JP2015215471A - Spectacle type electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a spectacle type electronic equipment capable of saving power with a small-scale structure in the spectacle type electronic equipment required for supplying a power source to a power feed target part such as a sensor and a processing circuit.SOLUTION: A first piezoelectric element 61 and a second piezoelectric element 63 are arranged at a position connecting a temple 11 and a rim 31 via a hinge 45, and a force directly applied to the first piezoelectric element 61 and the second piezoelectric element 63 according to a relative rotation between the temple 11 and the rim 31 is detected. When a user detects a rotation in a direction to open the temple 11 in order to start using spectacles 1, a power supply is controlled so that a processing circuit is put into a normal operation mode. When the user detects the rotation in the direction to close the temple 11 after used, a processing circuit 55 is put into an action off mode or a low power operation mode.

Description

  The present invention relates to an eyeglass-type electronic device in which a temple and a rim are relatively rotated via a hinge.

There is a demand for providing various functions by mounting sensors and processing circuits on spectacles.
Such glasses are equipped with a battery serving as a power source for sensors and processing circuits. However, there are many restrictions on space and weight, and only a small capacity battery can be used. Therefore, power saving is demanded.

  As a power saving method, for example, there is a method in which a switch for manually turning on / off the power supply is provided on the glasses, but there is a problem that it takes time to turn off the switch when not in use.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to save power with a small-scale configuration in a spectacle-type electronic device that requires power supply to a power-supplied part such as a sensor or a processing circuit. An object of the present invention is to provide an eyeglass-type electronic device that can be used.

  In order to solve the above-described problems of the prior art and achieve the above-described object, an eyeglass-type electronic apparatus according to the present invention is an eyeglass-type electronic apparatus, which includes a hinge interposed between a rim and a temple, Based on a piezoelectric element provided at a position to receive a force according to the rotation when the rim and the temple are relatively rotated through a hinge, and the output potential of the piezoelectric element, Detecting means for detecting rotation of the number.

  According to this configuration, since the relative rotation between the rim and the temple is detected using the piezoelectric element, the rotation can be automatically detected. Further, it can be realized with a small and inexpensive configuration.

Preferably, the output potential of the piezoelectric element of the eyeglass-type electronic device of the present invention is approximately 0 V in a state where the relative rotation of the rim and the temple is stopped.
According to this configuration, it is possible to suppress power consumption while relative rotation between the rim and the temple is not occurring, and power saving can be achieved.

Preferably, the piezoelectric element of the eyeglass-type electronic device of the present invention outputs the output potentials having opposite polarities when the rotation direction is reversed.
According to this configuration, the detection unit can detect the relative rotation between the rim and the temple based on the polarity of the output potential from the piezoelectric element.

  Preferably, the eyeglass-type electronic device according to the present invention is configured such that the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element that outputs an output potential having a polarity opposite to that of the first piezoelectric element according to the rotation direction. The detection means detects the rotation based on the output potentials of the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element.

  According to this configuration, by using two piezoelectric elements of the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element, one of the piezoelectric elements is not dependent on the direction of rotation compared to the case of using one piezoelectric element. Since the output has a positive polarity, it is possible to reliably detect the rotation, and to reduce the possibility of erroneous detection of rotation due to a malfunction due to disconnection or the like.

  Preferably, the spectacles-type electronic device of the present invention includes a battery and a power-supplied part that operates by being fed from the battery, and the detection means performs the rotation based on an output signal of the piezoelectric element. When the direction is to open the temple, the power-supplied part is switched to the normal operation mode, and when the rotation is to close the temple, the operation of the power-supplied part is switched to the off or low power operation mode.

  According to this configuration, when rotation in the direction of opening the temple occurs (that is, when the use of the spectacle-type electronic device is started), when the power-feeding unit is switched to the normal operation mode and rotation in the direction of closing the temple occurs. In other words, the operation of the power-supplied part can be turned off or switched to the low power operation mode (after use of the eyeglass-type electronic device).

