JP2010097416A - Input device, electronic equipment and hand-held device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a spatial control input device with excellent portability and to provide electronic equipment and a hand-held device which include the input device. <P>SOLUTION: The input device 1 has a card-like shape and the whole size of the input device 1 is approximately the same size as an expansion card such as a PC card. The input device 1 includes a case 10 and a connector 6 formed on one end part of the case 10. The other end part (top portion 7) of the case 10 is formed so as to be bent and a sensor unit 17 is arranged on the top part 7 side. Since the input device 1 can be inserted into a slot 66 of a note type PC40 and carried, the portability of the input device 1 can be improved. When a user grasps the input device 1, the input device 1 is unconsciously grasped so that a connector 6 is directed to the user side and the top part 7 is directed to a screen 3. Consequently, the sensor unit 17 arranged on the top part 7 side can suitably detect an angular velocity, acceleration, and so on. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a spatial operation type input device for operating a GUI (Graphical User Interface), an electronic apparatus including the input device, and a handheld device.

  Pointing devices such as a mouse and a touch pad are mainly used as a GUI controller that is widely used in PCs (Personal Computers). In general, a mouse is used as a desktop PC pointing device. Most operations of a PC incorporating a GUI (graphical user interface) can be performed with a mouse.

  On the other hand, as a pointing device of a notebook PC, for example, a touch pad is used. The user selects a pointer by moving a pointer such as an arrow by tracing the pad provided on the notebook PC with a finger, clicking a button arranged near the pad, or double-clicking the pad. Perform the operation. There is also known a pointing device in which a protrusion is provided in the keyboard array of a notebook PC. When the user applies a force to the protrusion, the pointer moves in the direction in which the force is applied. These pointing devices increase the ease of storage in a notebook PC and free the user from the hassle of carrying a mouse with the system.

  However, there is a problem that the function of these pointing devices does not reach the usability of the mouse. Therefore, a technique for improving the portability of a mouse is disclosed. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a notebook PC having a storage space for storing a mouse on a side surface of a main body. Patent Document 2 below discloses a mouse that is folded into a flat plate shape and can be stored in an IC (integrated circuit) card slot of a notebook PC.

By the way, in recent years, a spatial operation type pointing device that can be operated by a user in a space has been proposed as a pointing device (see, for example, Patent Document 3). When the user swings the spatial operation type pointing device (remote commander) up, down, left and right, the pointer (cursor) moves according to the movement of the pointing device.
JP 2000-105631 A (paragraph [0007], FIG. 1) JP 2000-105631 A (paragraphs [0020], [0021] FIGS. 1 and 5) JP 2001-56743 A (paragraph [0048], FIG. 8)

  As described above, in the notebook PC described in Patent Document 1, the portability of the mouse is improved by providing a storage space for storing the mouse in the main body. That is, the notebook PC described in Patent Document 1 requires a dedicated storage space for storing a mouse. However, the notebook PC is currently further reduced in size and thickness, and it is very difficult to form a dedicated space for storing the mouse in the notebook PC.

  On the other hand, since the mouse described in Patent Document 2 can be folded and stored in the IC card slot, it is not necessary to newly form a dedicated mouse storage space in the notebook PC. However, the mouse described in Patent Document 2 has a structure suitable for a planar operation type pointing device, and cannot be said to be suitable for a spatial operation type pointing device.

  In view of the circumstances as described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a space operation type input device that is excellent in portability, an electronic apparatus including the input device, and a handheld device.

In order to achieve the above object, an input device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, a connector, and a sensor.
The housing is inserted into the slot of an electronic device that is provided in the slot into which the expansion card is inserted and the interface unit to which the expansion card is attached and detached.
The connector is provided on the housing and is attached to and detached from the interface unit.
The sensor detects a space operation of the housing by the user.
The “expansion card” includes a PC card, an express card, a memory card, and the like.
In the present invention, the housing of the input device can be inserted into an expansion card slot provided in the electronic device. Accordingly, since the user can carry the input device by inserting it into the electronic device, the portability of the input device can be improved. Further, the connector of the input device can be attached to and detached from the interface unit to which the expansion card is attached and detached, and the sensor detects the movement of the housing. Accordingly, the user can operate a pointer displayed on the screen of the electronic device, for example, by removing the connector from the interface unit, taking out the input device from the slot, and spatially operating the input device.

In the input device, the housing may have a first end and a second end opposite to the first end.
In this case, the connector is disposed on the first end side.
The sensor is disposed on the second end side.
When the user operates the input device in space, the user operates the input device using at least one of the rotation of the base of the arm, the rotation of the elbow, and the rotation of the wrist. Here, when the user operates the input device using wrist rotation, the center of rotation occurs near the wrist. If the position of the sensor is near the wrist when the input device is held by the user, there is a possibility that sufficient angular velocity or acceleration will not occur in the sensor.
Therefore, in the present invention, the connector is disposed at one end and the sensor is disposed at the other end. Thereby, when the user positions the connector side near the wrist and performs a spatial operation with the sensor side facing the electronic device, sufficient angular velocity and acceleration can be generated in the sensor.

The input device may include a control unit, a main board, and a sensor board.
The control unit controls the input device.
The control unit is mounted on the main board.
The sensor is mounted on the sensor substrate.
In the present invention, the main substrate and the sensor substrate are formed separately.

The input device may further include a battery.
The battery supplies power to the input device.
In this case, the main board may have an outer peripheral edge and a fitting portion.
The fitting portion is formed so that a part of the outer peripheral edge is cut out, and the battery is fitted into the fitting portion.
In the present invention, since the battery is fitted to the fitting portion of the main board, the input device can be reduced in size and thickness.

In the input device, the battery may be charged with power supplied from the electronic device via the connector.
When wireless communication is used for the input device, there is a problem that power consumption of the input device is large. In the present invention, since the battery is charged via the connector when the connector is attached to the interface unit, the power consumption problem can be solved.

In the input device, the connector may be directly mounted on the main board.
Thereby, an input device can be reduced in size.

  In the input device, the main board and the sensor board may be electrically connected to each other to further include a connecting portion made of a flexible material.

In the input device, the sensor may output a detection signal corresponding to the movement of the casing.
In this case, the input device may further include an antenna.
The antenna is provided on the first end side on the main board and transmits information related to the detection signal.
In the present invention, the antenna is provided on the side opposite to the connector. Thereby, when the user positions the connector side near the wrist and performs a spatial operation with the sensor side facing the electronic device, information (for example, a speed value) related to the detection signal can be appropriately transmitted.

