JP2018029802A - Tactile content generation apparatus and tactile content generation method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To generate a tactile content capable of transmitting a message meaningful for a receiver by a tactile effect.SOLUTION: A tactile content generation apparatus includes: a tactile content storage unit 10 that stores a tactile content specified by n-number (n≥2) of tactile parameters each representing one element of the tactile, in association with a combination of the respective tactile parameters; a tactile content extraction unit 11 that specifies the combination of the respective tactile parameters in order of a plurality of groups and sequentially extracts a plurality of tactile contents from the tactile content storage unit 10; and a tactile content generation unit 12 that extracts a tactile content group constituting repetition out of the plurality of extracted tactile contents to define it as the tactile content. The tactile content generation apparatus provides a meaningful tactile effect by continuation of differences of the plurality of tactile contents constituting the tactile content to be generated, so as to clearly transmit a message (narrativity) of the tactile to a receiver.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a haptic content generation device and a haptic content generation method, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for generating haptic content that gives a given haptic effect.

  Conventionally, various devices using human senses have been provided. Of these, many of the devices using the tactile sensation give a given effect by outputting a predetermined vibration. As an example, a massage device, a beauty device, a vibration alarm, an electric toothbrush, a game machine controller, a touch panel with vibration feedback, and the like are known.

  Here, the vibration applied to the device is set to easily exert a given effect required for the device. For example, many massagers are designed so that vibrations are applied to the kneading balls so that they feel as close as possible to the treatment by human hands. There are two types of massage by human treatment: pleasant massage and unpleasant massage. Basically, the development of massage devices is aimed at providing a pleasant massage.

  One example of a massager designed to provide a pleasant massage is one that performs a specific massage according to the pitch, magnitude, rhythm, and melody inflection of the music being played. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). According to the massage device described in Patent Document 1, the user can receive a massage in synchronism with music, which is effective for relaxation of mind and body.

  Further, the inventor has devised a “tactile score” in which a massage operation is expressed by a musical score and musical notes (see, for example, Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2). In tactile music, the pitch of the staff score corresponds to the massage pressure, and the note corresponds to the massage rhythm. For example, it is possible to visualize what kind of image the skilled practitioner is performing in what order by describing the treatment method performed by the skilled practitioner in the touch score. Become.

  In addition to the massage, other systems are also known in which audio signals are converted into haptic effect information and used (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3). The haptic effect generation system described in Patent Literature 2 determines an envelope related to an audio signal, determines a haptic effect (for example, a vibrotactile effect that moves a touch surface of a touch screen or a touch pad) based on the envelope, It is configured to output a haptic signal (for example, an actuator driving signal) related to the haptic effect.

  Moreover, in the system described in Patent Document 3, the characteristics (frequency, amplitude, duration, etc.) of the audio signal input from the microphone are determined, and based on at least a part of the characteristics, the haptic effect library related to the characteristics is used. By identifying the haptic effect, an actuator signal is generated for causing the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the feature.

JP 2005-130883 A Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-53053 Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-156229

Tactile Score, Springer Verlag: Yasuhiro Suzuki and Rieko Suzuki, 2013 "Tactile intelligence that creates information: literacy of sensations for the information society" p155-p167 Written by Watanabe December 22, 2014

