Input System

Abstract

This enables the creation of a joystick controller using a simple input device configuration. [Solution] This is an input system consisting of an input device and an operation information output device. The input device has a case that houses the operating shaft in a state that allows it to be tilted in any direction along its axis. The operating shaft houses a position detection sensor and a coil for forming a resonant circuit for electromagnetic induction coupling. The operating shaft is configured to be tilted in any direction within the case, with a predetermined position between one end and the other end along its axis as the center of rotation. The operation information output device includes a detection circuit that detects the position of one end along the axis of the input device's operating shaft from the detection output of the position detection sensor and detects the direction in which the operating shaft has been tilted based on the detected change in position. It also includes a first mode for the input device and a second mode for other position indicators, and the detection circuit operates when the first mode is activated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an input system using an input device for direction indication, which is suitable for use, for example, as a joystick controller for games.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as joystick controllers, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-254567) and Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-3704) are known. In the conventional joystick controllers shown in these patent documents, an operation shaft is housed in a case in a state where it can be tilted (tilting operation), and a rotation support mechanism that rotatably supports the operation shaft in response to the tilting operation, and in the case, it is coupled to the rotation support mechanism, and first and second detection means for detecting the movement of the operation shaft in the X-axis operation direction and the movement in the Y-axis operation direction and outputting a detection signal (detection voltage, etc.) are provided.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, the first and second detection means are composed of rotary potentiometers, and their respective electrical resistance values are made variable in response to the tilting operation of the operation shaft. In Patent Document 2, the first and second detection means are composed of a magnet and a magnetic sensor, and based on the change in the relative positional relationship between the magnet and the magnetic sensor in response to the tilting operation of the operation shaft, an electrical output corresponding to the tilting operation of the operation shaft is obtained from the magnetic sensor.

[0004] In addition, the conventional joystick controller is configured to be connected and mounted to a connector that is an electrical circuit contact provided on a control board.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0006] The conventional joystick controller described above has a configuration in which a rotational support mechanism that rotatably supports the operating axis within the case is provided, and first and second detection means are provided coupled to this rotational support mechanism, which results in a problem of a complex mechanical configuration.

[0007] Furthermore, in the case of a structure using a rotary potentiometer as in Patent Document 1, the variable resistor part and the contact unit are constantly rubbing against each other during operation. This can lead to electrical damage such as poor contact due to wear or contamination of foreign matter, potentially making it impossible to correctly detect the tilt angle of the operating shaft.

[0008] Furthermore, even when obtaining an output corresponding to the tilt operation of the operating shaft based on magnetic coupling using a magnet and a magnetic sensor, as in Patent Document 2, one of the magnet and the magnetic sensor must be configured to be attached to a rotating mechanism that is coupled to a rotational support mechanism that rotatably supports the operating shaft. In this case, mechanical damage may occur in the rotating mechanism, making it impossible to correctly detect the tilt angle of the operating shaft.

[0009] Furthermore, as mentioned above, conventional joystick controllers are mounted on a control board, which means they have the disadvantage of not being able to change their installation position.

[0010] The purpose of this invention is to provide an input system using an input device that can solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To solve the above problems, An input system comprising an input device and an operation information output device having an input surface on which the input device is mounted, The aforementioned operation information output device is equipped with an electromagnetic induction type position detection sensor, and the position detection area of ​​the position detection sensor is used as the input surface. The aforementioned input device is The device comprises an operating shaft and a case that houses the operating shaft in a manner that allows the operating shaft to be tilted in any direction. Inside the operating shaft, a coil for forming a resonant circuit that interacts with the position detection sensor via electromagnetic induction coupling is housed such that the direction of the magnetic flux passing through the coil is in the axial direction of the operating shaft. The operating shaft is configured to be tilted in any direction within the case, with a predetermined position between one end and the other end of the operating shaft in the axial direction as the center of rotation. The aforementioned operation information output device is The system includes a detection circuit that detects the position on the position detection sensor at one end of the operating shaft in the axial direction from the detection output based on the signal interaction of the position detection sensor by electromagnetic induction coupling with the resonant circuit, and detects the direction in which the operating shaft is tilted based on the change in the detected position, and also includes a first mode for the input device and a second mode for detecting the indicated position by other position indicators, wherein the detection circuit operates in the first mode. The present invention provides an input system characterized by the following features. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This figure illustrates an overview of the configuration example of a first embodiment of the input device and input system according to this invention. [Figure 2] This figure illustrates an example configuration of a first embodiment of the input device according to this invention. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates a state in which the operating axis is tilted in a first embodiment of the input device according to this invention. [Figure 4]This is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating the tilt direction and tilt magnitude of an operation axis in a first embodiment of an input system according to the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a diagram for explaining an electrical configuration example of a first embodiment of an input system according to the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing a part of a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation flow of an information processing circuit of an operation information output device in a first embodiment of an input system according to the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing a part of a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation flow of an information processing circuit of an operation information output device in a first embodiment of an input system according to the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a second embodiment of an input device according to the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of another embodiment of an input device according to the present invention. [Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0013] [First Embodiment] First, a first embodiment of an input device according to the present invention and an input system using the input device will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the outline of a first embodiment of an input system according to the present invention. The input system of this first embodiment includes an input device 1 as an embodiment of a first input device according to the present invention, and an operation information output device 2 that outputs operation information corresponding to a user's operation on the input device 1.

[0015] In this example, the operation information output device 2 includes an electromagnetic induction type position detection sensor 22 housed in a thin plate-shaped housing 21, and an input surface 22a corresponding to the position detection area of ​​the position detection sensor 22 is formed on the surface of the housing 21. This input surface 22a is planar, and in the input system of this embodiment, the input device 1 is used by being placed at any position on this input surface 22a.

[0016] In this example, the input device 1 is housed in a cylindrical, hollow case 11, with an operating shaft 12 whose axis is aligned with the center line of the cylindrical case 11, and which can be tilted in any direction. The operating shaft 12 protrudes to the outside through an opening 11a provided at the top of the case 11, and a gripping operation part 13 is attached to the protruding portion for the user to tilt the operating shaft 12.

