sensors K and determination of whether or not the sensor is operating normally are performed.
In the initialization process, the information processing section 11 initializes N sensor wind speed fail counters (step 11), initializes N sensor wind direction fail counters (step 12), and initializes N sensor fail flags (step 13). ), The sensor number counter is initialized (step 14), and the temporary sensor fail flag is initialized (step 15).

N in the initialization is the number of counters corresponding to the number of sensors K. In the present embodiment, N = 8 counters of the sensors K1 to 8 are initialized.
In initialization, the information processing section 11 secures each counter area and flag area in the RAM 16 and performs reset (clear) processing of the secured areas.

After initialization of the counter and the flag, the information processing section 11 selects one sensor K (for example, sensor K1) (step 16), and performs the subsequent inspection processing (step 17 to step 37) for each sensor. By performing, it is inspected and determined whether or not each sensor is normal.
The inspection of whether or not normalization is performed is an inspection for determining whether or not the measurement is normally performed on each thermistor TH in a steady state (the state where there is no air flow) before the input by the breath is performed.
Each sensor K may operate normally without any problem, or may operate normally due to a voltage offset of the thermistor TH, but may not operate normally even after offset. The inspection and determination of whether or not it is normal will be described separately.

(A) In the case of normal operation The information processing unit 11 initializes (resets) a timer corresponding to the selected sensor K (step 17) and continues until the timer reaches a predetermined time (step 19). Four output voltages supplied corresponding to each K thermistor TH are acquired, and the difference from the previous four output voltages is stored in the sensor change value buffer as a sensor change value.
When the predetermined time has elapsed (step 19; Y), the information processing section 11 calculates the average wind speed and the average wind direction for a predetermined time of the timer from the stored four sensor change values (voltage change values) (step 20). .

  Here, the information processing unit 11 determines (calculates) the wind speed detected by the sensor K as a wind speed having the largest voltage change value of each thermistor TH. In addition, you may use the converted breath speed according to the breath speed conversion map (FIG. 10) mentioned later.

On the other hand, among the voltage change values of each thermistor TH, the wind direction is determined by subtracting the minimum voltage change value from the maximum voltage change value as the wind direction from the largest thermistor TH direction to the smallest thermistor TH direction. Calculate as
Compare the output voltage value of each thermistor TH, not the voltage change value of each thermistor TH, and set the thermistor TH with the smallest output voltage value as the wind direction, and the difference between the two output voltage values as the average wind direction. You may make it calculate as.

The information processing unit 11 determines whether the calculated average wind speed exceeds a predetermined threshold th2 (step 21). Now, since it is a description of the case of the normal sensor K, in this step, the average wind speed is equal to or less than the predetermined value th2 (step 21; N), and the information processing section 11 skips steps 22 to 24.
Next, the information processing section 11 determines whether or not the calculated average wind direction exceeds a predetermined threshold th3 (step 25). Since this case is also the case of the normal sensor K, the average wind direction is equal to or less than the predetermined value th3 (step 25; N), and the information processing section 11 skips steps 26 to 28.

Next, the information processing section 11 determines whether or not the total counter value of the sensor wind speed fail counter and the sensor wind direction fail counter is less than a predetermined value th4 (for example, th4 = 3) (step 29).
Both fail counters are counted when the average wind speed and the average wind direction are abnormal values (step 21; Y, step 25; Y). Therefore, in the case of a normal sensor K from the beginning, both fail counters are zero. (Step 29; Y), the information processing section 11 determines whether or not the temporary sensor fail flag is on (step 30).
Since this temporary sensor fail flag is also a flag that is turned on when the average wind speed and the average wind direction are abnormal, the information processing unit 11 is an example of a normal state (step 30; N), and the process proceeds to step 34. To do.

Then, the information processing section 11 increments the sensor number (the number of the sensor K currently being inspected) and the sensor counter (step 34), and determines whether or not all the sensors have been initialized from the value of the sensor number counter. (Step 35).
That is, since the information processing unit 11 represents the number of sensors whose sensor counter has been inspected (initialized), if the number of counters is N (N = 8 in this embodiment) (step 35; Y), The information processing unit 11 determines that all sensors have been initialized, ends the process, and returns to the main process.

  On the other hand, if all the sensors have not been initialized, that is, if the sensor counter is less than N (step 35; N), the information processing unit 11 selects the next sensor (step 36), and further, provisional sensor failure. After turning off the flag (step 37), the process returns to step 17 to inspect the next newly selected sensor.

(B) When there is a problem but it operates normally due to the voltage offset of the thermistor TH For the sensor K in this case, the information processing section 11 performs a predetermined time in the same manner as in the case of the normal sensor K described in (a) The average wind speed and average wind direction are calculated (steps 17 to 20).

The information processing section 11 determines whether or not the average wind speed calculated in step 20 is greater than a predetermined value th2 (step 21). When the average wind speed is greater than the predetermined value th2 (step 21; Y), the information processing unit 11 determines that the voltage has changed in a normal state where there is no air flow, and detects the lowest voltage. The thermistor voltage of the thermistor TH is offset (step 22).
Then, the information processing section 11 increments the sensor wind speed fail counter corresponding to the sensor K initialized in step 11 (step 23), and turns on the temporary sensor fail flag (step 24).

Next, the information processing section 11 determines whether or not the average wind direction calculated in step 20 is greater than a predetermined value th3 (step 25). If the average wind direction is larger than the predetermined value th3 (step 25; Y), the information processing section 11 determines that the abnormality is detected in a normal state without air flow, and the thermistor of the thermistor TH that has detected the largest voltage change value. The voltage is offset (step 26).
Then, the information processing section 11 increments the sensor wind direction fail counter corresponding to the sensor K initialized in step 12 (step 27), and turns on the temporary sensor fail flag (step 28).

