TW202405624A - Wheel unit, operation device comprising same, wheel unit control method, and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

This wheel unit (11) comprises a wheel body portion (12f), an MR fluid holding portion (11g), a rotation detection portion (13a), a direction detection portion (13b), a coil (12d), and a coil control unit (12c). The rotation detection portion (13a) detects the position of the wheel body portion (12f) in the rotation direction thereof. The direction detection portion (13b) detects the rotation direction of the wheel body part (12f). The coil (12d) generates a magnetic field with respect to the MR fluid (12e). The coil control unit (12c) controls a current flowing into the coil (12d) in accordance with the detection results of the rotation detection portion (13a) and the direction detection portion (13b) so that the rotational resistance varies when the wheel body portion (12f) is rotating in a normal rotation direction and when the same is rotating in a reverse rotation direction.

Description

Roller unit and operating device including the same, control method of the roller unit, computer-readable storage medium

The present invention relates to a roller unit installed in an operating device such as a mouse or a keyboard, an operating device including the same, a control method and a control program of the roller unit.

In recent years, an operating device such as a mouse or a keyboard that performs various operation inputs on a PC or the like is equipped with a wheel unit that performs input by rotational operation.

In addition, in recent years, operating devices such as mice equipped with scroll units are used not only as operating devices for operating PCs installed in workplaces or homes, but also as operating devices for electronic sports (e-Sports). To use an operating device that is used to operate games, a more delicate operating feel is required.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a mouse device with a simple structure and low cost and a function of switching the number of stages of a scroll wheel. [Prior art documents] [Patent Document]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-068411 (Japanese Patent No. 6981632)

[Problem to be solved by the invention] However, the previous mouse device has the following problems.

That is, in the mouse device disclosed in the above publication, in order to have the function of switching the number of stages of the scroll wheel, it includes a plurality of modules with code slots with different numbers of slots, and the modules are switched, thereby switching the scroll wheel. number of segments.

Therefore, in the structure of the mouse device, it is difficult to set the rotation resistance to be different during forward rotation and reverse rotation, or to change various settings such as rotation resistance or click feel to achieve the user's preferred feeling of use.

An object of the present invention is to provide a roller unit that can allocate different settings during forward rotation and reverse rotation with a simple structure, an operating device including the same, a control method, and a control program for the roller unit. [Means to solve the problem]

The roller unit of the first invention is a roller unit installed in an operating device, and includes a roller main body part, a magnetorheological fluid holding part, a rotation detection part, a direction detection part, a coil, and a coil control part. The roller main body is installed in the operating device in a state capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions. The magnetorheological fluid holding part holds the magnetorheological fluid whose viscosity changes due to a magnetic field applied from the outside, thereby imparting rotational resistance to the roller main body part. The rotation detection unit detects the position of the roller main body in the rotation direction. The direction detection unit detects the rotation direction of the roller main body. The coil generates a magnetic field relative to the magnetorheological fluid. The coil control unit controls the current flowing through the coil based on the detection results in the rotation detection unit and the direction detection unit, so that when the roller body unit rotates in the forward rotation direction and when the roller body unit rotates in the reverse rotation direction, the relative angle of the current flowing through the coil is changed. The rotation resistance of the main body of the roller.

Here, in the roller unit using magnetorheological fluid (MR (Magneto-Rheological) fluid), different specifications are allocated for forward rotation and reverse rotation, depending on the position in the rotation direction and the direction of rotation. Based on the detection results, the current flowing through the coil is controlled so as to generate a magnetic field relative to the magnetorheological fluid when rotating in the forward direction and when rotating in the reverse direction.

Here, the operation device equipped with the scroll unit includes, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, a game controller, various control panels, and the like.

The roller unit is an operation member that performs operation input by rotation. For example, it may be a structure that performs operation input by pressing in addition to rotation.

Magnetorheological fluid (MR fluid) is a fluid whose viscosity changes when magnetic force is applied. By being held around the rotating body of the roller unit, it changes the rotational resistance of the roller unit according to the magnitude of the magnetic force.

The forward rotation of the scroll wheel unit refers to the forward rotation when viewed from the user's perspective, for example, in a structure installed in a mouse, and the reverse rotation refers to the forward rotation when viewed from the user's perspective.

By this, for example, the following settings can be made: when the wheel unit rotates forward, the interval where a click feeling is generated is narrowed, when the wheel unit rotates reversely, the interval where a click feeling is generated is widened, or when the wheel unit rotates forward, the rotation of the wheel unit is reduced. Resistance, increasing the rotation resistance of the roller unit during reverse rotation, etc.

As a result, different settings can be assigned during forward rotation and reverse rotation with a simple structure.

The roller unit of the second invention is the roller unit of the first invention, and further includes an output torque determination unit that determines the rotation speed of the roller main body based on the detection results of the rotation detection unit and the direction detection unit. Output torque. The coil control unit controls the current flowing through the coil in accordance with the decision made by the output torque determination unit.

Thereby, in the output torque determining unit, the detection results in the rotation detecting unit and the direction detecting unit are used to determine the output torque of the roller unit, whereby the coil control unit can control the imparted force according to the determination in the output torque determining unit. The magnitude of the current to the coil.

The roller unit of the third invention is the roller unit according to the second invention, and further includes a storage portion that stores data of a plurality of pulse waveforms corresponding to the output torque of the roller body portion. The output torque determining unit reads an appropriate pulse waveform corresponding to the detection results in the rotation detecting unit and the direction detecting unit, and determines the output torque of the roller main body.

Thereby, the output torque determining unit can read the optimal pulse waveform corresponding to the output torque of the roller main body part from the plurality of pulse waveforms stored in the storage unit, and determine the output torque of the roller main body part.

