Control apparatus and vibration presentation apparatus

Abstract

To provide a control apparatus mounted on a vibration presentation apparatus that applies vibration to an operation device based on detection of contact on the operation device, while reducing the time required to release a low-power mode.SOLUTION: In a vibration presentation apparatus 100B, a control apparatus 200B includes: a conversion unit which converts a detection signal obtained from a sensor that detects displacement of an operation device, into a first digital signal; a detection signal processing unit 240 which removes noise from the first digital signal to generate a second digital signal; a drive signal generation unit 250 which generates a first drive signal for driving an actuator when detecting depression of the operation device based on the second digital signal, and generates a second drive signal for driving the actuator when detecting vibration of the operation device based on the second digital signal; and a standby control unit 295B which is a mode control unit that sequentially generates a plurality of start control signals for starting the conversion unit, the detection signal processing unit, and the drive signal generation unit, based on reception of a release signal for releasing a low-power mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device and a vibration presentation device.

Background Art

[0002] For example, a tactile interface that gives a user a tactile sensation by driving an actuator based on contact with an operating device such as a touch panel to vibrate the operating device is known. This type of tactile interface performs feedback control that generates a drive pulse signal to be output to the actuator based on contact with the operating device, vibrates the operating device, and then generates a subsequent drive pulse signal that continues or attenuates the vibration, thereby providing the user with a mechanical click feeling.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] A control device incorporated in this type of tactile interface includes, for example, an analog front end that converts an output signal from a sensor that detects contact and vibration of an operating device into a digital signal, a filter that removes noise from the digital signal, and a drive signal generation unit that generates a drive pulse signal based on the digital signal. Also, when the system has a low power mode, for example, the control device includes a regulator that generates a power supply voltage, a clock unit that generates a clock signal, and a low power control unit that controls the regulator to stop generating the power supply voltage and the clock unit to stop generating the clock signal during the low power mode.

[0005] Assume that the tactile interface has a low power mode and the microcomputer controls the low power mode of the tactile interface. In this case, when releasing the low power mode, the microcomputer needs to activate each element in the control device in a predetermined order to prevent malfunction of the tactile interface. Also, if the parameters held in the storage unit are lost due to the transition to the low power mode according to the natural frequency of the actuator, the microcomputer needs to reset the parameters in the storage unit when releasing the low power mode. When the microcomputer performs the activation or setting of the control device when releasing from the low power mode of the tactile interface, there is a problem that the time until the low power mode is released becomes long.

[0006] The disclosed technology aims to shorten the time until the low power mode is released in a control device mounted on a vibration presentation device that gives vibration to an operating device based on detection of contact with the operating device.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] To solve the above technical problem, a control device according to an aspect of the present invention is a control device capable of switching between a steady mode and a low power mode, which controls an actuator that gives vibration to an operating device based on an operation of the operating device, and includes a conversion unit that converts a detection signal output from a sensor that detects displacement of the operating device due to pressing or vibration of the operating device into a first digital signal, a detection signal processing unit that removes noise from the first digital signal to generate a second digital signal, a drive signal generation unit that generates a first drive signal for driving the actuator when detecting pressing of the operating device based on a signal obtained by removing the offset of the second digital signal, and generates a second drive signal for driving the actuator when detecting vibration of the operating device based on the second digital signal after generating the first drive signal, and a mode control unit that sequentially generates a plurality of activation control signals for activating the conversion unit, the detection signal processing unit, and the drive signal generation unit whose operations are stopped during the low power mode, based on reception of a release signal indicating release of the low power mode.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] In a control device mounted on a vibration presentation device that applies vibration to an operating device based on detection of contact with the operating device, the time until release of the low power mode can be shortened.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals as the signal names may be used for signal lines, signal terminals, signal nodes, and signal values through which signals are transmitted. The same reference numerals as the voltage names may be used for voltage lines, voltage terminals, and voltage nodes to which voltages are supplied. In each drawing, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions may be omitted.

[0011] (Example of a Vibration Presentation Device with a Control Device) FIG. 1 is a side view showing an example of a vibration presentation device 100 having a control device 200 according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, some elements of the vibration presentation device 100 are shown transparently. The vibration presentation device 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a control device 200, an electromagnetic actuator 300, a touch panel 400, and a strain detection sensor 500. For example, the control device 200 is manufactured as a semiconductor chip and mounted on a substrate (not shown) mounted on the vibration presentation device 100. The vibration presentation device 100 may operate with power supplied from a battery.

[0012] The electromagnetic actuator 300 is disposed between the touch panel 400 and a base 102 facing the touch panel 400, and is fixed to the base 102. The touch panel 400 is supported by a movable plate 104 that is movably disposed in the Z direction on the electromagnetic actuator 300. The movable plate 104 is connected to a plate-shaped fixed body 106 attached to the base 102 via a plate-shaped elastic portion 108. For example, the strain detection sensor 500 is attached to the movable plate 104 and detects the displacement of the touch panel 400 that moves together with the movable plate 104 due to the pressing or vibration of the touch panel 400.

[0013] The plate-shaped elastic portion 108 is deformed by the pulling force of the movable plate 104 toward the electromagnetic actuator 300 side due to the magnetic force generated by the driving of the electromagnetic actuator 300, and moves the movable plate 104 in the -Z direction. The touch panel 400 moves in the -Z direction together with the movement of the movable plate 104. The plate-shaped elastic portion 108 returns to its original shape when the driving of the electromagnetic actuator 300 stops. When the plate-shaped elastic portion 108 returns to its original shape, the movable plate 104 and the touch panel 400 return to their original positions.

[0014] Then, by repeating the driving and the stop of the driving of the electromagnetic actuator 300 by the control device 200, the touch panel 400 can be vibrated. Further, by changing the driving force and the driving period of the electromagnetic actuator 300, the amplitude and the period of the vibration can be freely changed.

[0015] The touch panel 400 may have a function of detecting the contact position of a user's finger or the like. For example, the touch panel 400 is an electrostatic type, a resistive film type, or an optical type, and is an example of an operating device operated by the user. The touch panel 400 may have a screen such as a liquid crystal type, an organic EL type, an electronic paper type, or a plasma type.