In the above description, the case where both the average wind speed and the average wind direction are abnormal has been described. However, there is a case where either one is normal and the other is abnormal. In this case, the counter on the side determined to be abnormal among the sensor wind speed fail counter and the sensor wind direction fail counter is incremented.
However, even if either one is abnormal, it is abnormal and one of the thermistors TH is offset, so the temporary sensor fail flag is turned on in step 24 or step 28.

Next, the information processing section 11 determines whether or not the sum of the counter value of the sensor wind speed fail counter and the sensor wind direction fail counter is less than a predetermined value th4 (step 29).
In the present embodiment, since the predetermined value th4 = 3 is set, even if it is incremented in both step 23 and step 27, the total counter value is still 2, which is less than the predetermined value th4 (step 29). ; Y), the information processing section 11 determines whether or not the temporary sensor fail flag is on (step 30).

In this case, since the temporary sensor fail flag is turned on in step 24 or step 25 (step 30; Y), the information processing section 11 proceeds to step 37 and returns the temporary sensor fail flag to off.
Next, the information processing section 11 performs the second cycle inspection process (from step 17) on the sensor K after the thermistor voltage offset in step 22 or / and step 26.

In this second cycle, the information processing section 11 again calculates the average wind speed and average wind direction for a predetermined time (steps 17 to 20), and again compares them with the predetermined values th2 and th3 (steps 21 and 25).
Since the current sensor K is an example in which the sensor K becomes normal due to the offset, all of them are below a predetermined value (step 21; N, step 25; N), and the information processing section 11 performs steps 22 to 24 and steps 26 to 28. It is determined whether the sum of the counter values of the sensor wind speed fail counter and the sensor wind direction fail counter is less than a predetermined value th4 (step 29).

Since it is normal after the offset, the counter total value is the same as the previous time (1 or 2) and is less than the predetermined value th4, so the information processing section 11 determines whether or not the temporary sensor flag is on (step 30). ).
In this case, since it is OFF set in step 37 (step 30; N), the information processing section 11 determines that the sensor K has become normal due to the offset, and initializes the sensor K. finish.
Then, the information processing unit 11 increments the sensor number counter for the next sensor K (step 34), and determines whether all sensors have been initialized (step 35).
If all the sensors have not been initialized (step 35; N), the information processing section 11 selects the next sensor (step 36), and further turns off the temporary sensor fail flag (step 37). Go back and test the newly selected next sensor.

(C) When the sensor K does not operate normally even after offset For the sensor K in this case, the information processing unit 11 performs the first half of “when there is a problem but it operates normally due to the voltage offset of the thermistor TH” described in (b). Similarly to the cycle, the average wind speed and average wind direction at a predetermined time are calculated (step 17 to step 20), the thermistor TH voltage offset and the temporary sensor fail flag (step 21 to step 28), and further, step 29, step After 30 judgments, the temporary sensor fail flag is turned off (step 37).

Next, the information processing unit 11 calculates again the average wind speed and the average wind direction at a predetermined time for the sensor K after the offset (steps 17 to 20), and compares it again with the predetermined values th2 and th3 (step 21). Step 25).
Since the present sensor K is an example in which the sensor K does not operate normally due to an offset, it becomes larger than either one or both of the predetermined values th2, th3 (step 21; Y, step 25; Y, where both are large) explain).
The information processing section 11 increments the thermistor TH voltage offset (step 22, step 26), the sensor wind speed fail counter, and the sensor wind direction fail counter (step 23, step 27), and turns on the temporary yell flag (step 24, step 26). Step 28).

Next, the information processing section 11 determines whether or not the sum of the sensor wind speed fail counter and the sensor wind direction fail counter is less than a predetermined value th4 (step 29).
Here, it is assumed that the operation is not normally performed even by the offset and is incremented (steps 23 and 27) and the total value is 4. Then, since the information processing unit 11 is equal to or greater than the predetermined value th4 (= 3), the information processing unit 11 determines that the abnormality cannot be solved even by the offset, and corresponds to the sensor K currently being inspected (initializing). The sensor fail flag is turned on (step 31).

Further, the information processing section 11 turns off the power supply to the heat source R of the sensor K under inspection (step 32), and performs a fail display for the sensor K (step 33).
Here, the fail display for the sensor K is a fail display by disposing an LED on the sensor itself, turning on when the sensor is normal, and turning off.
However, the information processing apparatus may fail-display on the display device 21 by supplying the sensor number of the corresponding sensor K and a fail signal to the information processing apparatus such as a PC connected via the I / F 17. Good.

When only one of the average wind speed and the average wind direction is offset in the inspection process of the first cycle and the other is offset in the inspection process of the second cycle, the total counter value of the sensor wind speed fail counter and the sensor wind direction fail counter is still 2 It becomes.
In this case, for example, since the average wind speed is affected by the offset for the average wind speed, it is considered that the average wind speed is offset. Therefore, Step 29; Y, and the inspection process for the third cycle is performed.
However, although the predetermined value th4 = 3 is set in the present embodiment, it can be set to a value of 2, or 4 or more. Also in this case, if the total counter value is less than the predetermined value th4 (step 29; Y) and the temporary fail sensor is on (step 30; N), the inspection process is performed again through step 27.

When the above initialization process is completed, the information processing section 11 next performs a breath input determination process (step 40).
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the breath input determination processing.
First, the information processing unit 11 initializes a cough / sneeze flag and a breath input flag (steps 41 and 42).
Next, the information processing unit 11 monitors the change in the sensor voltage value according to the input from each sensor K, and determines whether any one or more of the detected sensor voltage change values are greater than a predetermined value θ1. (Step 43).
Here, regarding the sensor voltage change value, the maximum value among the voltage change values of the four thermistors TH supplied from each sensor K is the sensor voltage change value.

