JP2008220806A - Vibration producing system and vibration producing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an excellent sleeping inducing effect by reproducing the vibration related to a sound comfortably felt by a user to induce sleep and by applying the reproduced vibration to the user. <P>SOLUTION: The feature part of the audio signal inputted to a signal input part 11 is analyzed by a signal analyzing part 13. The vibration pattern nearest to the result analyzed by the signal analyzing part 13 is selected from a plurality of the vibration patterns preliminarily stored in a vibration pattern memory part 14 by a vibration pattern selection part 15. The mechanical vibration of the selected vibration pattern is synchronized to the feature part of the audio signal to be outputted. This mechanical vibration is applied to the user to obtain the sleeping inducing effect. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vibration generation device and a vibration generation method suitable for use in a sleep induction device that promotes transition to a sleep state, and in particular, reproduces vibration related to a sound that a user feels comfortable and invites sleep. In addition, the present invention relates to a vibration generating apparatus and a vibration generating method for obtaining a sleep induction effect by giving the reproduced vibration to a user.

  Psychological and mental stresses such as anxiety, dissatisfaction, and irritation are increasing in a complex society in recent years, and it is necessary to take measures to eliminate and release these stresses quickly without accumulating this stress. It is coming.

  As a stress relieving method, a static stress relieving method such as bathing, sleeping, and resting is generally performed. This suppresses the sympathetic nerve and promotes the parasympathetic nerve. In such a static stress relieving method, it is known that it is more effective to give a user a stimulus such as sound or vibration to a comfortable level rather than completely blocking the stimulus.

  From such a viewpoint, for example, a body vibration generator as shown in FIG. 3 has been proposed. The bodily sensation vibration generating device 2 in FIG. 3 mixes the left and right channel signals input from the acoustic device 3, and further supplies a low frequency single audio signal source obtained through the low pass filter 21 to the vibration control unit 22. The vibration unit 23 that is input and is suitable for low frequency reproduction is vibrated. The sensation vibration generating apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 3 is mounted on a chair or the like and used exclusively for the purpose of enhancing the force at the time of watching a movie.

  Further, there is a configuration in which a vibration generating device is provided on a human body placing means such as a mat or a bed so as to obtain a massage or a relaxing effect. As a specific example, an electric vibrator that vibrates at a predetermined frequency is provided at a position from the head side inside the upper surface of the divided mattress, and an insomnia person is brought to a sleep state extremely safely and effectively. A bedding that can be used has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Furthermore, it is possible to realize a cycle with a good depth of sleep, and bedding with a sleep control device that can surely recover both physical fatigue and brain fatigue and obtain a balanced and good rest. Has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). The vibration imparting device provided in the bedding is configured to impart vibration to the user lying on the bed body via a cushioning material, thereby inducing sleep to the user. ing.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-231833 JP-A-2005-270401

  However, since the conventional vibration generator as shown in FIG. 3 is configured to output only the low frequency as vibration, it is not suitable for sleep induction. It is used for the purpose of increasing force.

  On the other hand, the vibration generator exemplified in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2 described above has a problem that only a predetermined vibration pattern can be obtained, and a vibration pattern according to the individual needs of the user cannot be obtained.

  The present invention seeks to solve the problems of the conventional vibration generating apparatus as described above, and reproduces the vibration related to the sound that the user feels comfortable and invites sleep. An object of the present invention is to provide a vibration generation device and a vibration generation method that obtain a sleep induction effect by applying the vibrations to the user.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the vibration generator of the present invention, the characteristic portion of the input audio signal is analyzed, and the vibration pattern closest to the analysis result is stored in advance. And the mechanical vibration of the selected vibration pattern is output.

  The vibration generator according to the present invention includes a signal input unit that inputs an audio signal, a signal analysis unit that analyzes the audio signal input to the signal input unit and extracts a characteristic part of the audio signal, and a mechanical A vibration generation unit that generates vibration, a vibration pattern storage unit that stores in advance a plurality of vibration patterns according to the type of audio signal input to the signal input unit, and an audio signal extracted by the signal analysis unit A vibration pattern selecting unit that associates a characteristic part with a vibration pattern stored in the vibration pattern storage unit and selects a vibration pattern closest to the characteristic part of the audio signal from the plurality of vibration patterns; And a vibration control unit that controls the vibration generation unit to vibrate with the vibration pattern selected by the pattern selection unit.

  In the above vibration generator of the present invention, the signal analysis unit analyzes the frequency component and sound interval of the audio signal input to the signal input unit, and extracts the characteristic part of the audio signal. It is characterized by comprising.

