JP2007160129A - Massaging apparatus and information recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a configuration which can perform massaging matching the tempo of music even if response delay to a control signal exists in a drive system of a massaging mechanism. <P>SOLUTION: A massaging machine is configured so that a control program signal from among complex sound signals is converted to a control signal and movement of a motor to drive the massaging mechanism is controlled by the converted control signal. The complex sound signals advance the control program signal for a prescribed time relative to a sound signal to be outputted to a signal path reaching a sound device for a person to be treated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a massage apparatus and an information recording medium, and in particular, in a massage apparatus that performs massage by mechanical stimulation in synchronization with an acoustic signal, even if there is a response delay to a control signal in the drive system of the massage mechanism, It is related with the structure which can perform the massage suitable for.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a massage apparatus configured to obtain a massage effect by using an external input such as a musical instrument or sound effect as a vibration source and changing this into mechanical vibration of a vibration element. For example, as this type of massage device, there is a chair with a vibration device disclosed in Patent Document 1. According to Patent Document 1, the configuration of the vibration element and the mechanism of vibration are not clear, but only a frequency range of about 100 Hz or less is passed through a low-pass filter from an external musical instrument or a sound source of sound effects. The vibration of the vibration element is turned on / off according to the rhythm of the music source. In this way, by using a source in a low frequency range, it is intended to prevent troubles such as vibration due to an input signal of a conversation subject.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-96133

  However, if only the frequency range of about 100 Hz or less of the music source is used as the vibration source, the middle and high-frequency sounds cannot be used, and therefore the massage itself may be a monotonous rhythm. For example, in music in which the bass line (low range) is continuously played, the high range sound cannot be used in a variety of pianos and cymbals, and the massage becomes continuous and monotonous. Thus, although the massage effect by a vibration element is show | played, it cannot be anticipated that the relaxation effect for a user will be acquired using a music source.

  In addition, there are the following important problems. The acoustic signal is composed of a set of peaks or valleys having a width of about ½ of the period. Therefore, even if it is only in the low sound range, if the acoustic signal is directly amplified to the operating voltage range of the motor and applied to the motor, the output is different from that when the motor is continuously driven (without using the acoustic signal). It becomes smaller on the stage.

  Further, when the massage operation is a vibration operation and the music signal is used as a control signal through a low-pass filter as in the above-described conventional example, the control signal is extracted from the music signal. Can be reflected in the massage operation to some extent naturally, but massage operations such as itching and tapping are low frequency operations compared to vibration operations, so the tempo and inflection of music are not necessarily reflected in the massage operation. . And if the tempo and intonation of music is not reflected in the massage operation, it cannot be said to be a comfortable massage.

  In addition, when trying to reflect the music tempo in the massage operation, there is a response delay with respect to the control signal due to inertia or the like in the drive system of the massage mechanism including the motor.

  On the other hand, when performing sequence control without using music, programming expertise is required to create a massage program, and it is difficult to grasp the contents of the program intuitively. There are problems such as being overwhelmed and prone to errors.

  The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and in particular, in a massage apparatus that performs massage by mechanical stimulation in synchronization with an acoustic signal, there is a response delay to the control signal in the drive system of the massage mechanism. Even so, the purpose is to provide a configuration that can perform a massage that matches the tempo of music.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and a massage device according to the present invention includes a massage mechanism that gives mechanical stimulation to the body of a user, a motor that drives the massage mechanism, A control device that controls the operation of the motor, and the massage mechanism includes a treatment element that is coupled to the motor and that is periodically displaced at a lower frequency than the vibration operation by the operation of the motor. However, among the composite acoustic signals composed of the acoustic signal input from the sound source and the control program signal created so that the massage mechanism operates in response to the acoustic signal, the control program signal is used as the control signal. A massage machine configured to control the operation of the motor according to the converted control signal, wherein the composite acoustic signal is listened to by a user. To an acoustic signal to the signal path in order of the sound output device is configured to proceed relatively predetermined time the control program signal.

  Further, the information recording medium according to the present invention is read from the information recording medium by the information reproducing apparatus and input to the control unit of the massage apparatus so as to control the massage operation so as to correspond to an acoustic signal representing a certain acoustic work. An information recording medium on which a created control program is recorded, wherein the massage operation is performed such that the control program advances a predetermined time on the time axis with respect to an acoustic signal representing the acoustic work. And recorded with an acoustic signal representing the acoustic work.

  With such a configuration, even when there is a response delay with respect to the control signal in the drive system of the massage mechanism, it is possible to perform a massage that matches the tempo of the music.

  The massage mechanism included in the massage device includes a treatment element connected to the motor via a mechanical configuration, and the treatment element includes a pair of arms and a kneading ball attached to the tip of the arm. The massage mechanism further comprises a rubbing action by moving the pair of arms so as to approach and separate from each other, or a hitting action by reciprocating the treatment element toward the user. It is comprised so that it may be made to perform to a treatment element, and the said squeezing operation | movement and hitting operation | movement by the said treatment element may be comprised so that it may operate | move at low frequency compared with the vibration operation | movement as a massage operation | movement.

  The massage device includes a massage mechanism that applies mechanical stimulation to the body of the user, a motor that drives the massage mechanism, and a control device that controls the operation of the motor. The control signal for controlling the operation of the motor may be generated on the basis of the acoustic signal input from.

  According to such a massage device, by generating a control signal for causing the motor to perform an operation suitable for massage based on not only the low-frequency sound but also the middle and high-frequency sound, the motor is configured to perform almost all of the sound. It is possible to operate in accordance with the range of the music, so massage that incorporates the rhythm and melody of the music source as faithfully as possible, and the massage that arranged the accent arrangement more effectively based on the rhythm and melody of the music source It is possible to perform a massage that is more comfortable for the user.

  Alternatively, in the massage device in which the massage mechanism includes a treatment element that is connected to the output shaft of the motor and is displaced by the operation of the motor, depending on the displacement direction of the treatment element, a stagnation effect, a tapping effect, and a roller effect This is preferable because a so-called back muscle stretching effect can be obtained corresponding to an acoustic source. Here, the massage mechanism is connected to the motor when, for example, the treatment element is connected to the motor so that power can be transmitted via a belt, a cam, a link mechanism, a chain, a screw feed mechanism, or the like. Including meaning.

  In this case, the control device includes a waveform conversion device including a waveform conversion circuit that converts a waveform of an acoustic signal input from a sound source, and the motor is controlled by a control signal output from the waveform conversion device. You may comprise so that operation | movement may be controlled.

  According to such a massage device, the acoustic signal is not directly used for controlling the operation of the motor, but is processed as a waveform conversion device using a smoothing circuit, for example, and then sent as a control signal to the motor. In this way, sufficient electric energy can be given to the motor even if it is an acoustic signal in a high sound range, while a sufficient output cannot be obtained if it is directly used as a control signal. Therefore, the operation of the motor can be suitably controlled also by a music source including mid- and high-frequency sounds, and musical rhythms and melodies can be incorporated as massage patterns. As a result, the richness of musical massage spreads and comfort is improved. On the other hand, it is possible to relieve the discomfort caused by the difference in rhythm between music and conventional massage. That is, the difference between the tempo of music and the tempo of pressure fluctuation of the massage is greatly reduced. In addition, the waveform of the acoustic signal can be variously processed by a differentiation circuit, an integration circuit, or the like as a waveform converter, and then sent as a control signal to the motor. For example, if a differential signal is used to form a pulse signal, a sharp massage can be achieved. Moreover, a slow massage can be achieved by making the waveform smooth by the integration circuit.

  When the control device is a massage device including a bias circuit for adding or deleting a signal having a constant value or a signal that fluctuates regularly with respect to the amplitude of the output signal from the waveform conversion device, for example, a signal Since it is possible to continue operating the motor only for the biased signal, it is possible to maintain a constant massage even when there is no acoustic signal from the sound source. .

  Further, in the massage device including the specific frequency band signal selection device including a filter that selects and transmits the frequency range of the acoustic signal, the control device may further increase the processing variation of the acoustic signal. it can. The specific frequency band signal selection device preferably includes at least one of a low-pass filter, a high-pass filter, and a band-pass filter, for example. The specific frequency band signal selection device may be provided upstream or downstream of the waveform conversion device, but it is preferable to provide the specific frequency band signal selection device upstream because the selection range of the control signal is expanded. Here, “upstream” is based on the flow direction of the acoustic signal toward the motor.