Preferably, the power-supplied part of the eyeglass-type electronic device of the present invention is provided on the rim side with respect to the hinge, and the battery is provided on the temple side with respect to the hinge, It further has a flexible printed circuit board on which a power supply line between the power-supplied part and the battery and the piezoelectric element are formed.
According to this configuration, since the power supply line and the piezoelectric element are formed on the flexible printed circuit board, the burden of incorporating the piezoelectric element into a temple or the like is reduced.

Preferably, the eyeglass-type electronic device of the present invention has click generation means for generating a predetermined vibration pattern according to the rotation, and the piezoelectric element is provided at a position where the vibration pattern can be detected, The detecting means detects the rotation based on the output potential of the piezoelectric element and a reference value corresponding to the predetermined vibration pattern.
According to this configuration, the vibration generated by the click generation means can be used for both realization of the click feeling and rotation detection.

Preferably, the click generation means of the eyeglass-type electronic device of the present invention generates the vibration patterns that are different between the rotation in the direction of opening the temple and the rotation in the direction of closing the temple.
According to this configuration, the rotation direction can be detected based on the vibration pattern of the click generation unit, and processing according to the rotation direction can be realized.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an eyeglass-type electronic device that can save power with a small-scale configuration in an eyeglass-type electronic device that needs to supply power to a power-supplied part such as a sensor or a processing circuit. it can.

FIG. 1 is an external view of eyeglasses according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element in the state where the rim and the temple are closed in the glasses shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the arrangement of the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element in a state where the rim and the temple are opened in the glasses shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the relationship among the first piezoelectric element, the second piezoelectric element, the detection circuit, and the processing circuit. FIG. 5 shows a first output potential signal and a second output potential output from the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element when the temple is rotated in the closing direction (rotation direction A in FIG. 2). It is a figure for demonstrating the waveform of a signal. FIG. 6 shows the first output potential signal and the second output potential output from the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element when the temple is rotated in the opening direction (rotation direction B in FIG. 2). It is a figure for demonstrating the waveform of a signal. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the glasses 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of eyeglasses 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the arrangement of the first piezoelectric element 61 and the second piezoelectric element 63 in the state where the rim 31 and the temple 11 are closed in the glasses 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the arrangement of the first piezoelectric element 61 and the second piezoelectric element 63 in a state where the rim 31 and the temple 11 are opened in the glasses 1 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the eyeglasses 1 include temples 11 and 13 that are put on the user's ears, rims 31 and 33 to which the lenses 21 and 23 are fixed, and a bridge 35 that is interposed between the rims 31 and 33. And nose pads 41, 43. Moderns 37 and 39 are provided at the tips of the rims 31 and 33.

Further, hinges 45 and 47 are provided between the temples 11 and 13 and the rims 31 and 33.
Here, the temple 11 is an example of the temple of the present invention, the rim 31 is an example of the rim of the present invention, and the hinge 45 is an example of the hinge of the present invention.
The temple 11 and the rim 31 rotate relatively via a hinge 45. Further, the temple 13 and the rim 33 rotate relatively via a hinge 47.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the temple 11, the hinge 41 and the rim 31 have outputs corresponding to the force received when the temple 11 and the rim 31 are rotated relative to each other via the hinge 45. A first piezoelectric element 61 and a second piezoelectric element 63 that generate a potential are provided.
Here, the first piezoelectric element 61 is an example of the first piezoelectric element of the present invention, and the second piezoelectric element 63 is an example of the second piezoelectric element of the present invention.
In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first piezoelectric element 61 and the second piezoelectric element 63 are linear and are provided so as to wind the rotation shaft of the hinge 41 from the outside.
The first piezoelectric element 61 and the second piezoelectric element 63 are accommodated in, for example, the case of the temple 11 and the rim 31 and are not visible from the outside.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the relationship among the first piezoelectric element 61, the second piezoelectric element 63, the detection circuit 53, and the processing circuit 55. 5 shows the first output potential signal S61 and the first output potential signal S61 output from the first piezoelectric element 61 and the second piezoelectric element 63 when the temple 11 is rotated in the closing direction (rotation direction A in FIG. 2). It is a figure for demonstrating the waveform of 2 output electric potential signal S63. 6 shows the first output potential signal S61 and the first output potential signal S61 output from the first piezoelectric element 61 and the second piezoelectric element 63 when the temple 11 is rotated in the opening direction (rotation direction B in FIG. 2). It is a figure for demonstrating the waveform of 2 output electric potential signal S63.