If all the sensor voltage change values are equal to or smaller than the predetermined value θ1 (step 43; Y), the information processing section 11 determines that the range is a natural fluctuation range in a steady state rather than an input by breathing, and ends the process.
On the other hand, if any one of the sensor voltage change values is larger than the predetermined value θ1 (step 43; Y), the information processing section 11 determines that the user's breath has been blown on the sensor and calculates the breath speed by the breath speed calculation routine. (Step 44).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the breath speed calculation routine.
In this breath speed calculation routine, the information processing section 11 acquires the voltage change value of each thermistor in each sensor K (step 441). In the case of this embodiment, since the thermistors TH1 to 4 exist for each of the sensors K1 to 8, 32 voltage change values are acquired in total.

The information processing unit 11 calculates an average voltage change value for each sensor K from four voltage change values of each thermistor TH from the acquired voltage change values (step 442).
Then, the information processing section 11 turns on a sensor fail flag corresponding to the sensor K whose calculated average voltage change value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (step 443). As a case where the sensor fail flag is turned on in this process, the sensor that is normal in the initialization process (step 10) but becomes abnormal after that is the target.

Next, the information processing unit 11 excludes the sensor whose flag is turned on in step 31 in the initialization process and the sensor turned on in step 443 from the breath speed calculation target. (Excludes the average voltage change value of the sensor) (step 444).
The information processing unit 11 specifies the maximum sensor K among the average voltage change values calculated for the sensors K that are not excluded (step 445). This is because the average voltage change value of the sensor that is most exposed to the breath is maximized.

Next, the information processing unit 11 converts the specified maximum average voltage change value into a breathing speed.
FIG. 10 shows a conversion map for converting the voltage change value into the breath speed.
As shown in FIG. 10, the voltage change value of each thermistor TH is a value obtained by subtracting the voltage value when the air is blown (smaller than the normal state) from the voltage value in the normal state where there is no air flow. As the voltage change value increases, the breathing speed increases.
The map of FIG. 10 is based on actual measured values (output voltage value and measured value of breath speed) when the sensor K or thermistor TH and the breath rate measuring device are juxtaposed and both are actually blown. Create.

  The information processing unit 11 stores the breath speed converted based on the breath speed map of FIG. 10 in the breath speed buffer of the RAM 16 (step 446), ends the breath speed calculation routine, and returns.

When the calculation of the breath speed is completed, the information processing unit 11 returns to the breath input determination process (FIG. 8), and determines whether the breath speed stored in the breath speed buffer exceeds a predetermined speed. It is determined whether or not it is due to sneezing (step 45).
In the present embodiment, the predetermined speed is set to 200 km / h, but may be changed depending on the usage environment such as the distance from the user's mouth to each sensor K.

When the breathing speed exceeds the predetermined speed (200 km / h) (step 45; Y), the information processing section 11 turns on the cough / sneeze flag (step 46) and does not exceed the cough / sneezing flag (step 45; N). The cough / sneeze flag is turned off (step 47).
Subsequently, the information processing section 11 determines whether or not the breath speed stored in the breath speed buffer is within a predetermined range of predetermined speed (50 km / h) <breath speed <predetermined speed (200 km / h) (step 48). ). If the breath speed is not within the predetermined range (step 48; N), the information processing unit 11 turns off the breath input flag. If the breath speed is within the predetermined range (step 48; Y), the information processing unit 11 determines that the measurement is breath. The breath input flag is turned on (step 50).

Next, the information processing section 11 executes a breath direction determination routine (step 51).
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the breath direction determination routine.
The information processing unit 11 determines whether or not the breath flag is on. If the breath flag is not on (step 511; N), the information processing unit 11 determines that the breath is not for input operation, ends the processing, and returns.
On the other hand, if the breath flag is on (step 511; Y), the information processing unit 11 acquires the sensor K number in which each sensor fail flag corresponding to the sensors K1 to 8 is on, and from the subsequent processing targets. Exclude (step 512).

  Next, the information processing section 11 acquires the voltage values of the thermistors TH1 to TH4 for each sensor K to be processed (step 513), and calculates the breath input direction for each sensor (step 514).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the contents of the breath input direction calculation process for each sensor.
The breath input direction calculation process shown in FIG. 12 shows determination of the breath direction for one sensor K, and is executed for each sensor K.
The information processing unit 11 determines the breath input direction (TH direction) for the sensor K by comparing the voltage values of the thermistors TH1 to TH4 acquired in step 513 (FIG. 11).
Hereinafter, in the description of FIG. 12, the voltage of the thermistor THm is described as THm voltage (m = 1 to 4).

First, the information processing unit 11 uses the voltages of the two thermistors TH1 and thermistor TH2 that are arranged in parallel to the arrangement surface of each sensor K (the surface parallel to the display surface of the display device 21, hereinafter referred to as the arrangement surface). A certain TH2 voltage and TH4 voltage are compared (step 541).
If the TH2 voltage and the TH4 voltage are equal (step 541; Y), it can be determined that there is no oblique component due to breath, so the information processing section 11 determines that the TH direction is the front direction (step 542).

FIG. 13 shows the sensor K and the TH direction (breath input direction). In FIG. 13, the upper side of the drawing is the display device 21 side (as viewed from the upper side of the display device 21).
The breath input directions 542, 545, 546, 548, and 549 shown in FIG. 13 are made to coincide with the step numbers of steps 542, 545, 546, 548, and 549 that determined the TH direction in FIG.
That is, TH direction = front direction determined in step 542 is the direction of the arrow 542 in FIG.