  As described above, various techniques for converting sound into a haptic effect (vibration or the like) have been proposed. However, in order for a person who receives a haptic effect to feel it comfortable or pleasant, it is not necessary to simply convert the sound into a haptic effect. That is, it is desired to convert it into a meaningful haptic effect that appeals to human sensitivity. A “meaningful haptic effect” is a haptic effect that can convey some message to the person receiving it.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to be able to generate a haptic content capable of transmitting a message meaningful to a receiver by a haptic effect.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the present invention, tactile content having a unique tactile effect specified by n (n ≧ 2) tactile parameters each representing one element of tactile sensation is represented by n. There is a tactile content storage unit that stores the tactile parameters in association with each other. Then, by specifying a combination of n tactile parameters in the order of a plurality of sets, a plurality of tactile contents corresponding to the specified combination of the plurality of sets are sequentially extracted from the tactile content storage unit, and the extracted plurality of tactile contents From the tactile content, a tactile content group constituting a repetition of a pattern composed of a combination of two or more different tactile contents is extracted and generated as tactile content.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, a plurality of tactile contents are extracted by designating a plurality of combinations of n tactile parameters. Here, each tactile content can be given a unique haptic effect. Therefore, due to the sequence of differences among a plurality of tactile content extracted in sequence, each sequence has a specific meaning. It can be said that it has a tactile effect. Furthermore, in the present invention, since only the tactile content group constituting the repetition is further extracted to be the tactile content, the generated tactile content is the tactile message property (narrative) by repeating the tactile content. Is clearly communicated to the recipient. As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to generate a haptic content capable of transmitting a message meaningful to the receiver by a haptic effect.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the example of a basic composition of the tactile content production | generation apparatus by this embodiment. It is a figure which shows typically the storage example of the tactile content which the tactile content storage part of this embodiment memorize | stores. It is a figure for demonstrating the determination algorithm of the repeating pattern by the tactile content production | generation part of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the haptic content production | generation apparatus comprised as FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the function structural example of the tactile content production | generation apparatus by this embodiment which added the analysis function of the external input signal. It is a figure for demonstrating the processing content by the tactile parameter specific | specification part of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the haptic content production | generation apparatus comprised as FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a basic configuration example of a haptic content generation apparatus according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the haptic content generation apparatus of this embodiment includes a tactile content storage unit 10 as a storage medium. In addition, the tactile content generation device of the present embodiment includes a tactile content extraction unit 11 and a tactile content generation unit 12 as functional configurations.

  Each of the functional blocks 11 and 12 can be configured by any of hardware, DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and software. For example, when configured by software, each of the functional blocks 11 and 12 is actually configured by including a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. of a computer, and a program stored in a recording medium such as RAM, ROM, hard disk, or semiconductor memory. Is realized by operating.

  The tactile content storage unit 10 stores tactile content having a unique tactile effect specified by n (n ≧ 2) tactile parameters, each representing one element of tactile sensation, into n tactile parameters. Are stored in association with each other. In this embodiment, an example of n = 2 is shown. In addition, as the two tactile parameters, an example is shown in which a first tactile parameter related to the strength of information and a second tactile parameter related to the length of the divided section of information are used. Both the strength and the length of the divided sections are elements of tactile sensation.

  In other words, in the present embodiment, the tactile content storage unit 10 has a unique haptic effect specified by the first tactile parameter related to the intensity of information and the second tactile parameter related to the length of the divided section of information. The tactile content is stored in association with the combination of the first tactile parameter and the second tactile parameter. The tactile quality parameter is a parameter that represents the degree of conflicting tactile properties (hereinafter referred to as tactile pairs) such as <hard-soft> and <rough-smooth>.

  For example, the strength of information can be used as a tactile parameter for a tactile pair of <hard-soft>. That is, the greater the value representing strength, the harder the value, and the smaller the value representing strength, the softer. In addition, the length of the divided section of information can be used as a tactile parameter relating to a tactile pair of <rough-smooth>. That is, the larger the value representing the length, the smoother, and the smaller the value representing the length, the rougher.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a storage example of tactile content stored in the tactile content storage unit 10. FIG. 2 shows a matrix-like tactile pair with the vertical axis representing “strength” as the first tactile parameter and the horizontal axis representing “division length” as the second tactile parameter. Shows space. In the example of FIG. 2, <hard-soft> is used as the tactile pair represented by the first tactile parameter (strength), and the tactile represented by the second tactile parameter (length of the divided section). A pair using <coarse-smooth> is shown.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the maximum value to the minimum value of the intensity is divided into five levels, and the maximum value to the minimum value of the length of the divided section is divided into five steps, thereby forming 25 matrix spaces. Yes. Index numbers 1 to 25 are assigned to the 25 matrix spaces, respectively. The tactile content storage unit 10 stores tactile content corresponding to the combination of the strength and the length of the divided sections in each of these 25 matrix spaces.

  The tactile content stored here is information that enables a person to obtain a tactile sensation. A typical example of tactile content is vibration information. When storing vibration information as tactile content, for example, at the position of index number “1”, vibration information with the maximum strength and the minimum length of the divided section, that is, the image of the hardest and roughest can be transmitted. Vibration information is stored. For example, at the position of the index number “25”, vibration information having the minimum intensity and the maximum length of the divided section, that is, vibration information that can transmit the image that is the softest but the smoothest is stored.

