Input apparatus, control apparatus, control system, control method, and handheld apparatus
First Claim
1. An input apparatus for controlling a movement of a pointer on a screen, the input apparatus comprising:
- a casing;
a movement signal output means for detecting a three-dimensional movement of the casing and outputting a signal of a velocity-related value that is related to a velocity of the casing, wherein the movement signal output means includes;
a first acceleration sensor that detects a first acceleration in a direction along a first axis,a first output means for outputting a first angle-related value as a value related to a rotational angle of the casing about a second axis different from the direction along the first axis, anda first calculation means for calculating a first velocity value of the casing in the direction along the first axis as the velocity-related value based on the first acceleration value and the first angle-related value,a second acceleration sensor that detects a second acceleration in a direction along the second axis,a second output means for outputting a second angle-related value as a value related to a rotational angle of the casing about the first axis, anda second calculation means for calculating a second velocity value of the casing in the direction along the second axis as the velocity-related value based on the second acceleration value and the second angle-related value;
a comparison means for comparing the first velocity value and the second velocity value that have been calculated;
a gain means for obtaining a pointer velocity value as a velocity value for moving the pointer on the screen by multiplying the output velocity-related value by a gain;
a control means for variably controlling the gain in a first range in which the output velocity-related value ranges from a first threshold value to a second threshold value larger than the first threshold value, and controlling the gain to be constant in a second range in which the output velocity-related value exceeds the second threshold value, wherein the control means controls the gain with respect to a larger one of the first velocity value and the second velocity value as a result of the comparison; and
a transmission means for transmitting information on the pointer velocity value obtained by the gain means.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An input apparatus, a control apparatus, a control system including those apparatuses, and a control method therefor with which a user can feel a linearity between a movement of the input apparatus and that of a pointer and an accurate pointing operation is possible are provided. An MPU of an input apparatus variably controls a gain value in a range from first threshold value to a second threshold value or first range, in which the input apparatus is within a low-velocity range, and controls the gain value to be constant in a range exceeding the second threshold value second range. The gain value is a value multiplied to a velocity value of the input apparatus that is obtained by an operation, the velocity value being obtained through detection of a movement of the input apparatus. Accordingly, in a relatively-low-velocity range, a pointer velocity value becomes smaller by a multi-degree function as movements of the input apparatus and a pointer on a screen become slower. As a result, accurate pointing becomes possible. Moreover, since a linearity is obtained when the input apparatus is in a relatively-high-velocity range, a user can obtain a linear operational feeling.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. An input apparatus for controlling a movement of a pointer on a screen, the input apparatus comprising:
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a casing; a movement signal output means for detecting a three-dimensional movement of the casing and outputting a signal of a velocity-related value that is related to a velocity of the casing, wherein the movement signal output means includes; a first acceleration sensor that detects a first acceleration in a direction along a first axis, a first output means for outputting a first angle-related value as a value related to a rotational angle of the casing about a second axis different from the direction along the first axis, and a first calculation means for calculating a first velocity value of the casing in the direction along the first axis as the velocity-related value based on the first acceleration value and the first angle-related value, a second acceleration sensor that detects a second acceleration in a direction along the second axis, a second output means for outputting a second angle-related value as a value related to a rotational angle of the casing about the first axis, and a second calculation means for calculating a second velocity value of the casing in the direction along the second axis as the velocity-related value based on the second acceleration value and the second angle-related value; a comparison means for comparing the first velocity value and the second velocity value that have been calculated; a gain means for obtaining a pointer velocity value as a velocity value for moving the pointer on the screen by multiplying the output velocity-related value by a gain; a control means for variably controlling the gain in a first range in which the output velocity-related value ranges from a first threshold value to a second threshold value larger than the first threshold value, and controlling the gain to be constant in a second range in which the output velocity-related value exceeds the second threshold value, wherein the control means controls the gain with respect to a larger one of the first velocity value and the second velocity value as a result of the comparison; and a transmission means for transmitting information on the pointer velocity value obtained by the gain means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A control apparatus for controlling a movement of a pointer on a screen based on information on a detection value transmitted from an input apparatus including a casing, a detection means for detecting a three-dimensional movement of the casing, and a transmission means for transmitting the information on the detection value obtained by the detection means, the control apparatus comprising:
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a reception means for receiving the information on the detection value; a movement signal output means for outputting a signal corresponding to a velocity-related value that is related to a velocity of the casing based on the received information on the detection value; a gain means for obtaining a pointer velocity value as a velocity value for moving the pointer on the screen by multiplying the output velocity-related value by a gain; a control means for variably controlling the gain in a first range in which the output velocity-related value ranges from a first threshold value to a second threshold value larger than the first threshold value, and controlling the gain to be constant in a second range in which the output velocity-related value exceeds the second threshold value; a coordinate information generation means for generating coordinate information of the pointer on the screen that corresponds to the pointer velocity value obtained by the gain means; a determination means for determining a size of an icon on the screen; and an adjustment means for adjusting, in accordance with the size of an icon determined by the determination means, at least one of a change rate of the gain in the first range, the first threshold value, the second threshold value, and a value of the gain in the second range.