The roller unit of the fourth invention is the roller unit according to the third invention, in which the coil control unit performs pulse width modulation (PWM) control based on the pulse waveform.

This makes it possible to easily control, for example, the magnitude of the rotational resistance when the roller body portion rotates, the interval of click sensations, and the like.

The roller unit of the fifth invention is the roller unit according to the first invention or the second invention, in which the rotation detection part is set with a first resolution for rotating in the forward direction, and is set with a third resolution lower than the first resolution. Two resolutions for rotation in the reverse direction.

Thereby, for example, when used in a shooting game, etc., if the gun is set to fire continuously during forward rotation and the weapon is changed during reverse rotation, the operation can be performed with a higher resolution during forward rotation than during reverse rotation. On the other hand, by operating with a lower resolution during reverse rotation than during forward rotation, even if there is an unintentional reverse operation since forward rotation, it can be controlled so that errors caused by the reverse operation are not output. input.

The roller unit of the sixth invention is the roller unit according to the first invention or the second invention, wherein the rotation detection unit detects the first phase of the rotation position when rotating in the forward direction and detects the first phase when rotating in the reverse direction. The second phases of the rotational positions are set at mutually offset positions.

By this, for example, when used in a shooting game, etc., when the gun is continuously fired during forward rotation and the weapon is changed during reverse rotation, the detection phase of the rotation position in the reverse rotation direction is set to be the same as that of the forward rotation. The detection phase of the side is shifted, so even if there is an unintentional reverse operation since the forward rotation, it can be controlled so that an erroneous input caused by the reverse operation is not output.

The roller unit of the seventh invention is the roller unit according to the first invention or the second invention, in which the coil control section controls the current flowing through the coil according to the rotation direction of the roller main body detected by the direction detection section, so as to control the current flowing through the coil. This makes the click feel of the main body of the scroll wheel a different feeling.

By this, for example, the pulse waveform that causes the rotation resistance of the roller body to be small during forward rotation and increases the rotation resistance of the roller body during reverse rotation is used to control the current flowing through the coil, thereby changing the rotational resistance during forward and reverse rotation. A clicky feeling when turning.

The roller unit of the eighth invention is the roller unit according to the seventh invention, wherein the coil control part controls the current flowing through the coil so that when the detection result in the direction detection part is the forward direction, the first The pitch gives a click feeling, and when the detection result in the direction detection unit is the reverse direction, a second pitch wider than the first pitch is used to give a click feeling.

By this, for example, the current flowing through the coil is controlled using a pulse waveform that shortens the interval for imparting rotational resistance to the roller body during forward rotation and lengthens the interval for imparting rotational resistance to the roller body during reverse rotation, thereby changing the current flowing through the coil. The interval that gives a click feeling during forward rotation and reverse rotation.

An operating device according to a ninth invention includes the roller unit according to the first invention or the second invention, and a main body portion that supports the roller unit in a rotatable state.

Thereby, it is possible to provide an operating device that can allocate different settings during forward rotation and reverse rotation with a simple structure.

The control method of the roller unit of the tenth invention is the control method of the roller unit according to the first invention or the second invention, which includes: a rotation detection step to detect the position of the roller main body in the rotation direction; a direction detection step , detecting the rotation direction of the main part of the roller; and a coil control step, controlling the current flowing through the coil according to the detection results in the rotation detection step and the direction detection step to change the rotation resistance relative to the main part of the roller.

By this, for example, the following settings can be made: when the wheel unit rotates forward, the interval where a clicking feeling occurs is narrowed, when the wheel unit rotates reversely, the interval where a click feeling occurs is widened, or when the wheel unit rotates forward, the rotation resistance of the wheel unit is reduced. , increasing the rotation resistance of the roller unit during reverse rotation, etc.

As a result, different settings can be assigned during forward rotation and reverse rotation with a simple structure.

The control program of the roller unit of the eleventh invention is the control program of the roller unit as described in the first invention or the second invention, which causes the computer to execute the control method of the roller unit. The control method of the roller unit includes: a rotation detection step. , detecting the position of the main body of the roller in the direction of rotation; a direction detection step, detecting the direction of rotation of the main body of the roller; and a coil control step, based on the detection results in the rotation detection step and the direction detection step, controlling the flow through the coil. The current is controlled to change the rotational resistance relative to the main body of the roller.

By this, for example, the following settings can be made: when the wheel unit rotates forward, the interval where a clicking feeling occurs is narrowed, when the wheel unit rotates reversely, the interval where a click feeling occurs is widened, or when the wheel unit rotates forward, the rotation resistance of the wheel unit is reduced. , increasing the rotation resistance of the roller unit during reverse rotation, etc.

As a result, different settings can be assigned during forward rotation and reverse rotation with a simple structure. [Effects of the invention]

With the roller unit of the present invention, a simple structure can be used to assign different settings during forward rotation and reverse rotation.

If explained using FIGS. 1 to 14 , the mouse control system (operation control system) 1 including the wheel unit and the mouse (operation device) 10 including the wheel unit according to one embodiment of the present invention is as follows.

In addition, in this embodiment, more than necessary detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters or repeated descriptions of substantially the same structures may be omitted. This is to prevent the following description from becoming unnecessarily lengthy and to make it easier for those skilled in the art to understand it.

In addition, the applicant provides the accompanying drawings and the following description so that those skilled in the art can fully understand the present invention, and does not intend to limit the subject matter described in the patent scope by these.

(1) Structure of mouse control system 1 The mouse control system (operation control system) 1 of the present embodiment is, for example, a system that accepts operation input from a player who plays a game such as e-Sports and plays a game such as e-Sports. As shown in FIG. 1 , it includes a mouse (operation control system). device) 10 and a personal computer (PC) (operation control device) 20.