  Note that what is used as the two pairs of tactile qualities for specifying the tactile content can be arbitrarily determined according to the use of the tactile content generated by the tactile content generating apparatus of the present embodiment. That is, here, <hard-soft> and <rough-smooth> are used as the two pairs of touch qualities, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, <large-small>, <sharp-dull>, <heavy-light>, <rough-smooth>, etc. may be used as another example of the tactile pair.

  In addition, here, vibration information is used as the tactile content stored in the tactile content storage unit 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. As another example of tactile content, driving information of an actuator that drives a device, material information that affects a human touch with materials used in various products, and the like can be considered.

  The tactile content extracting unit 11 designates a combination of the first tactile parameter and the second tactile parameter in order of a plurality of sets, and selects a plurality of tactile contents corresponding to the designated combination of tactile contents. Extract from the storage unit 10 in order. The designation of the first tactile parameter and the second tactile parameter can be manually designated by a user who wants to generate desired tactile content.

  For example, the tactile content extraction unit 11 displays the matrix illustrated in FIG. 2 on the computer screen and causes the user to sequentially specify a desired position using an operation device such as a touch panel or a mouse. A combination of the tactile parameter and the second tactile parameter is designated in order of a plurality of sets. In this case, the tactile content extracting unit 11 sequentially extracts tactile content corresponding to the positions sequentially specified on the matrix from the tactile content storage unit 10.

  It is also possible for the tactile content extraction unit 11 to automatically specify the first tactile parameter and the second tactile parameter. For example, the tactile content extracting unit 11 can sequentially specify a combination of the first tactile parameter and the second tactile parameter in a random manner or according to a predetermined rule.

  Alternatively, by analyzing the external input signal, the tactile content extracting unit 11 inputs the first tactile parameter and the second tactile parameter specified from the external input signal, so that the first tactile property is obtained. It is also possible to sequentially specify combinations of parameters and second tactile parameters. A specific example regarding this will be described later.

  The haptic content generation unit 12 determines whether or not the plurality of tactile contents extracted in order by the tactile content extraction unit 11 have a repetition of a pattern composed of a combination of two or more different tactile contents. Is extracted as a tactile content. The tactile content group constituting the repetition is information that can convey a meaningful message to the receiver, and in the present embodiment, this is generated as tactile content. The reason will be described below.

  When transmitting a message to a person by touch, it is important to make a difference in tactile sensation. For example, people will not feel pressure if they continue to receive the same pressure all the time, but if they make a difference in pressure, they will feel pressure more strongly. Then, it is possible to express a certain type of message from the series of differences. For example, if the tactile content with index number 20 and the tactile content with index number 25 are extracted in order in the matrix space shown in FIG. 2, the strength gradually changes over a long time with a relatively weak strength. A difference occurs, and this difference makes it possible to express a message of “soft and smooth” feeling.

  Secondly, by repeating the tactile difference as described above twice or more, it is possible to give a person the impression that it is something special (not accidental). That is, not only the tactile content of No. 20 and the tactile content of No. 25 are extracted once in order, but also by repeating twice or more like No. 20 → No. 25 → No. 20 → No. 25. It is possible to convey the message more strongly. Although an example in which two tactile contents are repeated is shown here, a tactile content is also a structure in which three or more tactile contents are repeated.

  Note that the haptic content generated by the haptic content generation unit 12 is stored in, for example, a storage medium included in the haptic content generation apparatus or a removable storage medium that is detachable from the haptic content generation apparatus. Alternatively, the haptic content may be transmitted and stored in an external device (for example, an external storage or a server) connected to the haptic content generation device via a communication network. The tactile content stored in this way can then be used for various products and various applications.

  For example, various products that perform a given function using vibration as a medium (for example, massager, beauty device, hairbrush handle, electric toothbrush, toy, vibrator for mobile phone, etc.) Various products that perform a given function (for example, massage devices), various products that perform a given function using touch as a medium (for example, clothing, bed, bedding, furniture, fittings, etc. It is possible to use the haptic content generated by the haptic content generation apparatus of this embodiment.

  For example, when tactile content is used in a massage device, actuator drive information necessary to vibrate, rotate, or move the massaging balls of the massage device is stored in the tactile content storage unit 10 as tactile content. In this way, the tactile content generated based on the tactile content extracted from the tactile content storage unit 10 is the driving information itself composed of repeated patterns, and information for controlling the massage balls of the massage device It can be used as

  When tactile content is used for an ultrasonic facial device, vibration information for outputting ultrasonic waves is stored in the tactile content storage unit 10 as tactile content. In this way, the haptic content generated based on the tactile content extracted from the tactile content storage unit 10 is the ultrasonic vibration information itself composed of repeated patterns, and the ultrasonic output from the ultrasonic facial device is output. It can be used as information for control.