In the input device, the main board may have an outer peripheral edge and a recess.
The recess is formed such that a part of the outer peripheral edge on the first end side is cut out.
In this case, the sensor substrate may be disposed in the recess.
Thereby, size reduction of an input device can be achieved.

The input device may further include a rotating member.
The rotating member is rotatably provided on the casing on the second end side, and includes the sensor and the sensor substrate.
Thereby, the detection direction of a sensor can be adjusted by rotating a rotation member.

In the input device, the rotating member may be housed in the housing when not rotating.
Thereby, since a rotation member can be stored in a housing | casing, a rotation member can be stored in a housing | casing and an input device can be inserted in a slot.

The input device may further include an operation unit.
The operation unit is provided closer to the second end than the center of the casing, and detects a user operation that does not depend on the movement of the casing.

In the input device, the sensor may detect a spatial operation of the electronic device by a user in a state where the housing is inserted into the slot and the connector is attached to the interface unit.
In the present invention, the sensor is used as a sensor for detecting the movement of the electronic device.

An input device according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, a connector, and a sensor.
The housing is inserted into the slot of a handheld device having a slot into which an expansion card is inserted and an interface unit into which the expansion card is attached and detached.
The connector is provided on the housing and is attached to and detached from the interface unit.
The sensor detects a spatial operation of the handheld device by a user in a state where the housing is inserted into the slot and the connector is attached to the interface unit.

An electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an electronic device main body and an input device.
The electronic device body includes a slot and an interface unit.
An expansion card is inserted into the slot.
The interface unit is provided in the slot, and the expansion card is attached and detached.
The input device includes a housing, a connector, and a sensor.
The housing is inserted into the slot.
The connector is provided on the housing and is attached to and detached from the interface unit.
The sensor detects a space operation of the housing by the user.

In the electronic device, the sensor detects the movement of the electronic device in a state where the casing is inserted into the slot and the connector is attached to the interface unit, and detection according to the movement of the electronic device. A signal may be output.
In this case, the electronic device main body may further include processing means for executing a predetermined process based on information related to the detection signal.
The “predetermined process” includes a process related to the movement of an image such as a pointer and a process related to a game operation. In addition, processing mainly related to functions provided in a TV remote controller (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) such as TV channel switching and volume adjustment is included.
Accordingly, the user can perform operations such as game operations and TV channel switching by spatially operating the electronic device main body.

A handheld device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a handheld device body and an input device.
The handheld device main body includes a slot and an interface unit.
An expansion card is inserted into the slot.
The interface unit is provided in the slot, and the expansion card is attached and detached.
The input device includes a housing, a connector, and a sensor.
The housing is inserted into the slot.
The connector is provided on the housing and is attached to and detached from the interface unit.
A spatial operation of the handheld device main body by a user is detected in a state where the housing is inserted into the slot and the connector is mounted on the interface unit.

In the description in the present specification, an element described as “means” may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by both software and hardware. When implemented in both software and hardware, the hardware includes at least a storage device that stores software programs.
Typically, the hardware is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). ), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), NIC (Network Interface Card), WNIC (Wireless NIC), modem, optical disk, magnetic disk, and flash memory are selectively used.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a space operation type input device excellent in portability, an electronic apparatus including the input device, and a handheld device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
[External appearance of input device and electronic equipment]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an input device and a notebook PC according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the notebook PC 40 includes an upper casing 61, a lower casing 62, and a hinge 63 that rotatably connects the upper casing 61 and the lower casing 62. The upper housing 61 includes a display unit 5 such as a liquid crystal display or an EL (Electro-Luminescence) display.

  The lower housing 62 has a plurality of input keys 64 and a touch pad 65 on an upper surface 62a, and a slot 66 into which an expansion card such as a PC card, an express card, or a memory card is inserted on a side surface 62b. ing. The slot 66 has an interface portion 43 (see FIG. 7) into which the connector of the expansion card is attached / detached. The input device 1 can be inserted into the slot 66.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the input device.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the input device 1 has a card shape, and includes a housing 10 and a connector 6 provided at one end of the housing 10. The housing 10 has a shape in which an end opposite to an end where the connector 6 is disposed is bent in a hook shape.

  In the following description, the end portion opposite to the end portion where the connector 6 is disposed will be described as the tip portion 7. As the connector 6, a module connector such as a PC card, an express card, or a memory card is used. Thereby, the input device 1 can be connected to the expansion card slot 66 of the electronic device.

  The size of the remaining portion (hereinafter referred to as the insertion region 1a) excluding the portion bent in a bowl shape from the entire input device 1 is the same as the size of the expansion card. That is, the length (Z-axis direction), width (X-axis direction), and thickness (Y-axis direction) of the insertion region 1a substantially match the length, width, and thickness of the expansion card, respectively. In the following description, the bent portion of the distal end portion 7 of the input device 1 may be referred to as a protruding region 1b.

  On the upper surface 10 a of the housing 10, the operation unit 23 is disposed closer to the distal end portion 7 than the center of the input device 1. The operation unit 23 includes buttons 11 and 12. The buttons 11 and 12 are typically push-type buttons, and push buttons or capacitive touch buttons are used.

  The button 11 has a function of a left button of a plane operation type mouse (hereinafter simply referred to as a mouse), and the button 12 has a function of a right button. For example, an operation for selecting the icon 4 (see FIG. 11) by clicking the button 11 and an operation for opening a file by double-clicking the button 11 are performed. An icon is an image of a program function on a computer, an execution command, a file content, or the like on a screen.

  A battery 14 made of, for example, a lithium polymer secondary battery is disposed inside the housing 10. The battery 14 can be charged when power is supplied from the notebook PC 40 via the connector 6 when the input device 1 is inserted into the slot 66 of the electronic device and the connector 6 is attached to the interface unit 43. .

[Internal configuration of input device and electronic device]
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the input device 1, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the internal configuration of the input device 1. FIG. 5 is a front view showing the sensor unit.

  As shown in these drawings, the input device 1 is sandwiched between an upper cover 51 that forms the upper portion of the housing 10, a lower cover 52 that forms the lower portion of the housing 10, and the upper cover 51 and the lower cover 52. The frame portion 53 is disposed in the frame. The input device 1 also has an upper case 54 and a lower case 55 that constitute a part of the housing 10 at the distal end portion 7 of the input device 1.

