JPH08163038A - Wireless input device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Object] The present invention relates to a wireless data input device used for information processing equipment such as personal computers and word processors and for home-use games, and provides a wireless input device capable of widening the range of use. The purpose is to [Structure] A wireless conversion unit 2 receives from a wireless optical signal 11 sent from an optical transmission unit 5 of a wireless input unit 1, converts the wireless optical signal 11 into an electric signal, and transmits it to a decoding unit 9, and from the decoding unit 9. Optical transmission means 7 for converting the transmitted electrical signal into a wireless optical signal 11 and transmitting it to the optical receiving means 8 of the wireless input section 1, the electrical signal between the optical receiving means 6, the optical transmitting means 7 and the main body 10. A wireless input device capable of bidirectional communication by including a decoding unit 9 for controlling the control unit, and a current control unit capable of controlling at least two types of drive currents supplied to the light emitting components. When bidirectional communication is not established for a certain number of times continuously or after integration, the amount of drive current supplied to the light emitting component is sequentially changed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless input device used in information processing equipment such as personal computers and word processors and home game equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 8 shows a wireless input device typified by a conventional TV remote controller using light. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a wireless input unit, which is a key input unit 3, an encoding unit 4, an optical transmission unit. Means 5 are provided. Reference numeral 2 denotes a wireless conversion unit, which has an optical receiving unit 6 and a decoding unit 9 and is connected to the main body 10. Then, the wireless optical conversion unit 2 receives the wireless optical signal 11 from the wireless input unit 1.
Signal is transmitted to.

FIG. 2 shows a part of a circuit of a general optical receiving means, in which a wireless optical signal from a light emitting element 12 used in the optical transmitting means is used as a light receiving element 1 in the optical receiving means.
It is received by 3 and the output is amplified by the amplifier.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, the drive current of the light emitting element 12 is made constant and the position of the light emitting element 12 is changed to position A, position B, and position C. If the light emitting element 12 and the light receiving element 13
Since the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 13 is stronger as the distance is shorter, the intensity of light is stronger at a super close range such as the position A, so that the amplifier output is saturated and communication becomes a region. This is an area that cannot be normally operated. On the other hand, the position C is a long-distance range where the intensity of light reaching the light receiving element 13 is weak and a sufficient output of the amplifier cannot be obtained, and the usable output is that the output of the amplifier is not saturated. Therefore, the communication can be normally performed in the use distance range as shown in the position B, and it is difficult to widen this range.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a wireless input device capable of widening the range of use.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention comprises a wireless input section and a wireless conversion section, wherein the wireless input section has a key input means composed of a plurality of keys and an on / off state of the keys. Detecting means for generating an electric signal to be sent to the optical transmitting means, an optical transmitting means for converting the electric signal into a wireless optical signal and transmitting the wireless optical signal to an optical receiving means of a wireless converting unit connected to the main body, and a main body The wireless conversion unit includes an optical reception unit that receives a wireless optical signal sent from the optical transmission unit of the wireless conversion unit, converts the wireless optical signal to an electric signal, and transmits the electric signal to the encoder unit. Optical receiving means for receiving the transmitted wireless optical signal, converting it to an electric signal and transmitting it to the decoding means, and an electric signal sent from the decoding means By including an optical transmitting means for converting into an optical signal for wireless transmission to the optical receiving means of the wireless input section, and a decoding means for controlling the optical signal between the optical receiving means and the optical transmitting means and the main body, the bidirectional A wireless input device capable of communication, comprising current control means capable of controlling at least two types of drive currents supplied to light emitting components, and when bidirectional communication by a wireless optical signal is not established for a certain number of times continuously or integrated. The amount of drive current supplied to the light emitting component is sequentially changed.

[0007]

Therefore, according to the wireless input device of the present invention, when the bidirectional communication by the wireless optical signal is not established continuously for a certain number of times or when the integration is not achieved, the driving current amount supplied to the light emitting component is sequentially changed to thereby change the use distance range. Can be widely taken.

[0008]

FIG. 1 shows a wireless input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 is a wireless input unit, 2 is a wireless conversion unit, and 10 is a main body. The wireless input unit 1 has a key input unit 3, an encoding unit 4, an optical transmission unit 5, and an optical reception unit 8. The wireless conversion unit 2 includes an optical reception unit 6, an optical transmission unit 7, and a decoding unit 9. I have it.