[0016] For example, a system such as an electronic device including the vibration presentation device 100 is a car navigation system, a smartphone, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, an image display device such as a television, a game machine with a touch panel, or a game controller with a touch panel. The touch panel 400 may be mounted over the display screen in these systems, or may be mounted as a touch pad.

[0017] The vibration presentation device 100 gives a contact operation feeling (hereinafter also referred to as a tactile feeling) to the user operating the touch panel 400 by applying vibration to the touch panel 400 in response to a contact operation of the user on the touch panel 400. The control device 200 sets the amplitude of the vibration applied to the touch panel 400 in response to the pressing of the touch panel 400 by the user, and outputs a drive signal to the electromagnetic actuator 300.

[0018] In addition, when the control device 200 can detect the contact position of the touch panel 400 by a user's finger or the like, the control device 200 may change the characteristics of the vibration applied to the touch panel 400 according to the contact position. The contact position may be detected by the control device 200, or may be detected by a microcomputer mounted on a system such as an electronic device including the vibration presentation device 100.

[0019] (Block diagram of the vibration presentation device) Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the vibration presentation device 100 in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 also shows the configuration of the system 10 in which the vibration presentation device 100 is mounted. The system 10 includes the vibration presentation device 100 and a microcomputer 600. For example, the microcomputer 600 may be mounted on a system board provided in the system 10. The vibration presentation device 100 shown in FIG. 2 was proposed by the present inventor and is not publicly known. The problems of the vibration presentation device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0020] The vibration presentation device 100 includes a control device 200, an electromagnetic actuator 300 including a coil 310, a touch panel 400, and a strain detection sensor 500. The vibration presentation device 100 has a stationary mode in which it detects contact of a user's finger or the like with the touch panel 400 and applies vibration to the touch panel 400, and a standby mode in which power consumption is reduced. The standby mode is an example of a low power mode. The strain detection sensor 500 supported together with the touch panel 400 on the movable plate 104 in FIG. 1 detects displacement of the touch panel 400 in response to pressing of the touch panel 400 or vibration by the electromagnetic actuator 300.

[0021] The control device 200 includes a register unit 201, a regulator unit 202, a clock control unit 203, an analog front end 220, a demodulation unit 230, a detection signal processing unit 240, a drive signal generation unit 250, a drive unit 270, and a push-in detection unit 280. The detection signal processing unit 240 includes a low-pass filter (LPF) 241 and a high-pass filter (HPF) 242. The drive signal generation unit 250 includes a main drive signal generation unit 251, a sub-drive signal generation unit 260, and an output unit 252.

[0022] The register unit 201 has a plurality of registers that can be read and written by the microcomputer 600. Based on the information set by the microcomputer 600, the register unit 201 outputs a regulator enable signal RGEN, a clock enable signal CLKEN, timing signals TCNT1, TCNT2, and control signals PGACNT, ADCCNT, DMCCNT. Note that since power is supplied to the register unit 201 not only during the normal mode but also during the standby mode, it can hold various data and can read and write various data during the standby mode.

[0023] The signals output from the register unit 201 shown in FIG. 2 mainly indicate signals used for transitioning to and from the standby mode. The regulator enable signal RGEN, the clock enable signal CLKEN, the timing signals TCNT1, TCNT2, and the control signals PGACNT, ADCCNT, DMCCNT are examples of startup control signals. Although not particularly limited, the microcomputer 600 can access the register unit 201 via, for example, an I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) interface.

[0024] The regulator unit 202 has a function of generating a power supply voltage AVCC used in the analog circuit block in the control device 200 and a power supply voltage DVCC used in the digital circuit block in the control device 200 using the power supply voltage VCC received from outside the vibration presentation device 100. For example, the power supply voltage AVCC is lower than the power supply voltage VCC, and the power supply voltage DVCC is the same as the power supply voltage VCC. The regulator unit 202 generates the power supply voltages AVCC and DVCC while the regulator enable signal RGEN is asserted, and stops generating the power supply voltages AVCC and DVCC while the regulator enable signal RGEN is negated.

[0025] When the power supply voltage DVCC is supplied to the register unit 201, the data held in the register unit 201 will be lost due to the stop of the generation of the power supply voltage DVCC by negating the regulator enable signal RGEN. To prevent the loss of data, the register unit 201 is supplied with a power supply voltage that is also generated during the negation of the regulator enable signal RGEN. Also, to make the register unit 201 accessible during the standby mode, the register unit 201 is supplied with a clock signal CLK that is also generated during the standby mode or a divided clock signal obtained by dividing the frequency of the clock signal CLK. As a result, the logic held in the register unit 201 during the standby mode can be retained without being lost, and the logic held in the register unit 201 can be rewritten when returning from the standby mode to the normal mode.

[0026] The clock control unit 203 generates, for example, clock signals CLK1 and CLK2 used in the digital circuit block during the normal mode using the clock signal CLK generated in the analog circuit block within the control device 200, and stops the generation of the clock signals CLK1 and CLK2 during the standby mode. Since the clock signal CLK is generated based on the power supply voltage AVCC, it is generated during the assertion of the regulator enable signal RGEN. The clock control unit 203 is an example of a clock generation unit. The clock signal CLK is an example of a first clock signal, and the clock signals CLK1 and CLK2 are examples of second clock signals.

[0027] The clock control unit 203 generates the clock signals CLK1 and CLK2 during the assertion of the clock enable signal CLKEN, and stops the generation of the clock signals CLK1 and CLK2 during the negation of the clock enable signal CLKEN. For example, the clock signal CLK1 has the same frequency as the clock signal CLK. For example, the clock signal CLK2 is generated by dividing the frequency of the clock signal CLK and has a frequency that is half of the clock signal CLK.

[0028] The analog front end 220 has, for example, an offset cancellation section, a programmable gain amplifier, and a delta-sigma ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter) not shown in the figure. The offset cancellation section cancels the offset of the detection signal DDET (analog signal) indicating the amount of distortion detected by the distortion detection sensor 500 and outputs it to the programmable gain amplifier.