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13. A control system for controlling a movement of a pointer on a screen, the control system comprising:
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an input apparatus including; a casing, a movement signal output means for detecting a three-dimensional movement of the casing and outputting a signal corresponding to a velocity-related value that is related to a velocity of the casing, the movement signal output means including; a first acceleration sensor that detects a first acceleration in a direction along a first axis, a first output means for outputting a first angle-related value as a value related to a rotational angle of the casing about a second axis different from the direction along the first axis, and a first calculation means for calculating a first velocity value of the casing in the direction along the first axis as the velocity-related value based on the first acceleration value and the first angle-related value, a second acceleration sensor that detects a second acceleration in a direction along the second axis, a second output means for outputting a second angle-related value as a value related to a rotational angle of the casing about the first axis, and a second calculation means for calculating a second velocity value of the casing in the direction along the second axis as the velocity-related value based on the second acceleration value and the second angle-related value, a comparison means for comparing the first velocity value and the second velocity value that have been calculated, a gain means for obtaining a pointer velocity value as a velocity value for moving the pointer by multiplying the output velocity-related value by a gain, a control means for variably controlling the gain in a first range in which the output velocity-related value ranges from a first threshold value to a second threshold value larger than the first threshold value, and controlling the gain to be constant in a second range in which the output velocity-related value exceeds the second threshold value, wherein the control means controls the gain with respect to a larger one of the first velocity value and the second velocity value as a result of the comparison, and a transmission means for transmitting information on the pointer velocity value obtained by the gain means; and a control apparatus including; a reception means for receiving the transmitted information on the pointer velocity value, and a coordinate information generation means for generating coordinate information of the pointer on the screen that corresponds to the received pointer velocity value. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A control system for controlling a movement of a pointer on a screen, the control system comprising:
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an input apparatus including; a casing, a detection means for detecting a three-dimensional movement of the casing, and a transmission means for transmitting information on a detection value obtained by the detection means; and a control apparatus including; a reception means for receiving the transmitted information on the detection value, a movement signal output means for outputting a signal corresponding to a velocity-related value that is related to a velocity of the casing based on the received information on the detection value, a gain means for obtaining a pointer velocity value as a velocity value for moving the pointer by multiplying the output velocity-related value by a gain, a control means for variably controlling the gain in a first range in which the output velocity-related value ranges from a first threshold value to a second threshold value larger than the first threshold value, and controlling the gain to be constant in a second range in which the output velocity-related value exceeds the second threshold value, a coordinate information generation means for generating coordinate information of the pointer on the screen that corresponds to the pointer velocity value obtained by the gain means, a determination means for determining a size of an icon on the screen, and an adjustment means for adjusting, in accordance with the size of an icon determined by the determination means, at least one of a change rate of the gain in the first range, the first threshold value, the second threshold value, and a value of the gain in the second range.