As described above, the wireless input unit 1 and the wireless conversion unit 2 are both optical transmitting means 5 and 7 and optical receiving means 8.
By having bidirectional communication with the wireless optical signal 11, it is possible to confirm whether or not the own communication is received by the wireless conversion unit 2 on the wireless input unit 1 side and the communication is normally completed. You can

FIG. 2 shows a part of the circuit of the general optical receiving means used in the conventional example, in which the wireless optical signal from the light emitting element 12 used in the optical transmitting means is used in the optical receiving means. The light receiving element 13 receives the signal, and the output is amplified by an amplifier.

When the drive current of the light emitting element 12 is constant and the position of the light emitting element 12 is changed to position A, position B, and position C, the light receiving element 13 receives light as the distance between the light emitting element 12 and the light receiving element 13 is shorter. The intensity of light is strong.

For this reason, at a very short distance such as the position A, the intensity of light is so strong that the amplifier output is saturated and the communication cannot be normally performed. Position B is a range in which the amplifier output is not saturated and communication can be normally performed. Position C is a long distance range in which the intensity of light reaching the light receiving element 13 is weak and a sufficient output of the amplifier cannot be obtained. In this way, it is general in the optical communication that the communicable distance is limited to a distance such that the amplifier is not saturated and a sufficient amplifier output is obtained, and the same is true in the embodiments.

Here, when the distance and driving time between the light emitting element 12 and the light receiving element 13 as shown in FIG. 4 are fixed and the driving current is changed, when the driving current is reduced, the operating distance range is close to the light receiving element 13. It shifts to the side. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when the distance between the light emitting element 12 and the light receiving element 13 and the drive current are fixed and the driving time is changed, that is, when the communication speed is changed, when the communication speed is increased, the usage distance range is set to the light receiving element 13. It shifts to the near side.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a flow chart for switching the drive current of the light emitting element 12. The drive current is initially set to a small value after the power is turned on until the main program is started because the one that consumes less current is used as the initial value. In the embodiment, when the communication is interrupted twice consecutively, the drive current is switched assuming that the distance between the light emitting element 12 and the light receiving element 13 is out of the usable distance range. This can widen the range of use.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a flow chart for switching the communication speed. The communication speed is initially set to the high speed 2 after the power is turned on until the main program is started because the high speed communication that consumes less current is used as the initial value. In the embodiment, if the communication is interrupted twice in a row, the communication speed is switched assuming that the distance between the light emitting element 12 and the light receiving element 13 is out of the usable distance range. This can widen the range of use. Further, the range of use can be widened by combining and switching both the communication speed and the drive current.

Further, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, in the setting with the higher current consumption, after the communication is performed a certain number of times, the one with the lower current consumption is forcibly returned to the setting and the communication is tried so that the operator can Even when moving to a short distance, the current consumption can be automatically reduced to follow this. The same result can be obtained even if the item of current in FIG. 7 is replaced with the communication speed. In addition, the wireless input unit and the wireless conversion unit can be attached and detached so that they can be stored in a small space. Further, by providing the wireless conversion unit with a structure such as a magnet, an adhesive tape, or a suction plate that can be fixed, the wireless conversion unit can be fixed to a computer, a display, or a peripheral device, and the desk space can be saved.

Further, the wireless input section is provided with a battery voltage monitoring means, and when the battery voltage becomes lower than a specified value, the decrease in the battery voltage is communicated to the wireless conversion section so that the wireless conversion section can decrease the battery voltage. It is possible to display some indication indicating that, specifically, the wireless conversion unit is further provided with a display device for indicating the lock state of the lock key of the key input means of the wireless input unit. When the battery voltage from the input section becomes lower than the specified value, the battery voltage drop may be displayed by the dedicated lighting sequence including the lighting timing of the display device when the communication indicating the battery voltage drop is received. it can.

[0018]

As is apparent from the above description of the embodiments, the present invention comprises a wireless input section and a wireless conversion section. The wireless input section has a key input means composed of a plurality of keys, and a key on / off switch. Encoding means for detecting a state and creating an electric signal to be sent to the light transmitting means, and light transmitting means for converting the electric signal into a wireless optical signal and transmitting the wireless optical signal to the light receiving means of the wireless conversion unit connected to the main body, The wireless conversion unit includes an optical reception unit that receives a wireless optical signal sent from the optical transmission unit of the wireless conversion unit connected to the main body, converts the wireless optical signal into an electric signal, and transmits the electric signal to the encoder unit. The wireless optical signal sent from the receiver is converted into an electric signal and transmitted to the decoding means, and the electric signal sent from the decoding means is received. An optical transmitting unit for converting into an optical signal for wireless transmission and transmitting to an optical receiving unit of a wireless input unit, and a decoding unit for controlling an electric signal between the optical receiving unit and the optical transmitting unit and the main body are provided. The wireless input device that can be provided includes current control means capable of controlling at least two types of drive currents supplied to the light emitting component, and supplies to the light emitting component when the bidirectional communication by the wireless optical signal is not established for a certain number of times continuously or integrated. By sequentially changing the driving current amount to be used, it is possible to obtain a wide use distance range.