[0029] The programmable gain amplifier operates while the control signal PGACNT is asserted and amplifies the detection signal DDET with the offset canceled. The programmable gain amplifier stops operating while the control signal PGACNT is negated.

[0030] The delta-sigma ADC operates while the control signal ADCCNT is asserted, generates a serial data signal DT in response to a change in the voltage of the amplified detection signal DDET, and outputs the generated serial data signal DT to the demodulation section 230. The delta-sigma ADC stops operating while the control signal ADCCNT is negated.

[0031] The demodulation section 230 operates while the control signal DMCNT is asserted, sequentially demodulates the serial data signal DT received from the delta-sigma ADC while shifting the positions of the bit groups, and generates a plurality of detection signals DET0 respectively indicating the amount of distortion of the touch panel 400. The demodulation section 230 sequentially outputs the generated detection signals DET0 to the detection signal processing section 240. The demodulation section 230 stops operating while the control signal DMCNT is negated. The analog front end 220 and the demodulation section 230 are an example of a conversion section that generates the detection signal DET0 from the detection signal DDET.

[0032] The low-pass filter 241 of the detection signal processing unit 240 performs noise removal processing on the detection signal DET0 received from the demodulation unit 230, and outputs it as the detection signal LPFDET to the high-pass filter 242 and the push-in detection unit 280. The high-pass filter 242 performs offset removal processing on the detection signal LPFDET from which noise has been removed by the low-pass filter 241, and outputs it as the detection signal DET to the sub-drive signal generation unit 260. The detection signal DET0 is an example of a first digital signal, and the detection signals LPFDET and DET are examples of second digital signals.

[0033] The main drive signal generation unit 251 of the drive signal generation unit 250 generates a main drive signal MDRV in response to the trigger signal TRG received from the microcomputer 600, and outputs the generated main drive signal MDRV to the output unit 252. Although not particularly limited, for example, the main drive signal MDRV may be a rectangular wave. The main drive signal MDRV is an example of a first drive signal.

[0034] The sub-drive signal generation unit 260 determines the amplitude of the sub-drive signal SDRV based on the peak timing and bottom timing of the waveform of the detection signal DET from the detection signal processing unit 240, or the peak timing, bottom timing, and zero-crossing timing. The sub-drive signal generation unit 260 generates a sub-drive signal SDRV having the determined amplitude, and outputs the generated sub-drive signal SDRV to the output unit 252. Although not particularly limited, for example, the sub-drive signal SDRV may be a sine wave. The sub-drive signal SDRV is an example of a second drive signal.

[0035] The output unit 252 outputs the main drive signal MDRV from the main drive signal generation unit 251 or the sub-drive signal SDRV from the sub-drive signal generation unit 260 to the drive unit 270 as the drive signal DRV. The drive unit 270 drives the electromagnetic actuator 300 in response to the drive signal DRV from the drive signal generation unit 250. Then, while the electromagnetic actuator 300 is being driven, the touch panel 400 moves toward the electromagnetic actuator 300 together with the strain detection sensor 500 in response to the magnetic force generated by the coil 310 mounted on the electromagnetic actuator 300.

[0036] The indentation detection unit 280 receives a detection signal LPFDET from the detection signal processing unit 240 and a drive period signal DRVP from the drive signal generation unit 250. The drive signal generation unit 250 asserts the drive period signal DRVP during the period when it generates the drive signal DRV in response to the detection signal DET, and negates the drive period signal DRVP when the detection signal DET becomes smaller than a certain amplitude. For example, the amplitude of the detection signal DET for determining the negation of the drive signal DRVP may be set in the register unit 201.

[0037] When the drive period signal DRVP is asserted, the indentation detection unit 280 stops detecting the indentation operation of the touch panel 400. When the drive period signal DRVP is negated, the indentation detection unit 280 detects the indentation operation of the touch panel 400 based on the detection signal LPFDET from the detection signal processing unit 240.

[0038] When the indentation detection unit 280 detects an indentation operation of the touch panel 400, it outputs an indentation detection signal PUSH to the microcomputer 600. The microcomputer 600 outputs a trigger signal TRG to the vibration presentation device 100 in response to the indentation detection signal PUSH. Note that the indentation detection signal PUSH may be notified to the microcomputer 600 as an interrupt signal.

[0039] The indentation operation is detected when the distortion (pressing force) of the touch panel 400 by the distortion detection sensor 500 is equal to or greater than a preset value when the touch panel 400 is pressed. By stopping the detection of the indentation operation by the indentation detection unit 280 during the assertion of the drive period signal DRVP, it is possible to prevent the indentation detection signal PUSH from being output due to the vibration of the touch panel 400 when the touch panel 400 is not being pressed, such as the driving of the electromagnetic actuator 300 by the drive signal generation unit 250.

[0040] As described above, the vibration presentation device 100 generates a main drive signal MDRV based on a trigger signal TRG output from the microcomputer 600 by detecting a pressing operation on the touch panel 400, and drives the electromagnetic actuator 300. Thereafter, the vibration presentation device 100 detects the amount of distortion (vibration) of the touch panel 400 due to the main drive signal MDRV by the distortion detection sensor 500. Then, the vibration presentation device 100 generates a sub-drive signal SDRV according to the detection signal DET indicating the detected amount of distortion, and drives the electromagnetic actuator 300. The sub-drive signal SDRV has an amplitude corresponding to the amount of distortion indicated by the detection signal DET, and may be generated multiple times. Thereby, it is possible to give the user who operates the touch panel 400 a tactile sensation for each use of the touch panel 400.

[0041] (Operation Timing of the Control Device in FIG. 2) FIG. 3 is a timing diagram showing an example in which the transition to and release from the standby mode of the control device 200 in FIG. 2 are controlled by the microcomputer 600. When the microcomputer 600 shifts the control device 200 to the standby mode or releases the control device 200 from the standby mode, it accesses the register unit 201, negates or asserts a predetermined control signal, or outputs a predetermined timing signal.