As shown in FIG. 1 , in a state where the mouse 10 is arranged in front of the PC 20 together with the keyboard 20 a, the player's fingers in a game such as e-Sports mainly perform rotation operations and pressing operations. The mouse 10 includes a roller unit 11 that uses an MR (Magneto-Rheological) fluid (magnetorheological fluid) 12e to be described later to change the rotation resistance of the roller body portion 12f when the operator performs a rotation operation.

Furthermore, the detailed structure of the mouse 10 will be described in detail later.

The PC 20 is a personal computer to which the mouse 10 is connected, and is a device that executes various applications such as e-Sports and other games, and executes computer programs such as game programs, business programs, and driver simulator programs. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the PC 20 includes a keyboard 20 a, a communication unit (first communication unit) 21 , a display unit 22 , and a control unit 23 .

As shown in FIG. 1 , the keyboard 20 a accepts input from an operator such as a game player, similarly to the mouse 10 .

As shown in FIG. 2 , the communication unit (first communication unit) 21 is connected to the communication unit 14 on the mouse 10 side via wireless to perform communication between the mouse 10 and the PC 20 .

As shown in FIG. 1 , the display unit 22 is a monitor such as a liquid crystal display device included in the PC 20 . As shown in FIG. 2 , the display unit 22 is connected to the control unit 23 and is controlled to display a game screen or the like, for example.

The control unit 23 is a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) that controls the entire PC 20 . As shown in FIG. 2 , it is connected to the communication unit 21 and the display unit 22 , and executes the memory stored in the PC 20 (not shown) various programs such as game programs.

(2) Structure of mouse 10 As shown in FIG. 2 , the mouse 10 includes a wheel unit 11 that accepts a rotation operation by an operator, and a communication unit (second communication unit) 14 . Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4(a) to 4(c) , the mouse 10 has a mouse body 10a, a switch 10b, a bottom surface 10c, a USB insertion port 10d, a light projection part 10ea, and a light receiving part 10eb. , and switch 10f.

The mouse body 10a is the frame part of the mouse 10. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4(a) and FIG. 4(b), the mouse body 10a is capable of rotating in a state of protruding from a part of the roller unit 11 on its upper surface. The roller unit 11 is supported in a state.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4(a) and FIG. 4(b) , the switch 10b is arranged near the roller unit 11 on the upper surface of the mouse body 10a. The switch 10b is operated, for example, when switching between the normal mode and the game mode, or when switching the power of the mouse 10 on/off.

As shown in FIG. 4( b ), the bottom surface 10 c and the mouse body 10 a together constitute the outer shell of the mouse 10 .

As shown in FIG. 3 , the USB insertion port 10 d is provided on the side of the front surface of the mouse 10 , and is mainly used for inserting a USB cable for charging a secondary battery (not shown) mounted in the mouse 10 .

As shown in FIG. 4(c) , the light projection part 10ea and the light receiving part 10eb are disposed substantially in the center of the bottom surface 10c of the mouse 10, and the light receiving part 10eb receives the reflection of infrared light irradiated from the light projecting part 10ea. Thereby, the position change of the mouse 10 is detected.

As shown in FIG. 4(c) , the switch 10f is provided near the light projection part 10ea and the light receiving part 10eb on the bottom surface 10c of the mouse 10 to turn the power of the mouse 10 on/off.

As shown in FIG. 3 and others, the scroll wheel unit 11 is disposed in front of the upper surface of the mouse body 10 a of the mouse 10 and mainly accepts rotation operations and pressing operations. As shown in FIG. 2 , the roller unit 11 includes a torque generating unit 12 and a rolling detecting unit 13 .

As shown in FIG. 2 , the torque generation unit 12 includes an output torque determination unit 12 a, a storage unit 12 b, a coil control unit 12 c, a coil 12 d, an MR (Magneto-Rheological) fluid 12 e, and a roller body unit 12 f.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the output torque determination unit 12 a determines the output torque of the roller main body 12 f based on the detection results of the rotation detection unit 13 a and the direction detection unit 13 b included in the rolling detection unit 13 .

As shown in FIG. 2 , the storage unit 12 b is connected to the output torque determination unit 12 a and stores data on the output pulse waveform for changing the rotation resistance of the roller main body 12 f with the output torque determined by the output torque determination unit 12 a (see 10(a) to 10(d)), the output duty ratio of PWM control (see FIGS. 11 and 12), etc.

The coil control part 12c is connected to the output torque determination part 12a, and controls the current flowing through the coil 12d which generates a magnetic field with respect to the MR fluid 12e, so that the roller main body part 12f can achieve the output torque determined by the output torque determination part 12a. and subject to rotational resistance. Specifically, the coil control unit 12c controls the current flowing through the coil 12d by pulse width modulation (PWM) control using a pulse waveform.

The coil 12d is disposed near the MR fluid holding part 11g (see FIG. 7(b) ) holding the MR fluid 12e, and generates a magnetic field with respect to the MR fluid 12e due to the flow of electric current.

The MR (Magneto-Rheological) fluid 12e is mainly filled in the MR fluid holding portion 11g (refer to Fig. 7(b)) provided in the sliding portion of the rotating body (shaft 11e, etc. (refer to Fig. 7(b))) of the roller unit 11. within the space. Furthermore, the MR fluid 12e is affected by the magnetic field imparted from the coil 12d and changes its shape, thereby changing the rotational resistance of the roller body portion 12f. In addition, the characteristics of the MR fluid 12e will be described in detail later.