[0017] As will be described later, the operating shaft 12 of the input device 1 is provided with a coil that constitutes a resonant circuit for signal interaction with the position detection sensor 22 via electromagnetic induction coupling, and the position of one end of the operating shaft 12 in the axial direction, which is inside the case 11, can be detected through the position detection sensor 22.

[0018] In this embodiment, the input device 1 is configured such that the position of one end of the operating shaft 12 in the axial direction changes in response to the user's tilting operation of the operating shaft 12. The operation information output device 2 is configured to detect the change in the position of one end of the operating shaft 12 in the axial direction of the input device 1, and to detect the direction and magnitude of the tilt of the operating shaft 12 of the input device 1 based on the detected change in position. The operation information output device 2 then generates operation information including the detected direction and magnitude of the tilt of the operating shaft 12 of the input device 1, and in this example, is configured to transmit it wirelessly to the game console or personal computer. Of course, the operation information from the operation information output device 2 may also be configured to be transmitted via a cable to the game console or personal computer.

[0019] The following describes an example configuration of input device 1 and operation information output device 2.

[0020] <Example configuration of input device 1> Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of input device 1, where Figure 2(A) is a top view of input device 1. Figure 2(B) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of input device 1, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 2(A).

[0021] As shown in Figure 2(B), the case 11 of the input device 1 is made of a non-magnetic material, such as resin, and the lower case 11B and the upper case 11U are fitted together, and in this example, the external appearance is cylindrical and the internal space is hollow.

[0022] The lower case 11B is composed of a circular plate-like body and forms the bottom of the case 11. On the surface of the lower case 11B facing the opening 11a of the case 11, a bearing portion 11Ba is provided to support one end 12a of the operating shaft body 121 in the axial direction. The surface 11Bb of the lower case 11B that is exposed to the outside on the side opposite to the surface facing the opening 11a of the case 11 is the bottom surface of the case 11. In this example, the surface 11Bb that constitutes the bottom surface of the case 11 (hereinafter referred to as the bottom surface 11Bb) is flat, so that the input device 1 does not rattle on the input surface 22a of the operating information output device 2 when it is placed on the input surface 22a.

[0023] In this embodiment, when the input device 1 is placed on the input surface 22a of the operation information output device 2, the material of the lower case 11B of the input device 1 is selected and / or the surface treatment of the bottom surface 11Bb is applied, and the material of the input surface 22a of the operation information output device 2 is selected and / or the surface treatment is applied, so that the input device 1 does not easily move in a direction parallel to the input surface 22a due to the frictional force generated between the bottom surface 11Bb of the lower case 11B and the input surface 22a of the operation information output device 2.

[0024] The upper case 11U is formed integrally with a cylindrical wall plate 11Ua that fits onto the periphery of the lower case 11B and is oriented perpendicular to the periphery of the lower case 11B, and an upper part 11Ub that has an opening 11a facing the bottom of the lower case 11B via a hollow space. The opening 11a is formed in the center of the upper part 11Ub of the upper case 11U, and the diameter of the opening 11a is larger than the diameter of the operating shaft 12, and is selected to be such that it does not come into contact with the operating shaft 12 even when the operating shaft 12 is tilted by the maximum angle of operation.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2(B), in this embodiment, the operating shaft 12 consists of an operating shaft body 121 and an operating shaft cover 122. These operating shaft body 121 and operating shaft cover 122 are made of a non-magnetic material, which in this example is resin.

[0026] The operating shaft body 121 has a cylindrical rod shape, with an axial length longer than the length from the surface of the bearing portion 11Ba of the lower case 11B of the case 11 to the outer surface of the upper part 11Ub of the upper case 11U of the case 11. One end 121a of the operating shaft body 121 in the axial direction is one end of the operating shaft 12 in the axial direction, and the other end 121b of the operating shaft body 121 in the axial direction is the other end of the operating shaft 12 in the axial direction.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2(B), when the operating shaft 12 is housed inside the case 11, the tip of one end 121a of the operating shaft body 121 in the axial direction abuts against the bearing portion 11Ba of the lower case 11B and is supported. The other end 121b of the operating shaft body 121 in the axial direction protrudes outward from the opening 11a of the upper part 11Ub of the upper case 11U of the case 11. A disc-shaped gripping operating portion 13 is attached to the other end 121b of the operating shaft body 121 that protrudes outward.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2(B), the operating shaft body 121 has a recessed hole 121h that extends from the other end 121b in the axial direction to near the tip of the one end 121a. A coil 14, which constitutes a resonant circuit that electromagnetically couples with the electromagnetic induction type position detection sensor 22, is fixedly housed in this recessed hole 121h. In this case, the coil 14 is fixedly housed so that the direction of the magnetic flux passing through the coil 14 is in the axial direction of the operating shaft body 121, that is, in the axial direction of the operating shaft 12.

[0029] In this example, the coil 14 is wound around a rod-shaped magnetic core, such as a ferrite core 15, and is housed and fixed within the recessed hole 121h of the operating shaft body 121. In this case, the ferrite core 15 is housed and fixed within the recessed hole 121h such that one end 15a of the ferrite core 15 in the axial direction is near one end 121a of the operating shaft body 121 in the axial direction.

[0030] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2(B), the tip of one end 121a of the operating shaft body 121 is configured to have a convex curved surface having a predetermined first curvature. On the other hand, the bearing portion 11Ba of the lower case 11B, which constitutes the bottom plate of the case 11, is configured to have a concave curved surface having a second curvature that is the same as or greater than the first curvature of the convex curved surface of the operating shaft 12. In this case, in this embodiment, the convex curved surface of the tip of one end 121a of the operating shaft body 121 and the concave curved surface of the bearing portion 11Ba of the lower case 11B are each composed of a curved surface that is a part of a sphere.

[0031] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2(B), the operating shaft body 121 and the operating shaft cover 122 are connected at an axial position such that the operating shaft 12 is located at the other end 12b side of the axial center of the operating shaft body 121, and is approximately at the same position as the opening 11a when the operating shaft 12 is housed in the case 11. The operating shaft cover 122 has an umbrella-like shape that curves diagonally and protrudes radially from the operating shaft body 121, with the operating shaft body 121 as its center, in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the operating shaft body 121 and toward the bottom of the case 11.