  The pressing member 30 having the buttons 11 and 12 is disposed between the upper cover 51 and the frame portion 53, and the main board 18 is disposed between the frame portion 53 and the lower cover 52. Further, the sensor substrate 25 is disposed between the upper case 54 and the lower case 55.

  Openings 71 and 72 are formed in the upper cover 51 on the distal end 7 side of the center of the upper cover 51, and the buttons 11 and 12 are fitted into these two openings, respectively.

  The pressing member 30 includes a support portion 31, two buttons 11 and 12, and a leaf spring portion 33 that elastically connects the support portion 31 and the two buttons 11 and 12. By the leaf spring portion 33, the two buttons 11 and 12 move in the vertical direction (Z direction). The support portion 31 is fixed to the upper cover 51 and the frame portion 53 by, for example, pins or screws.

  The main board 18 has a rectangular thin plate shape, and is formed by cutting out one side of the four sides forming the outer peripheral edge 18b into a concave shape. A portion cut out in the shape of the recess (hereinafter referred to as a fitting portion 28) has the same size as the battery 14, and the battery 14 is fitted into the fitting portion 28. Thereby, size reduction and thickness reduction of the input device 1 can be achieved. The main board 18 and the electrode end terminals (not shown) of the battery 14 are electrically connected by direct mounting or wire.

  The connector 6 is directly mounted on one end of the main board 18. By directly mounting the connector 6 on the main board 18, the input device 1 can be reduced in size and thickness, and the cost can be reduced.

  On the upper surface 18a of the main board 18, two switches 26 and 27, an antenna 22, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) 19 (or CPU (Central Processing Unit)), a crystal oscillator 20, a transceiver 21 and the like are mounted. The two switches 26 and 27 are formed on the main board 18 so as to be arranged below the buttons 11 and 12, respectively, detect the pressing of the buttons 11 and 12 by the user, and output an operation signal. The antenna 22 is disposed on the distal end portion 7 side of the input device 1 and is formed on the main board 18 by printing.

  The main board 18 is electrically connected to the sensor board 25 via the flexible board 29 (see FIG. 4). The sensor substrate 25 is held inside the housing 10 while maintaining a predetermined angle with respect to the main substrate 18.

  The flexible substrate 29 is configured by, for example, an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit). Alternatively, for example, a flexible wire made of FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) may be used instead of the flexible substrate 29.

  An angular velocity sensor unit 15 and an acceleration sensor unit 16 are mounted on the sensor substrate 25 (see FIG. 5). The sensor substrate 25, the angular velocity sensor unit 15, and the acceleration sensor unit 16 constitute a sensor unit 17.

  The angular velocity sensor unit 15 and the acceleration sensor unit 16 are sensors that detect the movement of the housing 10, that is, the movement of the input device 1.

The angular velocity sensor unit 15 includes two sensors that detect angular acceleration around the X axis and the Y axis. That is, the angular velocity sensor unit 15 includes a first angular velocity sensor 151 that detects an angular velocity ω _ψ around the Y axis and a second angular velocity sensor 152 that detects an angular velocity ω _θ around the X axis.

The acceleration sensor unit 16 includes two sensors that detect acceleration along the X axis and the Y axis. That is, the acceleration sensor unit 16 includes a second acceleration sensor 162 detects an acceleration a _y of the first acceleration sensor 161 and the Y-axis direction to detect the acceleration a _x in the X-axis direction. These angular velocity sensor unit 15 and acceleration sensor unit 16 are packaged and mounted on a sensor substrate 25.

  As the first and second angular velocity sensors 151 and 152, vibration type gyro sensors that detect Coriolis force proportional to the angular velocity are used. The first and second acceleration sensors 161 and 162 may be any type of sensor such as a piezoresistive type, a piezoelectric type, or a capacitance type. The angular velocity sensor 151 or 152 is not limited to the vibration type gyro sensor, and a rotary top gyro sensor, a laser ring gyro sensor, a gas rate gyro sensor, or the like may be used.

  The sensor substrate 25 has two holes 74 and 75 at both ends, and screws and pins are inserted into the holes 74 and 75, and the sensor substrate 25 is fixed to the upper case 54 and the lower case 55.

  The upper case 54 and the lower case 55 are formed such that the end portions are bent at a predetermined angle. The lower case 55 has a recess 73 on the inner surface 55a, and the recess 73 forms a predetermined space for containing the angular velocity sensor unit 15 and the acceleration sensor unit 16. The upper case 54 and the lower case 55 are connected by being sandwiched between the sensor substrate 25 and the sensor unit 17. Thereby, the sensor substrate 25 and the sensor unit 17 are enclosed in the housing 10 on the distal end portion 7 side of the input device 1.

  FIG. 6 is an electrical block diagram showing the internal configuration of the input device 1.

  The MPU 19 incorporates necessary volatile and nonvolatile memories. The MPU 19 receives a detection signal from the sensor unit 17, an operation signal from the switch, and the like. The MPU 19 executes various arithmetic processes and the like in order to generate a predetermined control signal (command) corresponding to these input signals. Further, the MPU 19 may execute processing related to the functions of an expansion card such as a PC card or an express card. That is, the input device 101 may have a function as an expansion card such as a PC card in addition to a function as a sensing device.

  The transceiver 21 transmits the command generated by the MPU 19 as a wireless signal (for example, an RF wireless signal) to the notebook PC 40 via the antenna 22. The transceiver 21 can also receive various signals transmitted from the notebook PC 40.

  The crystal oscillator 20 generates a reference pulse and supplies it to the MPU 19. The MPU 19 can generate clocks with various frequencies based on the reference pulse.

  FIG. 7 is an electrical block diagram showing the internal configuration of the notebook PC.

  The notebook PC 40 includes an MPU 35, a RAM 36, a ROM 37, a transceiver 38, an antenna 39, a display control unit 42, and a video RAM 41 in addition to the display unit 5, input keys 64, touch pad 65, and interface unit 43.

  The transceiver 38 receives the control signal transmitted from the input device 1 via the antenna 39. The MPU 35 analyzes the control signal and performs various arithmetic processes. The transceiver 38 can also transmit predetermined various signals to the input device 1. The display control unit 42 mainly generates screen data to be displayed on the screen 3 of the display unit 5 according to the control of the MPU 35. The video RAM 41 serves as a work area for the display control unit 42 and temporarily stores the generated screen data.