Returning to FIG. 12, when the TH2 voltage and the TH4 voltage are not equal (step 541; N), the information processing section 11 calculates the TH1 voltage and the TH3 voltage for the thermistors TH1 and TH3 arranged on the plane perpendicular to the arrangement plane. Compare (step 543).
When TH1 voltage = TH3 voltage (step 543; Y), since the strength of the breath in the front direction (depth direction) is the same, the direction is determined by the strength of the left and right thermistors TH parallel to the arrangement surface. The TH2 voltage and the TH4 voltage are compared (step 545).

Here, since the voltage value is low with respect to a strong breath, the information processing unit 11 determines that the breath is being input from the lower TH voltage to the higher TH voltage.
That is, the information processing unit 11 sets the TH direction to the right (step 545) if TH2 voltage ≦ TH4 voltage (step 544; N).
On the other hand, if TH2 voltage> TH4 voltage is satisfied (step 544; Y), the information processing section 11 sets the TH direction to the left (step 546).

In step 543, if the TH1 voltage and TH3 voltage are not equal (step 543), that is, if the breath strength is not equal in the front direction and the left-right direction, if there is a breath input obliquely toward the arrangement surface Since the determination can be made, the information processing section 11 determines the TH direction by comparing two thermistor TH voltages having an oblique positional relationship.
That is, the information processing unit 11 compares the TH1 voltage with the TH2 voltage. If the TH1 voltage <TH2, the TH direction is set to the upper left (port side) direction (step 548), and if TH1 voltage ≧ TH2, the TH direction is set to the upper right side. (Starboard) direction (step 549).

  When determining the upper right and upper left, the upper right may be set if TH1 voltage <TH4 voltage, and the upper left may be set if TH1 voltage ≧ TH4 voltage. Similarly, if TH4 voltage <TH3 voltage, the upper left may be set, and if TH4 voltage ≧ TH3 voltage, the upper right may be set. Furthermore, if TH2 voltage <TH3 voltage, the upper right may be set, and if TH2 voltage ≧ TH3 voltage, the upper left may be set.

  Returning to FIG. 11, when the calculation of the input direction for each sensor is completed, the information processing section 11 stores the N (= 8) TH directions determined corresponding to each sensor K in the corresponding sensor direction buffer. (Step 515).

Next, the information processing unit 11 stores the TH size corresponding to each sensor K in each sensor size buffer.
Here, the TH magnitude of the sensor K is the strength of the breath that has hit the sensor K. In this embodiment, the total voltage change value of the sensor K (the total value of the voltage change values of the thermistors TH in the sensor K) is used for this breath strength.
However, the average voltage change value or the maximum average voltage value of each thermistor TH may be used as the breath strength. Furthermore, a breathing speed obtained by converting a voltage change value (any one of a total voltage change value, a maximum voltage change value, and an average voltage change value) converted according to FIG. 10 may be used.

Next, the information processing unit 11 executes a breath direction calculation routine.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the contents of the breath direction calculation routine.
The information processing unit 11 reads the TH direction of each sensor K1 to N stored in the sensor direction buffer and the TH magnitude of each sensor K1 to N stored in the sensor size buffer (steps 571 and 572).
Then, the information processing section 11 creates a direction vector of each sensor K1 to N from the read TH direction and TH magnitude (step 573). This direction vector is a vector having a size of TH and a direction of TH direction.

Furthermore, the information processing section 11 adds each direction vector for each row L1 to L3 shown in FIG. 15 to the created direction vector (step 574).
That is, the direction vectors of the sensors K4, 5, and 6 in the L1 row are added, the direction vectors of the sensors K3 and 7 in the L2 row are added, and the direction vectors of the sensors K2, 1, and 8 in the L3 row are added.
The added direction vectors of the rows L1, 2, and 3 are used when determining the direction on the arrangement surface of the sensor K without the depth.
In addition, although the case where the direction vector is added for each row L will be described as an example, the direction on the arrangement surface of the sensor K having no depth is determined by adding for each column in the same manner as in the case of the row. Also good.

Next, the direction including the depth (steps 575 to 580) or the direction on the plane not including the depth (steps 581 and 582) is determined.
That is, the information processing section 11 creates a front vector by combining the direction vectors in the front direction (the direction of the arrow 542 in FIG. 13) from the direction vectors of the sensors K1 to 8, and the magnitude thereof is a predetermined value α. It is determined whether it is larger (step 575).
If the size of the front vector is larger than the predetermined value α (step 575; Y), the information processing section 11 determines the breath direction as the front (back) direction (step 576), ends the processing, and determines the breath direction. The routine (in FIG. 11) returns.

On the other hand, if the size of the front vector is less than or equal to the predetermined value α (step 575; N), the information processing section 11 determines the left oblique (left back) direction (FIG. 13) from among the direction vectors of the sensors K1-8. The direction vector in the direction of arrow 548) is synthesized with each other to create a left oblique direction vector, and it is determined whether the magnitude is larger than a predetermined value β (step 577).
If the left oblique direction vector is larger than the predetermined value β (step 577; Y), the information processing section 11 determines the breath direction to the left oblique (back) direction (step 578), and ends the processing. The breath direction determination routine (in FIG. 11) returns.

If the size of the left oblique direction vector is equal to or less than the predetermined value β (step 577; N), the information processing section 11 selects the right oblique (right back) direction (FIG. 13) from among the direction vectors of the sensors K1-8. The direction vector in the direction of arrow 549) is synthesized with each other to create a right oblique direction vector, and it is determined whether the magnitude is larger than a predetermined value γ (step 579).
If the size of the right oblique direction vector is larger than the predetermined value γ (step 579; Y), the information processing section 11 determines the breath direction to the right oblique (back) direction (step 580), and ends the processing. The breath direction determination routine (in FIG. 11) returns.