The roller main body portion 12f is mounted in a state of being rotatable relative to the mouse body 10a (see Fig. 5 and the like) while being integrated with the rotation shaft (the shaft 11e (see Fig. 5 and the like)) of the roller unit 11. Furthermore, the magnitude of the rotation resistance of the roller body portion 12f changes according to the change in the form of the MR fluid 12e caused by the change in the current flowing through the coil 12d.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the roll detection unit 13 includes a rotation detection unit 13a, a direction detection unit 13b, and an edge determination unit 13c.

The rotation detection unit 13a is provided to detect the rotation position of the rotating body of the roller unit 11 (the roller body portion 12f and the like). As shown in FIG. 2, it detects the position of the roller body portion 12f in the rotation direction. Furthermore, the rotation detection unit 13 a sends the detected position information of the roller body unit 12 f in the rotation direction to the output torque determination unit 12 a included in the torque generation unit 12 .

The direction detection unit 13b is provided to detect the rotation direction (forward rotation, reverse rotation) of the rotating body of the roller unit 11 (the roller body portion 12f, etc.). As shown in FIG. 2, the direction detection unit 13b detects the rotation direction of the roller body portion 12f. detection. Furthermore, the direction detection unit 13b sends the detected information on the rotation direction of the roller body unit 12f to the output torque determination unit 12a included in the torque generation unit 12.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the edge determination unit 13 c is connected to the rotation detection unit 13 a, and controls the rotation of the roller main unit 12 f described later based on the information on the position of the roller main unit 12 f in the rotation direction detected by the rotation detection unit 13 a. The edge of the pulse is detected and a rolling pulse is output.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the communication unit 14 is connected to the communication unit 21 on the PC 20 side via wireless, and transmits and receives various data between the mouse 10 and the PC 20 .

(3) Structure of roller unit 11 As described above, the mouse 10 of this embodiment includes the roller unit 11 that uses the MR fluid 12e to change the rotation resistance of the roller body portion 12f to a desired level when the operator performs a rotation operation. .

The scroll wheel unit 11 is a unit through which the operator of the mouse 10 inputs a rotation operation and a pressing operation. As shown in FIG. 5 , the scroll wheel unit 11 has an outer scroll wheel (the main body of the scroll wheel) 11a, an inner scroll wheel (the main body of the scroll wheel) 11b, and a middle button 11c. , press the detection lever 11d, the shaft (rotation shaft) 11e, the rotation detection magnet 11f, the MR fluid holding part (magnetorheological fluid holding part) 11g and the sealing member 11h.

The outer roller (roller main body part) 11a and the inner roller 11b together form the roller main body part 12f. As shown in FIG. 5 , the outer roller 11 a and the inner roller 11 b are integrated with the shaft 11 e and rotate by the operator's rotation operation.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the inner roller (roller main body part) 11 b is provided on the inner diameter side of the outer roller 11 a, and when the outer roller 11 a is operated, it rotates integrally with the shaft 11 e.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the middle button 11 c is a microswitch that accepts the pressing operation of the outward roller 11 a, and is provided on the side of the roller main body 12 f in a state of contact with the pressing detection lever 11 d.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6( b ), the press detection lever 11 d is provided to protrude from one side of the roller main body 12 f. When the operator presses the outer roller 11 a, the middle button 11 c is pressed. In addition, the pressing detection lever 11d is provided as a member on the fixed side with respect to the rotating body including the outer roller 11a, the inner roller 11b, and the shaft 11e.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6( a ), the shaft (rotation shaft) 11 e is provided to protrude from the side surface of the roller body portion 12 f opposite to the pressing detection lever 11 d, and serves as an axis during the rotation operation of the roller unit 11 . Center of rotation.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the rotation detection magnet 11f is a member arranged on the fixed side of the outer peripheral surface side of the shaft 11e, and detects the rotation of the shaft 11e.

As shown in FIG. 7( b ), which is a cross-sectional view of the roller unit 11 taken along line B-B shown in FIG. 7( a ), the MR fluid holding portion 11 g is a space formed to include a sliding portion included in the rotation mechanism of the roller main body portion 12 f. The MR fluid 12e is enclosed. Thereby, the viscosity of the MR fluid 12e changes due to the magnetic field applied from the outside, so that the contact portion (sliding portion) between the MR fluid holding portion 11g and the rotating body of the roller unit 11 (the roller body portion 12f, etc.) can be The rotation resistance changes with respect to the roller main body portion 12f.

The sealing member 11h is, for example, a rubber ring member, and is provided so that the MR fluid 12e sealed in the MR fluid holding part 11g does not leak to the outside as shown in FIG. 7(b) .

Here, changes in the intensity of the magnetic field applied to the MR fluid 12e and the viscosity of the MR fluid 12e will be described.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing how the viscosity of the MR fluid 12e changes depending on the magnitude of the influence of the magnetic field when a magnetic field is generated.

The MR fluid 12e is a functional fluid in which ferromagnetic fine particles with a diameter of 1 μm to 10 μm are dispersed in a liquid such as water or oil. The fine particles are uniformly dispersed in the liquid without being affected by a magnetic field. Furthermore, when the MR fluid 12e is affected by a magnetic field, the ferromagnetic particles are magnetized and attracted to each other, thereby forming clusters. As shown in FIG. 8 , the viscosity increases as the magnetic field becomes stronger. Furthermore, the degree of cluster formation in the MR fluid 12e can be adjusted by controlling the current flowing through the coil 12d.

Thereby, in the mouse 10 of this embodiment, the coil control part 12c of the roller unit 11 controls the current flowing through the coil 12d, thereby controlling the magnitude of the magnetic field generated by the coil 12d, thereby controlling the MR fluid 12e. control the viscosity. Therefore, the rotation resistance of the roller unit 11 can be controlled according to the viscosity change of the MR fluid 12e.