  Hereinafter, an example of a repetitive pattern determination algorithm by the haptic content generation unit 12 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a repetitive pattern determination algorithm by the haptic content generation unit 12. FIG. 3A shows a permutation of index numbers of ten tactile contents extracted in order by the tactile content extracting unit 11.

  First, the tactile content generation unit 12 extracts the first index number extracted by the tactile content extraction unit 11 as a key and immediately before the same index number as the key appears as a pattern. Here, the pattern refers to a combination of two or more different index numbers (tactile content indicated thereby).

  For example, when the same index number as the key is continuous (for example, a case such as “11”), the pattern up to immediately before the same index number as the key appears without setting the restriction “two or more different”. When extracted, only the first index number “1” is extracted as a pattern. In the present embodiment, such a single index number is not extracted as a pattern. When this is extracted as a pattern, “11” becomes tactile content in which “1” is repeated twice, but this is not suitable as tactile content because there is no difference in the sequence of tactile content. is there.

  After extracting one pattern, the haptic content generation unit 12 next extracts a new pattern as the pattern immediately before the same index number as the key appears, with the next index number of the extracted pattern as the key. The tactile content generation unit 12 performs the above processing up to the end of the index number extracted in order by the tactile content extraction unit 11.

  If the same index number as the key is not found even after searching up to the last index number with the first index number as the key, the second index number from the beginning is reset to the key, and the key Up to just before the same index number appears as a pattern is extracted. This process is repeated while changing the key until a pattern is found. FIG. 3B shows the result of such pattern extraction processing.

  In the example of FIG. 3, first, the first index number “1” is set as the key, and the pattern immediately before the same index number as the key appears is extracted as a pattern. Thereby, “123” is extracted as the first pattern. Next, the next index number (fourth index number) “1” of the extracted first pattern is set as the key, and the pattern is extracted up to immediately before the same index number as the key appears. Thereby, “123” is extracted as the second pattern.

  Next, the next index number (seventh index number) “1” of the extracted second pattern is set as the key, and the pattern immediately before the same index number as the key appears is extracted as a pattern. Thereby, “14” is extracted as the third pattern. Furthermore, the next index number (9th index number) “1” of the extracted third pattern is set as the key, and an attempt is made to extract the pattern up to immediately before the same index number as the key appears. No number is found, and the remaining “13” is extracted as the fourth pattern.

  In the example of FIG. 3, the pattern “123” is repeated twice. Therefore, the haptic content generation unit 12 extracts the tactile content group “123123” constituting this repetition, and generates this as haptic content.

  In the example of FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 3C, when the second index number “2” is set as the key, the repetition of the pattern “231” can be extracted. Therefore, the haptic content generation unit 12 extracts a plurality of tactile content groups “123123” and “231231” constituting the repetition by performing pattern extraction processing while sequentially changing the set position of the key from the top, These may be generated as tactile content. Alternatively, all of the index numbers may be sequentially set to “key”, and the repetitive pattern determination process may be performed.

  Here, the example of determining the repetitive pattern in the case where the tactile content extracted by the tactile content extracting unit 11 is ten has been described, but there may be a large number of tactile content. Therefore, the haptic content generation unit 12 divides a plurality of tactile contents extracted in order by the tactile content extraction unit 11 into a predetermined number from the top and groups them, and repeats pattern determination processing for each group. Also good.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the haptic content generation apparatus configured as shown in FIG. First, the tactile content extraction unit 11 specifies a combination of the first tactile parameter and the second tactile parameter in order of a plurality of sets (step S1). As described above, this designation method is arbitrary. For example, the tactile content extracting unit 11 combines the first tactile parameter and the second tactile parameter in accordance with the operation of the touch panel or the mouse by the user. Are specified in the order of multiple pairs.

  Next, the tactile content extracting unit 11 sequentially extracts a plurality of tactile contents corresponding to the designated combination of a plurality of parameters from the tactile content storage unit 10 (step S2). Next, the haptic content generation unit 12 determines whether or not the plurality of tactile contents extracted in order by the tactile content extraction unit 11 have a repeated pattern (step S3). Then, the tactile content generation unit 12 extracts a tactile content group constituting the repetition, and generates this as tactile content (step S4).