  When the magnitude of the right oblique direction vector is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value γ (step 580; N), that is, when all of the front vector, the left oblique direction vector, and the right direction vector are equal to or smaller than the predetermined values α, β, γ. The information processing unit 11 determines that the breath input is not in the depth direction, and determines the direction on the arrangement surface of the sensor K.

That is, the information processing unit 11 determines the row having the largest sensor direction vector added for each row L1 to L3, and the size of the direction vector in the row (the value of the sensor direction buffer stored in step 516 = TH size). The sensor K (the number of the sensor K) corresponding to the direction vector having the largest value is determined (step 581).
As shown in FIG. 15, when the number of sensors K existing corresponding to each of the rows L1 to L3 is different, the maximum row is determined using a value corrected by multiplying by a coefficient corresponding to the number. . That is, a value obtained by multiplying the reciprocal 3/2 is used for the row L2, which is 2/3 of the other row. Note that the average value of the sensor direction vectors may be used to determine the row L having the largest average value.
Then, the information processing section 11 determines the breath direction as the direction of the sensor K determined from the center of the arrangement surface of the sensor K (display device 21) (step 582), ends the processing, and the breath direction determination routine (FIG. 11). To return).

  When the breathing direction is determined by the above-described breathing direction calculation routine, the information processing section 11 stores the determined breathing direction in the breathing direction buffer (step 518; FIG. 11), ends the processing, and breath input determination processing (FIG. 8). Return to).

  Then, in the breath input determination process of FIG. 8, the information processing unit 11 uses the breath speed saved in the breath speed buffer in step 447 and the breath direction saved in the breath direction buffer in step 518 as the user input to the I / F 17. The data is output to an information processing apparatus such as the PC 20 connected via the network (step 52).

Next, the information processing section 11 determines whether or not the breath input has been completed (step 53). When the breath input ends here, the detected temperature of the thermistor TH that has fallen rises. Therefore, when the detected voltage of the thermistor TH that has fallen starts to rise, it is determined that the breath input has ended.
When it is determined that the breath input is still continued (step 53; N), the information processing section 11 returns to step 44 and repeats the calculation of the breath speed and the breath direction.
On the other hand, when the end of breath input is detected (step 53; Y), the information processing section 11 ends the process and returns to the main process.

When the above breath input determination process (FIG. 8) is completed, it is determined in the main process (FIG. 4) whether or not the input process is completed (step 53). This main process end determination is determined to be ended when the information input device is powered off or an input end instruction is given.
If the input process is not finished (step 53; N), the information processing unit 11 returns to step 40 and repeats the breath input determination process. If the input process is finished (step 53; Y), the whole process is finished. .

Next, a second embodiment will be described.
In the second embodiment and the fourth embodiment to be described later, the degree of influence due to disturbance such as when a window or a door is open or when an air conditioner is in operation is detected and corrected. .
That is, the detection value of the sensor that detects the disturbance is corrected so as to be close to the detection value of each sensor when the disturbance is not detected. This correction is made so that there is no difference between the breath direction and the breath speed based on the detection value of each sensor when no disturbance is detected, and the breath direction and the like based on the detection value of each sensor when a disturbance is detected. It is for making.
In the second and fourth embodiments, the influence of the window, door, and air conditioner is detected as a disturbance, but the positional relationship between the user inputting the breath and the sensor is deviated from a predetermined position. Therefore, correction may be performed as disturbance even when the detection value of each sensor is different from the detection value at a predetermined position. In this case, the position of the user is detected from the measured values of the image recognition process, the distance sensor, the position sensor, etc., and the user is blown toward the sensors sequentially or in a designated direction. To detect.
The configuration of the information input device and the sensor K used in the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. In addition, each process for breath input will be described with a focus on differences from the first embodiment, and the same parts will be omitted.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a part of the first half of the breath input determination process (corresponding to FIG. 8 of the first embodiment).
The information processing unit 11 initializes the cough / sneeze flag and the breath input flag as in the first embodiment (steps 41 and 42).
Then, the information processing unit 11 acquires the operating state of each of the window, the air conditioner, and the door (step 421), and starts operating (at least one part of the window is open, the air conditioner is on, at least one of them). It is determined whether or not the door is open (step 4422).

When any of the window, the air conditioner, and the door has started to operate (step 422; Y), the information processing section 11 turns on the corresponding operation flag (window operation flag, air conditioner operation flag, door operation flag) (step). 423).
On the other hand, when none of the windows or the like starts operating (step 422; N), or after the operation flag is turned on, the information processing unit 11 executes a correction vector calculation routine for the window, the air conditioner, and the door (step 424). ).
This correction vector calculation routine is a process for calculating the TH direction and the TH magnitude to be corrected for disturbance, the details of which will be described later.

Next, the information processing unit 11 has finished the operation for each of the window, the air conditioner, and the door that have been activated (a state in which all windows are closed, a state in which the air conditioner is off, and a state in which all degasses are closed) Whether or not (step 425).
When the operation ends from the operation start state (step 425; Y), the information processing section 11 turns off the corresponding operation flag (window operation flag, air conditioner operation flag, door operation flag) (step 426).
On the other hand, when the operation has not ended (step 425; N), or when the operation flag is turned off, the information processing unit 11 performs the processing after step 43 of FIG. 8 shown in the first embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the correction vector calculation routine (step 424).
The information processing unit 11 determines the TH direction (front direction, right direction, left direction, upper left direction, upper right direction), which is the breath input direction of the sensor K, for each sensor K (steps 4241 to 4249). .
The determination of the TH direction is the same as the input direction calculation process for each sensor described with reference to FIG. 12, and the steps having the same last two digits of both step numbers are the same process.