  In addition, in the massage apparatus in which the gain adjustment circuit for increasing or decreasing the amplitude of the control signal is provided, the constant continuous operation of the motor by the bias signal described above and the operation of the motor rich in change by the acoustic signal And the ratio can be changed. Accordingly, it is possible to select whether to mainly use a certain continuous massage or to mainly use a massage that is varied according to rhythm and melody. The position where the gain adjustment circuit is provided may be upstream or downstream of the bias circuit.

  An operation mode setting device that changes and sets the operation mode of the massage mechanism by switching a control signal to the motor, and the operation mode setting device is configured to switch the control signal according to the change setting of the waveform converter. Massage apparatus further comprising a device or a specific frequency band signal selection device, wherein the operation mode setting device is configured to switch the control signal according to the change setting of the waveform conversion device and / or the selection setting of the filter The operation mode of the massage mechanism is changed by the conversion of the control signal. According to these massage devices, the selection of the frequency range of the acoustic signal and the processing of the waveform can be arbitrarily extracted and combined to obtain a pattern of operation control of a plurality of types of motors from one type of acoustic signal. . That is, a favorite massage pattern can be obtained according to the contents of the music source.

  A massage device including the operation mode setting device, further comprising an operation mode storage device that stores a plurality of operation modes, and the operation mode setting device selects an operation mode stored in the operation mode storage device. A massage apparatus configured to switch the control signal in accordance with the selected operation mode is preferable because the desired operation mode of the user for a certain sound source can always be reproduced.

  Further, in the massage device in which the operation mode setting device has an operation device for inputting the operation mode by the operator, the operator arbitrarily sets a desired operation mode for a certain sound source. This is preferable.

  In the massaging apparatus in which the massaging mechanism further includes a vibration motor having an eccentric mass added to the output shaft, it is preferable because a massaging effect by vibration corresponding to the acoustic source can be obtained.

  In a massage apparatus comprising an input terminal for receiving an acoustic signal from a sound source through an electric cable, a conventional massage apparatus that receives a sound wave signal from a microphone and performs motor control by this Compared to the device, since ambient noise is not input, an acoustic signal can be taken in faithfully. Therefore, an unexpected and unexpected operation can be prevented.

  In the above case, the control device converts a composite acoustic signal including a plurality of signals including mutually associated acoustic signals input from a sound source into a control signal, and performs the control using the converted control signal. It may be done. With such a configuration, when the composite sound signal is composed of a plurality of sound signals associated with each other, it is possible to perform a variety of massages in accordance with music, and the composite sound signal is converted into the sound signal and its sound signal. When configured with a control program signal created corresponding to an acoustic signal, a massage that can reflect the tempo and inflection of music in the massage operation becomes possible.

  In this case, the composite acoustic signal includes an acoustic signal and a control program signal created so that the massage mechanism operates in response to the acoustic signal, and the control device includes the input acoustic signal and control. Of the program signals, the control program signal may be converted into the control signal. With such a configuration, since the control program signal corresponds to the acoustic signal, a comfortable massage that matches the tempo and intonation of the music can be performed in synchronization with the music.

  The input composite sound signal may be a MIDI signal, and the control device may demodulate the input MIDI signal. With such a configuration, it is possible to easily create a control program in an audiovisual manner using the MIDI system, and it is possible to easily transmit a composite acoustic signal.

  In this case, the MIDI signal is composed of a plurality of music signals each representing a part of a certain music, and the control device converts at least one of the plurality of input music signals into the control signal. It may be a thing. With such a configuration, it is possible to perform a massage that matches more music.

  A method of creating a massage operation control program in a massage apparatus by operating a computer having a display unit and an input unit, the step of displaying a plurality of musical scores side by side on the display unit, Displaying a musical score representing predetermined music on one of the musical scores, and writing a note corresponding to the massage operation on the other musical score using the input means. If it is a method, the control program matched with the audio work can be easily produced visually.

  The above object, other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  According to the present invention, in a massage device that performs massage by mechanical stimulation in synchronization with an acoustic signal, a massage that matches the tempo of music is performed even if a response delay to the control signal exists in the drive system of the massage mechanism. A configuration that can be provided can be provided.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a hardware configuration of a massage apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a massage mechanism in the massage apparatus of FIG.

  The massage device 1 has a chair-shaped main body 1a, and massage mechanisms 4 and 5 are provided on the backrest portion 2 and the seat surface portion 3, respectively. The massage mechanism 4 of the backrest 2 is attached to a lifting platform 6 that can be moved up and down along the backrest surface. The lift 6 is moved up and down by a motor 7 and a screw feed mechanism 8. As the elevating platform 6 moves up and down, the massage mechanism 4 moves up and down while treating from the waist of the user sitting on the main body 1a to the head through the back, shoulders and neck.

  Referring also to FIG. 2, the massage mechanism 4 includes a pair of treatment elements 9 that apply mechanical stimulation to the body of the user and motors 10 and 11 that drive the treatment elements 9 to move. The kneading motor 10 is for displacing the two kneading balls 9b attached to the tips of the V-shaped arms 9a of the treatment element 9 in a substantially elliptical direction. That is, the worm gear mechanism 10d is driven by the stagnation motor 10 via the belt 10b, and the stagnation shaft 10b is rotated about its own axis by the worm gear mechanism 10d. The stagnation shaft 10b has a small-diameter inclined shaft portion 10e that is rotatably fitted in the fitting hole 10h of the V-shaped connecting rod 10c at both ends thereof. The arm 9a is attached to the tip of the connecting rod 10c so as to be able to rotate under the limitation of the rotation angle. Accordingly, when the kneading shaft 10b rotates, the connecting rod 10c tilts and rotates while being regulated by the stepped surface 10f of the inclined shaft portion 10e. As a result, the pair of arms 9a tilt and rotate so as to approach and separate from each other. This is the massage operation of the treatment element 9.

  On the other hand, the tapping motor 11 is for displacing the kneading balls 9b toward the user. In other words, the tapping motor 11 rotates the tapping shaft 11b around its own axis via the belt 11a, and a small-diameter eccentric shaft portion 11d is formed at both ends of the tapping shaft 11b. The flange 11c is rotatably fitted. A connecting projection 11e is formed on the connecting rod 11c so as to be slidably fitted into the fitting hole 10g of the connecting rod 10c. The fitting hole 10g is formed at a position separated from the other fitting hole 10h of the connecting rod 10c. From the above, when the hitting shaft 11b is rotated, the connecting rod 11c moves up and down, and the connecting rod 10c reciprocates around the fitting hole 10h, so that the treatment element 9 reciprocates toward the user. . This is a so-called hitting operation.

  In this way, the stagnation operation and the hitting operation are applied by an independent drive system, and both the operations are combined and applied. Of course, each operation can be performed independently. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 12 denotes a guide roller that guides the raising and lowering of the lifting platform 6.

  The massage mechanism 5 of the seat surface portion 3 gives vibration to the body of the user and is composed of a vibration motor 5a (see FIG. 3). The vibration motor 5a has an eccentric mass attached to the output shaft of the motor, and the motor itself vibrates by its rotation.

  The massage device 1 incorporates a control device 13 for controlling the rotation of the massage motors 5a, 10 and 11 by an acoustic signal. The control device 13 controls the rotation of each motor based on various acoustic sources, and as a result, various types of massage are possible. In addition, the massage device 1 is provided with an operation mode setting device 21 (see FIG. 3) for setting the control contents of the control device 13, and for listening to the user the sound from the sound source. A speaker 27 is disposed at the upper end of the left and right sides of the backrest 2.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the control system of the massage apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation of the three types of motors 5 a, 10, 11 is controlled by the control device 13. That is, the squeezing operation, the tapping operation, and the vibration. The elevating motor 7 for reciprocating the elevating platform 6 is reciprocated at a constant pitch regardless of the acoustic signal. Of course, the elevating motor 7 of the elevating platform 6 may be controlled by an acoustic signal using the control device 13.

  The control device 13 includes a preamplifier 14 that processes the acoustic signal and an amplifier (main amplifier) 15 that amplifies the processed acoustic signal. The preamplifier 14 includes a specific frequency band signal selection device 17 including a plurality of filters 16a, 16b, and 16c that select and transmit the frequency range of the acoustic signal, and a waveform conversion device 18 that converts the waveform of the selected acoustic signal. I have. In this embodiment, since a DC motor is used, a power control means such as a known FET (field effect transistor) may be used. The preamplifier 14 and the amplifier 15 are provided in each of the three types of motors 5a, 10 and 11. In other words, a control unit that can be independently controlled for each of the motors 5a, 10 and 11 is provided. Of course, it is also possible to share only the specific frequency band signal selector 17 among the waveform converters, thereby simplifying the control circuit.