As shown in FIG. 4, the electrode generating the output potential of the first piezoelectric element 61 is connected to the detection circuit 53 in the modern 37 via the first signal line 161. A first output potential signal S61 is output from the first piezoelectric element 61 to the detection circuit 53.
The electrode generating the output potential of the second piezoelectric element 63 is connected to the detection circuit 53 via the second signal line 163. A second output potential signal S63 is output from the second piezoelectric element 63 to the detection circuit 53.
The signal lines 161 and 163 are covered with a non-conductive shield member.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first output potential signal S61 and the second output potential signal S63 of the first piezoelectric element 61 and the second piezoelectric element 63 are connected to the temple 11 and the rim via the hinge 45, respectively. The voltage is approximately 0 V in a state in which it is not relatively rotated with respect to 31. As a result, power consumption while no rotation is occurring can be suppressed, and power saving can be achieved.

  Further, the first piezoelectric element 61 and the second piezoelectric element 63 are rotated in the direction in which the temple 11 is closed (rotation direction A in FIG. 2) and in the direction in which the temple 11 is opened (rotation direction B in FIG. 2). It is provided so as to change in the direction of reverse polarity.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first piezoelectric element 61 and the second piezoelectric element 63 are arranged so that the temple 11 and the rim 31 are rotated relative to each other via the hinge 45. The first output potential signal S61 and the second output potential signal S63 are provided to have opposite polarities.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the temple 11 is rotated in the closing direction (rotation direction A in FIG. 2), the first output potential signal S61 rises from about 0V to the plus direction, and the threshold value Vth is increased. Exceed. On the other hand, the second output potential signal S63 falls from approximately 0V in the minus direction.
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the second output potential signal S63 rises from about 0V in the plus direction when the temple 11 is rotated in the opening direction (rotation direction B in FIG. 2). Vth is exceeded. On the other hand, the first output potential signal S61 falls in a minus direction from about 0V.

The modern 37 has an accommodation space inside, and the detection circuit 53 and the processing circuit 55 shown in FIG. 4 are accommodated in the accommodation space.
The detection circuit 53 receives the first output potential signal S61 from the first piezoelectric element 61 via the first signal line 161. Further, the detection circuit 53 receives the second output potential signal S63 from the second piezoelectric element 63 via the second signal line 163.
The detection circuit 53 detects the rotation based on the first output potential signal S61 and the second output potential signal S63.

  When the detection circuit 53 detects that the first output potential signal S61 and the second output potential signal S63 are displaced as shown in FIG. 5, the detection circuit 53 rotates in a direction to close the temple 11 (rotation direction A in FIG. 2). Is determined to have occurred. Specifically, when the first output potential signal S61 exceeds the threshold value Vth, the detection circuit 53 determines that rotation in the direction of closing the temple 11 (rotation direction A in FIG. 2) has occurred.

  On the other hand, when detecting that the first output potential signal S61 and the second output potential signal S63 are displaced as shown in FIG. 6, the detection circuit 53 opens the temple 11 (rotation direction B in FIG. 2). It is determined that the rotation has occurred. Specifically, when the second output potential signal S63 exceeds the threshold value Vth, the detection circuit 53 determines that rotation in the direction of opening the temple 11 (rotation direction B in FIG. 2) has occurred.

