JP2009193476A - Information detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information detection device which is prepared separately from an information input/output device, and can report detected information to a user certainly. <P>SOLUTION: The information detection device, which is a device (10) detecting information, includes: a tactile feeling changing means (14) which is fixed to a user's body and changes a user's tactile feeling by giving a tension to the surface of a user's skin; a receiving means (32) to receive a signal which conveys desired information by radio; and an elastic control means (12) which converts the desired information received by the receiving means into an electrical signal and controls an operation of the tactile feeling changing means by energization of the electrical signal, whereby the detection of the desired information is reported through the change of the user's tactile feeling. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an information detection apparatus for detecting information, and more particularly, to an information detection apparatus that reliably notifies a user that information desired by the user has been detected in a simple manner.

Conventionally, for example, the following is used as an information detection technique for detecting information and notifying the user of the presence of information.
In the case of a mobile phone, when a call is received from the other party or information is received by e-mail or the like, a sound is generated from the mobile phone itself, and the presence of the information is notified by appealing to the user's hearing. Alternatively, light is generated when the mobile phone itself blinks or the like, and the presence of information is notified by appealing to the user's vision.

In this case, in particular, when the user is informed by the generation of sound, there is annoyance when there are people around the user, so that the cellular phone itself vibrates as a so-called manner mode (silent mode). The presence of information is also reported to appeal to the sense of touch.
However, such information detection techniques have the following technical problems.
First, when appealing to the user's auditory, visual, or tactile sensation, the mobile phone has a function as an information input / output device in the first place. The mobile phone is also provided with an information detection function to notify the user of the presence of information. However, regardless of whether the user is carrying a mobile phone without leaving his / her body, for example, when it is stored in an over pocket or in a bag, information is detected and sound, light, or vibration is detected. Even if it occurs, there are many opportunities for the user to overlook it, and it is difficult to make the detected information known to the user. In particular, even if the user is informed of information through the sense of touch, for example, painful feelings such as direct application of electrical stimulation to the user are not preferable in terms of stressing the user. Even if such stress is small, the sensitivity changes depending on the physical condition of the user, and thus certainty is lacking.

Secondly, there is a demand for a detection method in which when a user accesses information, the information is once detected and whether or not to display the information is left to the user's selection. In this regard, the detection of information and the display of information may be combined to display information by displaying information. However, in light of the fact that there is an excess of recent information, detection of information and detection It is desirable to distinguish whether to access the displayed information.

Third, it is difficult to let the user know the identification of information such as the type and content of the detected information. More specifically, in order to make it possible to identify information detected by the user through changes in hearing, sight, or touch, the mobile phone itself is increased in size or cost. In particular, when the information desired to be detected is information associated with the current position of the user, the desired information can be detected in a timely manner in exchange for the position information of the user. desired.

In view of the above technical problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an information detection device that is provided separately from an information input / output device and can reliably notify a user of detected information.
An object of the present invention is to provide an information detection apparatus capable of notifying the user of not only the presence of detected information but also identification of information such as the type and content of detected information in a simple manner. .

The information detection device of the present invention is made to achieve the above object,
An apparatus for detecting information,
A tactile sensation changing means that changes the tactile sensation of the user by being fixed to the user's body and transmitting tension to the skin surface;
Receiving means for receiving a signal for carrying desired information wirelessly;
Expansion / contraction control means for converting desired information received by the receiving means into an electric signal, and controlling the operation of the tactile sensation changing means by energization of the electric signal,
Thereby, it is set as the structure which notifies that the desired information was detected through the change of a user's tactile sensation.

According to the information detection apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the expansion / contraction control unit is energized by receiving the radio wave carrying the desired information by the reception unit, and the expansion / contraction control unit is fixed to the user's skin surface. By controlling the expansion and contraction operation along the skin surface of the tactile sensation changing means, the skin surface repeatedly relaxes and tensions, and this is perceived as a change in the tactile sensation to the user. The detected information can be displayed on the information input / output device separately, and the desired information can be accessed.