[Description of operation]
Next, a method for using the input device 1 will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state where the input device 1 is inserted into the notebook PC.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the input device 1 is inserted into an expansion card slot 66 provided in the notebook PC 40. As described above, the insertion area 1a of the input device 1 (the remaining portion of the entire input device 1 excluding the bent portion) is the same as that of an expansion card such as a PC card, an express card, or a memory card. The size is assumed. Therefore, the user can smoothly insert the input device 1 into the slot 66.

  When the input device 1 is inserted into the slot 66 by the user, the interface unit 43 provided in the slot 66 and the connector 6 are connected. When the interface unit 43 and the connector 6 are connected, power is supplied from the notebook PC 40 via the connector 6 and the battery 14 is charged.

  By the way, when the input apparatus 1 is a form which transmits a control signal using wireless communication, there exists a problem that the power consumption of the input apparatus 1 is large. However, since the input device 1 according to the present embodiment can be charged by being inserted into the slot 66, the above power consumption problem can be solved.

  When the input device 1 is mounted in the slot 66 of the notebook PC 40, the protruding region 1 b (portion bent on the tip 7 side) is in a state of protruding from the slot 66.

  According to the input device 1 of the present embodiment, by inserting the input device 1 into the slot, the input device 1 can be carried along with the notebook PC, so that the portability can be improved. Further, since the existing expansion card slot 66 is used, there is no need to newly provide a dedicated storage space. Furthermore, since the input device 1 according to the present embodiment is formed with a simple structure, durability can be improved.

  When the user uses the input device 1, the user presses an eject button (not shown) provided on the notebook PC 40 and removes the input device 1 from the slot. Here, in the input device 1, since the protruding region 1 b protrudes from the slot 66 and has a bent shape, the user can easily grasp the protruding region 1 b and take out the input device 1 from the slot 66. it can.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state where the user holds the input device 1. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating how the input device is shaken toward the screen, and FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the notebook PC.

  As shown in FIG. 11, for example, an image such as a pointer 2, an icon 4, and a character 8 is displayed on the screen 3 of the display unit 5 of the notebook PC 40. In the virtual plane on the screen 3, the horizontal axis is the X ″ axis, and the vertical axis is the Y ″ axis. A coordinate system based on the input device 1, that is, a coordinate system that moves with the input device 1 is defined as an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the user holds the input device 1 with the connector 6 on the hand side and the front end portion 7 facing the screen 3 of the notebook PC.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the user shakes the input device 1 in the vertical direction by using the rotation of the wrist or the elbow. At this time, the second angular velocity sensor 152 detects the angular velocity ω _θ around the X axis,
The second acceleration sensor 162 detects the acceleration a _y in the Y-axis direction. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10B, the user shakes the input device 1 in the left-right direction using the rotation of the wrist or elbow. At this time, the first angular velocity sensor 151 detects the angular velocity ω _ψ around the Y axis, and the first acceleration sensor 161 detects the acceleration a _x in the X axis direction.

Based on the detected angular velocity values (ω _ψ , ω _θ ) and acceleration values (a _x , a _y ), the velocity value V _{x in} the X-axis direction and the velocity value V _{y in the} Y-axis direction are calculated. The As a method for calculating the velocity values (V _x , V _y ), the MPU 19 obtains a velocity value by integrating, for example, acceleration values (a _x , a _y ), and calculates angular velocity values (ω _ψ , ω _θ ). There is a method used as an auxiliary to the integral calculation. Conversely, the MPU 19 obtains the velocity values (V _x , V _y ) corresponding to the angular velocity values (ω _ψ , ω _θ ) by calculation or a lookup table, and obtains the acceleration values (a _x , a _y ), for example, There is a method used as an auxiliary. The method for calculating the velocity values (V _x , V _y ) is not particularly limited.

Information on the calculated velocity values (V _x , V _y ) is transmitted to the notebook PC 40 via the transceiver 21 and the antenna 22. When the notebook PC 40 receives the information on the velocity values (V _x , V _y ), the notebook PC 40 displays so that the pointer 2 moves on the X ″ -Y ″ plane of the screen 3 in accordance with the received velocity values. To control. Typically, the MPU 35 of the notebook PC 40 generates a new coordinate value by adding the velocity values (V _x , V _y ) to the previous coordinate value. The display control unit 42 controls the display so that the pointer 2 moves on the screen 3 based on the generated coordinate value.

  Here, when the user operates the space by holding the input device 1 in his / her hand, the user grips the input device with the connector 6 at the hand side and the tip 7 facing the screen 3 of the notebook PC (FIG. 8). reference). As described above, the distal end portion 7 of the input device 1 is formed to be bent in a bowl shape, and the operation portion 23 is disposed closer to the distal end portion 7 than the center of the input device 1. Therefore, the user grasps the input device 1 with the connector 6 at the hand side and directs the distal end portion 7 toward the screen 3 and operates the operation unit 23 with the thumb without being aware of it.

  By such handling, the sensor unit 17 is positioned away from the wrist, so that the angular velocity sensor unit 15 and the acceleration sensor unit 16 can appropriately detect the angular velocity and the angular acceleration.

  FIG. 12 is a top view of a user who shakes the input device 1 in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 12, when the user naturally operates the input device 1, the user spatially operates the input device 1 using at least one of wrist rotation, elbow rotation, and arm root rotation. .

  Suppose that the user grips the input device 1 with the distal end 7 where the sensor unit 17 is disposed on the hand side, or the sensor unit 17 is disposed on the connector 6 side. In this case, when the user spatially operates the input device 1 using wrist rotation, the position of the sensor unit 17 substantially coincides with the wrist rotation center. As a result, the angular velocity sensor unit 15 and the acceleration sensor unit 16 cannot detect sufficient angular velocities and accelerations, which may cause a malfunction. Further, depending on the gripping method by individual users, the sensor unit 17 may be positioned on the user side with respect to the wrist rotation center. In this case, the angular velocity sensor unit 15 and the acceleration sensor unit 16 detect the angular velocity and the angular velocity opposite to the angular velocity that should be detected originally.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the sensor unit 17 is disposed on the distal end portion 7 side. Thereby, the angular velocity sensor unit 15 and the acceleration sensor unit 16 can appropriately detect the angular velocity and the angular acceleration. Further, since the distal end portion 7 of the input device 1 has a bent shape, the user does not hold the input device 1 with the distal end portion 7 provided with the sensor unit 17 as a proximal side.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since the antenna 22 is arrange | positioned at the front-end | tip part 7 side of the input device 1, when a user hold | grips the input device 1, an antenna is not covered with a hand. Thereby, for example, even if the user holds a shielding material having a shielding effect such as a confectionery bag or a wrapping paper for confectionery and operates the input device 1 in space, there is little possibility that a wireless communication failure occurs.