[0042] When the control device 200 is shifted to the standby mode, the control signals PGACNT, ADCCNT, DMCNT and the timing signals TCNT1, TCNT2 are each negated by setting information in the register unit 201 by the microcomputer 600 (FIG. 3(a)). By negating the control signals PGACNT and ADCCNT, the operations of the programmable gain amplifier and the delta-sigma ADC of the analog front end 220 are stopped, and by negating the control signal DMCNT, the operation of the demodulation unit 230 is stopped. By negating the timing signals TCNT1 and TCNT2, the operation of the drive signal generation unit 250 is stopped.

[0043] Next, the microcomputer 600 negates the regulator enable signal RGEN by setting information in the register unit 201, and stops the generation of the power supply voltages AVCC and DVCC in the regulator unit 202 (Fig. 3(b)). By stopping the generation of the power supply voltage AVCC, the generation of the clock signal CLK is stopped (Fig. 3(c)). As described with reference to Fig. 2, since the power supply voltage and the clock signal generated even during the negation of the regulator enable signal RGEN are supplied to the register unit 201, the register unit 201 can be accessed during the standby mode.

[0044] Also, the microcomputer 600 negates the clock enable signal CLKEN by setting information in the register unit 201 (Fig. 3(d)). By negating the clock enable signal CLKEN, the generation of the clock signals CLK1 and CLK2 by the clock control unit 203 is stopped (Fig. 3(e)). Thereby, the control device 200 shifts from the steady mode to the standby mode.

[0045] On the other hand, when the microcomputer 600 releases the control device 200 from the standby mode, the microcomputer 600 asserts the regulator enable signal RGEN by setting information in the register unit 201, and causes the regulator unit 202 to generate the analog power supply voltage AVCC (Fig. 3(f)). After the start of the generation of the analog power supply voltage AVCC, the generation of the clock signal CLK for the analog circuit is started (Fig. 3(g)).

[0046] After waiting for the time for the clock signal CLK to stabilize, the microcomputer 600 asserts the clock enable signal CLKEN by setting information in the register unit 201 (Fig. 3(h)). By asserting the clock enable signal CLKEN, the generation of the clock signals CLK1 and CLK2 by the clock control unit 203 is started (Fig. 3(i)).

[0047] After the passage of time until the clock signal CLK stabilizes and the analog front end 220 stabilizes, the microcomputer 600 sequentially asserts the control signals PGACNT, ADCCNT, and DMCNT by sequentially setting information in the register unit 201 (FIGS. 3(j), (k), (l)). The control signal PGACNT is an example of a first startup control signal, the control signal ADCCNT is an example of a second startup control signal, and the control signal DMCNT is an example of a third startup control signal. Also, the microcomputer 600 asserts the timing signals TCNT1 and TCNT2 by setting information in the register unit 201 (FIG. 3(m)).

[0048] Upon assertion of the control signals PGACNT, ADCCNT, and DMCNT, the programmable gain amplifier and the delta-sigma ADC of the analog front end 220 and the demodulation unit start operating sequentially. The detection signal processing unit 240 sequentially generates the detection signals LPFDET and DET in response to the detection signal DET0 output from the demodulation unit 230, outputs the generated detection signal LPFDET to the push detection unit 280, and outputs the generated detection signal DET to the drive signal generation unit 250.

[0049] Upon assertion of the timing signals TCNT1 and TCNT2, the drive signal generation unit 250 and the sub-drive signal generation unit 260 start operating. As a result, the control device 200 becomes capable of generating the detection signal DET and generating the sub-drive signal SDRV and the push detection signal PUSH, and becomes capable of detecting a push operation on the touch panel 400. That is, the control device 200 is released from the standby mode and shifts to the steady state mode.

[0050] The transition and release of the standby mode of the control device 200 shown in FIG. 2 are controlled by various control signals and various timing signals generated according to the set values of the register unit 201 by the microcomputer 600. For this reason, the transition period and the release period of the standby mode include a period for writing information to the register unit 201 for setting various control signals and various timing signals to predetermined logical values.

[0051] Therefore, compared with the case where the transition to and release from the standby mode are autonomously controlled within the control device 200, there is a problem that the transition period to the standby mode and the release period from the standby mode become longer. The release from the standby mode sequentially asserts the control signals PGACNT, ADCCNT, DMCNT, and the timing signals TCNT1, TCNT2, so there is a problem that the release period becomes even longer. If the transition period and the release period become longer, the performance of the system 10 in which the vibration presentation device 100 is mounted may deteriorate.

[0052] In addition, in the vibration presentation device 100 that applies vibration to the touch panel 400 according to distortion caused by a pressing force or the like on the touch panel 400, it is necessary to preliminarily adjust the waveform of the sub-drive signal SDRV according to the natural frequencies of the electromagnetic actuator 300 and the touch panel 400. For this reason, the parameters for adjusting the waveform of the sub-drive signal SDRV are held in a volatile storage unit such as a register or SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) in the digital circuit block according to the natural frequency of each vibration presentation device 100.

[0053] When the supply of the power supply voltage DVCC used in the digital circuit block is stopped during the standby mode, the waveform data used for generating the sub-drive signal SDRV is lost. For this reason, the microcomputer 600 needs to write the parameters for waveform adjustment to the control device 200 every time the standby mode is released, and there is a problem that the release period from the standby mode becomes even longer.

[0054] (Block diagram of the vibration presentation device according to the first embodiment) FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the vibration presentation device 100A having the control device 200A according to the first embodiment of the present invention. For elements similar to those in FIG. 2, the same reference numerals are given, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. FIG. 4 also shows the configuration of the system 10 in which the vibration presentation device 100A is mounted. The appearance and structure of the vibration presentation device 100A shown in FIG. 4 are the same as those of the vibration presentation device 100 in FIG. 1. The vibration presentation device 100A may operate by power supplied from a battery.

[0055] The vibration presentation device 100A shown in FIG. 4 has the same configuration as the vibration presentation device 100 in FIG. 2, except that it has a control device 200A instead of the control device 200 in FIG. 2. For example, the control device 200A is manufactured as a semiconductor chip and mounted on a substrate (not shown) mounted on the vibration presentation device 100A.