  In the present embodiment, as the filter, a high-pass filter 16a that transmits only a frequency higher than a predetermined frequency, a low-pass filter 16b that transmits only a frequency lower than the predetermined frequency, and a bandpass that transmits only a signal in a specific frequency band. And a filter 16c. The waveform converter 18 includes a differentiation circuit, an integration circuit, and a smoothing circuit. As shown in FIG. 4, the smoothing circuit has a rectifying function, for example, a half-wave rectifying / smoothing circuit 20a or, as shown in FIG. 5, a full-wave rectifying / smoothing circuit 20b. 4 and 5, (a) shows the waveform of the acoustic signal, (b) shows the above circuit, and (c) shows the output signal from the smoothing circuit. In the figure, symbol D is a diode, symbol C is a capacitor, and symbol R is a resistor.

  The massage device 1 also includes an operation mode setting device 21 that instructs the preamplifier 14 to process an acoustic signal by the preamplifier 14, and an operation mode storage device 22 connected to the operation mode setting device 21. . The processing of the acoustic signal is, for example, selection of the filters 16a, 16b, and 16c in the specific frequency band signal selection device 17, selection and combination of circuits in the waveform conversion device 18, and a combination of the selected filter and circuit. It is. Specifically, the acoustic signal extracted by the selected filter is smoothed by the smoothing circuits 20a and 20b to generate sufficient power to drive the motor, and the acoustic signal is sharpened or integrated by the differentiation circuit. A process of adding graduality is performed by a circuit. By doing so, the operation mode is changed so that the motor increases the massage effect. The operation mode setting device 21 is for the operator (the user) to set the operation mode (acoustic signal processing pattern) through the operation unit 23. An operation mode menu is displayed on the display unit 24, and the operation mode selected by the operation unit 23 is displayed. The CPU 25 of the operation mode setting device 21 executes a program based on the selection of the operation unit 23 and processes the acoustic signal into a pattern corresponding to the selected operation mode. Further, when an operation mode is newly input and set by the operation unit 23, this is stored in the operation mode storage device 22.

  Control signals (acoustic signals) for the motors 5 a, 10, and 11 are obtained from a sound source A outside the massage apparatus 1. Here, the sound source A is an acoustic source, and includes a record player, a CD player, an MD player, a MIDI sound source, a sound reproduction device such as a tape deck, a television tuner, a radio, and the like. The sound generation method provided from the sound source A includes reproduction from a sound information recording medium such as a record or CD, live performance, live broadcast, and the like. An acoustic signal is input from the sound source A to the input terminal 26 of the massage apparatus 1 through an electric cable. In addition to the external sound source, a signal generation source that generates signals corresponding to various rhythms may be incorporated in the massage apparatus 1. This built-in signal may be a repetitive rhythm such as waltz, tango, or march. In any case, since the line is input from the acoustic signal source, ambient noise is shut out, and a desired acoustic signal can be taken in faithfully.

  According to the massage device 1 described above, different acoustic signal processing patterns can be set in the control device 13 of each motor from one acoustic signal. For example, among acoustic signals obtained from jazz as a music source, a low-frequency signal such as a drum or a bass is given to the control signal of the tapping motor 11, and the control signal of the kneading motor 10 is vocal, piano, guitar, etc. Different operation patterns can be applied depending on the massage position, such as giving a mid-range signal and giving a high-frequency signal like a cymbal to the control signal of the vibration motor 5a.

  In addition, the massage apparatus 1 is configured so that an acoustic signal input from the sound source A can be oscillated as sound from a speaker 27 as a sound output unit through an amplifier (not shown). Of course, you may provide the output terminal for outputting the taken-in acoustic signal as it is. In that case, the output terminal may be connected to an external audio device. In any case, the user can listen to the acquired acoustic signal as music. That is, since the music based on the sound source can be heard by the voice synchronized with the massage, the massage effect is improved and a good relaxation effect is also obtained. Since massage by a treatment element or the like is a result of finally converting an acoustic signal into a mechanical movement of these members, there is a possibility of causing a slight delay from the sound oscillation. In that case, a so-called buffer memory is provided on the audio output unit side so that the massage can be synchronized as much as possible.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another configuration of the control system of the massage device according to the present embodiment. The massage device 1A includes a specific frequency band signal selection device 17 having an input terminal 26 and filters 16a, 16b, and 16c, and a control device 29 having a waveform conversion device 18 and an amplifier 15. Further, the control device 29 includes a gain adjustment device 30 and a bias device 31 in that order from the upstream side between the waveform conversion device 18 and the amplifier 15. The gain adjusting device 30 includes a circuit for increasing or decreasing the amplitude of the acoustic signal output from the waveform converting device 18. The bias device 31 includes a circuit that adds or deletes a signal having a constant value or a signal whose value fluctuates regularly with respect to the amplitude of the acoustic signal output from the gain adjusting device 30. Therefore, if a signal of a constant value is added or deleted by the bias device 31, the gain is translated without changing the wave. On the other hand, if a signal whose value fluctuates regularly is added or deleted, a wave component can be added to the musical rhythm fluctuation.

  In the control device 13 of FIG. 3, if there is no acoustic signal, the motor is stopped and massage is not performed. However, in the control device 29 of FIG. When added, it is always possible to obtain a massage effect by driving the motor. When the gain adjusting device 30 is used together with the bias device 31, for example, 30% of the motor speed is set by bias, and the remaining 70% speed is set to the maximum fluctuation range of the acoustic signal by gain adjustment. You can adjust up to what percentage of it will vary. The percentage number is an example. By such an operation, the balance between the bias component and the gain adjustment is adjusted, and it is possible to select whether to use mainly continuous massage or mainly to use massage by musical fluctuation.

  Further, by combining the bias effect and the gain adjustment effect using both the devices 30 and 31, the power supply ratios for the stagnation motor 10, the tapping motor 11 and the vibration motor 5a can be made different. Thereby, for example, the following operation modes can be set in advance, and a preferred operation mode can be selected according to the type of music source selected by the user. Examples of operation modes include soft mode (100% sag, 0% tapping, 50% vibration), normal mode (100% sag, 50% tapping, 50% vibration), and hard mode (stagnation). 100%, tapping 100%, vibration 100%).

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the massage apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, in the massage apparatus 1 </ b> B according to the present embodiment, a composite acoustic signal 41 is input from the sound source A to the branch circuit 40.

  Here, in this specification, the composite acoustic signal 41 refers to a plurality of signals including an acoustic signal, specifically, a signal composed of a combination of a plurality of acoustic signals or a combination of an acoustic signal and a control program signal. The control program signal is a signal composed of a program for causing the massage mechanisms 4 and 5 to operate as intended. The sound signal means a signal that produces some sound effect when reproduced, but does not include the control program signal. In other words, if the control program signal is also reproduced as sound, it will have some acoustic effect, but the present invention aims to experience the acoustic effect through a massage operation, so the acoustic signal is experienced by the user. On the other hand, the control program is intended to cause the user to experience such a sound effect so that the user can experience such a sound effect. This is because it should be distinguished and can be distinguished.

  Then, the massage device 1B divides the input composite acoustic signal 41 into a speaker acoustic signal and a control signal, and outputs the acoustic signal output from the branch circuit 40. From the speaker 27 that converts and outputs, the control signal output circuit 42 that assigns control signals output from the branch circuit 40 to the three motors 10, 11, and 5a and converts them into control signals, and the control signal output circuit 42 Drive circuits 43, 44, 45 for driving the motors 10, 11, 5 a based on the output control signals, and the stagnation motor 10, the tapping motor 11, which are respectively driven by these drive circuits 43, 44, 45, And a vibration motor 5a. Therefore, the lifting motor for reciprocating the lifting platform can be lifted and lowered at a constant pitch without depending on the composite acoustic signal. Of course, this lifting motor may also be controlled by the composite acoustic signal 41 using the control device 46. The branch circuit 40, the control signal converting circuit 42, and the drive circuits 43, 44, and 45 constitute a control device 46.