  When the user finishes using the input device 1, the input device 1 is inserted into the slot 66 of the notebook PC again. Then, power is again supplied from the notebook PC 40 via the connector 6 and the battery 14 of the input device 1 is charged.

[Addition of scroll and zoom functions]
By the way, as described above, the button 11 and the button 12 of the input device 1 according to the present embodiment have a function as a left button and a function as a right button of a mouse, respectively. Here, the mouse is generally provided with a wheel button for scrolling or zooming the character 8 (see FIG. 11) displayed on the screen 3 of the display unit 5.

  However, since the input device 1 has the same size as an expansion card such as a PC card and can be inserted into the slot 66, it is difficult to provide a wheel button on the input device 1. That is, when a wheel button is provided on the input device 1, the wheel button becomes an obstacle and the input device 1 cannot be inserted into the slot 66.

  Therefore, in order to add a scroll function or a zoom function to the input device 1, the input device 1 is provided with a scroll button or a zoom button.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example when the button 13 is provided in the input device 1 in addition to the buttons 11 and 12. This button 13 has a function as a scroll button or a zoom button. As shown in FIG. 13, the button 13 is arranged closer to the center of the input device 1 than the buttons 11 and 12.

Here, the scroll button is a button having a function of performing scrolling on the screen 3 when the button is pressed or when the button is not pressed. For example, when the user presses the button 13 and the input device 1 is swung up and down, the character 8 scrolls up and down on the screen 3 according to the operation. In this case, the speed values (V _x , V _y ) described above correspond to the speed at which the character 8 scrolls on the screen 3.

On the other hand, the zoom button is a button having a function of performing zoom on the screen 3 when the button is pressed or when the button is not pressed. For example, when the user presses the button 13 and swings the input device 1 upward, the character 8 is enlarged on the screen 3. On the other hand, when the user swings the input device 1 downward, the character 8 is reduced on the screen 3. In this case, the above speed values (V _x , V _y ) correspond to the speed at which the image is enlarged or reduced on the screen 3.

  Note that the relationship between the scroll direction and enlargement / reduction of an image such as the character 8 and the operation direction of the input device 1 can be changed as appropriate. In the above description, the button 13 is described as being either a scroll button or a zoom button. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the button 13 may have both functions of a scroll button and a zoom button. In this case, for example, scroll and zoom may be switched when the button 13 is double-clicked. Furthermore, when the button 13 is pressed or not pressed, it is possible to execute an operation such as rotation.

  Similarly, each embodiment described below may have a scroll button or a zoom button.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, parts having the same configurations and functions as those of the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted or simplified.

  FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the input device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the rotation member rotates.

  As shown in these figures, the input device 101 has a card shape, and the overall size of the input device 101 is the same as the size of an expansion card such as a PC card, an express card, or a memory card. Is done. That is, the length (Z-axis direction), width (X-axis direction), and thickness (Y-axis direction) of the input device 101 substantially match the length, width, and thickness of the expansion card, respectively.

  The input device 101 includes a housing 110, a connector 6 provided at one end portion of the housing 110, and a rotating member 82 provided at the other end portion (tip portion 7) of the housing 110. The housing 110 has a storage portion 87 for storing the rotating member 82 at the distal end portion 7.

  The rotating member 82 has a rectangular flat plate shape, and the width (X-axis direction) and thickness (Y-axis direction) of the rotating member 82 are slightly smaller than the width and thickness of the housing 10, respectively. . Moreover, the length (Z-axis direction) of the rotation member 82 is, for example, about 1/8 of the entire length of the input device 1.

  FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the input device 101 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a part of the internal configuration of the input device 101.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the input device 101 includes an upper cover 51, a lower cover 52, a frame portion 53, a pressing member 30, a main board 18, a sensor board 85, and a battery 14. Further, the input device 1 includes a rotating portion main body 86 and a lid portion 84 that constitute the rotating member 82, and a storage member 90 having a storage portion 87 that stores the rotating member 82.

  The storage member 90 is disposed on the distal end 7 side of the frame portion 53, and grooves 91 and 92 are provided on the opposing inner surfaces of the storage portion 87, respectively.

  On the sensor substrate 85, the angular velocity sensor unit 15 and the acceleration sensor unit 16 are mounted. The sensor substrate 85 is electrically connected to the main substrate 18 through the flexible substrate 29. A sensor unit 88 is constituted by the sensor substrate 85, the angular velocity sensor unit 15, and the acceleration sensor unit 16.

  The rotation part main body 86 and the lid part 84 are joined with the sensor unit 88 being sandwiched therebetween, whereby the sensor unit 88 is included in the rotation member 82. Two protrusions 93 and 94 are provided on the side surface of the rotating portion main body 86. The two protrusions 93 and 94 engage with grooves 91 and 92 formed in the storage portion 87, so that the rotation member 82 can rotate with respect to the housing 110.

  Next, a method for using the input device 101 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a state where the input device 101 is inserted into the notebook PC.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the input device 101 is inserted into an expansion card slot 66 provided in the notebook PC 40. In this case, the input device 101 is inserted into the slot 66 while the rotating member 82 is housed in the housing 110, that is, in a state where the rotating member 82 is tilted.

  Since the size of the input device 101 is the same as that of an expansion card such as a PC card or an express card, the entire input device 1 is inserted into the slot 66. When the input device 1 is inserted into the slot 66, power is supplied from the notebook PC 40 via the connector 6 and the battery 14 is charged.

  Since the user can carry the notebook PC 40 with the input device 101 inserted into the notebook PC, the portability of the input device 101 can be improved. Further, since the existing expansion card slot 66 is used, there is no need to newly provide a dedicated space for accommodating the input device 101. Furthermore, since the input device 101 according to the present embodiment is formed with a simple structure, durability can be improved.

  When the user uses the input device 101, the user presses an eject button provided on the notebook PC 40 and removes the input device 101 from the slot 66.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a state where the user holds the input device 101.