Further, the tactile sensation changing means includes a micromotor, a reel having one end connected to a rotating shaft of the micromotor, and a tactile transmission seal connected to the other end of the reel and fixed to the user's body. But you can.
Furthermore, the rotating shaft of the micromotor may be disposed along the skin surface, and the reel may be a twisted yarn.
In addition, the tactile sensation changing means may include an artificial muscle, an electrode connected to the artificial muscle, and a tactile transmission seal connected to the artificial muscle and fixed to the user's body.
Further, the artificial muscle may be made of a polymer gel material.
The artificial muscle may be made of an electrostrictive polymer.
The tactile sensation transmission seal may be made of carbon nanotubes.
In addition, the information detection device may be mounted on the inner side of the user's wrist.

Furthermore,
The expansion / contraction control means includes
An electric signal pattern generating means for generating an electric signal for controlling the expansion / contraction pattern of the tactile sensation changing means based on the energization of the electric signal obtained by the received information;
Storage means for storing a reference table that associates the type of information to be detected and the electrical signal pattern;
Search means for searching for an electric signal pattern associated with the received information with reference to the reference table stored in the storage means based on the received information;
Thereby, an expansion / contraction pattern of the tactile sensation changing means may be generated by an electric signal pattern corresponding to the received information, and the type of information may be notified to the user via the change pattern of the tactile sensation of the user.

A position detecting means for detecting the user's own position;
Means for transmitting the user's own position detected by the position detection means;
The information processing apparatus may further include means for receiving information associated with the user's self-location information.
Furthermore, a plurality of tactile sensation changing means are provided,
One end of each tactile sensation changing means is connected to the expansion / contraction control means,
The plurality of tactile sensation changing means may extend radially from the skin surface.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an information detection apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an information detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to the inside of a user's wrist. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the information detection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a modified example around the reel according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control box of the information detection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a reference table for associating information types with expansion / contraction patterns in the information detection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control box of the information detection apparatus according to the modification of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, an information detection apparatus 10 according to the present invention is attached to the inner side of a user's wrist W. This position is a portion that is sensitive to touch and is convenient when the user wears or operates the information detection device 10 with one hand not wearing the information detection device 10.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the information detection apparatus 10 includes a control box 12 located in the center thereof, and four sets of tactile sensation changing means 14 (A to D) extending radially from the control box 12 along the skin surface. ).
Each tactile sensation changing means 14 includes a micromotor 16 disposed in the control box 12, a reel 20 connected to a rotating shaft 18 of the micromotor 16, and a tactile sensation transmission seal 24 fixed to the other end 22 of the reel 20. It is roughly composed.
The micromotor 16 is a motor that can be installed on the inner side of the wrist W, for example, has a shaft length of several millimeters. The micromotor 16 converts a signal received by the antenna 17 into an electric signal, and the converted electric signal Rotate in the forward and reverse directions. Further, in order to realize the rotation in the forward and reverse directions and the minute rotation operation, it is preferable to use a stepping motor. For example, a hybrid type stepping motor used in a quartz timepiece is suitable because it is thin and consumes less power. As shown in FIG. 2, the rotating shaft 16 of the micromotor 16 is installed so as to stand upright from the skin surface, and the reel 20 is wound up or stretched by rotating the micromotor 16 in the forward / reverse direction to transmit the tactile sensation. Tension is applied to the skin surface of the user through the seal 24.

As a modification, as shown in FIG. 3, the rotating shaft 18 of the micromotor 16 may be disposed along the skin surface, and the reel 20 may be formed into a twisted yarn shape. As a result, the strength of the twisted state of the reel 20 is given by the rotational driving force of the micromotor 16, so that it is possible to apply tension to the user's skin surface. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, when rotating in the A direction, the reel 20 extends, while when rotating in the opposite B direction, the reel 20 contracts. In this case, the height of the control box 12 can be suppressed as compared with the case where the rotating shaft 18 of the micromotor 16 is erected from the skin surface, and a more compact information detection device 10 can be provided. is there.