  The massage apparatus 1B is also configured to set the content of conversion from the composite sound signal to the control signal by the control signal converting circuit 42 in the operation mode, and to instruct on / off of the sound source, selection of music, and the like. 47 and a storage device 48 for storing the operation mode set by the operation mode setting device 47. The operation mode setting device 47 sets an operation mode by processing an operation unit 49 for inputting an operation mode setting instruction, a display unit 50 for displaying operation mode setting information, and an input from the operation unit 49. The CPU 51 displays the setting information on the display unit 50, stores and reads the setting information in the storage device 48, and instructs the control signal generation circuit 42 and the sound source A based thereon.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of each block in FIG. In FIG. 8, the present embodiment uses a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) sequencer as a sound source. More specifically, the sound source A is composed of a MIDI sequencer. The MIDI sequencer A is built in the massage apparatus 1B and includes a microcomputer 52 in which MIDI sequence software is installed and a CD-ROM drive 53 connected to the microcomputer 52. A CD-ROM 54 on which a MIDI message is recorded is loaded (loaded) into the CD-ROM drive 53. A massage operation assignment circuit 56 and an audio signal conversion circuit 57 are connected to the MIDI sequencer A via a MIDI interface 55. A control signal conversion circuit 58 is connected to the massage operation assignment circuit 56, and drive circuits 43, 44, 45 are connected to the control signal conversion circuit 58. The massage operation assignment circuit 56 and the control signal conversion circuit 58 constitute a control signal converting circuit 42. The speaker 27 is connected to the audio signal converting circuit 57, and the MIDI interface 55 and the audio signal converting circuit 57 constitute a branch circuit 40.

  9A and 9B are diagrams showing the structure of a MIDI message and a conversion method, wherein FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a MIDI message, and FIG. 9B is a table showing the correspondence between channels, musical instruments, and massage operations in the MIDI message. (C) is a figure which shows an example of the correspondence of a MIDI signal and a control signal, (d) is a figure which shows the other example of the correspondence of a MIDI signal and a control signal.

  Referring also to FIG. 9, in the MIDI system, system control information is exchanged in message units. In this specification, this control information is called a MIDI message. Therefore, the output MIDI message means a MIDI signal. The MIDI message is digital data composed of one status byte 101 and a plurality of data bytes 102 as shown as an example in FIG. The MIDI message includes a channel message for a channel and a system message for all devices in the system. FIG. 9A shows a channel voice message for transmitting performance information to an electronic musical instrument among the channel messages. In the channel message, the lower 4 bits of the status byte 102 represent an address (hereinafter simply referred to as a channel) indicating a channel. In this channel voice message, the data byte 102 represents acoustic data. The channel means a control channel for independently controlling a plurality of electronic musical instruments in the MIDI system, and there are 16 channel numbers as shown in FIG. 9B. That is, in the MIDI system, a plurality of electronic musical instruments can be controlled independently. Here, for example, a drum, a synthesizer, a piano, and a bass are assigned to channels 1 to 4, respectively, and channels 5 to 16 remain free. Here, the acoustic data is composed of volume data 104 representing the loudness of the sound, time data 105 representing the duration of the sound, and pitch data 106 representing the pitch of the sound. A plurality of pieces of music composed of such MIDI message arrays are recorded on the CD-ROM 54.

  On the other hand, the microcomputer 52 is connected to the operation mode setting device 47, selects a song according to an instruction from the operation mode setting device 47, operates the CD-ROM drive 53 according to the installed MIDI sequence software, and operates the CD-ROM 54. The MIDI messages are sequentially read out from this, and are sequentially output as MIDI signals. The output MIDI signal is input to the massage operation assigning circuit 56 and the audio signal converting circuit 57 via the MIDI interface 55. The massage operation assignment circuit 56 has a decode circuit 59 and a signal switching circuit 60. The decode circuit 59 is constituted by, for example, a DSP (digital signal processor), and receives a MIDI signal input from the MIDI interface 55 from a MIDI system control signal (hereinafter referred to as a MIDI control signal) including a status byte 101 and a data byte 102. And are decoded into analog signals (demodulated). The signal switching circuit 60 includes, for example, a multiplexer that associates each massage operation with each channel. And it is comprised so that the correspondence table of a channel and a massage mechanism as shown in FIG.9 (b) can be set with the operation mode setting apparatus 47, and the MIDI control signal input with an acoustic signal is set to the set correspondence. Compared to the table, the acoustic signal is assigned to the corresponding massage operation. Here, the acoustic signals of channels 1 to 3, that is, the acoustic signals of drums, synthesizers, and pianos, are assigned to the striking operation, the kneading operation, and the vibration operation, respectively, and the acoustic signals of channel 4, that is, the base acoustics. A signal is not assigned to any massage operation. If the correspondence table is set to another content by the operation mode setting device 47, the acoustic signal is assigned according to the newly set content. That is, the transmission path of the acoustic signal is switched.

  The acoustic signal assigned to each massage operation as described above is input to the control signal conversion circuit 58 where it is converted into a control signal for the drive circuit (hereinafter simply referred to as a control signal). That is, the control signal conversion circuit 58 is configured so that the operation mode setting device 47 can set a correspondence table between the MIDI signal components and the control signal components as shown in FIG. The acoustic signal is converted into a control signal such that the component corresponds to the component of the control signal according to the set correspondence table. Here, as shown in FIG. 9 (c), the volume data and time data of the MIDI signal are made to correspond to the voltage and time of the control signal, respectively, and the pitch data of the MIDI signal is made to correspond to the components of the control signal. It has not been done. Of course, by operating the operation mode setting device 47, for example, as shown in FIG. 9D, the pitch and time of the MIDI signal correspond to the pitch and time of the control signal, respectively, and the volume of the MIDI signal is controlled. You may set so that it may not respond | correspond to the component of a signal.

  The control signals thus converted are input to the drive circuits 43, 44, 45 corresponding to the massage operations, and the motors 10, 11, 5a are driven according to the control signals.

  Here, each of the motors 10, 11, and 5a is constituted by a direct current motor, and each of the drive circuits 43, 44, and 45 is constituted by a variable speed drive device of the direct current motor. In other words, the variable speed drive device is composed of a power converter composed of semiconductor switching elements and whose input side is connected to a power source, and a data processing element such as an IC or a microprocessor, and controls the on / off of the semiconductor switching elements. A DC motor is connected to the output side of the power converter.

  When a control signal having the above-described voltage and the duration of the voltage is input to the control circuit, the control circuit turns on the on-period (semiconductor switching element of the power converter according to the voltage of the control signal). (Energization period) is controlled. As a result, a DC voltage corresponding to the voltage of the control signal is applied to the DC motor, and as a result, the DC motor rotates at a speed corresponding to the DC voltage. As such a variable speed driving device, for example, a thyristor Leonard, a chopper, or the like can be used. Moreover, you may comprise with a circuit for exclusive use.

  On the other hand, the audio signal converting circuit 57 is constituted by a so-called MIDI sound source. Here, the sound source referred to in the present invention refers to a source from which an acoustic signal is generated. In a MIDI system, this corresponds to the CD-ROM drive 53. This is called a signal converting circuit 57. The audio signal converting circuit 57 includes 16 types of electronic musical instruments (sound source only) corresponding to the channels 1 to 16 and a mixer connected to these electronic musical instruments. Thereby, here, MIDI signals are sequentially input to drums, synthesizers, pianos, and basses corresponding to the channels 1 to 4, respectively, where audio signals, that is, L channel and R channel stereophonic analog audio signals are input. It is converted and output. The audio signals output from the drum, synthesizer, piano, and bass are combined into one audio signal by the mixer and output to the speaker 27.

  Since the other configuration of the massage device according to the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of the massage device according to Embodiment 1, the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, operation | movement of the massage apparatus 1 comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated.

  The user sits on the main body 1 a of the massage apparatus 1 </ b> B, and first inserts a desired CD-ROM 54 into the slot of the CD-ROM drive 53. Next, the operation mode setting device 47 is operated to select a desired song name and operation mode. Then press the start button.

  Then, in the massage device 1 </ b> B, the microcomputer 52 drives the CD-ROM drive 53 to reproduce the music selected by the operation mode setting device 47. Then, the MIDI signal output along with the reproduction of the music is input to the decoding circuit 59 and the audio signal converting circuit 57 via the MIDI interface 55.

  Then, the audio signal converting circuit 57 converts and synthesizes the input MIDI signal and outputs an audio signal. Then, this audio signal is input to the speaker 27, where it is converted into sound and reaches the user's ear.