[0032] In this case, the curved surface 122a of the operating shaft cover 122 is not a perfect sphere, but rather the surface shape of a spheroid whose longitudinal direction is the axis of the operating shaft body 121. This configuration prevents the operating shaft cover 122 from rubbing against the circular edge of the opening 11a of the upper case 11U when the operating shaft 12 is tilted within the case 11.

[0033] The operating shaft body 121 and the operating shaft cover 122 may be constructed as a single unit, but in this embodiment, the operating shaft body 121 and the operating shaft cover 122 are separate units. In this example, the operating shaft body 121 and the operating shaft cover 122 are connected such that the operating shaft body 121 can rotate freely relative to the operating shaft cover 122 with the axial center of the operating shaft body 121 as the center of rotation. That is, as shown in Figure 2(B), a ring-shaped groove 121d is formed on the circumferential surface of the connection portion between the operating shaft body 121 and the operating shaft cover 122. On the other hand, the operating shaft cover 122 has a ring-shaped bulge 122b that is loosely fitted into this ring-shaped groove 121d. In this case, the size of the ring-shaped groove 121d is slightly larger than the ring-shaped bulge 122b, so that the operating shaft cover 122 is loosely fitted to the operating shaft body 121 and connected so that they can rotate relative to each other.

[0034] When an operating force is applied to the gripping operating part 13 to tilt the operating shaft 12, the operating shaft 12 rotates and tilts with the rotation center being an intermediate position between one end 121a and the other end 121b of the operating shaft body 121 in the axial direction within the hollow space of the case, and is supported such that the position of the one end 121a in the axial direction changes at the bearing portion 11Ba of the lower case 11B at the bottom of the case 11.

[0035] In this embodiment, the operating shaft 12 is supported within the case 11 in a manner that allows it to tilt and displace by an elastically compressible coil spring 16. Specifically, the coil spring 16 has a winding diameter larger than the diameter of the operating shaft body 121, and as shown in Figure 2(B), with the operating shaft body 121 housed inside the coil spring 16, one end 16a of the coil spring 16 is fixed to the lower case 11B which constitutes the bottom of the case 11, and the other end 16b of the coil spring 16 is fixed to the other end of the operating shaft 12 in the axial direction.

[0036] However, in this embodiment, the other end 16b of the coil spring 16 is fixed to the operating shaft cover 122, as shown in Figure 2(B), rather than to the operating shaft body 121 of the operating shaft 12. Therefore, even though the operating shaft 12 is supported by the case 11 by the coil spring 16, the operating shaft body 121 is not directly connected to the coil spring 16. For this reason, even if the user intentionally rotates the gripping operation part 13 around the axial direction of the operating shaft 12, twisting the operating shaft 12, the operating shaft body 121 rotates freely relative to the operating shaft cover 122, so the coil spring 16 is not twisted, and the coil spring 16 is not damaged by the twisting operation of the operating shaft 12.

[0037] Furthermore, the other end 16b of the coil spring 16 may be left free without being fixed to the operating shaft body 121 or the operating shaft cover 122. In this case, since the other end 16b of the coil spring 16 is free, it is possible to prevent the coil spring 16 from being damaged by the twisting operation of the operating shaft 12.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, one end 16a of the coil spring 16 is fixed to the lower case 11B in such a way that the concave curved surface of the bearing portion 11Ba of the lower case 11B is housed within the winding diameter of the coil spring, as shown in Figure 2(B). As will be described later, the tip of one end 121a of the operating shaft body 121 of the operating shaft 12 in the axial direction moves within the concave curved surface of this bearing portion 11Ba.

[0039] In this example, the gripping operation part 13 is made of resin and has a disc shape with a larger diameter and a predetermined thickness than the operating shaft body 121, so that the user can easily operate the operating shaft 12. The center of the disc shape is connected to the operating shaft body 121 of the operating shaft 12. In this embodiment, a circuit board 17 is disposed within the extension direction of the operating shaft body 121 in the axial direction within the gripping operation part 13, and a capacitor is connected in parallel with a coil 14 on this circuit board 17 to form a resonant circuit. The configuration of this operating shaft 12 is similar to that of an electronic pen that uses the tip end 121a on the axial direction of the operating shaft body 121 as the pen tip side to indicate position to a position detection sensor.

[0040] In this embodiment, the gripping operation section 13 is provided with push buttons 18 and 19 exposed on its upper surface in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the operating shaft 12, as shown in Figure 2(A), so that the operator can press them in the axial direction of the operating shaft 12 while gripping the gripping operation section 13. Push buttons 18 and 19 are configured to be distinguishable by the user, for example, by coloring the exposed operating sections in different colors.

[0041] The circuit board 17 located within the gripping operation section 13 is equipped with switches 18S and 19S (not shown in Figure 2; see Figure 5 below) that are turned on and off by the push buttons 18 and 19. In this embodiment, these switches 18S and 19S are normally off, turned on by the user pressing the push buttons 18 and 19, and return to the off state when the user releases the button press, making them self-resetting switches.

[0042] Furthermore, the push buttons 18 and 19 may not be self-resetting, but rather configured to lock (switch on) when pressed once, and release (switch off) when pressed again.

[0043] As will be described later, the circuit board 17 is provided with capacitors C1 and C2 (see Figure 5) whose connection to the resonant circuit is controlled by switches 18S and 19S, which are turned on and off by pressing the push buttons 18 and 19. The resonant frequency of the resonant circuit is changed by pressing the push buttons 18 and 19. In other words, the switches 18S and 19S, which are turned on and off by pressing the push buttons 18 and 19, are configured to have the same function as the side switches in an electronic pen.

[0044] The operation of switches 18S and 19S by pressing push buttons 18 and 19 can be pre-configured and registered in the operation information output device 2 as a predetermined event. In this embodiment, the operation of switches 18S and 19S is configured and registered in the operation information output device 2 to be treated as predetermined operation instruction information for the game.