  Hereinafter, an example in which a combination of a first tactile parameter and a second tactile parameter is designated by analyzing an external input signal will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a haptic content generation apparatus to which an external input signal analysis function is added. In FIG. 5, those given the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 1 have the same functions, and therefore redundant description is omitted here.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, the tactile content generation device further includes a target information input unit 41 and a tactile parameter specifying unit 42 as its functional configuration. Further, a tactile content extracting unit 11 ′ is provided instead of the tactile content extracting unit 11.

  The target information input unit 41 inputs target information in which values corresponding to intensity are continuously or intermittently connected. As an example of the target information, time-series waveform information is input in this embodiment. The waveform information input here may be an analog signal or digital data. Further, the input waveform information may be information whose amplitude changes with time, and the type thereof is arbitrary. For example, audio signals, video signals, measurement signals of various measuring devices such as seismometers / anemometers / light meters, waveform measurement data using an oscilloscope, stock price fluctuation data, and the like are just examples.

  The tactile parameter specifying unit 42 divides the waveform information input by the target information input unit 41 into a plurality of pieces in the time axis direction, specifies the amplitude as the first tactile parameter from each divided section, and the second The time length of the divided section is specified as the tactile parameter. At this time, as pre-processing, the waveform information is subjected to low-pass fill processing to extract an envelope of the input waveform information, and the first tactile parameter (amplitude) and a plurality of divided sections are targeted for the envelope. The second tactile parameter (the length of time of the divided section) may be specified.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of processing contents by the tactile parameter specifying unit 42. FIG. 6 shows waveform information input by the target information input unit 41 (or envelope waveform information subjected to low-pass filter processing as preprocessing by the tactile parameter specifying unit 42).

  First, the tactile parameter specifying unit 42 divides the waveform information shown in FIG. 6 into a plurality of pieces in the time axis direction. In FIG. 6, as an example, the waveform is divided at every time when the amplitude of the waveform is minimized. That is, the first divided section T1 from the waveform start point to the first minimum value, the second divided section T2 from the first minimum value to the second minimum value, and the second minimum value. To the third minimum value is divided into a plurality of waveform information in the time axis direction as in a third divided section T3,.

  The way of dividing the waveform information is not limited to the example shown in FIG. For example, the waveform information may be divided into a plurality of sections for each time when the amplitude of the waveform becomes maximum. Alternatively, in the case of waveform information having a positive amplitude and a negative amplitude, the waveform information may be divided into a plurality of sections every time the amplitude value becomes zero.

  The tactile parameter specifying unit 42 specifies the representative amplitudes h1, h2, h3,... As the first tactile parameters from the respective divided sections T1, T2, T3,. .., T1, t2, t3,... Are specified as quality parameters. Here, the representative amplitudes h1, h2, h3,... Are divided into the largest value of the minimum value of the start point or the minimum value of the end point in each divided section T1, T2, T3,. The value of the difference with the maximum value in area T1, T2, T3, ... is shown.

  That is, since there is only one minimum value for the divided section T1, the difference between this minimum value and the maximum value becomes the representative amplitude h1. Regarding the divided section T2, the local minimum value at the start point of the section is larger than the local minimum value at the end point, so the difference between the local minimum value and the local maximum value is the representative amplitude h2. Regarding the divided section T3, the local minimum value at the end point is larger than the local minimum value at the start point of the section, and therefore the difference between the local minimum value and the local maximum value is the representative amplitude h3.

  The method for specifying the representative amplitude shown here is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the minimum value of the minimum value of the start point or the minimum value of the end point in each divided section T1, T2, T3,... And the maximum value in the divided sections T1, T2, T3,. May be specified as the representative amplitude.

  Further, when the waveform information having the positive amplitude and the negative amplitude is divided every time when the amplitude value becomes zero, the positive maximum value or the negative minimum value in each divided section is set to the first value. It may be specified as the representative amplitude of the tactile parameter. Here, regarding the negative minimum value, the absolute value may be specified as the representative amplitude of the first tactile parameter.

  In addition, the tactile content extracting unit 11 ′ uses the first tactile parameter (amplitude) and the second tactile parameter (the length of time of the divided section) specified from each divided section by the tactile parameter specifying unit 42. ) Are sequentially specified, and a plurality of tactile contents corresponding to the specified combinations are extracted from the tactile content storage unit 10 in order.