  On the other hand, the decoding circuit 59 separates the input MIDI signal into a MIDI control signal and an acoustic signal and decodes them, and inputs them to the signal switching circuit 60. The MIDI control signal and the acoustic signal are input, and the signal switching circuit 60 assigns the acoustic signal to each massage operation based on the MIDI control signal, and inputs it to the corresponding signal path. The control signal conversion circuit 58 converts the input acoustic signal into a control signal such that its component corresponds to a predetermined component of the control signal, and inputs the control signal to the drive circuits 43, 44, 45. When this control signal is input, each drive circuit 43, 44, 45 outputs a DC voltage corresponding to the control signal to each motor 10, 11, 5a. Then, each motor 10,11,5a rotates at the speed according to the voltage, and each massage mechanism 4,5 performs predetermined massage operation according to it. Specifically, each massage operation of tapping, itching, and vibration corresponding to the sound of the drum, synthesizer, and piano of the song is performed, and each massage operation corresponding to the strength of the sound of each instrument at that time The speed of changes.

  As a result, the user can listen to the selected song through the speaker, and the tapping, itching, and vibration massage operations that change the speed in response to changes in the drum, synthesizer, and piano sounds of the song, respectively. Can be experienced.

  Further, when the operation mode setting device 47 is operated so that the pitch of the MIDI signal corresponds to the voltage of the control signal as shown in FIG. The speed of movement changes. Further, by operating the operation mode setting device 47, the correspondence between the musical instrument and the massage operation shown in FIG. 9B can be changed.

  Therefore, a massage that matches the music and is rich in change is applied to the user.

  Next, a modification of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system in the case of using an external MIDI sequencer, and FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a method for creating a control program for massage operation that also serves as composition of music for viewing. (B) is a figure which shows the voltage of a motor.

  This modification illustrates the case where the massage apparatus 1C is caused to perform a desired operation by programming the massage operation with an external sound source. In such a case, when a suitable acoustic experience program is developed at the stage of development of the massage apparatus, when the user needs a dedicated acoustic experience program for business use, and the user can taste the acoustic experience massage with his own program. The case where it responds to the user's desire to want is assumed.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in this modification, the massage apparatus 1C has a MIDI interface 55 connected to the input terminal 26, and the subsequent stage is configured in the same manner as in FIG. On the other hand, the sound source A is composed of a personal computer A including an input device 61 such as a keyboard, a display device 62, and an external storage device 63 such as a hard disk drive. The personal computer A is connected to the input terminal 26. The operation mode setting device 47 is not connected to the personal computer A. Therefore, music selection is performed by operating the personal computer A, not the operation mode setting device 47.

  Referring also to FIG. 11, in order to create a control program, for example, DTM (deskTop Music) software is executed on the personal computer A, and a musical score is displayed on the display device 62 as shown in FIG. . Then, the input device 61 is operated to write a note on the musical score. Then, a MIDI message as shown in FIG. 9A is created corresponding to the written note. Here, as shown in FIG. 9D, the pitch corresponds to the voltage of the control signal, in other words, the voltage of the motor. Then, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), the pitch and length of the note correspond to the motor voltage 201 'and the time axis. In this case, when a predetermined operation is performed on the personal computer A, a sound corresponding to the note is output from the speaker 27 of the massage apparatus 1C. Further, the massage device 1C operates corresponding to the musical note. Therefore, composition and programming can be performed while confirming both the sound of the music to be composed and the operation of the massage apparatus 1C to be programmed. According to this method, since programming can be performed in an audiovisual manner, anyone can easily create a control program. The above explanation is for one instrument, but this is performed for all instruments (here, four), and when programming (composition) is finished, the computer A is operated to store it externally. It memorize | stores in the apparatus 63 and preserve | saves it. When the user wants to massage using the control program, the user (the user) selects the song by operating the personal computer A as a MIDI sequencer. Then, the personal computer A reads the music from the external storage device 63 and sends it to the input terminal 26. Then, the massage apparatus 1C operates in the same manner as described above. Thereby, the user can enjoy a music experience massage with a desired control program.

  Next, another modification will be described. In the above modification and embodiment, the music to be heard by the user and the music to be used for controlling the massage operation are the same, but this modification is for controlling the music to be heard by the user and the massage operation. Separated from the music used. Specifically, the music used for controlling the massage operation here is a control program itself using musical notes, not created for the purpose of producing a musical effect. It is something that cannot be heard by the user. Therefore, the original viewing music is assigned to the channels 1 to 4 in the above embodiment, and the control program is assigned to the other vacant channels. In FIG. Only the MIDI message of (channels 1 to 4) is controlled to flow only the MIDI message of the channel of the control program to the massage operation allocation circuit 56. This control is performed by sending a predetermined control MIDI message from the personal computer A as a MIDI sequencer.

  Next, a method for creating such a control program will be described. 12A and 12B are diagrams showing a method for creating a massage operation control program using a score, wherein FIG. 12A shows a music score for viewing, FIG. 12B shows a control program score, (C) is a figure which shows the voltage of a motor.

  Referring to FIG. 12, in order to create a control program, a music score 201 for viewing and a score 202 for a control program are displayed side by side on the screen of the display device 62. Then, the control program score 202 is created while viewing the music score 201 for viewing. The motor voltage 202 'corresponding to the score 202 of the control program is as shown in FIG. In this case, it is preferable that the control program is such that the motor voltage 202 'has a relatively long cycle, as shown in FIG. This is because there is a response delay due to the inertia of the motor and the massage mechanism, backlash, etc. in the drive system of the massage mechanism, so even if the motor voltage is changed in a very short cycle, the massage operation cannot follow it. is there. As shown in FIG. 9C, the volume may correspond to the voltage of the motor, and in this case, the control program can be created in the same manner as described above.

  According to the present modification, a massage operation control program can be created in advance according to the music that the user listens to, so that a massage that matches the music can be experienced. In addition, since massage can be performed in synchronization with music, a comfortable massage that matches the tempo and intonation of music can be enjoyed while listening to music.

  Next, an example of measures for delaying the massage operation described above will be described. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of measures for delaying the massage operation, in which FIG. 13A is a diagram showing a musical score for viewing, FIG. 13B is a diagram showing a musical score for a control program, and FIG. 13C is a motor voltage. FIG.

  When the delay of the massage operation is expressed by specific numerical values, in the massage device 1C, when the step voltage is applied to the motor for the massage mechanism 4, the operation delay time of the massaging balls of the treatment element is about 20 ms, which is also the massage device 1C. The delay time until the user sitting on the bed feels the motion of the kneading balls is about 40 ms. Therefore, in this countermeasure example, as shown in FIG. 13, the position of the note of the control program on the time axis is advanced by a predetermined time 203 in consideration of the above-described delay with respect to the music for viewing. The predetermined time 203 is about 40 ms here. In this way, since the delay of the massage operation can be compensated, it is possible to perform a massage that matches the music tempo.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing another example of measures for delaying the massage operation. As shown in FIG. 14, in this countermeasure example, a delay circuit 64 that delays the audio signal output from the audio signal converting circuit 57 for a predetermined time is inserted after the audio signal converting circuit 57. This predetermined time is about 40 ms. Even in this case, since the delay of the massage operation can be compensated, it is possible to perform a massage that matches the tempo of the music.

  Needless to say, the configuration relating to the use of the music for appreciation and the music for control program and the countermeasure for delaying the massage operation in the above-described modification can be similarly applied to the massage device 1B incorporating the sound source A of FIG.

[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the massage apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of acoustic data recorded on a CD, and (a) is an acoustic diagram. (B) is an enlarged view of the sub-coding portion of the acoustic data of (a), (c) is a table showing the meaning of the codes, and FIG. 17 is a control program signal recorded on the CD of FIG. (A) is a diagram showing a demodulated control program signal, (b) is a diagram showing an expanded control program signal, and (c) and (d) are diagrams of the control program signal. It is a figure which shows the correspondence of a value and massage operation | movement. 15, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 7 and 8 denote the same or corresponding parts.

  As shown in FIG. 15, this embodiment uses a CD player as the sound source A and uses the sound source A as an external sound source. That is, the massage apparatus 1D has an input terminal 26, a buffer 71 is connected to the input terminal 26, and a massage operation assignment circuit 72 and a control signal conversion circuit 73 specialized in the present embodiment are connected to the buffer 71 in series. It is connected. An operation mode setting device 81 is connected to the massage operation assigning circuit 72 and the control signal converting circuit 73 so that an operation mode (operation pattern) of the massage device 1D can be set as will be described later. . A mute circuit 74 is connected to the buffer 71, and the output of the mute circuit 74 is input to the speaker 27. The buffer 71 and the mute circuit 74 constitute a branch circuit 75. The control device 82 includes a branch circuit 75, a massage operation assignment circuit 72, a control signal conversion circuit 73, and the like. Other points are the same as those of the massage apparatus 1B of FIG.