  Furthermore, in the vibration generator of the present invention described above, the vibration pattern storage unit stores in advance a plurality of vibration patterns that have an effect of attracting the user to a sleep state.

  In the vibration generator of the present invention, the vibration control unit oscillates the vibration generation unit with the selected vibration pattern in synchronization with a characteristic portion of the audio signal analyzed by the signal analysis unit. It is characterized by controlling as follows.

  In the above vibration generator of the present invention, it is preferable that audio signal reproducing means for reproducing and outputting the audio signal input to the signal input unit is provided.

The vibration generating method of the present invention includes a signal input means for inputting an audio signal, a signal analysis means for analyzing the audio signal input to the signal input means and extracting a characteristic portion of the audio signal, and a mechanical Vibration generating means for generating vibration, vibration pattern storing means for storing a plurality of vibration patterns corresponding to the types of audio signals input to the signal input means, and audio signals extracted by the signal analyzing means A vibration pattern selecting means for associating a characteristic portion with a vibration pattern stored in the vibration pattern storage means, and selecting a vibration pattern closest to the characteristic portion of the audio signal from the plurality of vibration patterns; Vibration control means for controlling the vibration generating means to vibrate with the vibration pattern selected by the pattern selecting means,
Analyzing the audio signal input to the signal input means by the signal analysis means and extracting a characteristic portion of the audio signal; and a feature portion of the audio signal extracted by the signal analysis means and the vibration pattern storage means The vibration pattern stored in the correspondence pattern by the vibration pattern selection means, selecting a vibration pattern closest to the feature of the audio signal from the plurality of vibration patterns, and selecting by the vibration pattern selection means And a step of controlling by the vibration control means to vibrate the vibration generating means based on the vibration pattern.

  In the vibration generating apparatus and the vibration generating method of the present invention, the characteristic portion of the input audio signal is analyzed, and the vibration pattern closest to the analysis result is selected from a plurality of vibration patterns stored in advance, and the selection is performed. Therefore, it is possible to generate and output the mechanical vibration of the vibration pattern, so that the vibration related to the sound that the user feels comfortable and invites sleep can be reproduced and applied to the user. As a result, vibration can be a pleasant stimulus and sleepiness can be invited, and an excellent sleep inducing effect can be obtained.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, a vibration generator 1 that is built into a pillow or the like and applies vibrations to a user via a cushioning material (not shown) or the like includes a signal input unit 11, a control unit 12, a signal An analysis unit 13, a vibration pattern storage unit 14, a vibration pattern selection unit 15, a vibration control unit 16 and a vibration generation unit 17 are provided.

  The signal input unit 11 includes an A / D conversion unit 111 and is connected to an acoustic device 3 such as a digital audio player (DAP). The acoustic device 3 is configured to input, for example, an audio signal which is recorded in advance, for example, a “desired type train running sound”, to the signal input unit 11.

  The control unit 12 is responsible for controlling the entire signal generating device 1, and based on programs and various data stored in the memory, the signal analysis unit 13, the vibration pattern storage unit 14, the vibration pattern selection unit 15, and the vibration control unit. 16 controls are executed.

  The signal analysis unit 13 is configured to analyze a characteristic portion of the audio signal from the frequency component of the audio signal input to the signal input unit 11 and the sound interval. For example, when the acoustic device 3 reproduces a train sound and the reproduced audio signal is input to the signal input unit 11, the signal analysis unit 13 analyzes the frequency component of the input audio signal and the sound interval. Then, a “rail joint sound” which is a characteristic part of the audio signal is extracted.

  In the vibration pattern storage unit 14, a plurality of vibration patterns corresponding to the types of audio signals input to the signal input unit 11 are stored in advance. For example, multiple vibration patterns that allow users to feel comfortable and easily introduce sleep, such as the vibration pattern of the train or the sound of waves traveling on the rail joints, or the vibration pattern of water or wind sounds Is preset.

  The vibration pattern selection unit 15 associates the feature part of the audio signal extracted by the signal analysis unit 13 with the vibration pattern stored in the vibration pattern storage unit 14, and features the audio signal from the plurality of vibration patterns. The vibration pattern closest to the part is selected.

  The vibration control unit 16 is configured to control the vibration operation of the vibration generating unit 17 including a vibrator or the like. The vibration control unit 16 controls the vibration generating unit 17 so that the vibration pattern selected by the vibration pattern selecting unit 15 is generated in synchronism with the characteristic portion analyzed by the signal analyzing unit 13.