  As shown in FIG. 19, when the input device 101 is used, the rotating member 82 is rotated at a predetermined angle (for example, 90 degrees) with respect to the housing 110 and the rotating member 82 is raised. Used in. When the rotating member 82 is rotated, the sensor unit 88 included in the rotating member 82 is also rotated, and the sensor unit 88 is maintained at a predetermined angle (for example, 90 degrees) with respect to the housing 110. .

With the rotating member 82 raised, the angular velocity sensor unit 15 detects the angular velocity ω _θ around the X axis and the angular velocity ω _ψ around the Y axis, and the acceleration sensor unit 16 detects the acceleration a in the X axis direction. The acceleration a _y in the _x and Y axis directions is detected. In this case, the second angular velocity sensor 152 detects the angular velocity ω _θ around the X axis, and the first angular velocity sensor 151 detects the angular velocity ω _ψ around the Y axis. The first acceleration sensor 161 detects an acceleration a _x in the X-axis direction, a second acceleration sensor 162 detects an acceleration a _y in the Y-axis direction.

  As shown in FIG. 18, when the user operates the space by holding the input device 101, the user holds the input device 101 so that the connector 6 is at the hand side and the tip 7 is directed to the screen 3 of the notebook PC. Hold it. As described above, the rotation member 82 of the input device 101 is used by being rotated at a predetermined angle, so that the user can use the connector 6 as a hand side and the tip 7 on the screen 3 without being aware of it. The input device 101 is held so as to be directed.

  By such handling, the sensor unit 88 is positioned away from the wrist, so that the angular velocity sensor unit 15 and the acceleration sensor unit 16 can appropriately detect the angular velocity and the angular acceleration.

  When the user finishes using the input device 1, the input device 1 is inserted into the slot 66 of the notebook PC again.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating the input device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the rotating member rotates.

  As shown in these drawings, the input device 111 includes a housing 120, a connector 6 provided at one end of the housing 120, and a rotation provided at the other end (tip portion 7) of the housing 120. A member 102 is provided. The housing 120 has a storage portion 103 for storing the rotating member 102 at the distal end portion 7.

  The rotating member 102 according to this embodiment is smaller than the rotating member 82 according to the second embodiment described above, and the width (X-axis direction) of the rotating member 102 according to this embodiment is the width of the housing 120. About half of the total. In addition, the width of the storage portion 103 provided in the housing 120 is also approximately half that of the housing 120. The overall size of the input device 111 is the same as the size of an expansion card such as a PC card, an express card, or a memory card.

  FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the input device 111 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a part of the internal configuration of the input device 111.

  As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the input device 111 includes an upper cover 51, a lower cover 52, a frame portion 53, a pressing member 30, a main board 118, a sensor board 105, and a battery 14. Further, the input device 1 includes a rotating part main body 106 and a lid part 104 that constitute the rotating member 102, and a storage member 109 having a storage part 103 that stores the rotating member 102.

  In addition to the fitting portion 28 formed by cutting out one side of the main substrate 118 into a concave shape, the main substrate 118 has a concave portion 34 formed by cutting out one corner on the tip 7 side of the main substrate 118. Have.

  An angular velocity sensor unit 15 and an acceleration sensor unit 16 are mounted on the sensor substrate 105, and a sensor unit 108 is configured by the sensor substrate 105, the angular velocity sensor unit 15, and the acceleration sensor unit 16. The sensor unit 108 is disposed in the recess 34 of the main board 118. Thereby, the input device 111 can be further reduced in size and thickness.

  The rotation unit body 106 and the lid unit 104 are joined with the sensor unit 108 interposed therebetween, whereby the sensor unit 108 is included in the rotation member 102.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a state where the input device is inserted into the notebook PC.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the input device 111 is inserted into the slot 66 of the notebook PC 40 in a state where the rotating member 102 is stored in the storage unit 103 provided in the housing 120. When the input device 111 is inserted into the slot 66, power is supplied from the notebook PC 40 via the connector 6, and the battery 14 is charged.

  Since the operation and effect of the input device 111 are the same as those of the input device 101 according to the second embodiment described above, description thereof is omitted.

<Fourth embodiment>
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the present embodiment, each of the input devices 1, 101, and 111 described in the above embodiments is used as a sensing device that detects the movement of an electronic device such as a notebook PC or mobile PC. That is, since each of the input devices 1, 101, and 111 has a sensor that detects the movement of the casing (the movement of the input device), this sensor is used as a sensor that detects the movement of the electronic device. Note that each of the input devices 1, 101, and 111 described in the above embodiments can be applied to this embodiment, but for convenience, the input device is the input device 101 according to the second embodiment. Will be described.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an input device and a mobile PC according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the mobile PC 240 includes a first housing 201 and a second housing 202. The first housing 201 includes a display unit 205 such as a liquid crystal display or an EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The second housing 202 has a plurality of input keys 204 and a slot 206 into which an expansion card such as a PC card, an express card, or a memory card is inserted. The slot 206 is disposed on the left side surface of the housing 202.

  The card-shaped input device 101 is inserted into the slot 206. When the input device 101 is inserted to the back of the slot 206, the interface unit 43 provided in the slot 206 and the connector 6 are connected. When the input device 101 is inserted into the slot 206 of the mobile PC 240, it is inserted in a state where the rotating member 82 is stored in the storage portion 87, that is, in a state where the rotating member 82 is tilted.

  On the screen 203 of the display unit 205, for example, an image such as the pointer 2, the icon 4, and the character 8 is displayed (see FIG. 11). In the virtual plane on the screen 203, the horizontal axis is the X ″ axis, and the vertical axis is the Y ″ axis. Further, hereinafter, a coordinate system based on the mobile PC, that is, a coordinate system that moves together with the mobile PC 240 is referred to as an X ′ axis, a Y ′ axis, and a Z ′ axis.

  Next, operations of the input device 101 and the mobile PC 240 will be described.

  Hereinafter, operations of the input device 101 and the mobile PC 240 when the mobile PC is spatially operated while the input device 101 is inserted in the slot 206 will be described. The operation when the input device 101 is removed from the slot 206 and the input device 101 is spatially operated is the same as the operation described in the second embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the mobile PC is being moved.

For example, the user grips the mobile PC 240 and rotates the X ′ axis or the Y ′ axis as the center axis. Based on the detection signals from the angular velocity sensor unit 15 and the acceleration sensor unit 16, the input device 101 calculates a velocity value V _x ′ in the X′-axis direction and a velocity value V _y ′ in the Y′-axis direction.