[0045] In this embodiment, the input device 1 is configured as described above, so that the operating shaft 12 is supported within the case 11 by the elastic displacement force of the coil spring 16, with the operating shaft body 121 perpendicular to the bottom of the case 11, and the tip of one end 121a of the operating shaft body 121 in the axial direction abutting with the center of the bearing portion 11Ba of the lower case 11B which constitutes the bottom of the case 11. In other words, when no tilting force is applied to the gripping operating portion 13, the tip of one end of the operating shaft 12 is located at the center of the bearing portion 11Ba of the lower case 11B.

[0046] Then, with the operating shaft 12 supported within the case 11 in this manner, when a force is applied to the gripping operating part 13 to tilt the operating shaft 12, the operating shaft 12 tilts by rotating around a position between one end 121a and the other end 121b in the axial direction of the operating shaft body 121 due to the elastic deformation of the coil spring 16. When the tilting force is released, the elastic restoring force of the coil spring 16 causes it to return to its original state before the tilting force was applied. This will be explained using Figure 3.

[0047] Figure 3 shows the state in which the operating shaft 12 is tilted when the gripping operation part 13 of the input device 1 receives a force in the direction of arrow AR. That is, when a force in the direction of arrow AR is received, the operating shaft 12 tends to tilt in the direction in which the force is applied. At this time, one end and the other end of the coil spring 16 in the axial direction are fixed to the lower case 11B at the bottom of the case 11 and the operating shaft cover 122 on the other end 121b side of the operating shaft body 121 of the operating shaft 12. As shown in Figure 3, the coil spring 16 undergoes an elastic change such that the side to which the force in the direction of arrow AR is applied elastically stretches and the side opposite to the direction of arrow AR elastically contracts. Therefore, the operating shaft 12 tilts by rotating around the position Oc between the one end 16a and the other end 16b of the coil spring 16 (this position Oc is the position between the one end 121a and the other end 121b in the axial direction of the operating shaft body 121).

[0048] Furthermore, the position Oc of the rotation center of the operating shaft 12 does not need to be configured to be a predetermined fixed position between one end 121a and the other end 121b in the axial direction of the operating shaft body 121, and may vary slightly depending on the magnitude of the tilt angle of the operating shaft 12. However, the shape of the upper case 11U and the shape of the operating shaft 12 are selected so that the operating shaft 12 and the upper case 11U of the case 11 do not rub against each other when the operating shaft 12 is tilted.

[0049] When the operating shaft 12 is tilted in this manner, as shown in Figure 3, the tip position of one end 121a of the operating shaft body 121 in the bearing portion 11Ba of the lower case 11B is displaced by a distance d corresponding to the tilt angle θ, in the opposite direction to the tilt direction of the other end 121b of the operating shaft body 121, from the center of the bearing portion 11Ba when it is not tilted.

[0050] In this embodiment, the positional displacement of the tip position on one end 121a of the operating shaft body 121 of the operating shaft 12 is detected by the position detection sensor 22, thereby enabling the operation information output device 2 to obtain output information regarding the tilt direction and magnitude of the tilt of the operating shaft 12 of the input device 1.

[0051] For example, as shown in Figure 4, when the input device 1 is placed on the input surface 22a of the operation information output device 2, and no force is applied to tilt the operation shaft 12 of the input device 1, the position P0 of one end of the operation shaft body 121 in the axial direction is detected as coordinates (x0, y0) via the position detection sensor 22, and when the operation shaft 12 is tilted by the user, the position P1 of one end of the operation shaft body 121 in the axial direction is detected as coordinates (x1, y1) via the position detection sensor 22, the tilt direction and magnitude of the tilt of the operation shaft 12 are detected as follows.

[0052] For example, in Figure 4, when considering the tilt direction of the operating shaft 12 in the plane of the X and Y axes, if the rotation angle φ of the operating shaft 12 is 0 degrees when it is tilted exactly in the positive direction of the X axis, and the rotation angle φ of the operating shaft 12 is 180 degrees when it is tilted in the negative direction of the X axis, then the tilt direction (rotation angle φ) of the operating shaft 12 is opposite to the direction of one end of the operating shaft body 121 in the axial direction, When x1 = x0 and (y1 - y0) > 0, φ = -90 degrees. When x1 = x0 and (y1 - y0) < 0, φ = 90 degrees. When (x1-x0)>0 and (y1-y0)=0, φ=180 degrees. When (x1-x0)<0 and (y1-y0)=0, φ=0 degrees. When (x1-x0)>0 and (y1-y0)>0, tan -1 (-180 degrees - φ) = (y1 - y0) / (x1 - x0) When (x1-x0)>0 and (y1-y0)<0, tan -1 (180 degrees - φ) = (y1 - y0) / (x1 - x0) When (x1-x0)<0 and (y1-y0)>0, tan -1 (-φ)=(y1-y0) / (x1-x0) When (x1-x0)<0 and (y1-y0)<0, tan -1 φ = (y1 - y0) / (x1 - x0) ...(Formula 1) It is detected by [method].

[0053] And the magnitude of the inclination d in each inclination direction is, d = {(x1 - x0)} 2 +(y1-y0) 2} 1 / 2 ...(Formula 2) It is detected as such.

[0054] If the tilt angle θ of the operating axis is less than 30 degrees, then from the relationship between tanθ and distance d, as the tilt angle θ increases, the distance d increases almost proportionally to the tilt angle θ. Therefore, calculating the distance d is equivalent to calculating the magnitude of the tilt angle θ.

[0055] [Example of electrical configuration of input device 1 and operation information output device 2] Next, we will describe an example of the electrical configuration of the input device 1 and the operation information output device 2. Figure 5 shows an example of the electrical configuration of the input device 1 and an example of the electrical configuration of the operation information output device 2.

[0056] <Example of electrical configuration of input device 1> As described above, the circuit board 17 of the input device 1 has a resonant circuit RC formed thereon for electromagnetic induction coupling with the position detection sensor 22. This resonant circuit RC is configured by connecting a resonant capacitor C0 in parallel with a coil 14 wound around a ferrite core 15, and a series circuit of a switch 18S, which is turned on and off by a push button 18, and a capacitor C1, and a series circuit of a switch 19S, which is turned on and off by a push button 19, and a capacitor C2, which are each connected in parallel with the coil 14.

[0057] When the push button 18 is pressed and the switch 18S is turned on, the capacitor C1 is connected in parallel to the parallel resonant circuit consisting of the coil 14 and the capacitor C0, and the resonant frequency (phase) of the resonant circuit RC changes.

[0058] Similarly, when the push button 19 is pressed and the switch 19S is turned on, the capacitor C2 is further connected in parallel to the parallel resonant circuit consisting of the coil 14 and the capacitor C0, and the resonant frequency (phase) of the resonant circuit RC changes.

[0059] In this case, the capacitances of capacitors C1 and C2 are assumed to be different, and the resonant frequency (phase) of the resonant circuit RC is different when push button 18 is pressed and switch 18S is turned on, compared to when push button 19 is pressed and switch 19S is turned on. Therefore, the operation information output device 2 is configured to detect which of the push buttons, 18 or 19, has been pressed by detecting the difference in the resonant frequencies of the resonant circuit of the input device 1.

[0060] <Example of electrical configuration of operation information output device 2> As shown in Figure 5, the operation information output device 2 is configured to include a position detection sensor 22, a position detection circuit 200, and an information processing circuit 210. The position detection sensor 22 is configured by laminating an X-axis loop coil group 22X, in which a plurality of loop coils are arranged at a predetermined pitch in the lateral direction (X-axis direction) of the input surface 22a, and a Y-axis loop coil group 22Y, in which a plurality of loop coils are arranged at a predetermined pitch in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction) of the input surface, on a thin substrate.

[0061] The position detection circuit 200 comprises an oscillator 201, a current driver 202, a selection circuit 203, a switching connection circuit 204, a receiving amplifier 205, a position detection circuit 206, a switch 18S state detection circuit 207, and a switch 19S state detection circuit 208. The detection outputs of the position detection circuit 206, the switch 18S state detection circuit 207, and the switch 19S state detection circuit 208 of the position detection circuit 200 are supplied to the information processing circuit 210.

[0062] The information processing circuit 210 includes a control circuit 211 composed of a microprocessor, which controls the operation of the position detection circuit 200. Specifically, the control circuit 211 of the information processing circuit 210 controls the selection of the loop coil in the selection circuit 203 of the position detection circuit 200, the switching of the switching connection circuit 204, and the processing timing in the position detection circuit 206, the switch 18S state detection circuit 207, and the switch 19S state detection circuit 208.

[0063] The loop coil group 22X in the X-axis direction and the loop coil group 22Y in the Y-axis direction of the position detection sensor 22 are connected to the selection circuit 203. The selection circuit 203 sequentially selects one of the two loop coil groups 22X and 22Y under the control of the control circuit 211 of the information processing circuit 210.

[0064] The oscillator 201 generates an AC signal with a frequency f0 equal to the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit RC of the input device 1 (the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit consisting of coil 14 and capacitor C0). The oscillator 201 supplies the generated AC signal to the current driver 202, the switch 18S state detection circuit 207, and the switch 19S state detection circuit 208. The current driver 202 converts the AC signal supplied from the oscillator 201 into current and sends it to the switching connection circuit 204.

[0065] The switching connection circuit 204, under control from the control circuit 211 of the information processing circuit 210, switches the connection destination (transmitting terminal T, receiving terminal R) to which the loop coil selected by the selection circuit 203 is connected. Of these connection destinations, the current driver 202 is connected to the transmitting terminal T, and the receiving amplifier 205 is connected to the receiving terminal R. When the position detection sensor 22 transmits a signal, the switching connection circuit 204 is switched to the terminal T side, and conversely, when the position detection sensor 22 receives a signal from the input device 1, the switching connection circuit 204 is switched to the terminal R side.

[0066] When the switching connection circuit 204 is switched to terminal T, current from the current driver 202 is supplied to the loop coil selected by the selection circuit 203. This generates a magnetic field in the loop coil and transmits a signal (radio wave) to act on the resonant circuit RC of the input device 1.

[0067] When the switching connection circuit 204 is switched to terminal R, the induced voltage generated in the loop coil selected by the selection circuit 203 is sent to the receiving amplifier 205 via the selection circuit 203 and the switching connection circuit 204. The receiving amplifier 205 amplifies the induced voltage supplied from the loop coil and sends it to the position detection circuit 206, the switch 18S state detection circuit 207, and the switch 19S state detection circuit 208.

[0068] Each loop coil in the X-axis loop coil group 22X and the Y-axis loop coil group 22Y generates an induced voltage due to the radio waves transmitted (received back) from the resonant circuit RC of the input device 1.

[0069] The position detection circuit 206 detects the induced voltage generated in the loop coil, i.e., the received signal, for the resonant frequency component of the resonant circuit RC of the input device 1, converts the detected output signal into a digital signal, and outputs it to the information processing circuit 210.

[0070] The switch 18S state detection circuit 207 synchronously detects the received signal from the receiving amplifier 205 using the AC signal from the oscillator 201, and based on the frequency difference (phase difference) between the two signals, detects that the resonant frequency (phase) of the resonant circuit RC changes when the switch 18S of the input device 1 is turned on. Based on this detection result, it detects the switch state of the input device 1, whether the push button 18 has been pressed and the switch 18S is turned on or remains off, and outputs the detected output to the information processing circuit 210.

[0071] Similarly, the switch 19S state detection circuit 208 detects that the resonant frequency (phase) of the resonant circuit RC changes when the switch 19S is turned on. Based on this detection result, it detects the switch state, whether the push button 19 of the input device 1 has been pressed and the switch 19S is turned on, or whether it remains off, and outputs the detected output to the information processing circuit 210.

[0072] As described above, the information processing circuit 210 not only controls the operation of the position detection circuit 200, but in this embodiment, it also has the function of detecting the tilt direction and magnitude of the tilt of the operating axis 12 in response to the tilt operation of the input device 1 with respect to the operating axis 12, based on the output of the position detection circuit 200.