[0056] The control device 200A has the same configuration as the control device 200 in FIG. 2, except that it has a regulator unit 202A instead of the regulator unit 202 of the control device 200 in FIG. 2, and further has an AFE control unit 210A and a timing control unit 290A.

[0057] The regulator unit 202A generates a power supply voltage AVCC for the analog circuit block during the steady state mode using the power supply voltage VCC received from the outside, and stops the generation of the power supply voltage AVCC during the standby mode. The power supply voltage AVCC is an example of an analog power supply voltage. The regulator unit 202A does not have a function of generating a power supply voltage DVCC for the digital circuit block. The power supply voltage DVCC uses the power supply voltage VCC.

[0058] The microcomputer 600 asserts or negates the control signals AFEOFF, AFEON, and TCNT respectively by setting information in the register unit 201. The AFE control unit 210A has a function of generating control signals PGACNT and ADCCNT for controlling the operation of the analog front end 220 and a control signal DMCNT for controlling the operation of the demodulation unit 230 based on the control signals AFEOFF and AFEON received from the register unit 201.

[0059] Upon assertion of the control signal AFEOFF set by the microcomputer 600 when transitioning to the standby mode, the AFE control unit 210A negates the control signals PGACNT, ADCCNT, and DMCNT. Upon assertion of the control signal AFEON set by the microcomputer 600, the AFE control unit 210A sequentially asserts the control signals PGACNT, ADCCNT, and DMCNT.

[0060] The timing control unit 290A has a function of generating timing signals TCNT1 and TCNT2 for controlling the operation of the drive signal generation unit 250 based on the control signal TCNT received from the register unit 201. Upon negation of the control signal TCNT set by the microcomputer 600 when transitioning to the standby mode, the timing control unit 290A negates the timing signals TCNT1 and TCNT2. Upon assertion of the control signal TCNT set by the microcomputer 600 when releasing from the standby mode, the timing control unit 290A asserts the timing signals TCNT1 and TCNT2.

[0061] In this embodiment, the microcomputer 600 can cause the control device 200A to sequentially assert the control signals PGACNT, ADCCNT, and DMCNT by writing a value that asserts the control signal AFEON to a predetermined register of the register unit 201. Also, the microcomputer 600 can cause the control device 200A to sequentially assert the timing signals TCNT1 and TCNT2 by writing a value that asserts the control signal TCNT to a predetermined register of the register unit 201. Therefore, compared with the control device 200 in FIG. 2, the transition period to the standby mode and the release period from the standby mode can be shortened.

[0062] Also, in this embodiment, the power supply voltage DVCC that operates the digital circuit block is always supplied to the control device 200A regardless of the operation mode. Therefore, parameters for adjusting the waveform of the sub-drive signal SDRV according to the natural frequencies of the electromagnetic actuator 300 and the touch panel 400 can be continuously held in a volatile storage unit such as a register or SRAM without disappearing during the standby mode.

[0063] For example, the parameters for adjusting the waveform of the sub-drive signal SDRV may include values for adjusting one or both of the amplitude and frequency of the sub-drive signal SDRV. Since the microcomputer 600 does not need to write the parameters for adjusting the waveform to the control device 200A every time the standby mode is released, the release period from the standby mode can be further shortened compared to the control device 200 in FIG. 2. As a result, the performance of the system 10 equipped with the vibration presentation device 100A can be improved compared to the case where the vibration presentation device 100 in FIG. 2 is equipped.

[0064] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing details of the control device 200A in FIG. 4. Detailed descriptions of the elements described in FIGS. 2 and 4 are omitted. The analog front end 220 has an offset cancellation unit 221, a programmable gain amplifier (PGA) 222, and a delta-sigma ADC 223, similar to the description in FIG. 2. The sub-drive signal generation unit 260 has a timing detection unit 261, an amplitude setting unit 262, a cycle count unit 263, a first sub-drive signal generation unit 264, a second sub-drive signal generation unit 265, and a synthesis unit 266.

[0065] The offset cancellation unit 221 cancels the offset of the detection signal DDET (analog signal) indicating the amount of distortion detected by the distortion detection sensor 500 and outputs it to the programmable gain amplifier 222.

[0066] The programmable gain amplifier 222 operates during the assertion of the control signal PGACNT and amplifies the detection signal DDET with the offset canceled. The programmable gain amplifier stops operating during the negation of the control signal PGACNT. The programmable gain amplifier 222 is an example of an amplification circuit.

[0067] The delta-sigma ADC 223 operates during the assertion of the control signal ADCCNT, generates a serial data signal DT in response to a change in the voltage of the amplified detection signal DDET, and outputs the generated serial data signal DT to the demodulation unit 230. The delta-sigma ADC stops operating during the negation of the control signal ADCCNT.

[0068] The timing detection unit 261 detects the peak timing and bottom timing of the waveform of the detection signal DET from the detection signal processing unit 240, or the peak timing, bottom timing, and zero-crossing timing, and outputs them to the amplitude setting unit 262 as timing signals. Note that the timing signals are also output to the cycle count unit 263.

[0069] The amplitude setting unit 262 sets the amplitude of the sub-driving signal based on the timing signal from the timing detection unit 261, and outputs amplitude information indicating the set amplitude to the cycle count unit 263. The amplitude setting unit 262 may refer to, for example, a data table stored in the storage unit of the control device 200A using the information indicated by the timing signal from the timing detection unit 261 to set the amplitude of the sub-driving signal.

[0070] The cycle count unit 263 counts the cycle of the sub-driving signal SDRV based on the timing signal from the timing detection unit 261. Then, the cycle count unit 263 instructs the first sub-driving signal generation unit 264 to generate the sub-driving signal SDRV in the case of an odd-numbered cycle, and instructs the second sub-driving signal generation unit 265 to generate the sub-driving signal SDRV in the case of an even-numbered cycle.