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16. A control method comprising:
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detecting a three-dimensional movement of an input apparatus; outputting a signal corresponding to a velocity-related value that is related to a velocity of the input apparatus, wherein the signal is calculated by; detecting a first acceleration in a direction along a first axis, outputting a first angle-related value as a value related to a rotational angle of the input apparatus about a second axis different from the direction along the first axis, calculating a first velocity value of the input apparatus in the direction along the first axis as the velocity-related value based on the first acceleration value and the first angle-related value, detecting a second acceleration in a direction along the second axis, a second output means for outputting a second angle-related value as a value related to a rotational angle of the input apparatus about the first axis, and a second calculation means for calculating a second velocity value of the input apparatus in the direction along the second axis as the velocity-related value based on the second acceleration value and the second angle-related value; comparing the first velocity value and the second velocity value that have been calculated; variably controlling a gain for determining a pointer velocity value as a velocity value for moving a pointer on a screen, in a first range in which the output velocity-related value ranges from a first threshold value to a second threshold value larger than the first threshold value; controlling the gain to be constant in a second range in which the output velocity-related value exceeds the second threshold value, wherein the gain is controlled with respect to a larger one of the first velocity value and the second velocity value as a result of the comparison; outputting the pointer velocity value by multiplying the output velocity-related value by the controlled gain; and generating coordinate information of the pointer on the screen that corresponds to the pointer velocity value. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A handheld apparatus for controlling a movement of a pointer on a screen, the handheld apparatus comprising:
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a casing; a display section to display the screen; a movement signal output means for detecting a three-dimensional movement of the casing and outputting a signal of a velocity-related value that is related to a velocity of the casing, the movement signal output means including; a first acceleration sensor that detects a first acceleration in a direction along a first axis, a first output means for outputting a first angle-related value as a value related to a rotational angle of the casing about a second axis different from the direction along the first axis, and a first calculation means for calculating a first velocity value of the casing in the direction along the first axis as the velocity-related value based on the first acceleration value and the first angle-related value, a second acceleration sensor that detects a second acceleration in a direction along the second axis, a second output means for outputting a second angle-related value as a value related to a rotational angle of the casing about the first axis, and a second calculation means for calculating a second velocity value of the casing in the direction along the second axis as the velocity-related value based on the second acceleration value and the second angle-related value; a comparison means for comparing the first velocity value and the second velocity value that have been calculated; a gain means for obtaining a pointer velocity value as a velocity value for moving the pointer on the screen by multiplying the output velocity-related value by a gain; and a control means for variably controlling the gain in a first range in which the output velocity-related value ranges from a first threshold value to a second threshold value larger than the first threshold value, and controlling the gain to be constant in a second range in which the output velocity-related value exceeds the second threshold value, wherein the control means controls the gain with respect to a larger one of the first velocity value and the second velocity value as a result of the comparison.
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19. A control system for controlling a movement of a pointer on a screen, the control system comprising:
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an input apparatus including; a casing, a movement signal output means for detecting a three-dimensional movement of the casing and outputting a signal corresponding to a velocity-related value that is related to a velocity of the casing, a gain means for obtaining a pointer velocity value as a velocity value for moving the pointer by multiplying the output velocity-related value by a gain, a control means for variably controlling the gain in a first range in which the output velocity-related value ranges from a first threshold value to a second threshold value larger than the first threshold value, and controlling the gain to be constant in a second range in which the output velocity-related value exceeds the second threshold value, and a transmission means for transmitting information on the pointer velocity value obtained by the gain means; and a control apparatus including; a reception means for receiving the transmitted information on the pointer velocity value, and a coordinate information generation means for generating coordinate information of the pointer on the screen that corresponds to the received pointer velocity value, a determination means for determining a size of an icon on the screen, and an adjustment means for adjusting, in accordance with the size of an icon determined by the determination means, at least one of a change rate of the gain in the first range, the first threshold value, the second threshold value, and a value of the gain in the second range.
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20. A control method comprising:
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detecting a three-dimensional movement of an input apparatus; outputting a signal corresponding to a velocity-related value that is related to a velocity of the input apparatus; variably controlling a gain for determining a pointer velocity value as a velocity value for moving a pointer on a screen, in a first range in which the output velocity-related value ranges from a first threshold value to a second threshold value larger than the first threshold value; controlling the gain to be constant in a second range in which the output velocity-related value exceeds the second threshold value; outputting the pointer velocity value by multiplying the output velocity-related value by the controlled gain; generating coordinate information of the pointer on the screen that corresponds to the pointer velocity value; determining a size of an icon on the screen; and adjusting, in accordance with the size of the icon, at least one of a change rate of the gain in the first range, the first threshold value, the second threshold value, and a value of the gain in the second range.