[0073] To realize its functions, the information processing circuit 210 is connected to the control circuit 211 via the system bus 217, with the coordinate detection circuit 212, tilt direction detection circuit 213, tilt magnitude detection circuit 214, operation information generation circuit 215, and wireless communication unit 216 each connected to it. The coordinate detection circuit 212, tilt direction detection circuit 213, tilt magnitude detection circuit 214, and operation information generation circuit 215 can also be configured as software functions through the control circuit 211 executing a program.

[0074] The coordinate detection circuit 212 calculates the coordinate value of the position of one end of the operating shaft body 121 of the operating shaft 12 of the input device 1 based on the voltage level of the induced voltage generated in each loop coil detected by the position detection circuit 206, and sends the calculated coordinate value to the tilt direction detection circuit 213 and the tilt magnitude detection circuit 214.

[0075] The tilt direction detection circuit 213 performs calculations according to the aforementioned (Equation 1) from the acquired coordinate values ​​to calculate the direction in which the operation axis 12 of the input device 1 is tilted, and supplies the calculated tilt direction information to the operation information generation circuit 215.

[0076] Furthermore, the tilt magnitude detection circuit 214 performs calculations according to the aforementioned (Equation 2) from the acquired coordinate values ​​to calculate the magnitude of the tilt of the operation axis 12 of the input device 1, and supplies the calculated tilt magnitude information to the operation information generation circuit 215.

[0077] The operation information generation circuit 215 generates operation information that includes tilt direction information received from the tilt direction detection circuit 213, tilt magnitude information received from the tilt magnitude detection circuit 214, on / off status information of switch 18S from switch 18S state detection circuit 207, and on / off status information of switch 19S from switch 19S state detection circuit 208.

[0078] The operation information generated by the operation information generation circuit 215 is then transmitted to the game console or personal computer via the wireless communication unit 216, according to the control of the control circuit 211. In this example, the wireless communication unit 216 is configured as a Bluetooth® short-range wireless communication unit. However, the wireless communication unit 216 is not limited to this and may be configured as, for example, a Wi-Fi® wireless communication unit.

[0079] In this case, the game console or personal computer assigns the information on the direction of tilt, the magnitude of the tilt, the on / off status of switch 18S, and the on / off status of switch 19S to predetermined actions, for example, for the sake of game progression, and controls the game progression according to each piece of information.

[0080] [Example of the operation flow of the information processing circuit 210] An example of the operation flow in the information processing circuit 210 of the operation information output device 2, which is configured as described above, will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 6 and Figure 7, which is a continuation of Figure 6. In the following explanation, it will be assumed that the control circuit 211 of the information processing circuit 210 implements the functions of the coordinate detection circuit 212, the tilt direction detection circuit 213, the tilt magnitude detection circuit 214, and the operation information generation circuit 215 as software function processing by a program.

[0081] When power is supplied to the operation information output device 2, processing begins from the start shown in Figure 6. First, the control circuit 211 determines whether or not the input device 1 is placed on the input surface 22a by monitoring the state of interaction due to electromagnetic coupling between the resonant circuit RC of the input device 1 and the position detection sensor 22 (step S101). If step S101 determines that the input device 1 is not placed on the input surface 22a, the control circuit 211 continues monitoring as in step S101.

[0082] In step S101, when it is determined that the input device 1 is placed on the input surface 22a, the control circuit 211 detects the coordinate value of the position P0 (see Figure 4) of one end of the operating shaft body 121 in the axial direction when the operating shaft 12 of the input device 1 is not tilted, and holds the detected coordinate value (step S102). The position of one end of the operating shaft body 121 in the axial direction will hereafter be referred to as the operating shaft tip position.

[0083] Next, the control circuit 211 determines whether the position of the tip of the operating shaft of the input device 1 has been displaced (step S103). If it determines that the position of the tip of the operating shaft has been displaced, it determines whether the magnitude of the positional displacement is greater than a predetermined value (step S104). Here, the predetermined value is, for example, a value greater than the radius of the winding diameter of the coil spring 16 corresponding to the maximum tilt displacement of the operating shaft 12 of the input device 1.

[0084] In step S104, if it is determined that the positional displacement is greater than a predetermined value, the control circuit 211 determines that the mounting position of the input device 1 on the input surface 22a has changed, returns the process to step S102, and repeats the process from step S102 onward.

[0085] In step S104, if it is determined that the positional displacement is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the control circuit 211 determines that an operation has been performed to tilt the operating shaft 12 of the input device 1, and detects the coordinate value of the position P1 (see Figure 4) of the tip of the operating shaft of the input device 1 after the displacement (step S105).

[0086] Next, the control circuit 211 calculates the tilt direction of the operating shaft 12 of the input device 1 based on the tip position P0 of the operating shaft of the input device 1 being held and the tip position P1 of the operating shaft of the input device 1 after tilting, as detected in step S105, using the aforementioned (Equation 1), and also calculates the magnitude of the tilt of the operating shaft 12 of the input device 1 based on the aforementioned (Equation 2) (step S106).

[0087] The control circuit 211 then transmits the calculated information regarding the tilt direction and magnitude of the operating axis 12 to the game console or personal computer via the wireless communication unit 216 (step S107).

[0088] Next, the control circuit 211 monitors the state detection output from the switch 18S state detection circuit 207 to determine whether the push button 18 has been operated and the switch 18S has been turned on (step S111 in Figure 7). Even if it is determined in step S103 that the position of the operating shaft tip of the input device 1 has not been displaced, the control circuit 211 jumps the process from step S103 to step S111 to determine whether the switch 18S has been turned on.

[0089] In step S111, when it is determined that switch 18S has been turned on, the control circuit 211 transmits status information indicating that switch 18S has been turned on to the game console or personal computer via the wireless communication unit 216 (step S112).

[0090] If, in step S111, it is determined that switch 18S is not turned on, and in the next step after S112, the control circuit 211 monitors the state detection output from the switch 19S state detection circuit 208 to determine whether or not the push button 19 has been operated and switch 19S has been turned on (step S113).

[0091] In step S113, if the control circuit 211 determines that the switch 19S has been turned on, it transmits status information indicating that the switch 19S has been turned on to the game console or personal computer via the wireless communication unit 216 (step S114).