As a result, for example, when a player of a game such as e-Sports is the operator, the mouse 10 equipped with the scroll unit 11 that can realize a delicate operating feeling for each player can be provided.

In particular, in the mouse 10 equipped with the scroll unit 11 of this embodiment, for example, when a player plays a shooting game in which multiple weapons are used to shoot, a continuous shooting mode and a weapon switching mode that are different from the normal mode are set.

Furthermore, the imaging diagrams shown in FIGS. 9(a) to 9(c) are diagrams that image the angular intervals at which a click sensation is generated for each mode, and do not actually mean that clicks are generated at the angular intervals shown in the figures. feel.

Specifically, in the normal mode, for example, as shown in FIG. 9( a ), the current flowing through the coil 12 d is controlled so that the click feeling when the roller unit 11 is rotated is 24 in both forward and reverse rotation. The angular intervals of clicks/rotations are felt.

On the other hand, if the player rotates the roller unit 11 in the forward direction during the game, the rotation direction of the roller unit 11 is detected, and the mode is shifted to the continuous shooting mode.

In addition, the normal mode is shown as a comparison with the game mode (continuous shooting mode and weapon switching mode). However, switching from the normal mode to the game mode (continuous shooting mode and weapon switching mode) only requires simultaneous mouse operation, for example. 10 multiple buttons and so on.

In the continuous shooting mode, for example, as shown in FIG. 9(b) , the current flowing through the coil 12d is controlled so that the click feeling when the roller unit 11 is rotated in the forward direction is 48 clicks, twice the normal mode. / The angular intervals of rotation are felt.

This allows, for example, when firing a weapon such as a machine gun, continuous firing at shorter intervals than in the normal mode.

On the contrary, if the player rotates the roller unit 11 in the reverse direction during the game, the rotation direction of the roller unit 11 is detected and the weapon switching mode is entered.

In the weapon switching mode, for example, as shown in FIG. 9(c) , the current flowing through the coil 12d is controlled so that the click feeling when the roller unit 11 is rotated in the reverse direction is 12 clicks/half of that in the normal mode. Angular intervals of rotation are felt.

With this, for example, even if a player in a game unintentionally slightly reverses the roller unit 11 while continuously shooting with a machine gun or other weapon, since the resolution in the reverse direction is lower than that in the forward direction, it is possible to avoid unintentional rotation. Changing weapons incorrectly. Therefore, the player's unintentional erroneous operation can be controlled so as not to be detected, thereby improving player satisfaction of the game.

Here, in order to produce the click feeling shown in Figs. 9(a) to 9(c), Fig. 10(a) to Fig. 10(d) will be used to illustrate the case where the detection resolution of the rotation position is 960 pls/rotation. The pulse waveform of the current output from the coil control unit 12c.

In the normal mode, the current flowing through the coil 12d is controlled by the pulse waveform shown in Figure 10(a) so that it is felt at an angular interval of 24 clicks/rotations during forward rotation and reverse rotation. arrive.

In the continuous shooting mode, the current flowing through the coil 12d is controlled by the pulse waveform shown in FIG. 10(b) so that the angular interval of 48 clicks/rotations during forward rotation is twice that of the normal mode. be felt.

In the weapon switching mode (12 clicks/rotations), as shown in (c) of FIG. 10 , the current flowing through the coil 12d is controlled so that when reversed, 12 clicks/rotations are half of the normal mode. Angular intervals are felt.

Here, the error rate of accepting the wrong operation of the player unconsciously rotating in the reverse direction (for example, 3 pls) after shooting 5 times in continuous shooting mode was studied.

Here, it is assumed that humans can control with an accuracy of about 1/10 of one click, and the error rate is defined in a model in which erroneous input of 1/10 width occasionally occurs.

In the normal mode shown in (a) of FIG. 10 , an erroneous input of 1/10 of 40 pls/click, or 4 pls, occurs (reverse rotation at the end of the forward rotation operation).

In this case, the error rate is defined by the probability that an erroneously entered 4 pls crosses an edge in 40 pls, and is calculated as 4 pls/40 pls=10%.

In the continuous shooting mode (forward rotation) shown in (b) of FIG. 10 , an erroneous input of 1/10 of 20 pls/click or 2 pls occurs.

In this case, since the erroneously entered 2 pls applies the weapon switching mode (reversal) when reversed, the error rate is defined as the probability of crossing the edge in 80 pls, and is calculated as 2 pls/80 pls = 2.5%.

Therefore, as described above, by setting the resolution of position detection when rotating in the reverse direction to be coarser (lower) than the resolution when rotating in the forward direction, it is possible to obtain a value lower than that in the normal mode (10%). error rate (2.5%).

In addition, it is also considered that in the weapon switching mode (reversal), the determination edge and phase of the position detection when the roller unit 11 is rotated in the reverse direction are shifted, thereby further reducing the error rate.

Specifically, as shown in (d) of FIG. 10 , a pulse waveform whose detection phase is shifted from the pulse waveform for the weapon switching mode shown in (c) of FIG. 10 is used, for example, 1/10 or 2 pls. Compared with the erroneous input of 2/10=4 pls, 3/10=6 pls, 4/10=8 pls, 5/10=10 pls, the probability of erroneous input is considered to decrease exponentially.

In this case, by adjusting the detection phase, the error rate can be reduced to a probability well below 2.5% and close to 0%.

Next, for example, the proportion of PWM control assigned to positions (rotation position) 1 to position (rotation position) 20 in the rotation direction in the continuous shooting mode (forward rotation direction) (48 clicks/rotations) will be explained using FIG. 11 . empty ratio.