Next, the information processing section 11 reverses each determined TH direction (step 4250).
FIG. 18 shows the TH direction before and after inversion.
As shown in FIG. 18, when the determined TH direction is the front direction (the back direction facing the arrangement surface), the TH direction is reversed to reverse the direction (from the arrangement surface toward the front). . Similarly, the right direction is reversed to the left, the left direction is reversed to the right direction, the upper left (back left) direction is reversed to the lower right (front right) direction, and the upper right (back right) direction is reversed to the lower left (front left) direction. To do.

  After reversing the TH direction, the information processing section 11 stores the reversed TH direction in the correction buffer whose operation flag is on among the window correction buffer, the air conditioner correction buffer, and the door TH correction buffer (step 4251). .

In addition, the information processing unit 11 stores the TH size in the correction sensor size buffer in which the operation flag is on among the window correction sensor size buffer, the air conditioner correction sensor size buffer, and the door correction sensor size buffer. (Step 4252).
The TH magnitude used here is the strength of breath, and in this embodiment, the voltage change value is used. This is the same as the TH size described in step 516.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the breath direction calculation routine in the second embodiment. FIG. 19 corresponds to the breath direction calculation routine of FIG. 14 in the first embodiment, and correction processing in the present embodiment is added between step 572 and step 572 of FIG. Correction is performed using the correction vector (step 424) calculated in the breath determination process of FIG.

In addition, the correction | amendment with respect to the disturbance which generate | occur | produces by the operating state of an air conditioner, a window, etc. corrects the dispersion | variation between each sensor K received by a disturbance with a correction vector.
Therefore, the correction vector calculated in the operating state of the air conditioner or the like is used in a breath direction calculation routine for determining the breath direction using each sensor K.

  On the other hand, the breath speed calculation routine (FIG. 9) and the breath direction calculation routine (FIG. 14) determine the speed (depending on the voltage change value) and the breath direction for each sensor K without causing a problem between the sensors K. Therefore, the correction by the correction vector is not performed. This is because it is judged that the influence of the disturbance on each thermistor TH by each sensor K is small, but in order to judge more accurately, a TH correction vector for correcting the influence between the thermistors TH is calculated. Alternatively, correction for each individual sensor K may be performed.

In FIG. 19, the information processing unit 11 determines the TH direction of each sensor K1 to N stored in the sensor direction buffer and the TH size of each sensor K1 to N stored in the sensor size buffer, as in the first embodiment. Read (step 571, step 572).
Then, the information processing unit 11 determines whether any of the window operation flag, the air conditioner operation flag, and the door operation flag is turned on (step 5720), and when none of the operation flags is turned on (step 5720). 5720; N), the process proceeds to step 573.
On the other hand, when any one or more of the operation flags are on (step 5720; Y), the information processing unit 11 stores the TH of the window correction buffer, the air conditioner correction buffer, and the door correction buffer stored in step 4251. The direction is read (step 5721).
Further, the information processing section 11 reads the TH size stored in the window correction sensor size buffer, the air conditioner correction sensor size buffer, and the door correction sensor size buffer stored in step 4252 (step 5722).

Then, the information processing unit 11 corrects the sensor magnitude after correction by subtracting the TH magnitude (correction sensor magnitude) read in step 5722 from the TH magnitude (sensor magnitude) read in step 572 for each sensor K. Is stored in the sensor size buffer (step 5723).
Further, the information processing unit 11 stores a value obtained by subtracting the TH direction (correction sensor direction) read in step 5721 from the TH direction (sensor direction) read in step 571 as a corrected sensor direction in the sensor direction buffer. (Step 5724).
The correction process for the disturbance of the air conditioner or the like is completed by the processes in steps 5723 and 5724 described above.

Then, the information processing section 11 creates direction vectors of the sensors K1 to N from the corrected TH direction and the corrected TH magnitude (step 573) and the rows L1 to L3 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Each direction vector for each is added (step 574).
The subsequent processing is the same as the subsequent processing in step 575 described in the first embodiment.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, since the disturbance due to the operating state of the window, the air conditioner, the door and the like is corrected, the direction of breath input can be determined more accurately.

Next, a third embodiment will be described.
In the first and second embodiments, each direction vector (breath direction (TH direction) and magnitude (TH magnitude) created for each sensor K in the breath direction determination routine (step 51, FIGS. 11 to 15). In this third embodiment, the determination is based not on the direction vector but on the change of the sensor K that has detected the maximum voltage change value.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the breath direction determination routine in the third embodiment. This breath direction determination routine corresponds to the breath direction determination routine (step 51) of FIG. 8 in the first and second embodiments. The other processes in FIG. 8, the main process in FIG. The initialization process in FIG. 7 is the same as in the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

In the breath direction determination routine of the third embodiment, the information processing section 11 determines whether or not the breath input flag is on. If not (step 60; N), the information processing section 11 determines that the breath is not for an input operation. Terminate the process and return.
On the other hand, if the breath flag is on (step 60; Y), the information processing section 11 acquires the sensor K number for which the sensor fail flag corresponding to each of the sensors K1 to 8 is on, and from the subsequent processing targets. Exclude (step 61).

Next, the information processing section 11 acquires the sensor number with the largest voltage change value of each sensor K in the current loop (step 62).
Further, the information processing section 11 acquires the sensor number having the maximum voltage change value of each sensor in the previous loop (step 63).

Then, the information processing section 11 determines whether or not the sensor numbers having the largest voltage change values of the current loop and the previous loop are different (step 64).
If the two sensor numbers are different (step 64; Y), it can be determined that the direction of the breath input person's face (the direction of the breath) is moving from the previous loop to the current loop. A direction in which the sensor number is the starting point and the sensor number of the current loop is the ending point is specified (step 65).