  As is clear from the above description, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the characteristic portion of the audio signal input to the signal input unit input 11 is analyzed by the signal analysis unit 13, and the analysis result Is selected from a plurality of vibration patterns stored in the vibration pattern storage unit 14 in advance. Then, the mechanical vibration of the selected vibration pattern is generated in synchronism with the characteristic part analyzed by the signal analysis part 13 and given to the user.

  Therefore, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to reproduce the vibration related to the sound that the user feels comfortable and invite the user to sleep, and to apply the vibration to the user. Then, sleepiness can be invited, and an excellent sleep induction effect can be obtained.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 is obtained by adding a new configuration to the first embodiment of the present invention already described with reference to FIG. The parts that perform the configuration and operation are denoted by the same reference numerals, the description of the configuration and operation is omitted, and the main part of the second embodiment will be described.

  The second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 is characterized in that the audio signal input to the signal input unit 11 is configured to be reproduced and output via the amplification unit 18 and the speaker 19.

  Therefore, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in addition to, for example, “train running sound” reproduced by the speaker 19, “rail joint sound” which is a characteristic part of the “train traveling sound”. ”Can be generated, and the reproduction sound of the speaker 19 and the mechanical vibration generated by the vibration generating unit 17 are combined to further enhance the sleep induction effect.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the vibration generating device is built in a pillow or the like has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and can be applied to a chair or a floor.

It is a block diagram which shows the basic composition of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the basic composition of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the conventional vibration generator.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vibration generator 11 Signal input part 111 A / D conversion part 12 Control part 13 Signal analysis part 14 Vibration pattern memory | storage part 15 Vibration pattern selection part 16 Vibration control part 17 Vibration generation part 18 Amplification part 19 Speaker 2 Human body vibration generation apparatus 21 Low-pass filter 22 Vibration control unit 23 Vibration unit 3 Audio equipment

Claims (7)

  Analyzing the features of the input audio signal, selecting the vibration pattern closest to the analysis result from a plurality of vibration patterns stored in advance, and outputting the mechanical vibration of the selected vibration pattern A vibration generator characterized by comprising. A signal input section for inputting an audio signal;
Analyzing the audio signal input to the signal input unit, and extracting a characteristic part of the audio signal;
A vibration generator that generates mechanical vibrations;
A vibration pattern storage unit that stores in advance a plurality of vibration patterns according to the type of audio signal input to the signal input unit;
The feature part of the audio signal extracted by the signal analysis unit is associated with the vibration pattern stored in the vibration pattern storage unit, and the vibration pattern closest to the feature part of the audio signal is selected from the plurality of vibration patterns. A vibration pattern selection section to select;
A vibration generation device comprising: a vibration control unit that controls the vibration generation unit to vibrate with the vibration pattern selected by the vibration pattern selection unit.   3. The signal analysis unit according to claim 2, wherein the signal analysis unit is configured to analyze a frequency component and a sound interval of the audio signal input to the signal input unit and extract a characteristic portion of the audio signal. Vibration generator.   The vibration generator according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the vibration pattern storage unit stores in advance a plurality of vibration patterns having an effect of attracting the user to a sleep state.   The vibration control unit controls the vibration generation unit to vibrate in accordance with the selected vibration pattern in synchronization with a characteristic portion of the audio signal analyzed by the signal analysis unit. The vibration generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   6. The vibration generating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an audio signal reproducing unit that reproduces and outputs an audio signal input to the signal input unit. A signal input means for inputting an audio signal;
Analyzing the audio signal input to the signal input means, and extracting a characteristic portion of the audio signal; and
Vibration generating means for generating mechanical vibration;
Vibration pattern storage means for storing in advance a plurality of vibration patterns according to the type of audio signal input to the signal input means;
The feature part of the audio signal extracted by the signal analysis means is associated with the vibration pattern stored in the vibration pattern storage means, and the vibration pattern closest to the feature part of the audio signal is selected from the plurality of vibration patterns. Vibration pattern selection means to select;
Vibration control means for controlling the vibration generating means to vibrate with the vibration pattern selected by the vibration pattern selecting means,
Analyzing the audio signal input to the signal input means by the signal analysis means, and extracting a characteristic portion of the audio signal;
The feature of the audio signal extracted by the signal analysis means and the vibration pattern stored in the vibration pattern storage means are associated by the vibration pattern selection means, and the feature of the audio signal is selected from the plurality of vibration patterns. Selecting the vibration pattern closest to the part;
And a step of controlling the vibration generating means to vibrate the vibration generating means based on the vibration pattern selected by the vibration pattern selecting means.

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