The MPU 19 of the input device 101 transmits the calculated velocity values (V _x ′, V _y ′) to the mobile PC 240 via the antenna 22. Here, in the present embodiment, since the input device 101 is mounted in the slot 66, the information on the speed values (V _x ′, V _y ′) is transmitted to the mobile PC 240 via the connector 6 and the interface unit 43. May be. Thereby, power consumption can be reduced.

When the mobile PC 240 receives the information on the velocity values (V _x ′, V _y ′), the pointer 2 moves on the X ″ -Y ″ plane of the screen 203 according to the received velocity values. Control the display. Typically, the MPU 35 of the mobile PC 240 generates a new coordinate value by adding the velocity value (V _x ′, V _y ′) to the previous coordinate value. The display control unit 42 controls the display so that the pointer 2 moves on the screen 3 based on the generated coordinate value.

  Through the processing as described above, the user can operate the pointer 2 displayed on the screen 203 by holding the mobile PC 240 and performing a space operation. In particular, small electronic devices such as the mobile PC 240 have become very compact and lightweight in recent years, and can be said to be suitable for space operations.

  Here, when the mobile PC 240 is spatially operated, a game operation may be enabled. Alternatively, in the case where the mobile PC 240 has a built-in TV tuner, the mobile PC 240 is spatially operated to perform processing mainly related to functions provided in the TV remote control such as TV channel switching and volume adjustment. May be executed.

In these cases, the mobile PC 240 performs processing related to game operations, TV channel switching, or volume adjustment based on the information on the velocity values (V _x ′, V _y ′) transmitted from the input device 101. Etc. are executed.

  Small electronic devices such as the mobile PC 240 are becoming more compact and lighter, but have a problem that the operation unit such as the input key 204 is small and difficult to operate. On the other hand, if the mobile PC 240 is spatially operated as in the present embodiment, operations such as pointer movement, game operation, and channel switching can be performed, so that the troublesome input to the operation unit is eliminated. Can do.

  Next, the relationship between the operation direction of the mobile PC and the detection axis of the input device 101 inserted into the expansion card slot will be described. The mobile PC 240 according to the present embodiment has been described on the assumption that the expansion card slot 206 is arranged on the left side when viewed from the front. However, the mobile PC 240 may have an expansion card slot 206 on the right side, the top, or the bottom.

  Furthermore, the detection axis of the sensor unit 17 when the mobile PC is spatially operated and the detection axis of the sensor unit 17 when the input device 1 is removed from the mobile PC and the input device 101 is spatially operated are not necessarily the same. Not limited. Then, when the input device 101 is used as a sensing device that detects the movement of the electronic device, the operation direction of the mobile PC and the detection axis of the input device 101 are taken into consideration in consideration of the slot position, the insertion direction of the input device 101, and the like. Need to be combined.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining the operation direction of the mobile PC.

  As shown in FIG. 27, the direction in which the mobile PC 240 is rotated clockwise about the Y ′ axis is the + x ′ direction, and the direction in which the mobile PC 240 is rotated counterclockwise about the Y ′ axis is the −x ′ direction. The direction in which the mobile PC 240 is rotated upward about the X ′ axis is the + y ′ direction, and the direction in which the mobile PC 240 is rotated downward about the X ′ axis is the −y ′ direction.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the operation direction of the mobile PC and the detection axis of the sensor unit.

  When the input device 101 is inserted into the slot 206 provided on the left side surface of the mobile PC 240, the rotation member 82 is inserted in a tilted state, so that the detection axis of the sensor unit 88 is as shown in FIG. Direction. Therefore, the operation directions of the mobile PC 240, + x ′ direction, −x ′ direction, + y ′ direction, and −y ′ direction are the detection axis directions of the sensor unit 88, respectively, −y ′ direction, + y ′ direction, + x Corresponds to the 'direction, -x' direction.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a direction in which the input device is inserted into the mobile PC. FIG. 30 is a diagram summarizing the relationship between the operation direction of the mobile PC and the detection axis of the sensor unit for each direction in which the input device is inserted.

  As can be seen from FIGS. 29 and 30, the relationship between the operation direction of the mobile PC and the detection axis of the sensor unit needs to be changed for each direction in which the input device is inserted. Therefore, for example, a four-contact switch is provided in the input device 101 or the mobile PC 240. In this case, four insertion directions are assigned to the respective contacts of the four-contact switch. By switching the switch, the relationship between the operation direction of the mobile PC and the detection axis of the sensor unit 88 can be changed for each direction in which the input device 101 is inserted.

  Alternatively, other methods are also conceivable. For example, when the user operates the mobile PC 240 in one of the operation directions, the MPU 19 of the input device 101 acquires a detection signal from the sensor unit 88. At this time, the input device 101 may determine the output value having the largest change among the output values of the detection signal from the sensor unit 88 and assign one of the four patterns shown in FIG.

  In the description of the present embodiment, the electronic device into which the input device 101 is inserted is described as the mobile PC 240. However, the notebook PC 40 may be used as a matter of course.

  In the present embodiment, a case has been described in which the sensor that detects the movement of the input device 1 (including 101 and 111; hereinafter the same) is used as a sensor that detects the movement of the electronic device. That is, in the present embodiment, the sensor unit 17 is used as a sensor that detects both the movement of the input device 1 and the movement of the electronic device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the sensor unit 17 may be used as a dedicated sensor that detects the movement of the electronic device. That is, the input device 1 may be used as a dedicated sensing device that detects the movement of the electronic device.

In this case, if the input device 1 is configured to transmit information on the velocity values (V _x ′, V _y ′) to the mobile PC 240 via the connector 6 and the interface unit 43, the transceiver 21 and the antenna 22 are input. The device 1 may not be provided. Further, if the input device 1 is configured to be supplied with power from the mobile PC 240 via the connector 6, the battery 14 may not be provided in the input device 1. Thereby, weight reduction of the input device 1 is implement | achieved.

<Various modifications>
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the electronic device into which the input device 1 (including the input devices 101 and 111, hereinafter omitted) is inserted is described as the notebook PC 40 or the mobile PC 240 (handheld device). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any electronic device having a slot into which an expansion card is inserted may be used.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the input device 1 includes a biaxial acceleration sensor unit and a biaxial angular velocity sensor unit has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the input device 1 may include, for example, both an orthogonal three-axis acceleration sensor and an orthogonal three-axis angular velocity sensor, or may include only one of them. The processing shown in the embodiment can be realized. Alternatively, the input device 1 may include a uniaxial acceleration sensor or a uniaxial angular velocity sensor.