[0071] For example, the first sub-drive signal generation unit 264 and the second sub-drive signal generation unit 265 are sine wave generators. The first sub-drive signal generation unit 264 generates a sub-drive signal SDRV of a sine wave for one period based on an instruction from the period count unit 263 and outputs it to the synthesis unit 266. The second sub-drive signal generation unit 265 generates a sub-drive signal SDRV of a sine wave for one period based on an instruction from the period count unit 263 and outputs it to the synthesis unit 266. Thereby, at the switching point of the period of the sub-drive signal SDRV, it is possible to suppress the sub-drive signal SDRV from being interrupted or changing abruptly, and a smoothly changing sub-drive signal SDRV can be generated. Note that the first sub-drive signal generation unit 264 and the second sub-drive signal generation unit 265 may be cosine wave generators.

[0072] The synthesis unit 266 synthesizes the odd-numbered period sub-drive signal OSDRV generated by the first sub-drive signal generation unit 264 and the even-numbered period sub-drive signal ESDRV generated by the second sub-drive signal generation unit 265, and outputs them as a wave train of the sub-drive signal SDRV to the output unit 252. The output unit 252 outputs the main drive signal MDRV from the main drive signal generation unit 251 or the sub-drive signal SDRV from the sub-drive signal generation unit 260 as the drive signal DRV to the drive unit 270 in FIG. 4.

[0073] (Operation Timing of the Control Device in FIG. 4) FIG. 6 is a timing diagram showing an example of controlling the transition to and release from the standby mode of the control device 200A in FIG. 4. Detailed descriptions of the same operations as in FIG. 3 are omitted. When the microcomputer 600 shifts the control device 200A to the standby mode or releases the control device 200A from the standby mode, it accesses the register unit 201 and negates or asserts the regulator enable signal RGEN, the clock enable signal CLKEN, and the control signals AFEON, AFEOFF, and TCNT.

[0074] The negative timing and assert timing of the regulator enable signal RGEN and the clock enable signal CLKEN are the same as those in FIG. 3. The waveforms of the clock signals CLK, CLK1, and CLK2 are the same as those in FIG. 3. The waveforms of the control signals PGACNT, ADCCNT, DMCNT, TCNT1, and TCNT2 are the same as those in FIG. 3.

[0075] The control signals PGACNT, ADCCNT, and DMCNT are generated by the AFE control unit 210A, and the control signals TCNT1 and TCNT2 are generated by the timing control unit 290A. The microcomputer 600 does not need to directly control the assertion and negation of the control signals PGACNT, ADCCNT, DMCNT, TCNT1, and TCNT2. Therefore, the number of times (procedures) the microcomputer 600 accesses the register unit 201 for the transition to and release from the standby mode can be reduced, and the time required for the transition to and release from the standby mode can be shortened compared to FIG. 3.

[0076] When the microcomputer 600 causes the control device 200A to transition to the standby mode, it asserts the control signal AFEOFF for a predetermined time and negates the control signal TCNT (FIGS. 6(a) and (b)). In response to the assertion of the control signal AFEOFF, the AFE control unit 210A negates the control signals PGACNT, ADCCNT, and DMCNT (FIGS. 6(c), (d), and (e)). In response to the negation of the control signal TCNT, the timing control unit 290A negates the timing signals TCNT1 and TCNT2 (FIG. 6(f)). Then, similar to FIG. 3, the control device 200A transitions from the steady state mode to the standby mode.

[0077] When the microcomputer 600 releases the control device 200A from the standby mode, it asserts the regulator enable signal RGEN, then asserts the clock enable signal CLKEN after a predetermined time, and asserts the control signal AFEON for a predetermined time (Figs. 6(g), (h), (i)). The AFE control unit 210A waits until the analog front end 220 stabilizes according to the assertion period of the control signal AFEON, and sequentially asserts the control signals PGACNT, ADCCNT, and DMCNT in response to the negation of the control signal AFEON (Figs. 6(j), (k), (l)).

[0078] The microcomputer 600 waits for the time from when the control signal AFEON is asserted until the analog front end 220 and the demodulation unit 230 can operate normally, and then asserts the control signal TCNT (Fig. 6(m)). The timing control unit 290A asserts the timing signals TCNT1 and TCNT2 in response to the assertion of the control signal TCNT (Fig. 6(n)). Due to the assertion of the timing signals TCNT1 and TCNT2, the drive signal generation unit 250 and the sub-drive signal generation unit 260 start operating. Similar to Fig. 3, the control device 200A is released from the standby mode and shifts to the steady state mode.

[0079] In this embodiment, the power supply voltage DVCC is constantly supplied to the digital circuit block using the power supply voltage VCC. Therefore, even if the clock signals CLK1 and CLK2 are stopped during the standby mode, the parameters for adjusting the waveform of the sub-drive signal SDRV can continue to be held in a storage unit such as a register or SRAM in the digital circuit block. Thus, the microcomputer 600 does not need to write the parameters for adjusting the waveform to the control device 200 every time it is released from the standby mode, so the release period from the standby mode can be further shortened compared to the release period by the control device 200 in Fig. 2.

[0080] As described above, in the first embodiment, the number of times (procedures) that the microcomputer 600 accesses the register unit 201 for transitioning to and releasing from the standby mode can be reduced, and the time required for transitioning to and releasing from the standby mode can be shortened. Also, since the power supply voltage DVCC is supplied to the digital circuit block during the standby mode, parameters for adjusting the waveform of the sub-drive signal SDRV can be continuously held in a register or a storage unit such as SRAM in the digital circuit block. Therefore, each time the microcomputer 600 releases from the standby mode, it does not need to write the parameters for waveform adjustment to the control device 200, and thus the release time from the standby mode can be further shortened.

[0081] (Second Embodiment) FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a vibration presentation device 100B having a control device 200B according to a second embodiment of the present invention. For elements similar to those in FIGS. 2 and 4, the same reference numerals are given and detailed descriptions are omitted. FIG. 7 also shows the configuration of a system 10 in which the vibration presentation device 100B is mounted. The appearance and structure of the vibration presentation device 100B shown in FIG. 7 are the same as those of the vibration presentation device 100 in FIG. 1. The vibration presentation device 100B may operate with power supplied from a battery.