When detecting the rotation in the direction to open the temple 11 (when the use of the glasses 1 is started), the detection circuit 53 outputs to the processing circuit 55 a power supply control signal S53 indicating that the processing circuit 55 is switched to the normal operation mode.
On the other hand, when the detection circuit 53 detects the rotation in the direction of closing the temple 11 (when the use of the glasses 1 is finished), the processing circuit 55 generates a power control signal S53 indicating that the processing circuit 55 is turned off or switched to the low power operation mode. Output to.
Here, the processing circuit 55 is an example of a power-supplied part of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an operation example of the glasses 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the glasses 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Step ST1:
The detection circuit 53 monitors the first output potential signal S61 and the second output potential signal S63 from the first piezoelectric element 61 and the second piezoelectric element 63.
At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, when the temple 11 is rotated in the closing direction (rotation direction A in FIG. 2), the first output potential signal S61 rises from about 0V in the plus direction, and the threshold is reached. The value Vth is exceeded. On the other hand, the second output potential signal S63 falls in the minus direction from 0V.
As shown in FIG. 6, when the temple 11 is rotated in the opening direction (rotation direction B in FIG. 2), the second output potential signal S63 rises from about 0V in the plus direction, Vth is exceeded. On the other hand, the first output potential signal S61 falls in the minus direction from 0V.

Step ST2:
The detection circuit 53 determines whether or not the switch-off condition, that is, the condition that the first output potential signal S61 rises in the positive direction from approximately 0V and exceeds the threshold value Vth is satisfied. If it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step ST3.

Step ST3:
The detection circuit 53 outputs to the processing circuit 55 a power supply control signal S53 indicating that the processing circuit 55 is turned off or switched to the low power operation mode.
As a result, the processing circuit 55 is turned off or in a low power operation mode.

Step ST4:
The detection circuit 53 determines whether or not the switch-on condition, that is, the condition that the second output potential signal S63 increases in the positive direction from 0V and exceeds the threshold value Vth is satisfied, and the condition is satisfied. If it is determined that it has, the process proceeds to step ST5.

Step ST5:
The detection circuit 53 generates a power supply control signal S53 indicating that the processing circuit 55 is switched to the normal operation mode.
As a result, the processing circuit 55 enters the normal operation mode.

  As described above, according to the glasses 1, when the user detects the rotation in the direction to open the temple 11 in order to start using the glasses 1, the power supply is controlled so that the normal operation mode is set. Further, when the rotation in the direction of closing the temple 11 is detected after use, the processing circuit 55 is turned off or put into a low power operation mode. Therefore, the user does not need to manually turn on / off the power, which is convenient and can prevent the user from forgetting to turn off the power after use, thereby saving power.

  Further, according to the glasses 1, since the detection is performed using the first piezoelectric element 61 and the second piezoelectric element 63, it can be realized with a small-scale and inexpensive configuration.

  Further, according to the glasses 1, by using two piezoelectric elements of the first piezoelectric element 61 and the second piezoelectric element 63, either one is used regardless of the direction of rotation compared to the case of using one piezoelectric element. Since the piezoelectric element has a positive output, the rotation can be reliably detected, and the possibility of erroneous detection of rotation due to a malfunction due to disconnection or the like can be reduced.

  Moreover, according to the glasses 1, since the detection circuit 53 and the processing circuit 55 are accommodated in the modern 37, it has an excellent design and can be worn without a sense of incongruity on a daily basis.

  Further, according to the glasses 1, each signal (data) is transmitted to an external device such as a portable communication device via a communication module in the modern 37, so that a high function using the high processing capacity and memory capacity of the external device. Can be realized.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.
That is, those skilled in the art may make various modifications, combinations, subcombinations, and alternatives regarding the components of the above-described embodiments within the technical scope of the present invention or an equivalent scope thereof.
In the embodiment described above, the first piezoelectric element 61 and the second piezoelectric element 63 are arranged at a position connecting the temple 11 and the rim 31 via the hinge 45 as shown in FIGS. The case where the force directly applied to the 1st piezoelectric element 61 and the 2nd piezoelectric element 63 according to relative rotation with the temple 11 and the rim | limb 31 was detected was illustrated.
In the present invention, for example, a single piezoelectric element is disposed at a position connecting the temple 11 and the rim 31 via a hinge 45, and the output potential signal from the piezoelectric element rises in the positive direction to increase the threshold value Vth. It may be determined that the temple 11 is closed when exceeding the threshold value, and it may be determined that the temple 11 is opened when the output potential signal falls in the minus direction and falls below the threshold value (−Vth).