From rotation position 1 to rotation position 5, the duty cycle is allocated in a stepwise increasing manner of 10%, 45%, 75%, 95%, and 100%. In addition, at rotation position 6 to rotation position 10, the duty ratio is allocated in a stepwise decreasing manner of 100%, 95%, 75%, 45%, and 10%. Furthermore, the duty ratio is assigned to the rotation position 11 to the rotation position 20 so that the duty ratio is 0%.

Similarly, as shown in Figure 12, the PWM output duty ratio assigned to the rotation position is assigned to the normal mode (forward rotation direction, reverse rotation direction), continuous shooting mode (forward rotation direction), weapon switching mode A, weapon Switch mode B (reverse direction).

For example, in the normal mode, as shown in Figure 12, the rotation position 1 to rotation position 5 among rotation position 1 to rotation position 80 increase in steps of 10%, 45%, 75%, 95%, and 100%. way to allocate duty cycle. Moreover, the duty ratio is distributed in a stepwise decreasing manner from 100%, 95%, 75%, 45%, and 10% in the rotation position 6 to the rotation position 10. A duty cycle of 0% is assigned to rotation positions 11 to 40. Moreover, the duty ratio is allocated in a stepwise increasing manner from 10%, 45%, 75%, 95%, and 100% at the rotation position 41 to the rotation position 45. The duty ratio is allocated in a stepwise manner from the rotation position 46 to the rotation position 50, with 100%, 95 %, 75%, 45%, and 10% are assigned duty cycles in a step-by-step manner. A duty cycle of 0% is assigned to rotation positions 51 to 80.

That is, in the normal mode, the coil control unit 12 c performs control using a pulse signal in which two peaks of the duty ratio appear at the rotation position 1 to the rotation position 80 (see (a) of FIG. 10 ).

In the continuous shooting mode, as shown in Figure 12, in the rotation position 1 to the rotation position 5 of the rotation position 1 to the rotation position 80, the same as the normal mode, with 10%, 45%, 75%, 95%, 100% duty cycle is allocated in a step-by-step manner. Moreover, the duty ratio is distributed in a stepwise decreasing manner from 100%, 95%, 75%, 45%, and 10% in the rotation position 6 to the rotation position 10. A duty cycle of 0% is assigned to rotation positions 11 to 20. Then, at the rotation position 21 to the rotation position 25, the duty cycle is allocated in a stepwise increasing manner of 10%, 45%, 75%, 95%, and 100%. %, 75%, 45%, and 10% are assigned duty cycles in a step-by-step manner. A duty cycle of 0% is assigned to rotation positions 31 to 40. Similarly, at the rotation position 41 to the rotation position 45, the duty cycle is allocated in a stepwise increasing manner of 10%, 45%, 75%, 95%, and 100%. 95%, 75%, 45%, and 10% are assigned duty cycles in a step-by-step manner. A duty cycle of 0% is assigned to rotation positions 51 to 60. From rotation position 61 to rotation position 65, the duty cycle is allocated in a stepwise increasing manner of 10%, 45%, 75%, 95%, and 100%. 75%, 45%, and 10% are assigned duty cycles in a step-by-step manner. A duty cycle of 0% is assigned to rotation positions 71 to 80.

That is, in the continuous shooting mode, the coil control unit 12c performs control using a pulse signal in which duty cycle peaks appear four times from the rotation position 1 to the rotation position 80 at intervals of half the rotation position in the normal mode (see FIG. 10 (b)).

On the other hand, in the weapon switching mode A, as shown in Figure 12, in the rotation position 1 to the rotation position 5 of the rotation position 1 to the rotation position 80, 10%, 45%, 75%, 95%, 100% The duty cycle is allocated in increasing stages. Moreover, the duty ratio is distributed in a stepwise decreasing manner from 100%, 95%, 75%, 45%, and 10% in the rotation position 6 to the rotation position 10. A duty cycle of 0% is assigned to rotation positions 11 to 80.

That is, in the weapon switching mode A, the coil control unit 12c performs control using a pulse signal in which one duty peak appears at the rotation position 1 to the rotation position 80 at an interval of twice the rotation position of the normal mode (see FIG. 10(c)).

In addition, in the weapon switching mode B, as shown in FIG. 12 , a duty ratio of 0% is assigned to the rotation position 1 to the rotation position 10 among the rotation positions 1 to 80 . Moreover, the duty ratio is allocated in a stepwise increasing manner from 10%, 45%, 75%, 95%, and 100% at the rotation position 11 to the rotation position 15. Moreover, the duty ratio is distributed in a stepwise decreasing manner from 100%, 95%, 75%, 45%, and 10% at the rotation position 16 to the rotation position 20. A duty cycle of 0% is assigned to rotation position 6 to rotation position 80.

Thereby, in the weapon switching mode B, the coil control unit 12c can perform control using a pulse signal that is out of phase with the weapon switching mode A (see (d) of FIG. 10 ).

<Control method of roller unit 11> The roller unit 11 of this embodiment is controlled according to the flowchart shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 .

First, the torque generation process for controlling the rotation resistance of the roller unit 11 will be described using FIG. 13 .

That is, as shown in FIG. 13 , first, when the rotation detection part 13a detects the rotation of the roller main body part 12f in step S11, in step S12, the rotation detection part 13a detects the rotation position of the roller main body part 12f, The detection result is sent to the output torque determination unit 12a (rotation detection step).

Next, in step S13, the direction detection part 13b detects the rotation direction (forward rotation, reverse rotation) of the roller main body part 12f, and sends a detection result to the output torque determination part 12a (direction detection step).

Next, in step S14, the output torque determination unit 12a reads the table including a plurality of pulse waveforms stored in the storage unit 12b.