On the other hand, when both sensor numbers are the same (step 64; N), since it can be determined that the breath is continuously input toward the same sensor direction, the information processing unit 11 has the maximum voltage change value of the current loop. The input direction for the sensor K is specified (step 66). This input direction is a direction having a depth in the sensor number direction.
For example, when the sensor K having the largest voltage change value in the current loop is the sensor K1 (see FIG. 3), the lower back direction is specified as the breath input direction. Similarly, the sensor K2 is the lower left rear direction, the sensor K3 is the upper rear direction, the sensor K4 is the upper left rear direction, the sensor K5 is the upper rear direction, the sensor K6 is the upper right rear direction, and the sensor K7. If so, the right back direction is specified, and if it is sensor K8, the lower right back direction is specified.

  The information processing unit 11 stores the direction specified in step 65 or 66 in the breath direction buffer (step 67), ends the breath direction inversion routine, and returns to the breath input determination process in FIG.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, since the breath direction is specified based on the change of the sensor K having the maximum voltage change value, the breath direction determination process can be performed with a small processing load and at high speed.
As the depth direction to be determined, in the case of the first and second embodiments, the front (back) direction, the left oblique (left back) direction, and the right oblique (right back) direction are specified. According to the third embodiment, since the depth direction can be specified by the number N of sensors, more detailed breath input in the depth direction can be performed.

In the third embodiment, there may be a plurality of sensor numbers having the largest voltage change value in one or both of the current loop and the previous loop.
In this case, the center of each sensor K in each loop is specified.

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described.
In the fourth embodiment, correction for disturbance such as an air conditioner is performed.
In the second embodiment, the direction vector of each sensor K is corrected by measuring the influence of disturbance by a correction vector calculation routine (FIG. 17).
On the other hand, in 4th Embodiment, the influence based on disturbances, such as an air-conditioner, is correct | amended by adjusting the sensitivity of each sensor.
That is, instead of the correction vector calculation routine (FIG. 17) in the second embodiment, a sensor sensitivity adjustment routine (described later) in the fourth embodiment is executed.

  In the sensor sensitivity adjustment routine of the fourth embodiment, the temperature-resistance of the thermistor TH shown in FIG. 2C is applied to the sensor K that has detected a voltage change at the time before the breath is input following the initialization process. From the graph, the sensor sensitivity is lowered by raising the temperature of the heat source R.

FIG. 21 shows the processing contents of the sensor sensitivity adjustment routine in the fourth embodiment.
The information processing unit 11 determines whether or not there is a sensor K larger than a predetermined value among the average voltage change values of the sensors K1 to N, that is, whether or not there is an influence due to disturbance (step 70).
If all the average voltage change values are equal to or less than the predetermined value (step 70; N), the information processing section 11 determines that there is no influence due to disturbance, ends the sensitivity adjustment routine, and performs a breath input determination process (FIG. 16). ) And the processing after step 425 is performed.

  On the other hand, when there is an average voltage change value equal to or greater than a predetermined value (step 70; Y), the information processing unit 11 detects a voltage change value equal to or greater than the predetermined value (sensor K with voltage change) and a predetermined value. A sensor K having a voltage change value not greater than the value (sensor K having no voltage change) is specified (step 71, step 72).

Then, the information processing unit 11 calculates the additional average voltage V1 applied to the heat source R of each sensor K without the specified voltage change (step 73). Further, the additional average voltage V2 applied to the heat source R of each sensor K with the specified voltage change is calculated (step 74).
Then, the information processing section 11 calculates an intermediate voltage (average value) V3 between the two additional average voltages V1 and V2 (step 75).

Then, the information processing section 11 determines whether any one of the window operation flag, the air conditioner operation flag, and the door operation flag is on (step 76).
When any one of the operation flags is on (step 76; Y), the information processing unit 11 multiplies the intermediate voltage V3 by a predetermined coefficient α (> 0) by a voltage to be applied to the sensor K having a voltage change. = ΑV3 is set to a value obtained by adding the current additional voltage (step 77). That is, for the sensor K with a change in voltage, the sensor sensitivity is lowered by increasing the voltage applied to the heat source R and increasing the temperature.

  On the other hand, the voltage applied to the sensor K having no voltage change is set to a value obtained by multiplying the intermediate voltage V3 by a predetermined coefficient β (<0) = βV3 (step 78). That is, for the sensor K with no voltage change, the sensor K sensitivity is increased by lowering the voltage applied to the heat source R to lower the temperature.

  In step 77 and / or step 78, the intermediate voltage V3 may be given a predetermined weight by giving a weight according to the position of the sensor K with respect to the operating window, air conditioner, and door. In this case, the weighting may be changed between the step 77 for decreasing the sensitivity of the sensor K and the case of the sensor K78 for increasing the sensitivity of the sensor K.

  On the other hand, when all the operation flags are not on (step 76; N), that is, when there is no disturbance due to an air conditioner or the like, the information processing section 11 determines that all sensors K with voltage change and all sensors K with no voltage change ( An average additional voltage applied to each heat source R of all the sensors K) whose sensor fail flag is not turned on is calculated (step 79).

Then, the voltage added to each heat source R of each sensor K having a voltage change and each sensor K having no change is set as an average added voltage (step 80).
After determining the voltage to be applied to each sensor (steps 79 and 80), the information processing section 11 ends the sensor K sensitivity adjustment routine, returns to the breath input determination process (FIG. 16), and performs the processes after step 425. .

  As described above, in the second embodiment, correction processing such as calculation of correction vectors (steps 4241 to 4252) and correction processing for measurement values (steps 5721 to 5724) is necessary. According to the fourth embodiment, only the sensitivity adjustment of the sensor is performed against the influence of disturbance, and the processing is simplified.