The reel 20 may be made of any material as long as it can withstand the tension generated when the reel 20 is wound by the rotational driving force of the micromotor 16. For example, the reel 20 may be a synthetic resin. The reel 20 may be in a tensioned state with one end connected to the rotary shaft 18 of the micromotor 16 and the other end connected to the tactile transmission seal 24.
The tactile sensation transfer seal 24 has a surface having a predetermined spread so as to be fixed to the surface of the user's skin, so that when the reel 20 is wound up by the micromotor 16, the tactile transmission seal 24 is placed on the control box 12 side. The surface of the skin is pulled to convey tension. In particular, the back surface of the seal 24 that contacts the skin surface is made of carbon nanotubes, so that it can be directly fixed to the surface of the user's skin without the need for a separate adhesive means.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control box 12 has an antenna 17 and can communicate with an external information providing apparatus 28 connected to various servers A to D through a network 26. Note that the communication form may be wireless, visible light, electromagnetic means that cannot be perceived by humans, sound, or other space transmission means.
Information to be detected by the information detection device 10 is stored in the storage unit 30 of the information providing device 28.

The control box 12 includes a receiving unit 32, a transmitting unit 34, an electric signal pattern generating unit 36, a storage unit 38, an information searching unit 40, a self-position detecting unit 42, and a control unit 44. The receiving unit 32 and the transmitting unit 34 transmit and receive information to and from the external information providing device 28. As shown in FIG. 2, it is good also as the form of the antenna 17 provided outside from the viewpoint of the aesthetics on a design.
The electric signal pattern generation unit 36 generates an electric signal for controlling the expansion / contraction pattern of the tactile sensation changing means 14 based on the energization of the electric signal generated by the received information. The storage unit 38 stores a reference table 46 in which the type of information to be detected is associated with the electric signal pattern.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the reference table 46. For each of the information A to information D, the strength in the electric signal pattern is distinguished from strength and weakness, and the duration is distinguished from long and short, and the combinations are associated with four types of information. In this way, the micromotor 16 is driven to rotate by the electric signal pattern corresponding to the type of information, thereby notifying the change pattern of tactile sensation on the surface of the skin through the tactile sensation transmission seal 24 via the reel 20. The type is informed to the user. As the information A to information D, for example, various information such as music information, store information, and news information may be applicable.
The information search unit 40 refers to the reference table 46 stored in the storage unit 38 based on the received information, and searches for an electrical signal pattern associated with the received information.

The self-position detecting unit 42 detects the user's own position, and may be configured to have a known GPS function, for example. Thereby, it is possible to transmit the detected user's own position to the information providing apparatus 28 and detect information associated with the user's own position information.
The information associated with the user's own position information includes, for example, event information within a predetermined range from the user's own position.
The control unit 44 is connected to the reception unit 32, the transmission unit 34, the electrical signal pattern generation unit 36, the storage unit 38, the information search unit 40 and the self-position detection unit 42 through the system bus, and receives desired information by the reception unit 32. In response to the above, the operation of the tactile sensation changing means 14 is controlled by energization by comprehensively controlling these functional units.

As shown in FIG. 6, the storage unit 38 is not provided in the control box 12, but a storage unit 82 is separately provided on a computer connected to the network 80, for example, the receiving unit 32 of the control box 12 and It is good also as a structure which communicates between the transmission part 34 and the base station 81 connected to the network 80, and accesses the reference table 46 memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 82. FIG. Since the storage unit 38 originally provided in the very small information detection apparatus 10 is limited in storage capacity, it is possible to access a storage unit 82 that is not limited in storage capacity, thereby enabling more diverse information. Can be detected.