  That is, the tactile content extraction unit 11 ′ uses the combinations {h1, t1}, {h2, t2}, {h of the representative amplitudes and the lengths of the divided sections identified from the divided sections T1, T2, T3,. Specify h3, t3},. Then, the tactile content corresponding to each of the designated combinations is extracted in order on the tactile content matrix space shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the haptic content generation apparatus according to the present embodiment configured as described above. First, the target information input unit 41 inputs time-series waveform information (step S11). Next, the tactile parameter specifying unit 42 extracts the envelope of the waveform information by performing low-pass fill processing on the waveform information input by the target information input unit 41 (step S12).

  Next, the tactile parameter specifying unit 42 divides the envelope waveform information into a plurality of pieces in the time axis direction (step S13), specifies the amplitude as the first tactile parameter from each divided section, and the second tactile parameter. The length of time of the divided section is specified as the quality parameter (step S14).

  Next, the tactile content extracting unit 11 ′ sequentially specifies combinations of amplitudes and time lengths of the divided sections specified from the respective divided sections by the tactile parameter specifying unit 42, and the specified plurality of sets. A plurality of tactile contents corresponding to the combination are sequentially extracted from the tactile contents storage unit 10 (step S15).

  Further, the haptic content generation unit 12 determines whether or not the plurality of tactile contents extracted in order by the tactile content extraction unit 11 ′ have a repeated pattern (step S <b> 16). Then, the tactile content generation unit 12 extracts a tactile content group constituting the repetition, and generates this as tactile content (step S17).

  As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, by specifying a plurality of combinations of the first tactile parameters and the second tactile parameters, a plurality of tactile contents are stored from the tactile content storage unit 10. A tactile content group constituting a repetition of a pattern composed of a combination of two or more different tactile content is extracted and generated as tactile content. By transmitting the tactile content generated in this way to people through various media, a meaningful tactile effect is given by the series of repeated differences in tactile content, and tactile messaging (narrative) Can be clearly communicated to the recipient.

  In the above embodiment, a tactile content group consisting of one type of repetitive pattern is extracted from a plurality of tactile content extracted from the tactile content storage unit 10, and the extracted tactile content group is directly used as the tactile content. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a tactile content group composed of a plurality of types of repetitive patterns may be extracted and combined to generate tactile content.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which one index number is set to Key, and the pattern is extracted until just before the same index number as that Key appears. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a combination of a plurality of index numbers may be set in the key, and the pattern immediately before the combination of the same index number as that key appears may be extracted as a pattern.

  In the above embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the repetition of the pattern “123 | 123” is detected, the tactile content group “123123” constituting the repetition is used as the tactile content. Although the example to produce | generate was demonstrated, this invention is not limited to this. For example, a combination of an arbitrary number of “123” may be generated as the tactile content.

  Alternatively, a sequence in which the order of “123” is replaced with cyclic (“231” or “312”) may be generated, and a combination thereof may be generated as the tactile content. Here, the tactile content may be generated by combining the same pattern such as “231231” or “3121212”, or the tactile content may be generated by arbitrarily combining different patterns such as “12323112”. It may be.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the example which handles the waveform information of the form in which the value corresponding to an intensity | strength is continuously or intermittently connected as object information input by the object information input part 41, it is originally like that. Information obtained by converting information that is not in a specific form into the form may be input.

  For example, in the case of an audio signal, if it has a certain length of time, it can be said that the value corresponding to the intensity is continuous or intermittent. On the other hand, in the case of a sound that ends in an instant, there is an amplitude, but it does not have a length that can be divided into a plurality along the time axis. However, when the instantaneous sound is frequency-analyzed and converted to a frequency-axis signal, information with different amplitudes for each frequency, that is, information corresponding to the intensity along the frequency axis, becomes information. This is information that can be input at the input unit 41. In addition, frequency spectrum information, histogram information, image information, moving image information, text information, motion information representing the movement of an object, and the like can be input from the target information input unit 41 as target information.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the example in which the horizontal axis indicates the length of the division section has been described, but the reciprocal of the length may be taken.