Further, by adopting a structure in which the wireless input section and the wireless exchange section can be attached / detached, there is an effect that they can be stored in a small space. Further, by providing the wireless exchange unit with a structure such as a magnet, an adhesive tape, a suction plate, etc. that can be fixed, there is an effect that it can be fixed to a computer, a display, a peripheral device and a desk space can be saved.

Further, the wireless input unit is provided with the battery voltage monitoring means, and when the battery voltage becomes lower than the specified value, the decrease in the battery voltage is communicated to the wireless conversion unit.
It becomes possible for the wireless conversion unit to display some kind of indication that the battery voltage has dropped. Specifically, the wireless conversion unit is further equipped with a display device that indicates the lock state of the lock key of the key input means of the wireless input unit. , When using this display device, when the battery input is received from the wireless input section when the battery voltage becomes lower than the specified value, the communication is indicated by the dedicated lighting sequence including the lighting timing of the display device. This has the effect of being able to display a drop in battery voltage.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of optical wireless communication.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a drive time and a use distance range.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a drive current and a use distance range.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart and an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart and an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a conventional wireless input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Wireless Input Unit 2 Wireless Conversion Unit 3 Key Input Means 4 Encoding Means 5 Optical Transmitting Means 6 Optical Receiving Means 7 Optical Transmitting Means 8 Optical Receiving Means 9 Decoding Means 10 Main Body 11 Wireless Optical Signals

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location G06F 1/32 3/00 E 3/02 390 A 13/00 351 K 7368-5E