The operation of the information detection apparatus 10 having the above configuration will be described below.
First, as shown in FIG. 5, the user selects the type of information to be detected, creates the reference table 46 in advance, and stores the storage unit 38 or 82 so that the information associated with his / her position information can be detected. Remember me. As a result, the user can store information of interest that is associated with the position information in advance and obtain desired information in exchange for the position information.
Next, the user wears the information detection device 10 on the inner side of the wrist W when going out, for example. At this time, since the back surface of each tactile sensation transmission seal 24 is made of carbon nanotubes, it can be easily fixed to the surface of the skin with one hand without using a separate bonding means. At this time, the fixing position of each tactile sensation transmission seal 24 is selected so that the reel is in a tensioned state.

Next, when the user goes out in a state where the information detection device 10 is worn on the inner side surface of the wrist, when the user enters a predetermined area, the self-position detecting unit 42 detects his / her position information, The transmission unit 34 transmits the detected position information to the external information providing device 28.
At this time, information associated with the own position information is stored in the storage unit 30 of the external information providing apparatus 28, and desired information is retrieved in exchange for the own position information. And received by the receiving unit 32.
Next, the information search unit 40 refers to the reference table 46 stored in the storage unit 38 or 82 to search the strength and duration of the electric signal pattern associated with the information type, and the electric signal pattern generation unit An electric signal pattern having the intensity and duration searched for by 36 is generated, and such an electric signal pattern is transmitted to each micro motor 14 by the control unit 44.

Next, each micromotor 14 is energized and rotationally driven according to the electrical signal pattern. At this time, each micromotor 14 is preferably rotated in synchronization. Thereby, the user's skin surface is repeatedly relaxed and tensioned, and the change in tactile sensation associated therewith is transmitted to the user through the skin surface. Thereby, the user can know that desired information has been detected. From the tactile sensation change pattern, it is possible to identify up to the type of information such as the type and content of the detected information.

In particular, when the tactile sensation changing means is multi-limbed, each of these contraction patterns can be set in a wide range, and by combining the actions of the individual tactile sensation changing means and the multiple limb contraction patterns, a variety of information can be stored. It is possible to notify the detection.
Next, when the user selects to access the detected information, the detected information is separately displayed on the display.
In this way, by receiving a signal that wirelessly conveys desired information by the receiving unit 32, the expansion and contraction operation along the skin surface of the tactile sensation changing means 14 fixed to the user's skin surface is controlled through the control box 12. Thus, the skin surface repeatedly relaxes and tensions, and this is perceived as a change in the tactile sensation to the user, making it possible to reliably notify desired information via a change in the tactile sensation of the user. The detected information is separately displayed on the information input / output device, and desired information can be accessed.

The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of an information detection apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the same elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. Hereinafter, characteristic portions of the present embodiment will be described.
The characteristic part of this embodiment is that the material used for the artificial muscle is employed in the tactile sensation changing means instead of the micromotor 16 in the first embodiment.
That is, as shown in FIG. 7, each tactile sensation changing means 14 includes an artificial muscle 60, an electrode 62 connected to the artificial muscle 60, and a tactile sensation that is connected to the artificial muscle 60 and is fixed to the user's body. And a transmission seal 24. The artificial muscle 60 is made of a polymer gel material or an electrostrictive polymer. By applying electrical stimulation through the electrode 62, the muscle movement of expansion / contraction is caused, and thus the muscle 60 via the tactile transmission seal 24 is used. Changes in tactile sensation associated with movement are transmitted. A polymer gel material is easier to expand and contract than an electrostrictive polymer, while an electrostrictive polymer is superior in generated stress and operating speed as compared to a polymer gel material. It suffices to decide which one to select by taking advantage of both of these characteristics.

In this case, as in the first embodiment, by using a reference table as shown in FIG. 5, the type of information to be detected is associated with the electric signal pattern in advance, so that the electric signal pattern is an electrode. When the electrical stimulation is transmitted to the artificial muscle 60 through 62, the expansion / contraction operation pattern of the artificial muscle 60 is changed, so that the user can grasp not only the detection of information but also the type of information. Is possible.