  The CD player A is a well-known one, and is driven by mounting a CD 76 on which digital sound data is recorded. The sound data is read from the CD 76 by the reproducing head 77, and the read sound data is decoded by the decoding circuit 78. The decoded sound data is passed through a band-pass filter 79, converted into an analog signal by a D / A conversion circuit 80, and output. The analog audio signal output from the CD player A is an L channel and R channel stereo audio signal 310, and the audio signal 310 is output from a so-called audio terminal. The audio signal 310 is input to the input terminal 26.

  Here, the CD 76 is a special CD. Referring also to FIG. 16, digitized acoustic data (frame) 309 is recorded on the CD 76. This frame 309 is obtained by sampling and quantizing a series of audio signals at predetermined intervals and encoding them. A data sequence in which 98 frames of the frames 309 are arranged on the time axis constitutes a sub-coding frame 300, and a data sequence in which a predetermined number of sub-coding frames 300 are arranged constitutes one song. The frame 309 includes a frame synchronization code 301, a sub-coding 302, and music data 303 arranged in order from the top. The frame synchronization code 301 is for synchronizing the frames 309. The sub-coding 302 is composed of 8 bits P to W, and among these, the lower 6 bits of R to W are user bits that can be freely used by the user. However, in the first two frames of the subcoding frame 300, the S bit is assigned to codes S0 and S1 for synchronizing the subcoding frame 300. Here, this user bit is not used. The P bit is used as a boundary code between songs. The Q bit is used to represent the song number, elapsed time, etc. in units of 98 frames. This is why the 98 frames are referred to as a sub-coding frame 300 as one unit. The music data 303 is composed of quantized and encoded music (music), and music data 303 of a predetermined number of frames 309 from the head of each music, which is control program data 304 for massage operation. This point is different from a normal CD. Note that the music data 303 (304) includes parity for error correction.

  Referring also to FIG. 17, the control program data 304 has a rectangular wave signal (in other words, a digital signal) as shown in FIG. 17B in a predetermined ratio (for example, 1/100 to 1/1000). Order), and the compressed signal is added to the head of the audio signal of each song, sampled together, quantized and encoded.

  Therefore, control program signals 311 and 312 composed of compressed rectangular waves as shown in FIG. 17A are added to the head of the audio signal decoded and analogized by the CD player A. Here, the CD player A usually has a band-pass filter 79 that passes only a human audible frequency, that is, a frequency of 20 Hz to 20 KHz, in order to remove noise generated when demodulating a digitized audio signal. Is provided. Therefore, since a signal having a frequency outside this band cannot be extracted, the control program signals 311 and 312 in the demodulated state have, for example, a frequency of 1 KHz (exactly a clock frequency). . If it is this frequency, even if it is a rectangular wave, it can pass the band pass filter 79 to such an extent that a waveform sagging occurs a little. The buffer 71 is constituted by, for example, a DSP. When an audio signal to which the control program signals 311 and 312 are added is input, the added control program signals 311 and 312 are separated from the music piece and stored in the internal memory. Save temporarily. Here, since the control program signals 311 and 312 are digital signals, they can be stored in the internal memory. Then, the stored control program signals 311 and 312 are input to the massage operation allocation circuit 72 in synchronization with the start of the music of the audio signal. On the other hand, the input audio signal is input to the mute circuit 74 as it is. The mute circuit 74 outputs the input audio signal to the speaker 27 so as not to output during the period when the control program signal continues. As a result, the user cannot hear the sound generated by the control program signal. Further, since there is a control program signal, there is a delay from the start of playback of the CD 76 until the sound is actually output from the speaker 27, but since the duration of the control program signal is about 10 seconds, the user feels uncomfortable. There is no such thing.

  On the other hand, the massage operation allocating circuit 72 expands the input control program signals 311 and 312 at the predetermined ratio to restore the original length. Since the control program signals 311 ′ and 312 ′ having returned to the original length are created in accordance with the corresponding music, they are almost the same length as the music and are synchronized. Also, as shown in FIG. 17B, the control program signals 311 ′ and 312 ′ are created so that the L channel control program signal 311 ′ and the R channel control program signal 312 ′ represent binary numbers. ing. That is, both signals 311 ′ and 312 ′ change at two levels of Low and high, and if the low and high levels are respectively associated with “0” and “1”, the combination of both represents a binary number. It is like that. The massage operation assignment circuit 72 uses this binary number to assign a massage operation, for example, as shown in FIGS. That is, the periods of “00”, “10”, “01”, and “11” correspond to “synchronization signal”, “striking operation”, “stagnation operation”, and “vibration operation”, respectively. As a result, over the period shown in FIG. 17 (d), the “slap operation”, “stagnation operation”, and “vibration operation” are sequentially performed, and therefore the “synchronization signal” period is completely inoperative. And while one massage operation is being performed, no other operation is performed. The correspondence relationship between this binary number and each massage operation can be set by the operation mode setting device 81. For example, instead of the “vibration operation”, a “stagnation operation and a striking operation” may be used. In addition, the above three operations may be appropriately combined. An assignment signal of this massage operation is input to the control signal converting circuit 73, and the control signal converting circuit 73 outputs a control signal based on the input signal. At this time, for each massage operation, a control signal is generated such that the operation period follows the input signal and the operation pattern follows the pattern set by the operation mode setting device 81.

  Next, the operation of the massage device 1D configured as described above will be described. 15 to 17, the user attaches the CD 76 to the CD player A, selects a desired song, and then turns on the start button. Then, the music frame 309 accompanied with the control program is sequentially read from the CD 76, decoded and analogized, and input as an audio signal 310 from the audio terminal (not shown) of the CD player A to the buffer 71 of the massage apparatus 1D. Is done. The buffer 71 temporarily stores the control program signal located at the head of the input audio signal 310 and inputs it to the massage operation assignment circuit 72 in accordance with the start of the music, while the input audio signal 310 is input. Is input to the mute circuit 74 as it is. The mute circuit 74 outputs the input audio signal to the speaker 27 so as not to output the duration of the control program signal. Thereby, the sound of the selected music is transmitted from the speaker 27 to the user with the sound of the control program signal removed.

  On the other hand, the massage operation allocation circuit 72 expands the input control program signal, allocates an operation period for each massage operation based on the expanded control program signal, and inputs the allocation signal to the control signal conversion circuit 73. The control signal generation circuit 73 generates a control signal so that each massage operation is performed according to the period according to the input allocation signal and the pattern set by the operation mode setting device 81, and sends it to each drive circuit. Output. As a result, the massage mechanisms 4 and 5 (see FIG. 7) sequentially perform the operations of hitting, itching and vibration at predetermined intervals in synchronization with the selected music.

  Thereby, the user can experience a massage in which each massage operation is sequentially performed in accordance with the music while listening to the selected music. Further, the user can operate the operation mode setting device 81 to change the order and operation pattern of each massage operation. In addition, since the transmission line from the CD player A to the branch circuit 75 is formed of a normal audio signal transmission line, a general-purpose CD player can be used as the external sound source A.

  Next, a modification of the present embodiment will be described. 18A and 18B are diagrams showing another configuration example of the control program, in which FIG. 18A shows the data structure of the control program, and FIG. 18B shows the data structure of each massage operation. In this modification, the control program signal has a data structure as shown in FIG. 18A in the original state, that is, in a state where the control program signal is decoded, converted into an analog signal, and expanded. That is, the control program signals 321 and 322 are composed of rectangular wave signals as shown in FIG. 17B, that is, digital signals that change at two levels of Low and high. The digital signal itself is obtained by sampling and quantizing and encoding an analog signal. For example, the control program signal 321 for the L channel is configured by alternately arranging hitting data 331 indicating the contents of the hitting action and stagnation data 332 indicating the contents of the hitting action. On the other hand, the R channel control program signal 322 is configured by alternately arranging unused (empty) data areas 333 and vibration data 334 representing the contents of the vibration operation. As shown in FIG. 18B, the hit data 331, the sag data 332, and the vibration data 334 are voltage data 331a, 332a, 334a representing the voltage of the motor and time data representing the duration of the voltage, respectively. 331b, 332b, and 334b. Such control program signals 321 and 322 are compressed at a predetermined ratio, and the compressed signals are added to the head of the audio signal of each song, sampled, quantized and encoded, and recorded on a CD. Then, at the time of reproduction, it is decoded and converted into an analog signal, further separated from the music piece and expanded. Here, the control program signals 321 and 322 are longer than the control signals 311 and 312 of the above-described embodiment because they are more complicated. On the other hand, it is necessary to pass through a band-pass filter for noise removal built in the CD player. Therefore, in this modification, the frequency and length of the control program signals 321 and 322 are set to several KHz and several tens of seconds, respectively. With such a frequency, the control program signals 321 and 322 can pass through the band-pass filter with almost no trouble, and with such a length, the speaker is generated by the presence of the control program signals 321 and 322. The user does not feel much discomfort with respect to the delay in the sound output. Referring to FIG. 15, the decompressed digital control program signal is further decoded and analogized by massage operation assignment circuit 72 and output to control signal conversion circuit 73. The subsequent operations are the same as in the above embodiment. With such a configuration, each massage operation can be performed in parallel and can be set individually, so that a finer massage operation that matches the music can be realized.

