Method for adjusting sensing range and sensitivity and inertia interactive aparatus and system using thereof

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The present invention provides an architecture of a method, apparatus and system for user adjusting the sensing range and sensitivity dynamically according to various user statuses so as to obtain an appropriate interactive effect regardless of different age group of users. In the present invention, a way of adjusting sensing range according to a switch signal, or a ratio for adjusting magnitude of a processed signal, or changing the threshold of the application program directly are illustrated as embodiments respectively for adjusting the sensing range and sensitivity dynamically.

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Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dynamic adjusting method and an interactive system using the same, and more particularly, to a method for adjusting sensing range and sensitivity and an inertial interactive apparatus and system using thereof, capable of basing on personal requirements of a user to dynamically adjust the sensing range and sensitivity of inertial sensors configured in the architecture of the inertial interactive system for facilitating the interaction between the user and a program executing in the inertial interaction system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

After developing for years on the high gear, multimedia game enjoys great breakthrough not only in its audio and graphic performances, but also in it animation capability, since the computation abilities of electronic devices relating to multimedia games had been greatly improved which is directly resulted from the recent rapid development of semiconductor industry. Hence, players can now enjoys a multimedia game in a virtual-reality environment full of sounds and images.

Although the fun of playing multimedia games can be greatly enhancing by the improvement of audio/video effect, it is noted that for most multimedia games, conventional input interface, such as keyboard, joystick, or mouse, etc., are still used by players as the control device. In another word, as players can only interact with multimedia games through such conventional handheld input interfaces, the fun of playing multimedia games is reduced.

There are already some techniques for improving such disadvantage. One such technique is a video game system disclosed in U.S. Pub. No. 20070072680, and in U.S. Pub. No. 20070066394. The aforesaid game controller of the video game system is a revolutionary device by which any motions of a game player can be used for controlling movements of a character displayed on its game console. One representative gaming system is the fifth home video game console “Wii” released by Nintendo. A distinguishing feature of the Wii console is its wireless controller, the Wii Remote, which can be used as a handheld pointing device and can detect acceleration in three dimensions. This design allows users to control the game using physical gestures as well as traditional button presses so that not only the conventional joysticks with a plurality of press buttons are consindered to be obsolete, but it also make possible a new form of player interaction.

However, in all the aofresaid techniques, as user can interact with a program executing in the interaction game console by way of an operation interface, the operation interface, generally capable of sensing movements of the user, is configured to generate inertial sensing parameters with respect to the sensed movements for controlling the interaction with a character of the program in a one-to-one relation. In another word, when the user performs a movement with comparatively less force, the operation interface will correspondingly generate a smaller inertial sensing parameter for directing the program to give a smaller response; and when the movement is perform with larger force, the operation interface will correspondingly generate a larger inertial sensing parameter for directing the program to give a larger response. However, such response of the game or program executing in the interactive console can not be adjusted dynamically according to various user statuses.

For instance, while playing a hula hoop game on a game console, the inertial sensors are usually being configured to detect accelerations ranged between +2 g and −2 g. However, such configuration might be appropriate for common users, but for children or handicapped people who can generate accelerations at most between +1 g and −1 g, interactions with the hula hoop at the ranges of [+2 g, +1 g] and [−1 g, −2 g] are impossible and thus the fun of interactive playing is greatly reduced.

Although inertial sensors are usually designed with a plurality of sensing ranges provided for users to set up the sensing range and sensitivity. Nevertheless, as soon as the sensing range is set, it is fixed and can not be adjusted at will by users.

Therefore, it is in need of an architecture of a method, apparatus and system for enabling users to adjust the sensing range and sensitivity dynamically according to various user statuses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide an architecture of a method, apparatus and system, provided with a switch selection for enabling users to adjust the sensing range and sensitivity dynamically according to various user statuses.

It is another object of the invention to provide an architecture of a method, apparatus and system, provided with a switch selection for enabling users to adjust the magnitude of the inertial sensing apparatus's output signal dynamically according to various user statuses.

It is further another object of the invention to provide an architecture of a method, apparatus and system, provided with a switch selection for enabling users to adjust the magnitude of an adjustment signal issued from the inertial sensing apparatus according to various user statuses and thus enabling an application program corresponding to the inertial sensing apparatus to adjust the magnitude of a threshold value according to the adjustment signal in a dynamical manner.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide an architecture of a method, apparatus and system, capable using a switch signal issued from an application program corresponding to the inertial sensing apparatus to adjust the magnitude of the inertial sensing apparatus's output signal dynamically or to adjust the sensing range of inertial sensors configured inside the inertial sensing apparatus.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the present invention provides a method for sensing range and sensitivity adjustment, which comprises the steps of: determining whether there is a switch signal; changing a sensing range for detecting motions of a movable object and thus generating at least an inertial sensing parameter accordingly when the switch signal is detected; and processing the at least one inertial sensing parameter for forming an output signal.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the present invention provides a method for sensing range and sensitivity adjustment, which comprises the steps of detecting motions of a movable object for generating at least an inertial sensing parameter; and determining whether there is a switch signal; adjusting the magnitude of an output signal generated from the at least one inertial sensing parameter according to a ratio if the switch signal is detected.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the present invention provides a method for sensing range and sensitivity adjustment, which comprises the steps of: detecting motions of a movable object for generating at least an inertial sensing parameter; processing the at least one inertial sensing parameter so as to form an output signal; determining whether there is a switch signal, and issuing an adjustment signal is no switch signal detected; and adjusting a threshold value according to the adjustment signal while using the comparison between the threshold value and the output signal to generate an interaction correspondingly.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the present invention provides an inertial sensing interactive system, which comprises: an interactive console; and an inertial sensing apparatus, capable of communicating with the interactive console. Moreover, the inertial sensing module further comprises: an inertial sensing module, configured with at least an inertial sensor for sensing motions of the movable object so as to generate at least an inertial sensing parameter; a switch unit, for generating a first switch signal; and a micro control unit, coupled to the inertial sensing module and the switch unit, for processing the at least one inertial sensing parameter so as to generate an output signal and capable of adjusting the sensing range and sensitivity of the inertial sensing module according to the first switch signal.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the present invention provides an inertial sensing interactive apparatus, comprising: a motion module; and an inertial sensing apparatus, capable of communicating with the motion module. Moreover, the inertial sensing module further comprises: an inertial sensing module, configured with at least an inertial sensor for sensing motions of the movable object so as to generate at least an inertial sensing parameter; a switch unit, for generating a first switch signal; and a micro control unit, coupled to the inertial sensing module and the switch unit, for processing the at least one inertial sensing parameter so as to generate an output signal and capable of adjusting the sensing range and sensitivity of the inertial sensing module according to the first switch signal.

Further scope of applicability of the present application will become more apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an inertial sensing interactive system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting an inertial sensing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3A is a flow chart showing steps of a method for sensing range and sensitivity adjustment according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3B shows steps of interactions performed in an inertial sensing system of the invention.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are schematic diagrams showing curves of output signal magnitude before and after the sensing range is changed.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing steps of a method for sensing range and sensitivity adjustment according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are schematic diagrams showing curves of output signal magnitude before and after the threshold value is changed.

FIG. 7A is a flow chart showing steps of a method for sensing range and sensitivity adjustment according to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7B is a flow chart showing steps of a method for sensing range and sensitivity adjustment according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram depicting an interactive motion apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

For your esteemed members of reviewing committee to further understand and recognize the fulfilled functions and structural characteristics of the invention, several exemplary embodiments cooperating with detailed description are presented as the follows.

Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a sectional view of an inertial sensing interactive system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The inertial sensing interactive system 2 is composed of an interactive console 20 and at least an inertial sensing apparatus 21, as the one shown in FIG. 1, but actually there can be more than one inertial sensing apparatus: included in the inertial sensing interactive system 2. The interactive console 20 can be a multimedia interactive device (such as a multimedia gamming console), a computer, or a household electronic appliance. In this exemplary embodiment, the interactive console 20 is a multimedia gamming console, which includes an operation station 200 and a display unit 201. The inertial sensing apparatus 21 is able to communicate with the interactive console 20 in a manner that it can be an operation interface used by a user 8 for interacting with the interactive console 20.

Please refer to FIG. 2, which is a block diagram depicting an inertial sensing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The inertial sensing apparatus 21 comprises an inertial sensing module 210, a switch unit 211, a transceiving module 213 and a micro control unit 212. The inertial sensing module is configured with at least an inertial sensor, each of which is capable of sensing motions of a user (or movable components of an object) performed in free space or on a surface, and thus generating at least an inertial sensing parameter, such as angular velocity or acceleration. It is noted that thee inertial sensor can be a device selected from the group consisting of a gyroscope, an accelerometer and the combination thereof. In addition, each inertial sensor is configured with at least a sensing range for selection, such as ±2 g/±1 g/±0.5 g.

The switch unit 211, used for generating a first switch signal, is electrically connected to a switching element, in that the switching element is used as an interface between the user 8 and the switch unit 211. It is noted that the switching element can be a device selected from the group consisting of a press button, a switch, a roller and a touch panel. The transceiving module 213 is used for communicating with the interactive console 20 so as to transmit/receive signals to/from the interactive console 20; and the transceiving module 213 can communicate with the interactive console 20 by a wired means or a wireless means. In addition, the wired means is enabled by an interface selected form the group consisting of a RS232 interface, an USB interface and Ethernet; and the wireless means is enabled by a way selected form the group consisting of Bluetooth communication, radio frequency (RF) communication and GSM. In this exemplary embodiment, the transceiving module 213 communicates with the interactive console 20 by a wireless means.

Moreover, the interactive console 20 can be configured to issue a second switch signal to the inertial sensing apparatus 210. The micro control unit 212 is coupled to the inertial sensing module 210, the switch unit 211 and the transceiving module 213 for processing the at least one inertial sensing parameter so as to generate an output signal and for adjusting the sensing range and sensitivity of the inertial sensing module according to the first switch signal or the second switch signal. In addition, the micro control unit 212 is able to generate an adjustment signal according to the first switch signal and then transmit the adjustment signal to the operation station 200 of the interactive console 20. As soon as the adjustment signal is received by the interactive console 20, the interactive console 20 will proceed to adjust the threshold value according to the adjustment signal.

Please refer to FIG. 3A, which is a flow chart showing steps of a method for sensing range and sensitivity adjustment according to a first embodiment of the invention. In this first embodiment, the method sensing range and sensitivity adjustment is realized in the inertial sensing interactive system shown in FIG. I and FIG. 2, and moreover, the inertial sensing apparatus 210 is configured with a plurality of sensing ranges for selection. The flow starts from step 30. At step 30, a detection is perform by the micro control unit 212 for determining whether there is a switch signal send from the switch unit 211 and received by the micro control unit 212; if so, the flow proceeds to step 3 1; otherwise, the flow proceeds to step 34. At step 31, the micro control unit 212 is enabled to access a control code which had been changed from the default control code for using the control code to change the sensing range and sensitivity of the inertial sensors; and then the flow proceeds to step 32. At step 32, the micro control unit 212 changes the sensing range and sensitivity of the inertial sensors according to the accessed control code; and then the flow proceeds to step 33. At step 33, the interactive console 20 is enabled to interact with the user 8. At step 34, enabling the micro control unit to access the default control code for using the control code to control the sensing range and sensitivity of the inertial sensors; and then the flow proceeds to step 32.

Please refer to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, which are schematic diagrams showing curves of output signal magnitude before and after the sensing range is changed. FIG. 4A shows the relationship between output signal magnitude and the threshold value of an inertial interactive system when the sensing range remains unchanged as that performed in step 34, in which the straight line 90 represents a default threshold value defined by an application program executing in the inertial interaction system, while the curve 91 plots the magnitude of output signal issued from the inertial sensing apparatus when the sensing range remains unchanged. As shown in FIG. 4A, the output signal never exceed the threshold value so that no matter how hard the user is trying, there is no interaction between the inertial interactive system and the user.

In FIG. 4B, the curve 92 plots the magnitude of output signal issued from the inertial sensing apparatus when the sensing range is 15 changed, as those perform in steps 31˜33 of FIG. 3A. As the sensing range and sensitivity are changed the in a manner that the magnitude of output signal is increased, a portion of the output signal actually exceeds the threshold value even the threshold value remains unchanged, and thus the output signal will be detected by the inertial interactive system for enabling the same to interact with the user.

As for how the sensing range can be changed for increasing the magnitude of the output signal, an example is used for illustration as following. It is noted that when the default sensing range is ±2 g and the acceleration corresponding to a user's motion is in the range of ±2 g, such motion will be detected by the inertial sensing module and thus an inertial sensing parameter is generated accordingly. Moreover, the range of ±2 g is mapped with an output range with 2 power of 10, i.e. the range [−2 g, +2 g] is corresponded to another range of [0, 1024], so that when the detected acceleration is 2 g, the output value is 1024 and when the detected acceleration is 1 gm the output value will be 256 in proportion. However, as soon as the sensing ranged is changed from ±2 g to ±1 g, the acceleration of 1 g will correspondingly cause an output of 1024.

Please refer to FIG. 3B, which shows steps of interactions performed in an inertial sensing system of the invention, and the interactive system shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is used as illustration. The flow starts from step 330. At step 330, the inertial sensing module 210 is enabled to detect user's movements for generating at least an inertial sensing parameter, and then the flow proceeds to step 331. At step 331, the at least one inertial sensing parameter is sent and received by the micro control unit 212, and then the flow proceeds to step 332. At step 332, the micro control unit to processes the at least one inertial sensing parameter for generating an output signal accordingly, and then the flow proceeds to step 333. At step 333, the output signal is transmitted to the operation station 200 of the interactive console 20 by the transceiving module 213 for enabling the interactive console 20 to interact with the user 8.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing steps of a method for sensing range and sensitivity adjustment according to a second embodiment of the invention, and the interactive system shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is used as illustration. In this second embodiment, the changing of sensing range and sensitivity can be achieved by changing a threshold value of the interactive console or through the inertial sensing apparatus. The aforesaid method 4 starts from step 40. At step 40, a detection is perform by the micro control unit 212 for determining whether there is a switch signal send from the switch unit 211 and received by the micro control unit 212; if so, the flow proceeds to step 41; otherwise, the flow proceeds to step 46. At step 41, an evaluation is made for determining whether to change the threshold value or to change the sensing range of the inertial sensors in the inertial sensing apparatus; if the process of changing sensing range is selected, then the flow proceeds to perform step 42 to step 45; if the process of changing threshold value is selected, then the flow proceeds to step 45. As the process of step 42 to step 45 is performed similar to the step 31 to step 33 shown in FIG. 3A, they are not described further herein. At step 45, the micro control unit 212 is enabled to issue an adjustment signal through the transceiving module 213, and then the flow proceeds to step 44 where the adjustment signal is transmitted to the operation station 200 of the interactive console 20 for controlling an application program executing on the interactive console to adjust the threshold value. At step 46, the micro control unit 212 is enabled to access the default control code for using the control code to control the sensing range and sensitivity of the inertial sensors.

Please refer to FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, which are schematic diagrams showing curves of output signal magnitude before and after the threshold value is changed. FIG. 6A shows the relationship between output signal magnitude and the threshold value of an inertial interactive system when no switch signal is detected for changing sensing range and the threshold remains unchanged as that performed in step 46, which is similar to that shown in FIG. 4A and thus is not described further herein. In FIG. 6B, the curve 93 plots the threshold value after being changed as the switch signal is detected and the process of changing threshold value is selected. As in the proceeding of step 44 that the sensing range and sensitivity are not changed but instead the threshold value is changed the in a manner that a portion of the output signal actually exceeds the threshold value even the threshold value remains unchanged, and thus the output signal will be detected by the inertial interactive system for enabling the same to interact with the user.

Please refer to FIG. 7A, which is a flow chart showing steps of a method for sensing range and sensitivity adjustment according to a third embodiment of the invention, and the interactive system shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is used as illustration. The characteristic of this third embodiment is that: the inertial sensors used in the inertial sensing apparatus 21 are all configured with only one sensing range. The method 5 starts from step 50. At step 50, the inertial sensing module 210 detects user's movements for generating at least an inertial sensing parameter, and then the flow proceeds to step 51. At step 51, the at least one inertial sensing parameter is received by the micro control unit 212, and then the flow proceeds to step 52. At step 52, the micro control unit 212 process the at least one inertial sensing parameter for generating an output signal accordingly, and then the flow proceeds step 53. At step 53, a detection is perform by the micro control unit 212 for determining whether there is a switch signal send from the switch unit 211 and received by the micro control unit 212; if so, the flow proceeds to step 54; otherwise, the flow proceeds to step 55. At step 54, the magnitude of the output signal generated from the at least one inertial sensing parameter is adjusted according to a ratio, and then the flow proceeds to step 55. At step 55, the interactive console 20 interacts with the user 8 according to the output signal. As the inertial sensors used in this embodiment are configured with only one sensing range, the sensing range of the inertial sensing module can not be changed. However, in order to increase the sensitivity, the present embodiment uses the micro control unit to increase or reduce the magnitude of the output signal by a ratio in a manner similar to those shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B.

Please refer to FIG. 7B, which is a flow chart showing steps of a method for sensing range and sensitivity adjustment according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, and the interactive system shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is used as illustration. The characteristic of this fourth embodiment is that: the inertial sensors used in the inertial sensing apparatus are all configured with only one sensing range, and the sensitivity can be changed either by adjusting the threshold value of the interactive console or by changing the magnitude of the output signal by a ratio. The proceeding of step 60 to step 62 of this fourth embodiment is similar to the proceeding of step 50 to step of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 7A, and thus is not described further herein. When the flow proceeds to step 63 where a switch signal is detected by the micro control unit 212, the flow proceeds to step 64. At step 64, an evaluation is made for determining whether to change the sensitivity at the interactive console 20 or to change the sensitivity at the inertial sensing apparatus 21; if the process of changing sensitivity at the inertial sensing apparatus 21 is selected, then the flow proceeds to perform step 65 to step 66 if the process of changing sensitivity at the interactive console 20 is selected, then the flow proceeds to step 67. As the process of step 65 to step 66 is performed similar to the step 54 to step 55 shown in FIG. 7A, they are not described further herein. At step 67, the micro control unit 212 issues an adjustment signal through the transceiving module 213 to the operation station 200 of the interactive console 20 for controlling an application program executing on the operation station 200 to adjust the threshold value.

In all the aforesaid embodiments, the switch signals are all issued from the switch unit configured in the inertial sensing apparatus. However, the switch signal can be issued from the interactive console instead of the inertial sensing apparatus. Nevertheless, no matter the switch signal is issued from the interactive console or the inertial sensing apparatus, as soon as it is received by the micro control unit, the micro control unit will start to perform an evaluation for changing sensing range and sensitivity.

Moreover, the inertial interactive system shown in FIG. I and FIG. 2 is a multimedia interactive system, however, it can be a simple inertial sensing exercise device, such as a step counter and a counter for counting hula hoop rolling, but is not limited thereby. Please refer to FIG. 8, is a block diagram depicting an interactive motion apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 8, the interactive motion apparatus 7 comprises a switch unit 70, a micro control unit 71, an inertial sensing module 72 and a motion module 73, in which the functions and structures of the switch unit 70, the micro control unit 71, and the inertial sensing module 72 are all the same as those 210, 211, and 212 shown in FIG. 2, and thus are not described further herein. The motion module 73 can be a step counter and a counter for counting hula hoop rolling, and so on, which functions similar to the interactive console 20 of FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the motion module can perform an evaluation to determine whether to count or not according to the output signal generated from the micro control unit 71 by the processing of inertial sensing parameter transmitted from the inertial sensing module 72. Taking a step counter for instance, if the acceleration of a march does not exceed a specific threshold value defined in the step counter, such match will not be counted, otherwise, it is counted. It is noted that all the methods illustrated in the aforesaid embodiments for adjusting sensing range and sensitivity can all be used in this interactive motion apparatus for adapting the same for user of every age group.

To sum up, the present invention relates to a method for adjusting sensing range and sensitivity and an inertial interactive apparatus and system using thereof, capable of basing on personal requirements of a user to dynamically adjust the sensing range and sensitivity of inertial sensors configured in the inertial interactive system for facilitating the interaction between the user and a program executing in the inertial interaction system

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for sensing range and sensitivity adjustment, comprising the steps of:

determining whether there is a switch signal;
changing a sensing range for detecting motions of a movable object when the switch signal is detected;
generating at least an inertial sensing parameter according to the detected motions; and
processing the at least one inertial sensing parameter for forming an output signal.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

issuing an adjustment signal when the switch signal is detected; and
adjusting a threshold value according to the adjustment signal while using the comparison between the threshold value and the output signal to generate an interaction correspondingly.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the switch signal is issued from a device selected from the group consisting of an interactive console and an inertial sensing device for sensing the motions of the movable object; and the inertial sensing device further comprises a switch control, being electrically connected to a switching element; and the switching element, used as an interface communicating the switch unit with a user, is a device selected from the group consisting of a press button, a switch, a roller and a touch panel.

4. A method for sensing range and sensitivity adjustment, comprising the steps of:

detecting motions of a movable object for generating at least an inertial sensing parameter;
determining whether there is a switch signal; and
adjusting the magnitude of an output signal generated from the at least one inertial sensing parameter according to a ratio when the switch signal is detected.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the steps of:

issuing an adjustment signal when the switch signal is detected; and
adjusting a threshold value according to the adjustment signal while using the comparison between the threshold value and the output signal to generate an interaction correspondingly.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the switch signal is issued from a device selected from the group consisting of an interactive console and a sensor for sensing the motions of the movable object.

7. A method for sensing range and sensitivity adjustment, comprising the steps of:

detecting motions of a movable object for generating at least an inertial sensing parameter;
processing the at least one inertial sensing parameter for forming an output signal;
determining whether there is a switch signal, and issuing an adjustment signal when the switch signal is detected; and
adjusting a threshold value according to the adjustment signal while using the comparison between the threshold value and the output signal to generate an interaction correspondingly.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the switch signal is issued from a device selected from the group consisting of an interactive console and an inertial sensing device for sensing the motions of the movable object; and the inertial sensing device further comprises a switch control, being electrically connected to a switching element; and the switching element, used as an interface communicating the switch unit with a user, is a device selected from the group consisting of a press button, a switch, a roller and a touch panel.

9. An inertial sensing interactive system: comprising:

an interactive console; and
an inertial sensing apparatus, capable of communicating with the interactive console, further comprising: an inertial sensing module, configured with at least an inertial sensor for sensing motions of a movable object so as to generate at least an inertial sensing parameter; a switch unit, for generating a first switch signal; and a micro control unit, coupled to the inertial sensing module and the switch unit, for processing the at least one inertial sensing parameter so as to generate an output signal and capable of adjusting the sensing range and sensitivity of the inertial sensing module according to the first switch signal.