As described above, in the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the artificial muscle 60 is used to notify the user of a change in tactile sensation via the tactile sensation transmission seal 24. In the first embodiment, it is necessary to change the tension of the reel 20 through the rotational driving force of the micromotor 16, but in this embodiment, the artificial muscle 60 itself may be relaxed or tensioned through electrical stimulation. It is possible to provide an information detection device that is possible to be more compact and save power.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, various changes or modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the first and second embodiments, four sets of tactile sensation changing means are installed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as long as it is possible to reliably notify the user of a change in tactile sensation, one or four sets are provided. There may be more groups than groups. In the first and second embodiments, the information detection device is directly attached to the surface of the user's skin. However, the present invention is not limited to this, as long as it is possible to reliably notify the user of a change in tactile sensation. For example, you may wear on clothing. Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, a case has been described in which when the user goes out, information associated with his / her position information is detected. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be useful for notifying that information has been transmitted to a personal computer.

It is a figure which shows the state with which the information detection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention was mounted | worn inside the user's wrist. 1 is a schematic plan view of an information detection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic of the modification around the reel of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the control box of the information detection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the reference table which matches the classification of information and the expansion-contraction pattern in the information detection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the control box of the information detection apparatus which concerns on the modification of FIG. It is a schematic plan view of the information detection apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

W wrist 10 information detecting device 12 control box 14 tactile sensation changing means 16 micromotor 18 rotating shaft 20 reel 24 tactile transmission seal 26 network 28 information providing device 46 reference table 32 receiving unit 34 transmitting unit 36 electric signal pattern generating unit 38 storage unit 40 Information retrieval unit 42 Self-position detection unit 44 Control unit 60 Artificial muscle 62 Electrode

Claims (11)

An apparatus for detecting information,
A tactile sensation changing means that changes the tactile sensation of the user by being fixed to the user's body and transmitting tension to the skin surface;
Receiving means for receiving a signal for carrying desired information wirelessly;
Expansion / contraction control means for converting desired information received by the receiving means into an electric signal, and controlling the operation of the tactile sensation changing means by energization of the electric signal,
Accordingly, an information detection apparatus that notifies that desired information has been detected through a change in tactile sensation of the user. The tactile sensation changing means includes a micromotor, a reel having one end connected to a rotating shaft of the micromotor, and a tactile transmission seal that is connected to the other end of the reel and is surface-fixed to a user's body. The information detection apparatus according to 1. The information detection device according to claim 2, wherein the rotation shaft of the micromotor is disposed along a skin surface, and the reel is a twisted yarn shape. The information detection according to claim 1, wherein the tactile sensation changing means includes an artificial muscle, an electrode connected to the artificial muscle, and a tactile transmission seal coupled to the artificial muscle and fixed to the user's body. apparatus. The information detection device according to claim 4, wherein the artificial muscle is made of a polymer gel material. The information detection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the artificial muscle is made of an electrostrictive polymer. The information detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tactile sensation transmission seal is made of carbon nanotubes. The information detection device according to claim 1, wherein the information detection device is attached to an inner portion of a user's wrist. The expansion / contraction control means includes
An electric signal pattern generating means for generating an electric signal for controlling the expansion / contraction pattern of the tactile sensation changing means based on the energization of the electric signal obtained by the received information;
Storage means for storing a reference table that associates the type of information to be detected and the electrical signal pattern;
Search means for searching for an electric signal pattern associated with the received information with reference to the reference table stored in the storage means based on the received information;
2. The information according to claim 1, wherein an expansion / contraction pattern of the tactile sensation changing means is generated by an electric signal pattern corresponding to the received information, and the type of information is notified to the user via the change pattern of the tactile sensation of the user. Detection device. Furthermore, position detecting means for detecting the user's own position;
Means for transmitting the user's own position detected by the position detection means;
Means for receiving information associated with the user's self-location information;
The information detection apparatus according to claim 1. A plurality of tactile sensation changing means are provided,
One end of each tactile sensation changing means is connected to the expansion / contraction control means,
The information detection device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of tactile sensation changing means extend radially from the skin surface.

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