  Alternatively, the input device 1 may include a geomagnetic sensor or an image sensor instead of the acceleration sensor and the angular velocity sensor.

  In each of the above embodiments, the pointer 2 that moves on the screen according to the movement of the input device is represented as an arrow image. However, the image of the pointer 2 is not limited to the arrow, and may be a simple circle, a square, or the like, a character image, or another image.

  The detection axes of the angular velocity sensor unit 15 and the acceleration sensor unit 16 of the sensor unit 17 do not necessarily have to be orthogonal to each other like the above-described X axis and Y axis. In this case, the accelerations projected in the axial directions orthogonal to each other are obtained by calculation using trigonometric functions. Similarly, the angular velocities around the mutually orthogonal axes can be obtained by calculation using trigonometric functions.

1 is a perspective view showing an input device and a notebook PC according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows an input device. It is a disassembled perspective view of an input device. It is a perspective view which shows a part of internal structure of an input device. It is a front view which shows a sensor unit. It is an electrical block diagram which shows the internal structure of an input device. It is an electrical block diagram which shows the internal structure of notebook type PC. It is a figure which shows a mode that an input device is inserted in notebook type PC. It is a figure which shows a mode that the user grasped the input device. It is a figure which shows a mode that an input device is shaken toward a screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the display part of notebook type PC. It is the figure which looked at the user who shakes an input device in the left-right direction from the top. It is a figure which shows an example when a scroll button or a zoom button is provided in the input device. It is a perspective view which shows the input device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that a rotation member rotates. It is a disassembled perspective view of an input device. It is a perspective view which shows a part of internal structure of an input device. It is a figure which shows the state by which an input device is inserted in notebook type PC. It is a figure which shows a mode that the user hold | gripped the input device. It is a perspective view which shows the input device which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that a rotation member rotates. It is a disassembled perspective view of an input device. It is a perspective view which shows a part of internal structure of an input device. It is a figure which shows the state by which an input device is inserted in notebook type PC. It is a figure which shows the input device and mobile PC which concern on another embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state by which mobile PC is moved. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation direction of mobile PC. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the operation direction of mobile PC, and the detection axis of a sensor unit. FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a direction in which the input device is inserted into the mobile PC. FIG. 30 is a diagram summarizing the relationship between the operation direction of the mobile PC and the detection axis of the sensor unit for each direction in which the input device is inserted.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 101, 111 ... Input device 6 ... Connector 10, 110, 120 ... Case 14 ... Battery 15 ... Angular velocity sensor unit 16 ... Acceleration sensor unit 17, 88, 108 ... Sensor unit 18, 118, ... Main board | substrate 19, 35 ... MPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 22, 39 ... Antenna 23 ... Operation part 25, 85, 105 ... Sensor board 28 ... Fitting part 29 ... Flexible board 34 ... Concave part 40 ... Notebook type PC
43 ... Interface 66, 206 ... Slot 82, 102 ... Rotating member 240 ... Mobile PC

Claims (17)

A housing to be inserted into the slot of an electronic device having a slot into which the expansion card is inserted and an interface unit that is provided in the slot and to which the expansion card is attached and detached;
An input device comprising: a connector provided in the housing and attached to and detached from the interface unit; and a sensor for detecting a spatial operation of the housing by a user. The input device according to claim 1,
The housing has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end,
The connector is disposed on the first end side;
The sensor is an input device arranged on the second end side. The input device according to claim 2,
A control unit for controlling the input device;
A main board on which the control unit is mounted;
An input device further comprising: a sensor substrate on which the sensor is mounted. The input device according to claim 3,
A battery for supplying power to the input device;
The main board includes an outer peripheral edge and a fitting portion that is formed such that a part of the outer peripheral edge is cut out and into which the battery is fitted. The input device according to claim 4,
The battery is an input device that is charged with power supplied from the electronic device via the connector. The input device according to claim 3,
The connector is an input device directly mounted on the main board. The input device according to claim 3,
An input device further comprising a connecting portion that electrically connects the main substrate and the sensor substrate and is made of a flexible material. The input device according to claim 3,
The sensor outputs a detection signal corresponding to the movement of the housing,
The input device further includes an antenna that is provided on the main substrate on the first end side and transmits information related to the detection signal. The input device according to claim 3,
The main substrate has an outer peripheral edge and a concave portion formed so that a part of the outer peripheral edge on the first end side is cut out;
The input device is configured such that the sensor substrate is disposed in the recess. The input device according to claim 3,
An input device further comprising a rotating member that is rotatably provided on the housing on the second end side and encloses the sensor and the sensor substrate. The input device according to claim 10,
The rotating device is an input device that is housed in the housing when not rotating. The input device according to claim 2,
An input device further comprising an operation unit that is provided closer to the second end than the center of the housing and detects a user operation not depending on the movement of the housing. The input device according to claim 1,
The sensor is an input device that detects a spatial operation of the electronic device by a user in a state where the housing is inserted into the slot and the connector is attached to the interface unit. A housing to be inserted into the slot of a handheld device having a slot into which an expansion card is inserted and an interface unit provided in the slot to which the expansion card is attached and detached;
A connector provided on the housing and attached to and detached from the interface unit;
An input device comprising: a sensor that detects a spatial operation of the handheld device by a user in a state where the housing is inserted into the slot and the connector is mounted on the interface unit. An electronic device main body having a slot into which an expansion card is inserted, and an interface unit provided in the slot to which the expansion card is attached and detached;
An electronic apparatus comprising: a housing that is inserted into the slot; a connector that is provided in the housing and is attached to and detached from the interface unit; and an input device that includes a sensor that detects a spatial operation of the housing by a user. . The electronic device according to claim 15,
The sensor detects the movement of the electronic device in a state where the housing is inserted into the slot and the connector is attached to the interface unit, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the movement of the electronic device,
The electronic apparatus main body further includes processing means for executing a predetermined process based on information related to the detection signal. A handheld device main body having a slot into which an expansion card is inserted, and an interface unit provided in the slot to which the expansion card is attached and detached;
A housing that is inserted into the slot, a connector that is provided in the housing and is attached to and detached from the interface unit, and the housing is inserted into the slot, and the connector is attached to the interface unit, A handheld device comprising: an input device having a sensor for detecting a spatial operation of the handheld device main body by a user.

Images