FIG. 22 shows the usage state in the depth direction determined as the breath direction.
As shown in FIG. 22A, it is assumed that the window A is displayed on the display device 21 so as to overlap the window B.
In this state, when the information input device of the first to fourth embodiments supplies (outputs) the left back (or top left back) direction as an input by breathing, the PC 20 or the navigation device connected to the information input device In the various information processing apparatuses, the window B is selected corresponding to the supplied left back direction, and the display of the uppermost window is switched from the window A to the window B and displayed.

In the present embodiment, other configurations may be configured as follows.
(B1) A plurality of sensors for detecting wind, a direction vector calculating means for calculating for each sensor a direction vector composed of the direction of the breath and the magnitude of the breath from the detection value of each sensor, and each of the calculated values An information input device comprising: a breath direction determining unit that determines a direction of input by breath from a sensor direction vector; and an output unit that outputs the determined direction of input by breath as an input direction.
(B2) The breath direction determination means adds a direction vector for each row or column of each arranged sensor, specifies a row or column in which the direction vector of the added row or column is maximum, specifies the specified row or Identifying the sensor corresponding to the direction vector having the largest magnitude among the sensors included in the column, and determining the direction of the sensor identified from the center of the plurality of sensors arranged as the direction of input by breathing. The information input device according to (B1), which is characterized in that
(B3) The breath direction determination means adds the direction vectors in the same direction among the direction vectors of the sensors, and when the magnitude of the added direction vectors in the same direction exceeds a predetermined value, The information input device according to (B1) or (B2), wherein a direction including a depth direction is determined as an input direction by breath.

(C1) a plurality of sensors for detecting the strength of the wind, a sensor specifying means for specifying a sensor that detects the strongest wind among the wind strengths detected by the sensors, at a predetermined time interval, and the sensor specification Means for determining the direction of the input by breath from the positional relationship of the sensor specified this time by the means, the output specified by the previous time, and an output means for outputting the direction of the input by the determined breath as the input direction. An information input device characterized by comprising.
(C2) When the sensor specified by the sensor specifying unit differs from the sensor specified last time, the breath direction determining unit determines the direction of the sensor specified this time from the sensor specified last time as the direction of input by breathing. If the sensor specified this time by the sensor specifying means and the sensor specified last time are the same, the depth direction of the sensor specified from the center of the plurality of sensors arranged is determined as the direction of input by breathing. The information input device described in (C1) above.

(D1) Based on a plurality of sensors that detect wind, a disturbance detection unit that detects disturbance, a correction value acquisition unit that acquires a correction value for the disturbance, a detection value of each sensor, and the acquired correction value An information input device comprising: a breath direction determining unit that determines a breath direction; and an output unit that outputs the determined breath direction as an input direction.
(D2) The breath direction determination means includes a breath direction calculation routine for calculating a breath direction based on the detection value of each sensor and the acquired correction value when the disturbance detection means detects a disturbance.
The information input device described in (D1) above.
(D3) When the disturbance detection unit detects a disturbance, the breath direction calculation routine is configured to approach the detection value of each sensor detected when the disturbance detection unit does not detect a disturbance. The information input device according to (D2) above, wherein the breath direction is calculated by correcting a detection value with the acquired correction value.
(D4) The disturbance detection unit detects, as the disturbance, at least one of a window open state, an air conditioner on state, and a door open state as a disturbance. The information input device according to (D2) or (D3).

1 illustrates a configuration of an information input device according to the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing showing the structure and characteristic of the sensor used with an information input device. It is explanatory drawing showing arrangement | positioning of each sensor K. FIG. It is a flowchart showing the main process of the information input device which performs the input process of a breath. It is a flowchart showing a part of the content of the initialization process. It is a flowchart showing the other part of the content of the initialization process. It is a flowchart showing still another part of the content of the initialization process. It is a flowchart of a breath input determination process. It is a flowchart by a breath speed calculation routine. It is explanatory drawing showing the conversion map which converts a voltage change value into a breath speed. It is a flowchart of a breath direction determination routine. It is a flowchart showing the content of the breath input direction calculation process for each sensor. It is explanatory drawing showing the sensor K and TH direction (breath input direction). It is a flowchart showing the content of the breath direction calculation routine. It is explanatory drawing showing each line L1-L3 which groups each produced direction vector. It is a flowchart showing a part of the first half of the breath input determination process (corresponding to FIG. 8 of the first embodiment). It is a flowchart of a correction vector calculation routine (step 424). It is explanatory drawing showing TH direction before and behind inversion. It is a flowchart of the breath direction calculation routine in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the breath direction determination routine in 3rd Embodiment. These are the flowcharts of the sensor sensitivity adjustment routine in 4th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing showing the utilization state of the depth direction determined as a breath direction.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Information input device 11 Information processing part 12 Sensor part 13 CPU (central processing unit)
14 A / D
15 ROM
16 RAM
17 Interface (I / F)
20 Personal computer (PC)

Claims (5)

A plurality of sensors for detecting wind;
Breath direction determining means for determining a breath direction based on the detection value of each sensor;
Output means for outputting the determined breath direction as an input direction;
An information input device comprising:
Breath input determination means for determining whether or not a breath is input from detection values of the plurality of sensors;
The breath direction determination means determines the breath direction when it is determined that the input is a breath.
The information input device according to claim 1.
Among the plurality of sensors, at least two sensors are arranged in a column direction,
The breath direction determining means determines a direction having a plane direction and a depth based on detection values of sensors arranged in the column direction as a breath direction.
The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the information input device is an information input device.
The sensor is
A heat source located in the center;
A plurality of temperature detecting means arranged equidistant from the heat source,
Each physical quantity corresponding to the temperature detected by each temperature detection means is a detection value of the sensor,
The information input device according to claim 1, 2, or 3.
The sensor is arranged in a direction in which the arrangement surface of the temperature detection means intersects the arrangement surface on which each sensor is arranged.
The information input device according to claim 4.

Images