[0082] The vibration presentation device 100B shown in FIG. 7 has the same configuration as the vibration presentation device 100A in FIG. 4, except that it has a control device 200B instead of the control device 200A in FIG. 4. The control device 200B has a timing control unit 290B instead of the timing control unit 290A of the control device 200A in FIG. 4, and further has a standby control unit 295B, and has the same configuration as the control device 200A in FIG. 4 except for this. The AFE control unit 210A, the timing control unit 290B, and the standby control unit 295B are examples of a mode control unit. For example, the analog front end 220 is included in an analog circuit block, and the standby control unit 295B, the timing control unit 290B, and the AFE control unit 210A are included in a digital circuit block.

[0083] In addition to the functions of the timing control unit 290A in FIG. 4, the timing control unit 290B has a function of outputting a timing pulse signal TPLS and a clear signal CLR to the detection signal processing unit 240 during standby mode control. The timing pulse signal TPLS is a synchronization signal for causing the detection signal processing unit 240 to perform filtering processing on the detection signal DET0, and is output at a predetermined period during the steady state mode. The clear signal CLR is asserted during standby mode. The detection signal processing unit 240 suppresses the supply of the result data of invalid filtering processing to the sub-drive signal generation unit 260 as the detection signal DET by clearing the result of the filtering processing during the assertion of the clear signal CLR. An example of the timing of the timing pulse signal TPLS and the clear signal CLR generated by the timing control unit 290B is shown in FIG. 8.

[0084] The standby control unit 295B has a function of outputting a regulator enable signal RGEN, a clock enable signal CLKEN, and control signals AFEOFF, AFEON, and TCNT according to the standby signal STBY received from the register unit 201. The microcomputer 600 asserts the standby signal STBY by setting information in the register unit 201 when shifting the control device 200B to the standby mode. The microcomputer 600 negates the standby signal STBY by setting information in the register unit 201 when releasing the control device 200B from the standby mode. The standby signal STBY is an example of a release signal indicating the release of the standby mode. An example of the operation of the standby control unit 295B is shown in FIG. 8.

[0085] (Operation Timing of the Control Device in FIG. 7) FIG. 8 is a timing diagram showing an example of controlling the transition to and release from the standby mode of the control device 200B in FIG. 7. Detailed descriptions of the same operations as in FIGS. 3 and 6 are omitted.

[0086] When the microcomputer 600 shifts the control device 200B to the standby mode, it accesses the register unit 201 to assert the standby signal STBY (Fig. 8(a)). The standby control unit 295B negates the control signal TCNT in response to the assertion of the standby signal STBY (Fig. 8(b)). The timing control unit 290B asserts the clear signal CLR in response to the negation of the control signal TCNT (Fig. 8(c)). During the assertion of the clear signal CLR, the detection signal processing unit 240 masks the input of the detection signal DET0 by the low-pass filter 241 and suppresses the filtering of the detection signal DET0. The timing control unit 290B periodically outputs the timing pulse signal TPLS (Fig. 8(d)). The detection signal processing unit 240 clears the data held internally in response to the timing pulse signal TPLS after the assertion of the standby signal STBY.

[0087] Next, the standby control unit 295B asserts the control signal AFEOFF for a predetermined time to cause the AFE control unit 210A to negate the control signals PGACNT, ADCCNT, and DMCNT (Figs. 8(e) and (f)). Next, the standby control unit 295B negates the regulator enable signal RGEN and the clock enable signal CLK (Figs. 8(g) and (h)). Then, similar to Figs. 3 and 6, the control device 200B shifts from the steady state mode to the standby mode.

[0088] On the other hand, when the microcomputer 600 releases the control device 200B from the standby mode, it accesses the register unit 201 to negate the standby signal STBY (Fig. 8(i)). The standby control unit 295B sequentially asserts the regulator enable signal RGEN and the clock enable signal CLKEN in response to the negation of the standby signal STBY (Figs. 8(j) and (k)). The standby control unit 295B asserts the control signal AFEON for a predetermined time after a predetermined time from the assertion of the standby signal STBY to cause the AFE control unit 210A to sequentially assert the control signals PGACNT, ADCCNT, and DMCNT (Figs. 8(l), (m), (n), and (o)).

[0089] Next, the standby control unit 295B asserts the control signal TCNT (Fig. 8(p)). In response to the assertion of the control signal TCNT, the timing control unit 290B asserts the control signals TCNT1 and TCNT2, and causes the drive signal generation unit 250 to start operating (Fig. 8(q)).

[0090] Also, the timing control unit 290B periodically outputs a timing pulse signal TPLS (Fig. 8(r)). Since the clear signal CLR is asserted, the detection signal processing unit 240 clears the result of the filtering process of the invalid detection signal DET0 from the demodulation unit 230. Thereby, it is possible to prevent an invalid detection signal DET from being supplied from the detection signal processing unit 240 to the sub-drive signal generation unit 260, and it is possible to prevent the electromagnetic actuator 300 from being driven erroneously.

[0091] After the timing control unit 290B outputs a predetermined number of timing pulse signals TPLS (four in Fig. 8), it negates the clear signal CLR (Fig. 8(s)). The number of timing pulse signals TPLS output before the negation of the clear signal CLR may be one or more. For example, the time during which four timing pulse signals TPLS are output corresponds to the time until a normal detection signal DET0 is output from the demodulation unit 230 after the release from the standby mode. Thereby, the detection signal processing unit 240 can clear the result data of the invalid filtering process at the time of release from the standby mode.

[0092] Then, the detection signal processing unit 240 performs a filtering process on the normal detection signal DET0 in synchronization with the subsequent timing pulse signals TPLS, and can output the normal detection signal LPFDET to the push-in detection unit 280, and can output the normal detection signal DET to the sub-drive signal generation unit 260. Therefore, the sub-drive signal generation unit 260 can generate a normal sub-drive signal SDRV based on the normal detection signal DET, and can prevent the electromagnetic actuator 300 from malfunctioning.