Further, the present invention uses, for example, a click generation mechanism that generates a click vibration pattern that gives a click feeling at the time of relative rotational movement of the temple 11 and the rim 31 via the hinge 45, and the click vibration is applied to the piezoelectric element. You may make it detect by. The click generation mechanism is an example of the click generation means of the present invention.
In this case, the detection circuit 53 detects the rotation based on the output potential signal from the piezoelectric element and a reference value corresponding to the vibration pattern defined in advance.
Further, the click generation mechanism may be structured to generate different vibration patterns for rotation in a direction to open the temple 11 and rotation in a direction to close the temple 11. Thereby, the detection circuit 53 can specify the direction of rotation from the detected vibration pattern.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the case where the grandchild lines 161 and 163 covered with the shield member are used is exemplified. When a power supply unit is provided and the power-supplied unit is connected to the processing circuit 55 and the battery in the modern 37 via the flexible printed circuit board 81 shown in FIG. 8, a power line and a signal line are connected to the flexible printed circuit board 81. The first piezoelectric element 61 and the second piezoelectric element 63 may be formed.

Moreover, although the case where the detection circuit 53, the processing circuit 55, a battery, etc. were accommodated in the modern 37 was illustrated in embodiment mentioned above, you may accommodate in the box fixed to the temple 11 etc. instead of the modern 37.
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the eyeglasses 1 provided with the lenses 21 and 23 is illustrated, but may be applied to eyewear or the like without a lens.

  The present invention is applicable to eyeglass-type electronic devices.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Glasses 11, 13 ... Temple, 21, 23 ... Lens, 31, 33 rim, 37, 39 ... Modern, 35 ... Bridge, 45 ... Hinge, 53 ... Detection circuit, 55 ... Processing circuit, 61 ... 1st Piezoelectric element, 63 ... second piezoelectric element, 81 ... flexible printed circuit board, 161 ... first signal line, 163 ... second signal line

Claims (8)

Glasses-type electronic equipment,
A hinge interposed between the rim and the temple;
A piezoelectric element provided at a position to receive a force corresponding to the rotation when the rim and the temple are relatively rotated through the hinge;
An eyeglass-type electronic apparatus comprising: a detecting unit that detects rotation of the hinge based on an output potential of the piezoelectric element. The spectacles-type electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the output potential of the piezoelectric element is approximately 0 V in a state in which the relative rotation between the rim and the temple is stopped. The spectacles-type electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric element outputs the output potentials having opposite polarities when the rotation direction is reversed. The first piezoelectric element;
A second piezoelectric element that outputs an output potential having a polarity opposite to that of the first piezoelectric element in accordance with the direction of rotation;
The spectacles-type electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects the rotation based on the output potentials of the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element. Battery,
A power-supplied part that is powered by the battery and operates.
Based on the output signal of the piezoelectric element, the detection means switches the power-supplied part to a normal operation mode when the rotation is in a direction to open the temple, and when the rotation is in a direction to close the temple. The spectacles-type electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the power-supplied unit is switched off or switched to a low power operation mode. The power-supplied part is provided on the rim side with respect to the hinge,
The battery is provided on the temple side with respect to the hinge,
The spectacles-type electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising: a flexible printed circuit board on which a power supply line between the power-supplied part and the battery and the piezoelectric element are formed. Click generation means for generating a predetermined vibration pattern according to the rotation,
The piezoelectric element is provided at a position where the vibration pattern can be detected,
The spectacles-type electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects the rotation based on the output potential of the piezoelectric element and a reference value corresponding to the vibration pattern defined in advance. The spectacles-type electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the click generation unit generates the vibration pattern that is different between the rotation in the direction of opening the temple and the rotation in the direction of closing the temple.