Acceleration detection device, method of detecting acceleration, input device, and recording medium

• US 6,675,649 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2001
• Issued: 01/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Takamisawa Component Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Takamisawa Component Limited
• Inventors: Kato, Masayuki, Uchiyama, Takuya, Endo, Norio
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAINT SURIN, JACQUES M
• Application Number:
  US09/822,360
• Publication Number:
  US 20010029783A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,016 Days
• Field of Search: 734/88, 734/89, 73/13.7, 735/79, 735/87, 736/02, 736/09, 736/10, 736/11, 734/98, 735/163.2, 702/56, 702/141
• US Class Current: 73/488
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/28 responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light controlling the output signals based on the game progress A63F13/50
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/428 involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/833 Hand-to-hand fighting, e.g. martial arts competition A63F13/837 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1012 involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/302 specially adapted for receiving control signals not targeted to a display device or game input means, e.g. vibrating driver's seat, scent dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8029 Fighting without shooting
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/105 by magnetically sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/18 in two or more dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0354 with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0383 Signal control means within the pointing device

Abstract

An acceleration detection device for detecting an acceleration applied in a certain direction based on detection signals corresponding to the acceleration, is provided with a waveform detection part detecting waveforms of the detection signals and an acceleration determination part determining whether to make valid or invalid the acceleration based on the waveforms detected in the waveform detection part.

Claims

1. An acceleration detection device for detecting an acceleration applied in a certain direction based on detection signals corresponding to components of the acceleration in first and second directions, comprising:

a waveform detection part to obtain detected waveforms of the detection signals; and

an acceleration determination part determining validity of one of the detected waveforms in consideration of another of the detected waveforms and determining whether to validate the acceleration based on the validity of the one of the detected waveforms, where the one of the detected waveforms has a level that is correctable based on a level of the other of the detected waveforms when it is determined that the one of the detected waveforms is valid.

2. The acceleration detection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the level of the one of the detected waveforms is correctable based on the level of the other of the detected waveforms by comparing peak values of the detected waveforms.

3. The acceleration detection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the level of the one of the detected waveforms is correctable based on the level of the other of the detected waveforms by comparing a time period in which the level of the one of the detected waveforms remains outside a predetermined range with a time period in which the level of the other of the detected waveforms remains outside the predetermined range, the predetermined range being defined by first and second threshold levels.

4. The acceleration detection device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the level of each of the detected waveforms remains at least as high as a predetermined level during the time period.

5. The acceleration detection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second directions are perpendicular to each other.

6. An acceleration detection device for detecting an acceleration applied in a certain direction based on detection signals corresponding to components of the acceleration in first and second directions, comprising:

a waveform detection part to obtain detected waveforms of the detection signals, each of the waveforms of the detection signals including first and second waves, the second wave being generated after the first wave in a direction opposite to that of the first wave with respect to a center level; and

an acceleration determination part determining validity of one of the detected waveforms in consideration of another of the detected waveforms and determining whether to validate the acceleration based on the validity of the one of the detected waveforms, by determining the first wave to be the second wave when the second wave is not observed after the first wave is observed.

7. A method of detecting an acceleration applied in a certain direction based on detection signals corresponding to components of the acceleration in first and second directions, comprising:

obtaining detected waveforms of the detection signals; and

determining validity of one of the detected waveforms in consideration of another of the detected waveforms and whether to validate the acceleration based on the validity of the one of the detected waveforms, where the one of the detected waveforms has a level that is correctable based on a level of the other of the detected waveforms when it is determined that the one of the detected waveforms is valid.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the level of the one of the detected waveforms is correctable based on the level of the other of the detected waveforms by comparing peak values of the detected waveforms.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the level of the one of the detected waveforms is correctable based on the level of the other of the detected waveforms by comparing a time period in which the level of the one of the detected waveforms remains outside a predetermined range with a time period in which the level of the other of the detected waveforms remains outside the predetermined range, the predetermined range being defined by first and second threshold levels.

10. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the level of each of the detected waveforms remains at least as high as a predetermined level during the time period.

11. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first and second directions are perpendicular to each other.

12. A method of detecting an acceleration applied in a certain direction based on detection signals corresponding to components of the acceleration in first and second directions, comprising;

obtaining detected waveforms of the detection signals, each of the waveforms of the detection signals including first and second waves, the second wave being generated after the first wave in a direction opposite to that of the first wave with respect to a center level; and

determining validity of one of the detected waveforms in consideration of another of the detected waveforms and whether to validate the acceleration based on the validity of the one of the detected waveforms, by determining the first wave to be the second wave when the second wave is not observed after the first wave is observed.

13. An input device, comprising:

an acceleration detection mechanism outputting detection signals corresponding to components of an acceleration in first and second directions;

a waveform detection part to obtain detected waveforms of the detection signals output from said acceleration detection mechanism; and

an acceleration determination part determining validity of one of the detected waveforms in consideration of another of the detected waveforms and determining whether to validate the acceleration based on the validity of the one of the detected waveforms, where the one of the detected waveforms has a level that is correctable based on a level of the other of the detected waveforms when it is determined that the one of the detected waveforms is valid.

14. The input device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the level of the one of the detected waveforms is correctable based on the level of the other of the detected waveforms by comparing peak values of the detected waveforms.

15. The input device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the level of the one of the detected waveforms is correctable based on the level of the other of the detected waveforms by comparing a time period in which the level of the one of the detected waveforms remains outside a predetermined range with a time period in which the level of the other of the detected waveforms remains outside the predetermined range, the predetermined range being defined by first and second threshold levels.

16. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein said acceleration determination part determines whether to make valid or invalid the acceleration based on a time period for which each of the waveforms remains at or below a predetermined level.

17. The input device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first and second directions are perpendicular to each other.

18. An input device, comprising:

an acceleration detection mechanism outputting detection signals corresponding to an acceleration;

a waveform detection part detecting waveforms of the detection signals output from said acceleration detection mechanism, each of the waveforms of the detection signals including first and second waves, the second wave being generated after the first wave in a direction opposite to that of the first wave with respect to a center level; and

an acceleration determination part determining validity of the acceleration based on the waveforms detected in said waveform detection part, by determining the first wave to be the second wave when the second wave is not observed after the first wave is observed.

19. A computer-readable recording medium recorded with a program which causes a computer to perform a method comprising:

obtaining detected waveforms of detection signals corresponding to components of an acceleration in first and second directions; and

determining validity of one of the detected waveforms in consideration of another of the detected waveforms and whether to validate the acceleration based on the validity of the one of the detected waveforms, where the one of the detected waveforms has a level that is correctable based on a level of the other of the detected waveforms when it is determined that the one of the detected waveforms is valid.

20. The computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 19, wherein the level of the one of the detected waveforms is correctable based on the level of the other of the detected waveforms by comparing peak values of the detected waveforms.

21. The recording medium as claimed in claim 19, wherein the level of the one of the detected waveforms is correctable based on the level of the other of the detected waveforms by comparing a time period in which the level of the one of the detected waveforms remains outside a predetermined range with a time period in which the level of the other of the detected waveforms remains outside the predetermined range, the predetermined range being defined by first and second threshold levels.

22. The recording medium as claimed in claim 19, wherein the level of each of the detected waveforms remains at least as high as a predetermined level during the time period.

23. The computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 19, wherein the first and second directions are perpendicular to each other.

24. A recording medium recorded with a program which causes a computer to perform a method comprising:

obtaining detected waveforms of detection signals corresponding to components of an acceleration in first and second directions, each of the waveforms of the detection signals includes first and second waves, the second wave being generated after the first wave in a direction opposite to that of the first wave with respect to a center level; and

determining validity of one of the detected waveforms in consideration of another of the detected waveforms and whether to validate the acceleration based on the validity of the one of the detected waveforms, by determining the first wave to be the second wave when the second wave is not observed after the first wave is observed.

25. A method of detecting acceleration, comprising:

obtaining detected waveforms of signals indicating movement in different directions;

validating one of the detected waveforms indicating movement in one of the directions based on at least one other detected waveform, where the one of the detected waveforms has a level that is correctable based on a level of the other of the detected waveforms when it is determined that the one of the detected waveforms is valid; and

indicating acceleration in the one of the directions if said validating determines that the one of the detected waveforms is valid.

26. An acceleration detection device for detecting an acceleration applied in a certain direction based on detection signals corresponding to components of the acceleration in first and second directions, comprising:

a waveform detection part to obtain waveforms of the detection signals; and

an acceleration determination part to determine validity of one of the detected waveforms in consideration of another of the detected waveforms and to determine whether to validate the acceleration based on the validity of the one of the detected waveforms, where a level of the one of the detected waveforms is correctable based on a length of a first time period in which the level of the one of the detected waveforms remains within a predetermined range defined by first and second threshold levels, the first time period being subsequent to a second time period in which the level of the one of the detected waveforms remains outside the predetermined range.

27. A method for detecting an acceleration applied in a certain direction based on detection signals corresponding to components of the acceleration in first and second directions, comprising:

obtaining waveforms of the detection signals;

determining validity of one of the detected waveforms in consideration of another of the detected waveforms; and

determining whether to validate the acceleration based on the validity of the one of the detected waveforms, where a level of the one of the detected waveforms is correctable based on a length of a first time period in which the level of the one of the detected waveforms remains within a predetermined range defined by first and second threshold levels, the first time period being subsequent to a second time period in which the level of the one of the detected waveforms remains outside the predetermined range.

28. An input device, comprising:

an acceleration detection mechanism outputting detection signals corresponding to components of an acceleration in first and second directions;

a waveform detection part to obtain detected waveforms of the detection signals output from said acceleration detection mechanism; and

an acceleration determination part to determine validity of one of the detected waveforms in consideration of another of the detected waveforms and to determine whether to validate the acceleration based on the validity of the one of the detected waveforms, where a level of the one of the detected waveforms is correctable based on a length of a first time period in which the level of the one of the detected waveforms remains within a predetermined range defined by first and second threshold levels, the first time period being subsequent to a second time period in which the level of the one of the detected waveforms remains outside the predetermined range.

29. A computer-readable recording medium recorded with a program which causes a computer to perform a method for detecting an acceleration applied in a certain direction based on detection signals corresponding to components of the acceleration in first and second directions, comprising:

obtaining waveforms of the detection signals;

determining validity of one of the detected waveforms in consideration of another of the detected waveforms; and

determining whether to validate the acceleration based on the validity of the one of the detected waveforms, where a level of the one of the detected waveforms is correctable based on a length of a first time period in which the level of the one of the detected waveforms remains within a predetermined range defined by first and second threshold levels, the first time period being subsequent to a second time period in which the level of the one of the detected waveforms remains outside the predetermined range.