Next, in step S15, the output torque determination unit 12a determines an appropriate pulse waveform corresponding to the detection results in the rotation detection unit 13a and the direction detection unit 13b from the pulse waveform read in step S14.

Next, in step S16, the pulse waveform determined by the output torque determination unit 12a is output to the coil control unit 12c.

Next, in step S17, the coil control unit 12c controls the current flowing through the coil 12d according to the pulse waveform output from the output torque determination unit 12a in step S16, thereby exciting the coil 12d to achieve the determined output torque. moment to adjust the viscosity of the MR fluid 12e (coil control step).

That is, in the roller unit 11 of this embodiment, based on the detection results of the rotation direction and the rotation position of the roller body portion 12f, it is possible to control the rotation resistance to be different from each other when rotating in the forward rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction (click feel).

More specifically, when rotating in the forward direction, the clicking feeling appears with a short period, and when rotating in the reverse direction, the clicking feeling appears with a longer period than in the forward direction.

Thereby, the mouse 10 which can realize the user's delicate usability feeling can be provided.

Next, the scroll detection process of the mouse 10 will be described using FIG. 14 .

That is, as shown in FIG. 14 , first, in step S21, when the rotation detection unit 13a detects the rotation of the roller main body part 12f, in step S22, the rotation detection part 13a detects the rotation position of the roller main body part 12f. .

Next, in step S23, the edge determination unit 13c detects the edge portion of the pulse waveform using the rotation position detected in step S22.

Next, in step S24, in parallel with step S23, the direction detection part 13b detects the rotation direction of the roller main body part 12f.

Next, in step S25, based on the edge portion detected in step S23, the scroll pulse is output from the communication unit 14 on the mouse 10 side to the communication unit 21 on the PC 20 side.

Next, in step S26, the communication unit 21 of the PC 20 receives the scroll pulse output in the step S25, and reflects it in the control of the PC 20.

[Other embodiments] As mentioned above, one embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention.

(A) In the above-mentioned embodiment, the roller unit 11 and its control method are exemplified and described as an example in which the present invention is realized. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, the present invention can also be implemented as a control program for a roller unit that causes a computer to execute the above-described method for controlling a roller unit.

The control program is stored in the memory (storage unit) mounted on the roller unit. The CPU reads the control program stored in the memory and causes the hardware to execute each step. More specifically, the CPU reads the control program and executes the rotation detection step, direction detection step, and coil control step, thereby achieving the same effect as described above.

In addition, the present invention can also be implemented as a recording medium storing a control program of the roller unit.

(B) In the above embodiment, the mouse 10 is used as an example as an operating device equipped with the wheel unit 11 of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, as an operating device equipped with the scroll unit of the present invention, in addition to a mouse, it may also be a game controller such as a keyboard or a gamepad, a control panel used for playing music, etc.

(C) In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the coil control unit 12c controls the current flowing through the coil 12d to change the interval of the click feeling in the forward rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, the following structure may also be used: the current flowing through the coil is controlled to change the rotation resistance of the roller unit 11 in the forward and reverse directions. Specifically, for example, in the continuous shooting mode (during forward rotation), the rotation resistance is controlled to be smaller, and in the weapon switching mode (during reverse rotation), the rotation resistance is controlled to be larger than in the continuous shooting mode.

This allows the game player to perform more delicate operations, and can prevent the player from unconsciously operating from the forward direction to the reverse direction and performing unintentional operations.

In addition, it is also possible to perform different controls by combining the intervals for generating click sensations and the magnitude of rotation resistance in the forward and reverse directions.

(D) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the current flowing through the coil 12d is controlled so that a clicking feeling is generated at a shorter interval during rotation in the forward direction than during rotation in the reverse direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, the current flowing through the coil may be controlled according to the operation content of the game, so that a clicking sensation is produced at a longer interval during rotation in the forward direction than during rotation in the reverse direction.

(E) In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the resolution is controlled to be coarser during rotation in the reverse direction than during rotation in the forward direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, depending on the operation content of the game, etc., the resolution may be controlled to be finer during rotation in the reverse direction than during rotation in the forward direction.

(F) In the above-described embodiment, an example has been given in which the mouse 10 equipped with the scroll unit 11 of the present invention is mainly used for games such as e-Sports. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, in fields other than games, an operating device equipped with the scroll unit of the present invention can also be used for business purposes such as general PC work, design, and music. [Industrial availability]

The scroll wheel unit of the present invention has the effect of assigning different settings during forward rotation and reverse rotation through a simple structure, and therefore can be widely used in various operating devices such as mice, keyboards, and control panels.

1: Mouse control system (operation control system) 10: Mouse (operating device) 10a: Mouse body 10b: switch 10c: Bottom surface 10d: USB insertion port 10ea:Light projection part 10eb:Light receiving part 10f: switch 11:Roller unit 11a: Outer roller (main part of roller) 11b: Inner roller (main part of roller) 11c: middle button 11d: Press the detection lever 11e: Axis (rotation axis) 11f: Magnet for rotation detection 11g: MR fluid holding part (magnetorheological fluid holding part) 11h:Sealing component 12:Torque generation part 12a: Output torque determining part 12b:Storage Department 12c: Coil control part 12d: Coil 12e:MR fluid 12f:Roller body 13:Rolling detection department 13a: Rotation detection part 13b: Direction detection part 13c: Edge determination part 14: Communications Department (Second Communications Department) 20: PC (operation control device) 20a:Keyboard 21: Communications Department (First Communications Department) 22:Display part 23:Control Department S11~S17, S21~S26: Steps