  In the above-described embodiment, n = 2 and the first tactile parameter related to the information strength and the second tactile parameter related to the length of the divided section of information are specified as the two tactile parameters. Although an example has been described, n may be 3 or more. Note that when n ≧ 3, tactile content corresponding to a combination of n tactile parameters is stored as an n-dimensional hierarchical space of three or more layers instead of the two-dimensional matrix space as shown in FIG. Will do.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which both the first tactile parameter related to the strength of information and the second tactile parameter related to the length of the divided section of information are specified. Also good.

  That is, the tactile parameter specifying unit 42 divides the target information input by the target information input unit 41 into a plurality of pieces, and from each divided section, relates to the first tactile parameter related to the strength of information and the length of the divided section. It is possible to specify n (n ≧ 2) tactile parameters using at least one of the second tactile parameters.

  For example, when n = 3, it is possible to specify one or two first tactile parameters and two or one second tactile parameters. Alternatively, three different ones as the first tactile parameters may be specified, or three different ones as the second tactile parameters may be specified.

  When n tactile parameters are specified only by the first tactile parameter related to the intensity of information, for example, n types of target information are input by the target information input unit 41. Then, the tactile parameter specifying unit 42 divides the input n types of target information into a plurality of pieces, and specifies one first tactile parameter from each divided section of the n types of target information. Thus, a plurality of combinations of the n first tactile parameters are specified.

As an example, it is assumed that the target information input unit 41 inputs the following digital values regarding the three types of information of heartbeat, acceleration (body movement), and blood flow as information on the tactile conversion target.
Heartbeat: 79, 60, 79, 75, 74, 79, 75
Acceleration: 40, 10, 30, 40, 35, 40, 20
Blood flow: 80, 60, 40, 60, 80, 60, 80

In this case, the tactile parameter specifying unit 42 divides the input three types of target information for each input value, and specifies the first tactile parameter from each divided section of the three types of target information. Thus, the combination of the three first tactile parameters is specified as follows.
{79, 40, 80}, {60, 10, 60}, {79, 30, 40}, ...

  Also, when n tactile parameters are specified only by the second tactile parameter related to the length of the information division section, for example, n types of target information are input by the target information input unit 41. Then, the tactile parameter specifying unit 42 divides the input n types of target information into a plurality of pieces, and specifies the second tactile parameters one by one from each divided section of the n types of target information. Thus, a plurality of combinations of n second tactile parameters are generated.

  As an example, it is assumed that the target information input unit 41 inputs digital values similar to those described above with respect to three types of information of heartbeat, acceleration, and blood flow. In this case, the tactile parameter specifying unit 42 divides each of the three types of target information, for example, until the same value is input, and the second tactile quality is determined from each divided section of the three types of target information. By specifying the parameters, a plurality of combinations of the three second tactile parameters are specified.

  In the case of the above example, regarding the heart rate, the same value as the first “79” appears two times later, and then the same value appears three more times later. 3 Regarding acceleration, the same value as the first “40” appears three times later, and then the same value appears two more times later, so the length of the divided section is 3 and 2. Regarding the blood flow rate, the same value as the first “80” appears four times later, and then the same value appears two more times later, so the length of the divided section is 4 and 2. In this case, the tactile parameter specifying unit 42 specifies the second tactile parameter combination as {2, 3, 4}, {3, 2, 2}.

  Although an example in which a digital value is input as information on a plurality of types of tactile conversion targets has been described here, it goes without saying that an analog signal may be input. In this case, the method described in the above embodiment can be applied to the method for specifying the tactile parameter relating to the strength and the tactile parameter relating to the length of the divided section.

  In addition, here, an example has been described in which only one of the tactile parameters related to strength or the tactile parameters related to the length of the divided sections is specified from input information of a plurality of types of tactile conversion targets. You may make it identify from object information. For example, as in the above-described embodiment, one type of target information may be divided into a plurality of sections, and a plurality of tactile parameters related to strength may be specified from each divided section (for example, the maximum intensity value and For example, the minimum value is a tactile parameter. Further, when one type of target information is divided into a plurality of sections, the information may be divided into a plurality of sections according to different methods, and the length of the divided section divided by each method may be used as a tactile parameter.

  In addition, here, an example has been described in which only tactile parameters related to strength or only tactile parameters related to the length of a divided section are specified from input information of a plurality of types of tactile conversion targets, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Not. For example, a combination of both a tactile parameter relating to strength and a tactile parameter relating to the length of a divided section may be specified from input information of a plurality of types of tactile conversion targets.