[0092] If, in step S113, it is determined that the switch 19S is not turned on, and in the next step S114, the control circuit 211 determines whether an operation has been performed to terminate the processing for operation input using the input device 1, such as turning off the power switch of the operation information output device 2 (step S115).

[0093] If the control circuit 211 determines in step S115 that no operation to terminate the process has been performed, it returns the process to step S103 and repeats the process from step S103 onward. If the control circuit 211 determines in step S115 that an operation to terminate the process has been performed, it terminates the processing routine.

[0094] Furthermore, if the input device 1 is removed from the input surface 22a of the operation information output device 2, and the position detection circuit 206 is unable to detect the position of the tip of the operating shaft of the input device 1 for a predetermined period of time or longer, the control circuit 211 may also terminate processing and turn off the power switch of the operation information output device 2.

[0095] In the input system of the embodiment described above, the operation information output device 2 detects the change in position corresponding to the inclination of one end of the operating shaft 12 housed in the case 11 of the input device 1 via the position detection sensor 22, and calculates the inclination direction and magnitude of the operating shaft 12 based on the detected change in position, and outputs it as operation information.

[0096] With this configuration, the input device 1 does not require a complex mechanism for detecting the tilt of the operating axis, as is the case with conventional input devices, resulting in a simpler structure. Therefore, the input device 1 of the above embodiment makes it less likely for failures to occur due to damage to the mechanical parts, which are common in conventional input devices.

[0097] Furthermore, in the input system of the above embodiment, the input device 1, which houses a coil constituting a resonant circuit within the operating shaft, and the operation information output device, which includes a position detection sensor 22 that electromagnetically couples with the coil of the resonant circuit of the input device 1, are configured as separate components. As a result, the user can place the input device 1 at any position on the input surface 22a of the operation information output device 2, making it easy to use.

[0098] Furthermore, the position detection sensor 22 of the operation information output device 2 has the advantage of being able to be used as is, by simply repurposing a general-purpose sensor for electromagnetic induction systems.

[0099] Furthermore, if the resolution for detecting the tilt direction and magnitude of the operating axis 12 needs to be increased, this can be easily addressed by reducing the formation pitch of the loop coil of the position detection sensor 22, which is an advantage.

[0100] Furthermore, in the input device 1 of the above embodiment, push buttons 18 and 19 are provided on the upper surface of the gripping operation unit 13 attached to the other end of the operating shaft 12, in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the operating shaft 12. This allows the operator to press the buttons in the axial direction of the operating shaft 12 while gripping the gripping operation unit 13, and also makes it easier to operate the push buttons 18 and 19 even when the operating shaft 12 is tilted.

[0101] Furthermore, the operation information output device 2 of the above embodiment uses a position detection method with an electromagnetic induction type position detection sensor, which allows for the detection of very fine displacements. Based on the detected displacement, the tilt direction and magnitude of the tilt are calculated, resulting in a higher resolution than conventional methods.

[0102] In the above-described embodiment, the operation information output device 2 is configured specifically for detecting the tilt direction and magnitude of the operation axis 12 of the input device 1 (dedicated to the input device 1), but it can also be used as a device for detecting the position indicated by a general electromagnetic induction type electronic pen.

[0103] In this case, the operation information output device includes a first mode for detecting the tilt direction and magnitude of the tilt of the operation axis 12 of the input device 1, and a second mode for detecting the position indicated by a general electromagnetic induction type position indicator, such as an electronic pen. In the first mode, the operation information output device performs the same operation as described above, and in the second mode, the coordinates of the position indicated by the electronic pen, detected by the position detection circuit 206 of the position detection circuit 200, are detected by the coordinate detection circuit 212 of the information processing circuit 210, and transmitted to a personal computer or the like, for example, via the wireless communication unit 216.

[0104] In this case, the first mode and the second mode can be configured so that the user can switch between them by providing a mode switching button on the operation information output device. Alternatively, the electronic pen and the input device may each be equipped with a function to transmit identification information to the operation information output device via a position detection sensor or via a Bluetooth® short-range wireless communication unit, and the operation information output device may be equipped with a function to receive such identification information. The operation information output device may then be configured to automatically switch to the first mode when it receives identification information from the input device, and to the second mode when it receives identification information from the electronic pen.

[0105] [Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment described above, the input system is configured with an input device and an operation information output device. However, by providing a position detection sensor and an information processing circuit to the input device, it is also possible to configure the system with only an input device.

[0106] Figure 8 shows an input device 1A of a second embodiment having such a configuration. Components similar to those of the input device 1 of the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0107] The input device 1A of this second embodiment is configured by attaching a bottom plate 100 to the bottom surface 11Bb of the lower case 11B of the input device 1 of the first embodiment described above, which houses a position detection sensor 101 and a circuit board 102 that mounts a position detection circuit and an information processing circuit (not shown) with the same configuration as the position detection circuit 200 and information processing circuit 210.

[0108] In the input device 1A of this second embodiment, the input device 1 of the first embodiment described above can be used as is. However, in the case of this second embodiment, the bottom surface 11Bb of the lower case 11B does not need to be configured to have a predetermined friction with the input surface 22a of the operation information output device 2 as in the first embodiment described above.

[0109] In this second embodiment, a square recess 100a is formed in the center of the bottom plate 100, with a side length slightly larger than the diameter of the circular area of ​​the bearing portion 11Ba of the concave curved surface of the lower case 11B. Within this recess 100a, a square-shaped position detection sensor 101 is positioned directly below the bottom surface 11Bb of the lower case 11B, with a side length equal to, or slightly larger than, the diameter of the circular area of ​​the bearing portion 11Ba of the concave curved surface of the lower case 11B. Within the recess 100a, a circuit board 102 is positioned below the position detection sensor 101.

[0110] In this embodiment, the input device 1A may have a circular shape equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the circular region of the bearing portion 11Ba of the concave curved surface of the lower case 11B.