FIG. 1 is an overall system diagram showing the structure of a mouse control system including a mouse equipped with a wheel unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a PC connected to the mouse. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the mouse control system of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is an appearance perspective view of the mouse included in the mouse control system of FIG. 1 . Figure 4(a), Figure 4(b), and Figure 4(c) are a top view, a side view, and a bottom view of the mouse in Figure 3. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in Fig. 4(b). 6(a) and 6(b) are appearance views of the scroll wheel unit installed in the mouse of FIG. 3 . Fig. 7(a) is a side view of the roller unit of Fig. 6(a) and Fig. 6(b). Fig. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view along line B-B of Fig. 7(a). 8 is a graph showing the relationship between magnetic field strength and viscosity of the MR fluid used in the mouse of FIG. 2 . FIG. 9( a ) is an imaging diagram showing the click feeling generated when the scroll unit rotates in the normal mode. Fig. 9(b) is an imaging diagram showing the click feeling generated when the scroll unit rotates in the continuous shooting mode (during forward rotation). Figure 9(c) is an imaging diagram showing the click feeling generated when the scroll unit rotates in the weapon switching mode (when reversed). (a) of FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a pulse waveform that generates a click feeling when the roller unit is rotated in the normal mode. (b) of FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a pulse waveform that generates a click feeling when the roller unit is rotated in the continuous shooting mode (during forward rotation). (c) of FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a pulse waveform that generates a click feeling when the roller unit is rotated in the weapon switching mode (during reverse rotation). FIG. 10(d) is a diagram illustrating a pulse waveform that generates a click feeling by shifting the phase such that the detection timing of FIG. 10(c) is delayed by a predetermined time. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the distribution of output duty ratios of PWM control at position number 1 to position number 20 during 48 clicks/rotations in the continuous shooting mode of FIG. 9( b ) (during forward rotation). FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the distribution of output duty ratios of PWM control at position numbers 1 to 80 in each of the modes shown in FIGS. 10( a ) to 10 ( d ). FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a control method (torque generation processing) of the scroll wheel unit included in the mouse of FIG. 3 . FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a control method (scroll detection processing) of the scroll wheel unit included in the mouse of FIG. 3 .

1:Mouse control system

10:Mouse

11:Roller unit

12:Torque generation part

12a: Output torque determining part

12b:Storage Department

12c: Coil control part

12d: Coil

12e:MR fluid

12f:Roller body

13:Rolling detection department

13a: Rotation detection part

13b: Direction detection part

13c: Edge determination part

14: Communications Department (Second Communications Department)

20:PC

21: Communications Department (First Communications Department)

22:Display part

23:Control Department

Claims (11)

A roller unit, loaded in an operating device, the roller unit includes: The roller main body is loaded into the operating device in a state capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions; The magnetorheological fluid holding part holds the magnetorheological fluid that changes its viscosity due to a magnetic field applied from the outside and imparts rotational resistance to the roller main body; a rotation detection unit that detects the position of the roller main body in the rotation direction; a direction detection unit that detects the rotation direction of the roller main body; a coil to generate a magnetic field relative to the magnetorheological fluid; and The coil control unit controls the current flowing through the coil based on the detection results of the rotation detection unit and the direction detection unit so that the roller main body rotates in the forward direction and in the reverse direction. When rotating in a certain direction, the rotation resistance relative to the main body portion of the roller changes. The roller unit according to claim 1, further comprising an output torque determining unit that determines the output of the roller main body based on the detection results of the rotation detection unit and the direction detection unit. Torque, The coil control unit controls the current flowing through the coil in accordance with the decision made by the output torque determination unit. The roller unit according to claim 2 further includes a storage part, the storage part stores data of a plurality of pulse waveforms corresponding to the output torque of the roller body part, The output torque determining unit reads an appropriate pulse waveform corresponding to the detection results of the rotation detecting unit and the direction detecting unit, and determines the output torque of the roller body unit. The roller unit according to claim 3, wherein the coil control part performs pulse width modulation (Pulse Width Modulation, PWM) control based on the pulse waveform. The roller unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotation detection part is set with a first resolution for rotating in the forward direction, and is set with a second resolution lower than the first resolution for rotation. Rotate in the reverse direction. The roller unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotation detection unit sets a first phase for detecting the rotation position when rotating in the forward direction and a second phase for detecting the rotation position when rotating in the reverse direction. at mutually offset positions. The roller unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coil control section controls the current flowing through the coil according to the rotation direction of the roller main body detected by the direction detection section, so that The click feeling of the main body part of the roller becomes a different feeling. The roller unit according to claim 7, wherein the coil control part controls the current flowing through the coil, so that when the detection result in the direction detection part is the forward direction, the first spacing To provide a click feeling, when the detection result in the direction detection unit is the reverse direction, a second pitch wider than the first pitch is used to provide a click feeling. An operating device including: A roller unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2; and The main body portion rotatably supports the roller unit. A control method for a roller unit is a control method for a roller unit as described in claim 1 or 2, which includes: The rotation detection step is to detect the position of the main body of the roller in the rotation direction; a direction detection step to detect the rotation direction of the roller main body; and The coil control step is to control the current flowing through the coil according to the detection results in the rotation detection step and the direction detection step to change the rotation resistance relative to the roller main body. A computer-readable storage medium stores a control program of a roller unit. The control program of the roller unit is the control program of the roller unit as described in claim 1 or 2, which enables the computer to execute the control method of the roller unit, The control method of the roller unit includes: The rotation detection step is to detect the position of the main body of the roller in the rotation direction; a direction detection step to detect the rotation direction of the roller main body; and The coil control step is to control the current flowing through the coil according to the detection results in the rotation detection step and the direction detection step to change the rotation resistance relative to the roller main body.