  In addition, each of the above-described embodiments is merely an example of implementation in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed in a limited manner. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist or the main features thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Tactile content memory | storage part 11,11 'Tactile content extraction part 12 Tactile content production | generation part 41 Target information input part 42 Tactile parameter specification part

Claims (9)

Tactile content having a specific tactile effect specified by n (n ≧ 2) tactile parameters each representing one element of tactile sensation is stored in association with the combination of the n tactile parameters. A tactile content storage unit,
A tactile content extraction unit that specifies a combination of the n tactile parameters in the order of a plurality of sets, and extracts a plurality of tactile contents corresponding to the specified combination of the plurality of sets in order from the tactile content storage unit;
It is determined whether or not the plurality of tactile contents extracted in order by the tactile content extracting unit have a repetition of a pattern composed of a combination of two or more different tactile contents, and the touches constituting the repetition A tactile content generation device comprising a tactile content generation unit that extracts a quality content group and generates the tactile content as tactile content. An object information input unit for inputting information of a tactile conversion target;
The target information input by the target information input unit is divided into a plurality of pieces, and each of the n touches of at least one of a touch parameter relating to the strength of information and a touch parameter relating to the length of the split section is divided from each divided section. A tactile parameter specifying unit for specifying a quality parameter;
The tactile content extracting unit sequentially specifies combinations of the n tactile parameters specified from the respective divided sections by the tactile parameter specifying unit, and a plurality of combinations corresponding to the specified combinations of the plurality of sets. The tactile content generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tactile content is sequentially extracted from the tactile content storage unit. An object information input unit for inputting information of a tactile conversion target;
By dividing one type of target information input by the target information input unit into a plurality of pieces, and specifying a tactile parameter related to the strength of information and a tactile parameter related to the length of the divided section from each divided section, 2 A tactile parameter specifying unit for specifying a plurality of combinations of tactile parameters;
The tactile content extracting unit sequentially specifies combinations of the two tactile parameters specified from the respective divided sections by the tactile parameter specifying unit, and a plurality of combinations corresponding to the specified combinations of the plurality of sets. The tactile content generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tactile content is sequentially extracted from the tactile content storage unit. An object information input unit for inputting information of a tactile conversion target;
The plurality of types of target information input by the target information input unit are divided into a plurality of pieces, and from each divided section of the plurality of types of target information, a tactile parameter related to the strength of information and a tactile related to the length of the divided sections A tactile parameter specifying unit that specifies a plurality of combinations of the n tactile parameters by specifying at least one of the parameters;
The tactile content extracting unit sequentially specifies combinations of the n tactile parameters specified from the respective divided sections by the tactile parameter specifying unit, and a plurality of combinations corresponding to the specified combinations of the plurality of sets. The tactile content generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tactile content is sequentially extracted from the tactile content storage unit. A target information input unit for inputting target information in which values corresponding to strengths are continuously or intermittently connected;
The target information input by the target information input unit is divided into a plurality of segments, and from each divided section, the representative strength in the divided section is specified as the first tactile parameter, and the length of the divided section is set. A tactile parameter specifying unit that specifies the second tactile parameter,
The tactile content extraction unit sequentially specifies a combination of the first tactile parameter and the second tactile parameter specified from the respective divided sections by the tactile parameter specifying unit, and specifies the specified The haptic content generation device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of tactile contents corresponding to a combination of a plurality of sets are sequentially extracted from the tactile content storage unit.   The tactile content generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tactile content is vibration information.   The tactile content generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tactile content is drive information of an actuator.   The tactile content generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the tactile content is material information. Tactile content having a specific tactile effect specified by n (n ≧ 2) tactile parameters each representing one element of tactile sensation is stored in association with the combination of the n tactile parameters. A method for generating tactile content in a computer including a tactile content storage unit, comprising:
The tactile content extraction unit of the computer designates a combination of the n tactile parameters in the order of a plurality of sets, and a plurality of tactile content corresponding to the designated combination of the plurality of combinations is stored from the tactile content storage unit. A first step of extracting in sequence;
The tactile content generation unit of the computer determines whether or not the plurality of tactile contents sequentially extracted by the tactile content extraction unit has a repetition of a pattern composed of a combination of two or more different tactile contents And a second step of extracting a tactile content group constituting a repetition and generating the tactile content group as tactile content.