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21. An input apparatus for controlling a movement of a pointer on a screen, the input apparatus comprising:
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a sensor unit; a processor; and a movement signal output means for detecting a movement of the sensor unit and outputting a signal of a velocity-related value that is related to a velocity of the sensor unit, wherein the movement signal output means includes; a first acceleration sensor that detects a first acceleration in a direction along a first axis, a first output means for outputting a first angle-related value as a value related to a rotational angle of the sensor unit about a second axis different from the direction along the first axis, and the processor calculates a first velocity value of the sensor unit in the direction along the first axis as the velocity-related value based on the first acceleration value and the first angle-related value, a second acceleration sensor that detects a second acceleration in a direction along the second axis, a second output means for outputting a second angle-related value as a value related to a rotational angle of the sensor unit about the first axis, and the processor calculates a second velocity value of the sensor unit in the direction along the second axis as the velocity-related value based on the second acceleration value and the second angle-related value; wherein the processor compares the first velocity value and the second velocity value that have been calculated; wherein the processor obtains a pointer velocity value as a velocity value for moving the pointer on the screen by multiplying the output velocity-related value by a gain; and wherein the processor variably controls the gain in a first range in which the output velocity-related value ranges from a first threshold value to a second threshold value larger than the first threshold value, and controlling the gain to be constant in a second range in which the output velocity-related value exceeds the second threshold value, wherein the processor controls the gain with respect to a larger one of the first velocity value and the second velocity value as a result of the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A control system for controlling a movement of a pointer on a screen, the control system comprising:
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an input apparatus including; a sensor unit, a processor, and a movement signal output means for detecting a movement of the sensor unit and outputting a signal corresponding to a velocity-related value that is related to a velocity of the sensor unit, the movement signal output means including; a first acceleration sensor that detects a first acceleration in a direction along a first axis, a first output means for outputting a first angle-related value as a value related to a rotational angle of the sensor unit about a second axis different from the direction along the first axis, and the processor calculating a first velocity value of the sensor unit in the direction along the first axis as the velocity-related value based on the first acceleration value and the first angle-related value, a second acceleration sensor that detects a second acceleration in a direction along the second axis, a second output means for outputting a second angle-related value as a value related to a rotational angle of the sensor unit about the first axis, and the processor calculating a second velocity value of the sensor unit in the direction along the second axis as the velocity-related value based on the second acceleration value and the second angle-related value, wherein the processor compares the first velocity value and the second velocity value that have been calculated, wherein the processor obtains a pointer velocity value as a velocity value for moving the pointer by multiplying the output velocity-related value by a gain, wherein the processor variably controls the gain in a first range in which the output velocity-related value ranges from a first threshold value to a second threshold value larger than the first threshold value, and controlling the gain to be constant in a second range in which the output velocity-related value exceeds the second threshold value, wherein the processor controls the gain with respect to a larger one of the first velocity value and the second velocity value as a result of the comparison; and a control apparatus including a different processor generating coordinate information of the pointer on the screen that corresponds to the received pointer velocity value. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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36. A control method comprising:
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detecting a movement of a sensor unit of an input apparatus; outputting a signal corresponding to a velocity-related value that is related to a velocity of the sensor unit, wherein the signal is calculated by; detecting a first acceleration in a direction along a first axis, outputting a first angle-related value as a value related to a rotational angle of the sensor unit about a second axis different from the direction along the first axis, calculating a first velocity value of the sensor unit in the direction along the first axis as the velocity-related value based on the first acceleration value and the first angle-related value, detecting a second acceleration in a direction along the second axis, outputting a second angle-related value as a value related to a rotational angle of the sensor unit about the first axis, and calculating a second velocity value of the sensor unit in the direction along the second axis as the velocity-related value based on the second acceleration value and the second angle-related value; comparing the first velocity value and the second velocity value that have been calculated; variably controlling a gain for determining a pointer velocity value as a velocity value for moving a pointer on a screen, in a first range in which the output velocity-related value ranges from a first threshold value to a second threshold value larger than the first threshold value; and controlling the gain to be constant in a second range in which the output velocity-related value exceeds the second threshold value, wherein the gain is controlled with respect to a larger one of the first velocity value and the second velocity value as a result of the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification