U.S. patent application number 14/317195 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-08 for signal control device and signal control system.
The applicant listed for this patent is SONY CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Junichi Rekimoto.
Application Number | 20150009023 14/317195 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52132402 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150009023 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rekimoto; Junichi |
January 8, 2015 |
SIGNAL CONTROL DEVICE AND SIGNAL CONTROL SYSTEM
Abstract
There is provided a signal control device including a signal
output unit configured to output a signal for a vibratory device,
and a signal control unit configured to control the signal. Between
a case where a change from a reference level to a first level is
exerted on the signal and a case where a change from the first
level to the reference level is exerted on the signal, magnitudes
of variation amounts of acceleration per unit time generated in the
vibratory device are different from each other. The signal control
unit exerts the change from the reference level to the first level
and the change from the first level to the reference level on the
signal.
Inventors: |
Rekimoto; Junichi;
(Kanagawa, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SONY CORPORATION |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
52132402 |
Appl. No.: |
14/317195 |
Filed: |
June 27, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/407.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 2250/10 20130101;
G01C 21/3652 20130101; G08B 6/00 20130101; H04M 1/72594
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/407.1 |
International
Class: |
G08B 6/00 20060101
G08B006/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 5, 2013 |
JP |
2013-141867 |
Claims
1. A signal control device comprising: A signal output unit
configured to output a signal for a vibratory device; and a signal
control unit configured to control the signal, wherein between a
case where a change from a reference level to a first level is
exerted on the signal and a case where a change from the first
level to the reference level is exerted on the signal, magnitudes
of variation amounts of acceleration per unit time generated in the
vibratory device are different from each other, and wherein the
signal control unit exerts the change from the reference level to
the first level and the change from the first level to the
reference level on the signal.
2. The signal control device according to claim 1, wherein between
a case where a change from the reference level to a second level is
exerted on the signal and a case where a change from the second
level to the reference level is exerted on the signal, a magnitudes
of variation amounts of acceleration per unit time generated in the
vibratory device are different from each other, and wherein the
signal control unit exerts the change from the reference level to
the second level and the change from the second level to the
reference level on the signal.
3. The signal control device according to claim 2, wherein one of
the first level and the second level has a positive value and the
other one of the first level and the second level has a negative
value.
4. The signal control device according to claim 2, wherein the
first level and the second level are different from each other in
the magnitude.
5. The signal control device according to claim 2, wherein the
first level and the second level are different from each other in a
duty ratio.
6. The signal control device according to claim 1, wherein the
signal control unit determines, on the basis of predetermined data,
whether to exert the change from the reference level to the first
level and the change from the first level to the reference level on
the signal.
7. The signal control device according to claim 6, wherein the
signal control unit determines, on the basis of predetermined data,
whether to exert the change from the reference level to the first
level and the change from the first level to the reference level on
the signal, or the change from the reference level to a second
level and the change from the second level to the reference level
are exerted on the signal.
8. A signal control system comprising: a vibratory device; and a
signal control device, wherein the signal control device includes a
signal output unit configured to output a signal for the vibratory
device, and a signal control unit configured to control the signal,
wherein the signal control unit exerts a change from a reference
level to a first level and a change from the first level to the
reference level on the signal, and wherein between a case where the
change from the reference level to the first level is exerted on
the signal and a case where the change from the first level to the
reference level is exerted on the signal, magnitudes of variation
amounts of acceleration per unit time generated in the vibratory
device are different from each other.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Priority
Patent Application JP 2013-141867 filed Jul. 5, 2013, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a signal control device
and a signal control system.
[0003] Human tactile perception has been known to have nonlinear
characteristics. In other words, a relationship between a force
actually acting on a user and a force sensation sensed by the user
when the user perceives the force actually acting on
himself/herself is not a simple proportional relationship, but may
follow an S-curve. Amemiya et al. have proposed a device generating
a force sensation as a human perception by rotating a crank device
with use of the nonlinear characteristics (e.g. Amemiya, T., Ando,
H., and Maeda, T. Phantom-drawn: direction guidance using rapid and
asymmetric acceleration weighted by nonlinearity of perception. In
Proceedings of the 2005 international conference on Augmented
tele-existence, ICAT '05 (2005), 201-208).
SUMMARY
[0004] However, technology is demanded which inhibits potential of
an enlarged scale of a whole device as well as can give the user
the force sensation.
[0005] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there
is provided a signal control device including a signal output unit
configured to output a signal for a vibratory device, and a signal
control unit configured to control the signal. Between a case where
a change from a reference level to a first level is exerted on the
signal and a case where a change from the first level to the
reference level is exerted on the signal, magnitudes of variation
amounts of acceleration per unit time generated in the vibratory
device are different from each other. The signal control unit
exerts the change from the reference level to the first level and
the change from the first level to the reference level on the
signal.
[0006] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there
is provided a signal control system including a vibratory device,
and a signal control device. The signal control device includes a
signal output unit configured to output a signal for the vibratory
device, and a signal control unit configured to control the signal.
The signal control unit exerts a change from a reference level to a
first level and a change from the first level to the reference
level on the signal. Between a case where the change from the
reference level to the first level is exerted on the signal and a
case where the change from the first level to the reference level
is exerted on the signal, magnitudes of variation amounts of
acceleration per unit time generated in the vibratory device are
different from each other.
[0007] As described above, according to the present disclosure, the
technology can be provided which inhibits potential of an enlarged
scale of a whole device as well as can give the user the force
sensation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure signal control
system;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration
of a vibratory device in a case where an applied voltage is a
reference voltage;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary temporal
variation of a pressure exerted outward by the vibratory device in
a case where the applied voltage is varied between the reference
voltage and a first voltage;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration
of the vibratory device in a case of a first change;
[0012] FIG. 5 a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of
the vibratory device in a case of a second change;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary temporal
variation of a pressure exerted outward by the vibratory device in
a case where the applied voltage is varied between the reference
voltage and a second voltage;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration
of the vibratory device in a case of a third change;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration
of the vibratory device in a case of a fourth change;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a first exemplary use of
a signal control system; and
[0017] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a second exemplary use
of the signal control system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)
[0018] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure
will be described in detail with reference to the appended
drawings. Note that, in this specification and the appended
drawings, structural elements that have substantially the same
function and structure are denoted with the same reference
numerals, and repeated explanation of these structural elements is
omitted.
[0019] In addition, in this specification and the appended
drawings, plural structural elements that have substantially the
same function and structure are denoted with the same reference
numerals followed by different alphabetical letters or numerals for
distinction in some cases. However, if the plural structural
elements that have substantially the same function and structure
are not necessarily to be distinguished from one another, they are
denoted with the same reference numerals only.
[0020] The DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT is given
according to in the following order of items:
[0021] 1. Outline of signal control system
[0022] 2. Functions of signal control system
[0023] 3. Exemplary use of signal control system
[0024] 4. Conclusion
[0025] <<1. Outline of Signal Control System>>
[0026] First, a description is given of a signal control system 1
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In recent
years, various technologies have been proposed as a technology for
giving a user a force sensation or tactile sense in a user
interface. For example, as examples of a technology for giving a
user a force sensation or tactile sense, there have been proposed a
technology actually applying a force to the user, a technology
giving the user a vibration, and the like.
[0027] Here, in the case of the technology actually applying a
force to the user, it is necessary that an object for applying a
force to the user be connected with a fixed object by way of a
mechanism element or wire, which is likely to lead to an enlarged
scale of a whole device. Therefore, the technology actually
applying a force to the user may not be easily applied to a
small-sized terminal such as a mobile device.
[0028] In the case of the technology giving the user a vibration, a
vibration can be transmitted to the user. However, it is difficult
to transmit an actual force acting in a certain direction to the
user. This is because integration of accelerations of a certain
time period or more due to the vibration almost results in
zero.
[0029] On the other hand, human tactile perception is known to have
nonlinear characteristics. In other words, a relationship between a
force actually acting on the user and a force sensation sensed by
the user when the user perceives the force actually acting on
himself/herself is not a simple proportional relationship, but may
follow an S-curve. Amemiya et al. have proposed a device generating
a force sensation as a human perception by rotating a crank device
with use of the nonlinear characteristics (e.g. Amemiya, T., Ando,
H., and Maeda, T. Phantom-drawn: direction guidance using rapid and
asymmetric acceleration weighted by nonlinearity of perception. In
Proceedings of the 2005 international conference on Augmented
tele-existence, ICAT '05 (2005), 201-208).
[0030] In the case of using this device, it is difficult to
transmit an actual force acting in a certain direction to the user,
but it is possible to make the user feel as if a force acting in a
certain direction is generated by using trick of human. However,
this device includes a flywheel and a crank, which is likely to
lead to an enlarged scale of the whole device and increased weight
thereof. Therefore, this device may not be easily applied to a
small-sized terminal such a mobile device.
[0031] In this specification, the technology is proposed which
inhibits potential of an enlarged scale of a whole device as well
as can give the user the force sensation.
[0032] <<2. Functions of Signal Control System>>
[0033] Subsequently, a description is given of functions of the
signal control system 1 according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary
configuration of the signal control system 1 according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the
signal control system 1 according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure includes a signal control device 10 and a vibratory
device 20. The signal control device 10 includes a data acquisition
unit 111 configured to acquire predetermined data, a signal control
unit 112 configured to control an input signal for the vibratory
device 20, and a signal output unit 113 configured to output the
input signal for the vibratory device 20.
[0034] Functions of these functional blocks constituting the signal
control device 10 will be described later in detail. An
acceleration of the vibratory device 20 is varied in response to
the input signal from the signal control device 10. The variation
of acceleration of the vibratory device 20 made in this way can
vibrate the vibratory device 20. Note that a concrete configuration
of the vibratory device 20 is not particularly limited, but in this
specification, a description is given of, as an example, a case
where the vibratory device 20 is constituted by a predetermined
vibration generation device.
[0035] Hereinafter, a description is continued using as an example
the case where the vibratory device 20 is a predetermined vibration
generation device. First, a description is given of a case where an
applied voltage is a reference voltage. FIG. 2 is a diagram
illustrating an exemplary configuration of the vibratory device 20
in a case where the applied voltage is the reference voltage. As
shown in FIG. 2, the vibratory device 20 includes a magnet 210,
coil 220, weight 230, and elastic body 240. Note that in this
specification, a case of the reference voltage of 0 V is mainly
described, but the reference voltage is not particularly
limited.
[0036] In this specification, a case of the magnet 210 formed of a
permanent magnet is mainly described, but the magnet 210 may be a
permanent magnet. Additionally, in this specification, a case of
the elastic body 240 formed of a spring is mainly described, but a
kind of the elastic body 240, not particularly limited, may be a
rubber or other elastic bodies. The respective numbers of the
magnet 210, the coil 220, the weight 230, and the elastic body 240
are not particularly limited.
[0037] With reference to FIG. 2, since the signal control unit 112
has the applied voltage set to the reference voltage, no input
signal to the coil 220 is generated. Therefore, a gravity W acting
on the weight 230 balances a force F acting from the elastic body
240 to the weight 230. Subsequently, assume that the signal control
unit 112 varies the applied voltage. Concretely, the signal control
unit 112 varies the applied voltage between the reference voltage
and a first voltage. The first voltage is not particularly
limited.
[0038] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary temporal
variation of a pressure exerted outward by the vibratory device 20
in a case where the applied voltage is varied between a reference
voltage VB and a first voltage V1. In the example shown in FIG. 3,
the pressure exerted outward by the vibratory device 20 is measured
by a pressure sensor which is provided at a position externally
contact with a surface A1 of the vibratory device 20. Therefore, in
the example shown in FIG. 3, a negative pressure is not measured.
There is no particular limitation on respective lengths of a time
period t1 while the reference voltage VB is applied and a time
period t2 while the first voltage V1 is applied. The number of
cycles of varying the applied voltage is not limited.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, when the signal control unit 112 varies
the applied voltage from the reference voltage VB to the first
voltage V1, the pressure is changed (see "first change" in FIG. 3).
At this time, the input signal to the coil 220 is also changed from
a reference level to a first level. In more detail, a current of
the input signal may be changed depending on the applied voltage.
For example, the current of the input signal may be changed in
proportion to the applied voltage.
[0040] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration
of the vibratory device 20 in the case of the first change. In the
case where the input signal to the coil 220 is changed from the
reference level to the first level (first change), a force E1
corresponding to a magnetic field generated by the magnet 210 and
input signal flowing through the coil 220 is applied to the weight
230. As a result of the application of the force E1 to the weight
230, the weight 230 is moved in a predetermined direction (downward
in the example shown in FIG. 4).
[0041] However, the weight 230 is given a force F1 from the elastic
body 240 in a direction (upward in the example shown in FIG. 4)
opposite to the predetermined direction. Therefore, variation of
acceleration of the weight 230 is relatively gentle and a magnitude
of a variation amount of acceleration per unit time generated in
the vibratory device 20 is relatively small. With reference to FIG.
3, in the case of the first change, a variation amount B1 of the
pressure per unit time follows a relative gentle slope.
[0042] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 3, when the signal control
unit 112 varies the applied voltage from the first voltage V1 to
the reference voltage VB, the pressures is changed (see "second
change" in FIG. 3). At this time, the input signal to the coil 220
is also changed from the first level to the reference level. In
more detail, a current of the input signal may be changed depending
on the applied voltage. For example, the current of the input
signal may be changed in proportion to the applied voltage.
[0043] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration
of the vibratory device 20 in the case of the second change. In the
case where the input signal to the coil 220 is changed from the
first level to the reference level (second change), no current
flows through the coil 220 and thus the force corresponding to the
magnetic field generated by the magnet 210 and input signal flowing
through the coil 220 is not applied to the weight 230.
[0044] On the other hand, the weight 230 is given the force F1 from
the elastic body 240 in a direction (upward in the example shown in
FIG. 4) opposite to the predetermined direction. Therefore, the
variation of acceleration of the weight 230 is relatively steep and
the magnitude of the variation amount of acceleration per unit time
generated in the vibratory device 20 is relatively large. With
reference to FIG. 3, in the case of the second change, a variation
amount B2 of the pressure per unit time follows a relative steep
slope.
[0045] As described above, between the cases where the input signal
for the vibratory device 20 is changed from the reference level to
the first level (first change) and where from the first level to
reference level (second change), the magnitudes of the variation
amount of acceleration per unit time generated in the vibratory
device 20 are different from each other. In such a situation, the
signal control unit 112 may controls the input signal to vary from
the reference level to the first level and from the first level to
the reference level.
[0046] According to such a configuration, in the case of the first
change, the magnitude of the variation amount of acceleration per
unit time generated in the vibratory device 20 is relatively small,
but in the case of the second change, the magnitude of the
variation amount of acceleration per unit time generated in the
vibratory device 20 is relatively large. Here, as described above,
a relationship between a force actually acting on the user and a
force sensation sensed by the user when the user perceives the
force actually acting on himself/herself is not a simple
proportional relationship, but may follow an S-curve.
[0047] Therefore, in the case where the magnitude of the variation
amount of acceleration per unit time generated in the vibratory
device 20 is relatively large, the user may develop illusions as if
he/she is given a force from the vibratory device 20 in a direction
that the acceleration is varied ("virtual force" shown in FIG. 5).
In this way, according to this technology, the force sensation can
be given to the user. In addition, according to such a
configuration, it is sufficient to vary the input signal for the
vibratory device 20, allowing the potential of the enlarged scale
of the whole device to be inhibited.
[0048] A timing for giving the user the force sensation is not
particularly limited. For example, the signal control unit 112 may
determine whether or not the input signal is to be varied from the
reference level to the first level (first change) and from the
first level to the reference level (second change) on the basis of
predetermined data. With such a manner of changing, the force
sensation may be given at a timing suitable for the user. The
predetermined data may be data detected by a sensor including
positional information detected by a GPS (Global Positioning
System) sensor and infrared ray detected by an infrared sensor.
[0049] The above description mainly describes the example in which
one kind of force sensation can be given to the user, but the force
sensation given to the user is not limited to one kind. According
the technology in the present disclosure, two or more kinds of
force sensations can be also given to the user. For example, if the
change caused in the input signal for the vibratory device 20 is
made different, two or more kinds of force sensations can be also
given to the user. A description is given below of a case where the
user is given the force sensation in the direction opposite to the
"virtual force" shown in FIG. 5 as an example.
[0050] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary temporal
variation of a pressure exerted outward by the vibratory device 20
in a case where the applied voltage is varied between the reference
voltage VB and a second voltage V2. In the example shown in FIG. 6,
the pressure exerted outward by the vibratory device 20 is measured
by a pressure sensor which is provided at a position externally
contact with a surface A2 of the vibratory device 20. Therefore, in
the example shown in FIG. 6, a negative pressure is not measured.
There is no particular limitation on respective lengths of a time
period t3 while the reference voltage VB is applied and a time
period t2 while the second voltage V2 is applied. The number of
cycles of varying the applied voltage is not limited.
[0051] The example shown in FIG. 6 assumes that one of the first
voltage V1 and the second voltage V2 has a positive value and the
other one of them has a negative value. In such a case, directions
of the currents flowing through the coil 220 are inverse to each
other between the cases where the applied voltage is the first
voltage V1 and where the second voltage V2, and thus, the force
applied to the weight 230 corresponding to the magnetic field
generated by the magnet 210 and input signal flowing the through
coil 220 has also an inverse direction.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 6, when the signal control unit 112 varies
the applied voltage from the reference voltage VB to the second
voltage V2, the pressure is changed (see "third change" in FIG. 6).
At this time, the input signal to the coil 220 is also changed from
the reference level to a second level. In more detail, a current of
the input signal may be changed depending on the applied voltage.
For example, the current of the input signal may be changed in
proportion to the applied voltage.
[0053] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration
of the vibratory device 20 in the case of the third change. In the
case where the input signal to the coil 220 is changed from the
reference level to the second level (second change), a force E2
corresponding to the magnetic field generated by the magnet 210 and
input signal flowing through the coil 220 is applied to the weight
230. As a result of the application of the force E2 to the weight
230, the weight 230 is moved in a predetermined direction (upward
in the example shown in FIG. 7).
[0054] However, the weight 230 is given a force F2 from the elastic
body 240 in a predetermined direction (downward in the example
shown in FIG. 6). Therefore, the variation of acceleration of the
weight 230 is relatively gentle and the magnitude of the variation
amount of acceleration per unit time generated in the vibratory
device 20 is relatively small. With reference to FIG. 6, in the
case of the third change, a variation amount B3 of the pressure per
unit time follows a relative gentle slope.
[0055] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 6, when the signal control
unit 112 varies the applied voltage from the second voltage V2 to
the reference voltage VB, the pressures is changed (see "fourth
change" in FIG. 6). At this time, the input signal to the coil 220
is also changed from the second level to the reference level. In
more detail, a current of the input signal may be changed depending
on the applied voltage. For example, the current of the input
signal may be changed in proportion to the applied voltage.
[0056] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration
of the vibratory device 20 in the case of the fourth change. In the
case where the input signal to the coil 220 is changed from the
second level to the reference level (fourth change), no current
flows through the coil 220 and thus the force corresponding to the
magnetic field generated by the magnet 210 and input signal flowing
through the coil 220 is not applied to the weight 230.
[0057] On the other hand, the weight 230 is given the force F2 from
the elastic body 240 in a predetermined direction (downward in the
example shown in FIG. 8). Therefore, the variation of acceleration
of the weight 230 is relatively steep and the magnitude of the
variation amount of acceleration per unit time generated in the
vibratory device 20 is relatively large. With reference to FIG. 6,
in the case of the fourth change, a variation amount B4 of the
pressure per unit time follows a relative steep slope.
[0058] As described above, between the cases where the input signal
for the vibratory device 20 is changed from the reference level to
the second level (third change) and where from the second level to
reference level (fourth change), the magnitudes of the variation
amount of acceleration per unit time generated in the vibratory
device 20 are different. In such a situation, the signal control
unit 112 may controls the input signal to vary from the reference
level to the second level and from the second level to the
reference level.
[0059] According to such a configuration, in the case of the third
change, the magnitude of the variation amount of acceleration per
unit time generated in the vibratory device 20 is relatively small,
but in the case of the fourth change, the magnitude of the
variation amount of acceleration per unit time generated in the
vibratory device 20 is relatively large. Therefore, for the reason
similar to the example described above, in the case where the
magnitude of the variation amount of acceleration per unit time
generated in the vibratory device 20 is relatively large, the user
may develop illusions as if he/she is given a force from the
vibratory device 20 in a direction that the acceleration is varied
("virtual force" shown in FIG. 8).
[0060] In this way, according to this technology, the "virtual
forces" respectively illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8 can be
combined such that two kinds of force sensations may be given to
the user. For example, as described above, if one of the first
voltage V1 and the second voltage V2 has a positive value and the
other one of them has a negative value, one of the above described
first level and above described second level of the input signal
has a positive value and the other one has a negative value, and
thus, the acceleration generated in the vibratory device 20 has an
inverse direction. Therefore, two kinds of force sensations inverse
to each other in the direction thereof can be given to the
user.
[0061] The above description mainly describes the example in which
the force sensation of inverse direction is given to the user, but
two kinds of force sensations are not limited to such an example.
For example, two kinds of force sensations different to each other
in the magnitude thereof may be given to the user. For example, if
the first voltage V1 and the second voltage V2 are different to
each other in the magnitude thereof, the above described first
level and above described second level of the input signal are also
different to each other in the magnitude thereof, and thus, the
magnitudes of the acceleration generated in the vibratory device 20
are different to each other. Therefore, two kinds of force
sensations different to each other in the magnitude thereof can be
given to the user.
[0062] Additionally, for example, the above described first level
and the above described second level may be different to each other
in a duty ratio thereof. In more detail, a ratio of the time period
t2 at the first level to one cycle and a ratio of a time period t4
at the second level to one cycle may be different to each other. In
such a case, the magnitudes of the acceleration generated in the
vibratory device 20 are different. Therefore, two kinds of force
sensations different to each other in the magnitude thereof can be
given to the user.
[0063] The force sensation given to the user may be determined from
two or more kinds thereof For example, the signal control unit 112
may determine, on the basis of predetermined data, whether the
change from the reference level to the first level (first change)
and the change from the first level to the reference level (second
change) are exerted on the input signal, or the change from the
reference level to the second level (third change) and the change
from the second level to the reference level (fourth change) are
exerted on the input signal. By doing so, the force sensation
suitable for the user may be determined. The predetermined data may
be data detected by a sensor similarly to the case where the timing
for giving the user the force sensation is controlled.
[0064] As described above, the functions of the signal control
system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are
described.
[0065] <<3. Exemplary Use of Signal Control
System>>
[0066] Subsequently, a description is given of an exemplary use of
the signal control system 1 according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure. As described above, the signal control system 1
may have various functions, and the signal control system 1 is
applied to any case without limitation specifically. Here, with
reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, two exemplary uses of the signal
control system 1 are described in order. First, with reference to
FIG. 9, a description is given of a first exemplary use of the
signal control system 1.
[0067] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the first exemplary use
of the signal control system 1. In the example shown in FIG. 9, an
illustration G1 is a view of surroundings of the user seen from the
above, where the user, carrying the vibratory device 20 and a
sensor configured to detect the user himself/herself, leaves a
departure point, and is going to pass through a position P1 (X1,
Y1) and a position P2 (X2, Y2) to go to a destination. At this
time, assume a case of navigation for the user from the departure
point to the destination. The sensor may be a GPS sensor.
[0068] In a case where the user has reached the position P1 (X1,
Y1), there can be considered that the user is made to turn to the
right such that the user can earlier reach the destination.
Therefore, information about the position P1 (X1, Y1) and the first
level of the input signal which are associated with each other may
be stored in advance. The first level of the input signal may be
stored in advance such that the virtual force acts rightward.
[0069] Then, in a case where the position P1 (X1, Y1) stored in
advance is detected by the sensor and acquired by the data
acquisition unit 111, the signal control unit 112 may exert the
change from the reference level to the first level (first change)
and the change from the first level to the reference level (second
change) on the input signal. In a case where the signal control
unit 112 exerts such a change on the input signal, the user may be
given the rightward force sensation (see "virtual force" shown in
FIG. 9). In this way, according to this technology, the navigation
for the user may be achieved.
[0070] Information about the position P2 (X2, Y2) and the second
level of the input signal which are associated with each other may
be additionally stored in advance. The second level of the input
signal may be stored in advance such that the virtual force acts
leftward. Then, in a case where the position P2 (X2, Y2) stored in
advance is detected by the sensor and acquired by the data
acquisition unit 111, the signal control unit 112 may exert the
change from the reference level to the second level (third change)
and the change from the second level to the reference level (fourth
change) on the input signal.
[0071] In a case where the signal control unit 112 exerts such a
change on the input signal, the user can be given the leftward
force sensation. In this way, the signal control unit 112 may
determine, on the basis of the position of the user, whether the
change from the reference level to the first level (first change)
and the change from the first level to the reference level (second
change) are exerted on the input signal, or the change from the
reference level to the second level (third change) and the change
from the second level to the reference level (fourth change) are
exerted on the input signal. By doing so, the navigation more
convenient for the user may be achieved.
[0072] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a second exemplary use
of the signal control system 1. In the example shown in FIG. 10, an
illustration G2 is a view of surroundings of the user seen from the
above, where the user, looking to a downward direction in the
illustration G2 and carrying the vibratory device 20 and a sensor
configured to detect a region in which the user is present
himself/herself, is going to go to a position of a borderline L1
between a region R1 and a region R2. At this time, assume a case of
navigation for the user to the position borderline L1. The sensor
may be an infrared sensor configured to detect an infrared ray.
Assume that the infrared ray is irradiated to the region R2.
[0073] In a case where the user is present at the region R2, there
can be considered that the user is made to proceed rightward such
that the user can earlier reach the borderline L1. Since the sensor
detects the infrared ray while the user is present at the region
R2, information about a state where the infrared ray is being
detected and the first level of the input signal which are
associated with each other may be stored in advance. The first
level the input signal may be stored in advance such that the
virtual force acts rightward.
[0074] Then, in a case where the infrared ray is detected by the
sensor and acquired by the data acquisition unit 111, the signal
control unit 112 may exert the change from the reference level to
the first level (first change) and the change from the first level
to the reference level (second change) on the input signal. In a
case where the signal control unit 112 exerts such a change on the
input signal, the user may be given the rightward force sensation
(see "virtual force" shown in FIG. 9). In this way, according to
this technology, the navigation for the user may be achieved.
[0075] Information about a state where the infrared ray is not
detected and the second level of the input signal which are
associated with each other may be additionally stored in advance.
The second level of the input signal may be stored in advance such
that the virtual force acts leftward. Then, in a case where
infrared ray is not detected by the sensor and acquired by the data
acquisition unit 111, the signal control unit 112 may exert the
change from the reference level to the second level (third change)
and the change from the second level to the reference level (fourth
change) on the input signal.
[0076] In a case where the signal control unit 112 exerts such a
change on the input signal, the user can be given the leftward
force sensation. In this way, the signal control unit 112 may
determine, on the basis of the position of the user, whether the
change from the reference level to the first level (first change)
and the change from the first level to the reference level (second
change) are exerted on the input signal, or the change from
reference level to the second level (third change) and the change
from the second level to the reference level (fourth change) are
exerted on the input signal. By doing so, the navigation more
convenient for the user may be achieved.
[0077] <<4. Conclusion>>
[0078] As described above, according to the embodiment of the
present disclosure, signal control device 10 is provided which
includes the signal output unit 113 configured to output the input
signal for the vibratory device 20 and the signal control unit 112
configured to control the input signal, and between the cases where
the change from the reference level to the first level is exerted
on the input signal and where the change from the first level to
the reference level is exerted on the input signal, the magnitudes
of the variation amount of acceleration per unit time generated in
the vibratory device 20 are different from each other, and the
signal control unit 112 exerts the change from the reference level
to the first level and the change from the first level to the
reference level on the input signal.
[0079] According to such a configuration, the force sensation can
be given to the user. According to such a configuration, it is
sufficient to vary the input signal for the vibratory device 20,
allowing the potential of the enlarged scale of the whole device to
be inhibited.
[0080] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that
various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and
alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other
factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims
or the equivalents thereof.
[0081] For example, in the exemplary use of the signal control
system 1, the example is described in which the user directly
carries the vibratory device 20, but the user may carry indirectly
the vibratory device 20 which is installed in some object. For
example, the vibratory device 20 may be installed in a writing
material, smartphone, tablet terminal, PDA (Personal Digital
Assistants), digital camera, video camera, PC (Personal Computer),
mobile phone, mobile music player, mobile game console and the
like.
[0082] The vibratory device 20 may be attached to a body of the
user directly, an object the user wares (e.g., socks, clothes,
shoes, hat and the like), eye glasses, HMD (Head Mount display), or
a finger ring. In addition, the vibratory device 20 may be
installed in a walking stick or the like carried by the user with
impaired vision for achieving the navigation for the user with
impaired vision.
[0083] Additionally, the present technology may also be configured
as below: [0084] (1) A signal control device including:
[0085] a signal output unit configured to output a signal for a
vibratory device; and
[0086] a signal control unit configured to control the signal,
[0087] wherein between a case where a change from a reference level
to a first level is exerted on the signal and a case where a change
from the first level to the reference level is exerted on the
signal, magnitudes of variation amounts of acceleration per unit
time generated in the vibratory device are different from each
other, and
[0088] Wherein the signal control unit exerts the change from the
reference level to the first level and the change from the first
level to the reference level on the signal. [0089] (2) The signal
control device according to (1), [0090] wherein between a case
where a change from the reference level to a second level is
exerted on the signal and a case where a change from the second
level to the reference level is exerted on the signal, a magnitudes
of variation amounts of acceleration per unit time generated in the
vibratory device are different from each other, and
[0091] Wherein the signal control unit exerts the change from the
reference level to the second level and the change from the second
level to the reference level on the signal. [0092] (3) The signal
control device according to (2),
[0093] Wherein one of the first level and the second level has a
positive value and the other one of the first level and the second
level has a negative value. [0094] (4) The signal control device
according to (2),
[0095] Wherein the first level and the second level are different
from each other in the magnitude. [0096] (5) The signal control
device according to (2),
[0097] wherein the first level and the second level are different
from each other in a duty ratio. [0098] (6) The signal control
device according to any one of (1) to (5),
[0099] Wherein the signal control unit determines, on the basis of
predetermined data, whether to exert the change from the reference
level to the first level and the change from the first level to the
reference level on the signal. [0100] (7) The signal control device
according to (6), [0101] wherein the signal control unit
determines, on the basis of predetermined data, whether to exert
the change from the reference level to the first level and the
change from the first level to the reference level on the signal,
or the change from the reference level to a second level and the
change from the second level to the reference level are exerted on
the signal. [0102] (8) A signal control system including:
[0103] a vibratory device; and
[0104] a signal control device,
[0105] wherein the signal control device includes [0106] a signal
output unit configured to output a signal for the vibratory device,
and [0107] a signal control unit configured to control the signal,
[0108] Wherein the signal control unit exerts a change from a
reference level to a first level and a change from the first level
to the reference level on the signal, and [0109] Wherein between a
case where the change from the reference level to the first level
is exerted on the signal and a case where the change from the first
level to the reference level is exerted on the signal, magnitudes
of variation amounts of acceleration per unit time generated in the
vibratory device are different from each other.
* * * * *