[0093] As described above, in the second embodiment, the number of times (procedures) that the microcomputer 600 accesses the register unit 201 to release the standby mode can be further reduced compared to the first embodiment, and the time required to release the standby mode can be shortened. Also, similar to the first embodiment, parameters for adjusting the waveform of the sub-drive signal SDRV can be continuously held in a register or a storage unit such as SRAM in the digital circuit block, and the release time from the standby mode can be further shortened.

[0094] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, when releasing from the standby mode, after outputting a predetermined number of timing pulse signals TPLS to the detection signal processing unit 240, the clear signal CLR is negated. As a result, the detection signal processing unit 240 can clear invalid data when releasing from the standby mode, perform filtering processing on the normal detection signal DET0 after releasing from the standby mode, and output the normal detection signals LPFDET and DET. As a result, the sub-drive signal generation unit 260 can generate a normal sub-drive signal SDRV based on the normal detection signal DET, and suppress malfunction of the electromagnetic actuator 300. Also, the push-in detection unit 280 can normally detect the push-in operation of the touch panel 400 based on the normal detection signal LPFDET.

[0095] As described above, the present invention has been described based on each embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the requirements shown in the above embodiments. Regarding these points, it can be changed within the range that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to the application form. For example, instead of the strain detection sensor 500, another sensor capable of detecting displacement of the touch panel 400 such as an acceleration sensor may be used.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0096] 10 System 100, 100A, 100B Vibration Presentation Device 200, 200A, 200B Control Device 201 Register Unit Regulator units 202 and 202A Clock control unit 203 AFE control unit 210A Analog front end 220 Demodulation unit 230 Detection signal processing unit 240 Low-pass filter 241 High-pass filter 242 Drive signal generation unit 250 Main drive signal generation unit 251 Output unit 252 Sub-drive signal generation unit 260 Drive unit 270 Push-in detection unit 280 Timing control units 290A and 290B Standby control unit 295B Electromagnetic actuator 300 Coil 310 Touch panel 400 Strain detection sensor 500 Microcomputer 600 ADCCNT control signal AFEOFF and AFEON control signals AVCC power supply voltage CLK, CLK1, and CLK2 clock signals CLKEN clock enable signal CLR clear signal DDET detection signal DET and DET0 detection signals DMCCNT control signal DRV drive signal DT serial data signal DVCC power supply voltage ESDRV sub-drive signal MDRV main drive signal LPFDET detection signal OSDRV sub-drive signal PGACNT control signal PUSH push-in detection signal RGEN regulator enable signal SDRV Sub-drive Signal TCNT1, TCNT2 Timing Signals TPLS Timing Pulse Signal TRG Trigger Signal VCC Power Supply Voltage

Claims

1. A control device capable of controlling an actuator that applies vibration to an operating device based on the operation of the operating device and switching between a steady state mode and a low power mode, comprising: a conversion unit that converts a detection signal output from a sensor that detects displacement of the operating device due to pressing or vibration of the operating device into a first digital signal; a detection signal processing unit that removes noise from the first digital signal to generate a second digital signal; a drive signal generation unit that generates a first drive signal for driving the actuator when detecting pressing of the operating device based on a signal obtained by removing an offset of the second digital signal, and generates a second drive signal for driving the actuator when detecting vibration of the operating device based on the second digital signal after generation of the first drive signal; a mode control unit that sequentially generates a plurality of activation control signals for activating the conversion unit, the detection signal processing unit, and the drive signal generation unit whose operations are stopped during the low power mode, based on reception of a release signal indicating release of the low power mode. The control device.

2. The detection signal processing unit generates a second digital signal each time it receives a pulse signal during the steady state mode, and clears the generated second digital signal while receiving a clear signal. The mode control unit outputs a pulse signal to the detection signal processing unit at a predetermined period during the steady state mode, stops outputting the pulse signal to the detection signal processing unit during the low power mode, and based on reception of the release signal, outputs one or more of the pulse signals and then stops outputting the clear signal. The control device according to claim 1.

3. having a volatile storage unit that holds a parameter for adjusting a waveform of the second drive signal according to a frequency of the actuator connected to the operating device; The storage unit receives a power supply voltage during the low power mode and continues to hold the parameter. The control device according to claim 1.

4. an analog circuit block including the conversion unit; a digital circuit block including the detection signal processing unit, the drive signal generation unit, and the mode control unit; a regulator unit that generates an analog power supply voltage to be supplied to the analog circuit block based on a power supply voltage and stops operating during the low power mode. A clock generation unit that generates a second clock signal used in the digital circuit block from a first clock signal used in the analog circuit block and stops operations during the low power mode. Based on reception of a release signal, the mode control unit sequentially generates a regulator enable signal for operating the regulator unit and a clock enable signal for operating the clock generation unit before generating the plurality of activation control signals. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The conversion unit An offset canceling unit that cancels the offset of the detection signal, An amplifier circuit that amplifies the detection signal with the offset canceled, A delta-sigma analog-to-digital conversion circuit that converts the amplified detection signal into a serial data signal, A demodulation unit that demodulates the serial data signal to generate the first digital signal. Based on reception of a release signal, the mode control unit sequentially generates a first activation control signal for activating the amplifier circuit, a second activation control signal for activating the delta-sigma analog-to-digital conversion circuit, and a third activation control signal for activating the demodulation unit before activating the drive signal generation unit. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. An operating device, An actuator that applies vibration to the operating device based on an operation of the operating device, A vibration presentation device having a control device that controls the actuator and can switch between a steady mode and a low power mode. The control device A conversion unit that converts a detection signal output from a sensor that detects displacement of the operating device due to pressing or vibration of the operating device into a first digital signal, A detection signal processing unit that removes noise from the first digital signal to generate a second digital signal, When detecting pressing of the operating device based on a signal with the offset of the second digital signal removed, a first drive signal for driving the actuator is generated, and after generating the first drive signal, when detecting vibration of the operating device based on the second digital signal, a second drive signal for driving the actuator is generated. A mode control unit that sequentially generates a plurality of activation control signals for activating the conversion unit, the detection signal processing unit, and the drive signal generation unit, which are stopped during the low power mode, respectively, based on reception of a release signal indicating release of the low power mode. A vibration presentation device.

Images