  In the above description, the case where the audio signal is stereo has been described. However, if the massage operation pattern shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 is reduced, the audio signal can be similarly implemented even when the audio signal is monaural, that is, one channel. is there.

  As a further modification, the amplitude of the audio signal is reduced (the gain is reduced), and a pulse signal with a predetermined period alternately taking a positive / negative value is modulated and recorded on the CD 76. The demodulated signal is demodulated during reproduction, and the demodulated signal is amplified and sent to the speaker 27, while the control signal is generated so that the on / off timing of the motor corresponds to the positive / negative of the pulse of the demodulated signal. May be. In this case, the frequency of the pulse is, for example, about 20 KHz which is the pass band of the band pass filter 79. With such a configuration, a general-purpose CD player can be used as the external sound source A without causing a delay in sound output from the speaker 27 with respect to the start of reproduction of the CD 76.

  As another modification, the following configuration may be used. That is, the audio signal and the control program signal composed of the pseudo digital signal are respectively quantized and encoded and synthesized, and recorded on the CD 76 as one of the L channel and R channel of the audio signal in the general CD and the other signal. Then, during reproduction, they are demodulated and separated, and the audio signal of one channel is sent to the speaker 27, while the control program signal of the other channel is made to correspond to the control signal as in the above embodiment. In this case, as the pseudo digital signal, for example, a signal having a waveform in which a sound period in which a sine wave exists and a silence period in which a sine wave does not exist alternately exists in a predetermined cycle, and the sound period and the silence period are By treating the pair as 1 bit, the control program signal can be made to correspond to the control signal as in the case of using a general rectangular wave as a digital signal. The frequency of the sine wave is, for example, about 10 KHz which is the pass band of the band pass filter 79. Even with such a configuration, a general-purpose CD player can be used as the external sound source A without causing a delay in sound output from the speaker 27 with respect to the start of reproduction of the CD 76.

[Embodiment 4]
FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the massage apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, and FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of acoustic data recorded on the CD of FIG. Is a diagram showing the entire acoustic data, (b) is an enlarged view of the music data and sub-coding part of the acoustic data of (a), (c) is a table showing the meaning of the codes, FIG. 21 is recorded on the CD of FIG. It is a graph which shows the corresponding relationship between the made music and a control program. 19 and 20, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 15 and 16 denote the same or corresponding parts.

  In FIG. 19, in the present embodiment, the CD player A is built in the massage apparatus 1E according to the present embodiment. However, the CD player A as hardware is created separately from the main body 1a of the massage apparatus 1 in FIG. 1, and the two are connected by wiring. The D / A conversion circuit 80 of the CD player A is connected to the control signal converting circuit 84 and is also connected to the speaker 27 via the band pass filter 85. The band-pass filter 85 is a noise removal filter that passes only the same frequency band as the band-pass filter described in the third embodiment. In the present embodiment, the band-pass filter 85 is provided at this location, so that the audio signal from which noise has been removed is supplied to the speaker 27, and the control program signal does not pass through the band-pass filter 85. I am trying to do it. The decode circuit 78 and the D / A conversion circuit 80 constitute a branch circuit 83, and the control circuit 86 according to the present embodiment is provided with the branch circuit 83, the control signal converting circuit 84, and the like. The control signal converting circuit 84 is configured to generate and output a control signal based on the control program signal given from the D / A conversion circuit 80. In addition, the operation mode setting device 81 is connected to the control signal generating circuit 84 and the CD player A. The operation mode setting device 81 can turn on / off the CD player A, select a music, etc. Then, the intensity of each massage operation can be selected. The other points are the same as in the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 20, in this embodiment, a control program is incorporated in the user bits 305 of the frame 309. That is, among the user bits 305, the stagnation operation is incorporated in the RU bits, the beat operation is performed in the V bit, and the vibration operation is incorporated in the W bit. As shown in FIG. 21, each massage operation of kneading, tapping, and vibration is programmed according to the music. Here, in FIG. 21, the amplitude of the curve representing each massage operation represents the motor voltage, in other words, the speed of each operation. For example, the stagnation operation is programmed so that the volume of the song is high, the tapping operation is a quiet portion of the song, and the vibration is accelerated in the latter half of the song. Note that P represents a boundary between songs. FIG. 21 shows the original state, that is, the demodulated state. Then, the control program corresponding to the music piece and the music piece are sampled, quantized, and encoded, respectively, and then synthesized to obtain a frame 309 shown in FIG.

  Next, operation | movement of the massage apparatus 1E comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated. 19 to 21, the user attaches the CD 76 to the CD player A, selects a desired piece of music with the operation mode setting device 81, and then starts playback. Then, the music frame 309 accompanied by the control program is sequentially read from the CD 76 by the reproducing head 77 and decoded by the decoding circuit 78. At this time, the music and the control program signal for each massage operation are separated from each other. These separated signals are converted into analog signals by the D / A conversion circuit 80, and the signal representing the music is output to the speaker 27 as an audio signal. On the other hand, a signal representing each massage operation is input to the control signal converting circuit 84 as an analog control program signal as shown in FIG. The control signal generation circuit 84 generates a control signal so that the amplitude of the input control program signal corresponds to the motor voltage, and outputs it to each drive circuit. Subsequent operations are the same as those in the third embodiment. Thereby, while the music selected by the user flows from the speaker 27, the massage operation according to the control program created in accordance with the music is performed on the user, so that the user receives music. You can experience a matched massage. In addition, the user can operate the operation mode setting device 81 to select a favorite song and a massage operation intensity. In the above description, the control program signal separated by the decoding circuit 78 is analogized by the D / A conversion circuit 80, but this is directly input to the control signal converting circuit 84, where the control signal remains as a digital signal. You may comprise so that it may respond | correspond to.

  Next, a modification of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of this modification. As shown in FIG. 22, in the massage apparatus 1F according to the present modification, a CD player is used as the external sound source A, and an audio signal output from the CD player A is output to the speaker and the control according to the modification is performed. The signal is directly input to the control signal converting circuit 88 provided in the device 87. The control signal converting circuit 88 assigns each of the L channel and R channel signals of the input audio signal to each massage operation, and associates the component of each signal with the component of the control signal. For example, the amplitude of each of the L channel and R channel signals of the audio signal is made to correspond to the voltage of the control signal. Then, the speed of the massage operation changes according to the audio signal, in other words, the strength of the song. Further, massage operations such as itchiness, tapping, and vibration change according to changes in the sound of the L channel or the R channel, respectively. Therefore, even in such a configuration, the user can experience a massage that matches music and is varied.

  As another modified example, in FIG. 19 and FIG. 21, the music shown in FIG. 21 and the control program corresponding to the music are recorded on separate tracks of the CD 76, and the reproducing head 77 simultaneously reads and decodes them. The circuit 78 may be input. Even with this configuration, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

  As a further modification, in FIG. 19, the control program signal is modulated into the ultrasonic region to bypass the noise removal filter, and is combined with the acoustic signal and input to the control device 86, where it is separated from the acoustic signal. Then, the signal may be demodulated and converted into a control signal. Even with this configuration, the control program signal and the acoustic signal can be transmitted on the same line.

[Embodiment 5]
FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the massage apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the relationship between the track of the video tape of FIG. 23 and the signal recorded there. , (A) is a schematic diagram of a video tape, and (b) is a table. 23, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 19 denote the same or corresponding parts.