[0111] In this embodiment of the input device 1A, when the user tilts the operating shaft 12 using the gripping operation part 13, the position detection circuit 200 and the information processing circuit 210 in the circuit board 102 detect the positional displacement of the tip of one end 121a of the operating shaft body 121 of the operating shaft 12 via the position detection sensor 101, and calculate the tilt direction and magnitude of the tilt of the operating shaft 12 from that positional displacement. Then, the information of the tilt direction and magnitude of the tilt of the operating shaft 12 is transmitted from the input device 1A to the game console or personal computer via the wireless communication unit. In addition, when the push button 18 or push button 19 is pressed, the ON state information of the switch 18S and the ON state information of the switch 19S are transmitted to the game console or personal computer via the wireless communication unit.

[0112] It should be noted that, in the input device 1A of this second embodiment, the information regarding the tilt direction and magnitude of the operating shaft 12, the ON state information of switch 18S, and the ON state information of switch 19S can also be configured to be transmitted via a wired connection through a cable, rather than via wireless communication.

[0113] In addition, in the configuration of the input device 1A of this second embodiment, the input device and the position detection sensor can also be configured to interact with each other using a capacitive method, particularly an active capacitive method.

[0114] [Other embodiments or modifications] In the input devices 1 and 1A of the above-described embodiments, the operating shaft 12 is supported using a coil spring 16, and this coil spring 16 is also configured to double as an elastic return member that restores the operating shaft 12 to its original state. However, it is also possible to provide the support member for the operating shaft 12 and the elastic return member that restores the operating shaft 12 to its original state separately.

[0115] Figure 9 shows the main configuration of the input device 1EX configured in this way, and is an example of configuring the input system together with the operation information output device 2, similar to the input device 1 in the first embodiment.

[0116] In this example, the operating shaft 12EX of the input device 1EX houses a coil 14EX wound around a ferrite core 15EX, similar to the input device in the embodiment described above. Also, similar to the input device in the embodiment described above, one end of the operating shaft 12EX is configured as a convex curved surface and is configured to abut against the concave curved surface of the bearing portion 11EXBa of the lower case 11EXB of the case 11EX.

[0117] In this example, a spherical bulge 120EX is formed in the middle of the axial direction of the operating shaft 12EX of the input device 1EX. On the other hand, the upper case 11EXU of the case 11EX is provided with a support portion 111EX for supporting the operating shaft 12EX at the portion of the spherical bulge 120EX. This support portion 111EX has a through hole 111EXa having a concave surface corresponding to the spherical surface of the spherical bulge 120EX of the operating shaft 12EX. As a result, the operating shaft 12EX can tilt by rotating around the spherical bulge 120EX as the center of rotation.

[0118] In this example of the input device 1EX, an elastic member 112EX, such as a coil spring, is disposed between the operating shaft 12EX on one end or the other end (the other end in the example of Figure 9) of the spherical bulge 120EX in the axial direction of the operating shaft 12EX and the upper case 11EXU of the case 11EX. This configuration ensures that the axial direction of the operating shaft 12EX is always elastically supported so as to maintain a state in which it is perpendicular to the bottom surface 11EXBb of the lower case 11EXB.

[0119] As a result, the operating shaft 12EX returns to its original state by the elastic member 112EX when the tilting force is released after it has been tilted using the gripping operating part 13EX.

[0120] In this example as well, similar to the input device of the embodiment described above, the gripping operation unit 13EX is provided with a circuit board 17EX and push buttons 18EX and 19EX, and a resonant circuit including a capacitor provided in the circuit board 17EX is configured.

[0121] Although the cases of the input devices 1A, 1B, and 1EX in the above-described embodiment are cylindrical in shape, they are not limited to a cylindrical shape and may have a columnar shape with a polygonal cross-section. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0122] 1, 1A, 1B, 1EX…Input device, 2…Operation information output device, 11, 11EX…Case, 12, 12EX…Operation shaft, 14…Coil, 15…Ferrite core, 16…Coil spring, 17…Circuit board, 18, 19…Push button, 121…Operation shaft body, 122…Operation shaft cover, 22…Position detection sensor, 200…Position detection circuit, 210…Information processing circuit

Claims

1. An input system comprising an input device and an operation information output device having an input surface on which the input device is mounted, The aforementioned operation information output device is equipped with an electromagnetic induction type position detection sensor, and the position detection area of ​​the position detection sensor is used as the input surface. The aforementioned input device is The device comprises an operating shaft and a case that houses the operating shaft in a manner that allows the operating shaft to be tilted in any direction. Inside the operating shaft, a coil for forming a resonant circuit that interacts with the position detection sensor via electromagnetic induction coupling is housed such that the direction of the magnetic flux passing through the coil is in the axial direction of the operating shaft. The operating shaft is configured to be tilted in any direction within the case, with a predetermined position between one end and the other end of the operating shaft in the axial direction as the center of rotation. The aforementioned operation information output device is The system includes a detection circuit that detects the position on the position detection sensor at one end of the operating shaft in the axial direction from the detection output based on the signal interaction of the position detection sensor by electromagnetic induction coupling with the resonant circuit, and detects the direction in which the operating shaft is tilted based on the change in the detected position, and also includes a first mode for the input device and a second mode for detecting the indicated position by other position indicators, wherein the detection circuit operates in the first mode. An input system characterized by the following features.

2. The input device includes an elastic return member that, when the operating force that tilts the operating shaft is released, elastically returns the operating shaft to the state it was in before the operating force was applied. The input system according to feature 1.

3. The detection circuit of the position detection device detects the position on the position detection sensor on one end of the operating shaft in the axial direction from the detection output based on the signal interaction of the position detection sensor with the resonant circuit due to electromagnetic induction coupling, and detects the direction in which the operating shaft is tilted and the magnitude of the tilt angle of the operating shaft based on the change in the detected position. The input system according to feature 1.

4. The input surface of the position detection device has a larger area than the bottom of the input device, and the input device can be placed at any position on the input surface. The input system according to feature 1.

5. The input device has a function to transmit identification information to the position detection device, When the operation information output device receives the identification information from the input device, it activates the first mode and the detection circuit detects the direction in which the operating shaft is tilted based on the change in position on the position detection sensor on one end of the operating shaft in the axial direction, from the detection output based on the signal interaction due to electromagnetic induction coupling with the resonant circuit. The input device according to feature 4.

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