10. The inertial sensing interactive system of claim 9, wherein the interactive console is capable of generating a second switch signal to be used for controlling the micro control unit to adjust the sensing range and sensitivity accordingly; and the interactive console is a device selected from the group consisting of multimedia interactive apparatuses, computers and household electronic appliances.

11. The inertial sensing interactive system of claim 9, wherein the inertial sensor is a device selected from the group consisting of a gyroscope and an accelerometer.

12. The inertial sensing interactive system of claim 9, wherein the switch unit is further coupled to a switching element, being a device selected from the group consisting of a press button, a switch, a roller and a touch panel.

13. The inertial sensing interactive system of claim 9, wherein the communication between the interactive console and the inertial sensing apparatus is achieved by a means selected from the group consisting of a wired means and a wireless means; and the wired means is enabled by an interface selected form the group consisting of a RS232 interface, an USB interface and Ethernet; and the wireless means is enabled by a way selected form the group consisting of Bluetooth communication, radio frequency (RF) communication and GSM.

14. The inertial sensing interactive system of claim 9, wherein the micro control unit is enabled to generate an adjustment signal according to the first switch signal; and the interactive console, configured with a threshold value, is enabled to adjust the threshold value according to the adjustment signal.

15. The inertial sensing interactive system of claim 9, wherein each inertial sensor is configured with a plurality of sensing ranges, thereby, the adjusting of the sensing range and sensitivity is achieved by a manner selected from the group consisting of: utilizing the switch unit to select one sensing range out of the plural sensing ranged; and using the micro control unit to adjust the magnitude of the output signal according to a ratio.

16. An inertial sensing interactive apparatus, comprising:

a motion module; and
an inertial sensing apparatus, capable of communicating with the motion module, further comprising: an inertial sensing module, configured with at least an inertial sensor for sensing motions of a movable object so as to generate at least an inertial sensing parameter; a switch unit, for generating a first switch signal; and a micro control unit, coupled to the inertial sensing module and the switch unit, for processing the at least one inertial sensing parameter so as to generate an output signal and capable of adjusting the sensing range and sensitivity of the inertial sensing module according to the first switch signal.

17. The inertial sensing interactive apparatus of claim 16, wherein the motion module is a device selected from the group consisting of a step counter and a counter for counting hula hoop rolling.

18. The inertial sensing interactive apparatus of claim 16, wherein the inertial sensor is a device selected from the group consisting of a gyroscope and an accelerometer.

19. The inertial sensing interactive apparatus of claim 16, wherein the switch unit is further coupled to a switching element, being a device selected from the group consisting of a press button, a switch, a roller and a touch panel.

20. The inertial sensing interactive apparatus of claim 16, wherein the micro control unit is enabled to generate an adjustment signal according to the first switch signal; and the motion module, configured with a threshold value, is enabled to adjust the threshold value according to the adjustment signal.

21. The inertial sensing interactive apparatus of claim 16, wherein each inertial sensor is configured with a plurality of sensing ranges, thereby, the adjusting of the sensing range and sensitivity is achieved by a manner selected from the group consisting of: utilizing the switch unit to select one sensing range out of the plural sensing ranged; and using the micro control unit to adjust the magnitude of the output signal according to a ratio.

Patent History
Publication number: 20090062005
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 20, 2007
Publication Date: Mar 5, 2009
Applicant:
Inventors: Ying-Ko Lu (Taoyuan County), Yi-Chia Hsu (Tainan City), Ching-Hsiang Tu (Kaohsiung City), Shun-Nan Liou (Kaohsiung City), Ming-Jye Tsai (Hsinchu County)
Application Number: 12/003,158
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Hand Manipulated (e.g., Keyboard, Mouse, Touch Panel, Etc.) (463/37)
International Classification: A63F 9/24 (20060101);