  As shown in FIG. 23, in the present embodiment, a video deck is used as the external sound source A, and an audio signal 502 output from the playback head 91 of the video deck A is sent to the speaker via the input terminal 26b of the massage device 1G. 27, and the control program signal 503 output from the reproducing head 91 is directly input to the control signal converting circuit 92 provided in the control device 93 via the input terminal 26a of the massage device 1G. An operation mode setting device 94 is connected to the control signal converting circuit 92. The other points are the same as the configuration of the massage device in FIG.

  Referring also to FIG. 24, a special video tape 95 is used in the present embodiment. That is, the video tape 95 is set with an audio track for recording the L channel and R channel stereo audio signals and a video track for recording the R, G, and B primary color video signals. However, in the present embodiment, control program signals for the kneading operation, the tapping operation, and the vibration operation are recorded in the R, G, and B tracks for the video, respectively. This control program signal is an analog signal, and is generated corresponding to the audio signal, for example, in the same manner as corresponding to the music in FIG. Similarly to the control signal generation circuit 84 of FIG. 19, the control signal conversion circuit 92 generates a control signal so that the amplitude of the input control program signal corresponds to the motor voltage, and outputs it to each drive circuit. . Subsequent operations are the same as those in the fourth embodiment.

  In the massage apparatus 1G configured as described above, when a desired video tape 95 is mounted on the video deck A and playback is started, the audio signal recorded on the audio track of the video tape 95 is transmitted from the playback head 91. Music that is input to the speaker 27 and converted from the audio signal flows from the speaker. On the other hand, the control program signal recorded on the video track of the video tape 95 is input from the reproducing head 91 to the control signal converting circuit 92. Then, the control signal converting circuit 92 generates a control signal so that the amplitude of the input control program signal corresponds to the motor voltage, and outputs it to each drive circuit. Thereby, the massage operation according to the control program created according to the music which flows from the speaker 27 is enforced by the user.

  According to the present embodiment, a user can experience a massage that matches music using a recording medium playback device that records an analog composite acoustic signal as a sound source.

  In this modification, a dedicated track for the control program is provided on the video tape 95, and the reproducing head 91 is configured so as to be able to read the dedicated track, so that video images and audio can be output instead of the speaker 27. A television receiver may be installed. With such a configuration, it is possible to experience not only music but also a massage suitable for the image.

  In the above-described embodiment, the speaker is used as the sound emitting device. However, any device that converts an acoustic signal into sound may be used. For example, an earphone, a headphone, or the like can be used.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the motor was used as a drive source, you may use other drive sources, such as an actuator.

  In the above embodiment, time division multiplexing is used, but other multiplexing methods such as frequency division may be used.

  In the above embodiment, CDs and video tapes are exemplified as information recording media. However, other information recording media such as magnetic tapes, flexible disks, hard disks, and MDs can be used.

  In the above embodiment, a DC motor is used as a drive motor. However, the drive motor is not limited to DC, and an AC motor can also be used. Further, the number of massage operation motors is not limited to three, and may be two or less or four or more depending on the type of massage.

  From the foregoing description, many modifications and other embodiments of the present invention are obvious to one skilled in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing description should be construed as illustrative only and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. The details of the structure and / or function may be substantially changed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  The present invention is a massage device that performs massage by mechanical stimulation in synchronization with an acoustic signal, and performs a massage that matches the tempo of music even if there is a response delay to the control signal in the drive system of the massage mechanism It is possible to apply to a massage device that can be used and an information recording medium.

It is a perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the massage apparatus of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the massage mechanism in the massage apparatus of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the control apparatus of the motor in the massage apparatus of FIG. It is a circuit diagram which shows an example of the rectification smoothing circuit in the control apparatus of FIG. 3, (a) shows the waveform of an acoustic signal, (b) shows the said circuit, (c) shows the output signal from a smoothing circuit. ing. It is a circuit diagram which shows the other example of the rectification smoothing circuit in the control apparatus of FIG. 3, (a) shows the waveform of an acoustic signal, (b) shows the said circuit, (c) is an output signal from a smoothing circuit Is shown. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the control apparatus in other embodiment of the massage apparatus of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the outline of the control system of the massage apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of each block of FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structure of a MIDI message and a conversion method, wherein (a) is a schematic diagram showing a structure of a MIDI message, (b) is a table showing correspondences between channels, musical instruments, and massage operations in the MIDI message; ) Is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence between the MIDI signal and the control signal, and (d) is a diagram showing another example of the correspondence between the MIDI signal and the control signal. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system in the case of using an external MIDI sequencer. It is a figure which shows the method of creating the control program of massage operation | movement which also serves as composition of music for appreciation, Comprising: (a) is a figure which shows a score, (b) is a figure which shows the voltage of a motor. It is a figure which shows the method of creating the control program of massage operation | movement using a score, Comprising: (a) is a figure which shows the score of music for viewing, (b) is a figure which shows the score for control programs, (c) FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a voltage of a motor. It is a figure which shows an example of the delay countermeasure of massage operation | movement, Comprising: (a) is a figure which shows the score of music for appreciation, (b) is a figure which shows the score for control programs, (c) is a figure which shows the voltage of a motor. It is. It is a block diagram which shows the other example of the countermeasure against delay of massage operation | movement. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of the massage apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the acoustic data recorded on CD of FIG. 15, Comprising: (a) is a figure which shows the whole acoustic data, (b) is the music data of (a), the music data, and the sub-coding part. An enlarged view, (c) is a table showing the meaning of the symbols. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a process of processing a control program signal recorded on the CD in FIG. 15, where (a) illustrates a demodulated control program signal, and (b) illustrates an expanded control program signal. (c) And (d) is a figure which shows the correspondence of the value of a control program signal, and massage operation | movement. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of a control program, Comprising: (a) is a figure which shows the data structure of a control program, (b) is a figure which shows the data structure of each massage operation | movement. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of the massage apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the acoustic data recorded on CD of FIG. 19, Comprising: (a) is a figure which shows the whole acoustic data, (b) is the music data of the acoustic data of (a), and the part of sub-coding. An enlarged view, (c) is a table showing the meaning of the symbols. 20 is a graph showing a correspondence relationship between a song recorded on the CD of FIG. 19 and a control program. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of the modification of Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of the massage apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the track | truck of the video tape of FIG. 23, and the signal recorded there, Comprising: (a) is a schematic diagram of a video tape, (b) is a table | surface.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1A-1G Massage apparatus 4,5 Massage mechanism 7 Motor 9 Therapeutic element 10 Motor 11 Motor 13 Control apparatus 14 Preamplifier 15 Amplifier (main amplifier)
16a High-pass filter 16b Low-pass filter 16c Band-pass filter 17 Specific frequency band signal selection device 18 Waveform conversion device 29 Control device 31 Bias device 40 Branch circuit 41 Compound acoustic signal 43 to 45 Drive circuit 46 Control device 55 MIDI interface 57 Audio signal conversion circuit 64 delay circuit 201 musical score 202 musical score 202 'voltage 203 predetermined time

Claims (3)

A massage mechanism that gives mechanical stimulation to the body of the user;
A motor for driving the massage mechanism;
A control device for controlling the operation of the motor,
The massage mechanism includes a treatment element connected to the motor and periodically displaced at a lower frequency than the vibration operation by the operation of the motor,
Of the composite acoustic signal composed of an acoustic signal input from a sound source and a control program signal created so that the massage mechanism operates in response to the acoustic signal, the control device receives the control program signal. It is a massage machine configured to convert to a control signal and control the operation of the motor by the converted control signal,
A massage apparatus configured to relatively advance the control program signal for a predetermined time with respect to an acoustic signal output to a signal path leading to a sound emitting apparatus for allowing the user to listen to the composite acoustic signal. The massage mechanism has a treatment element connected to the motor via a mechanical configuration, and the treatment element includes a pair of arms and a kneading ball attached to the tip of the arm,
Further, the massage mechanism performs a rubbing operation by moving the pair of arms so as to approach and separate from each other, or a hitting operation by reciprocating the treatment element toward the user. Configured to run,
The massage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the kneading operation and the hitting operation by the treatment element are configured to operate at a lower frequency than a vibration operation as a massage operation. An information record in which a control program is recorded that is read from the information recording medium by the information reproducing device and input to the control unit of the massage device, and controls the massage operation so as to correspond to an acoustic signal representing a certain acoustic work. A medium,
The control program is created so that the massage operation is performed so as to advance for a predetermined time on the time axis with respect to the acoustic signal representing the acoustic work, and recorded together with the acoustic signal representing the acoustic work. An information recording medium.

Images