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A wireless input unit and a wireless conversion unit, wherein the wireless input unit creates a key input unit composed of a plurality of keys and an electric signal for detecting an ON / OFF state of the key and sending it to an optical transmission unit. Encoding means to
Optical transmitting means for converting the electric signal into a wireless optical signal and transmitting it to the optical receiving means of the wireless converting part connected to the main body, and a wireless optical signal sent from the optical transmitting means of the wireless converting part connected to the main body The wireless conversion unit receives the wireless optical signal sent from the optical transmission unit of the wireless input unit, converts the wireless optical signal into an electric signal, and transmits the electric signal to the decoding unit. An optical receiving means, an optical transmitting means for converting an electric signal sent from the decoding means into a wireless optical signal and transmitting the wireless optical signal to the optical receiving means of the wireless input section, and an electrical connection between the optical receiving means, the optical transmitting means and the main body. A wireless input device capable of bidirectional communication, comprising a decoding means for controlling a signal, wherein the optical transmission means supplies a light emitting component to be mounted. A current control means capable of controlling at least two types of current amount is provided, and when the bidirectional communication by the wireless optical signal is not established continuously or cumulatively a specific number of times, the drive current amount supplied to the light emitting component is sequentially changed. Characteristic wireless input device. 2. A wireless input unit and a wireless conversion unit, wherein the wireless input unit creates a key input unit composed of a plurality of keys and an electric signal for detecting an on / off state of the key and sending it to the optical transmission unit. Encoding means to
Optical transmitting means for converting the electric signal into a wireless optical signal and transmitting it to the optical receiving means of the wireless converting part connected to the main body, and a wireless optical signal sent from the optical transmitting means of the wireless converting part connected to the main body The wireless conversion unit receives the wireless optical signal sent from the optical transmission unit of the wireless input unit, converts the wireless optical signal into an electric signal, and transmits the electric signal to the decoding unit. An optical receiving means, an optical transmitting means for converting an electric signal sent from the decoding means into a wireless optical signal and transmitting the wireless optical signal to the optical receiving means of the wireless input section, and an electrical connection between the optical receiving means, the optical transmitting means and the main body. A wireless input device capable of bidirectional communication, comprising a decoding means for controlling a signal, wherein the optical transmission means supplies a light emitting component to be mounted. A current control unit capable of controlling at least two types of current amounts is provided, and when bidirectional communication by a wireless optical signal is established for a certain number of times continuously or by integration, the drive current amount supplied to the light emitting component is reduced. A wireless input device, characterized in that the amount of drive current supplied to the light-emitting component is sequentially changed. 3. A wireless input section and a wireless conversion section, wherein the wireless input section creates a key input means composed of a plurality of keys and an electric signal for detecting an on / off state of the key and sending it to the optical transmission means. Encoding means to
Optical transmitting means for converting the electric signal into a wireless optical signal and transmitting it to the optical receiving means of the wireless converting part connected to the main body, and a wireless optical signal sent from the optical transmitting means of the wireless converting part connected to the main body The wireless conversion unit receives the wireless optical signal sent from the optical transmission unit of the wireless input unit, converts the wireless optical signal into an electric signal, and transmits the electric signal to the decoding unit. An optical receiving means, an optical transmitting means for converting an electric signal sent from the decoding means into a wireless optical signal and transmitting the wireless optical signal to the optical receiving means of the wireless input section, and an electrical connection between the optical receiving means, the optical transmitting means and the main body. A wireless input device capable of bidirectional communication, comprising a decoding unit for controlling a signal, which is capable of communicating at at least two or more communication speeds. Has a speed, when the two-way communication by a wireless optical signal is not satisfied in specific number continuous or accumulated, the wireless input device being characterized in that so as to sequentially change the communication speed of the wireless optical signal. 4. The wireless input unit comprises a wireless input unit and a wireless conversion unit, and the wireless input unit creates an electric signal for detecting a key input unit composed of a plurality of keys and an ON / OFF state of the key and sending it to the optical transmission unit. Encoding means to
Optical transmitting means for converting the electric signal into a wireless optical signal and transmitting it to the optical receiving means of the wireless converting part connected to the main body, and a wireless optical signal sent from the optical transmitting means of the wireless converting part connected to the main body The wireless conversion unit receives the wireless optical signal sent from the optical transmission unit of the wireless input unit, converts the wireless optical signal into an electric signal, and transmits the electric signal to the decoding unit. An optical receiving means, an optical transmitting means for converting an electric signal sent from the decoding means into a wireless optical signal and transmitting the wireless optical signal to the optical receiving means of the wireless input section, and an electrical connection between the optical receiving means, the optical transmitting means and the main body. A wireless input device capable of bidirectional communication, comprising a decoding unit for controlling a signal, which is capable of communicating at at least two or more communication speeds. If the wireless optical signal has a certain speed and the two-way communication by the wireless optical signal is established for a certain number of times continuously or integrated, the communication speed of the wireless optical signal is increased, and if it is not established, the communication speed of the wireless optical signal is sequentially changed. A wireless input device characterized by the above. 5. A wireless input section, a wireless conversion section, a wireless input section, a key input means composed of a plurality of keys, and an electrical signal for detecting an on / off state of the key and sending it to an optical transmission means. Encoding means to
Optical transmitting means for converting the electric signal into a wireless optical signal and transmitting it to the optical receiving means of the wireless converting part connected to the main body, and a wireless optical signal sent from the optical transmitting means of the wireless converting part connected to the main body The wireless conversion unit receives the wireless optical signal sent from the optical transmission unit of the wireless input unit, converts the wireless optical signal into an electric signal, and transmits the electric signal to the decoding unit. An optical receiving means, an optical transmitting means for converting an electric signal sent from the decoding means into a wireless optical signal and transmitting the wireless optical signal to the optical receiving means of the wireless input section, and an electrical connection between the optical receiving means, the optical transmitting means and the main body. A wireless input device capable of bidirectional communication, comprising a decoding means for controlling a signal, wherein the optical transmission means supplies a light emitting component to be mounted. Light emission is provided when a current control means capable of controlling at least two or more types of current amount is provided and communication speeds for communicating at two or more kinds of communication speeds are provided, and bidirectional communication by a wireless optical signal is not established for a specific number of times continuously or integration A wireless input device characterized in that either the amount of drive current supplied to a component or the communication speed is changed sequentially. 6. The wireless conversion unit has a structure that can be attached to and detached from the wireless input unit.
5. The wireless input device according to any one of 5 above. 7. The wireless device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless conversion unit has a fixing structure such as a magnet, an adhesive tape, and a suction plate, and can be fixed to a computer, a display, and a peripheral device. Input device. 8. The wireless input unit is provided with a battery voltage monitoring means when the power source is a battery, and when the battery voltage becomes lower than a specified value, the decrease in the battery voltage is communicated to the wireless conversion unit. Item 6. The wireless input device according to any one of Items 1 to 5. 9. The wireless input section comprises a display means for indicating a locked state of a lock key of the key input means, and the display means is used to communicate when the battery voltage becomes lower than a specified value from the wireless input section. 9. The wireless input device according to claim 8, wherein when the communication indicating the decrease of the battery voltage is received, the decrease of the battery voltage is displayed in a dedicated lighting sequence including the lighting timing of the display means.