JP4547966B2 - Audio equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an audio device, and more particularly to an audio device that can be operated by a user's gesture.

  In general, an audio device has each component of a playback unit for playing back a music storage medium, an amplifier unit for amplifying the played back signal, a speaker unit for outputting the amplified signal, and an operation unit for operating these. ing. As such an audio device, a combination of components formed separately or a device in which the components are integrally formed is used.

  In the above audio equipment, a mechanical movable switch by pressing, turning and sliding is provided, and music selection and volume change are performed by directly operating the movable switch. In the movable switch as described above, it is necessary to visually recognize the operation unit and operate it accurately.

  Also, in recent years, a technology is known that uses a recognition device that recognizes the shape and posture of a user's hand to operate an audio device with a gesture of the hand or posture without touching the movable switch directly (for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, in the method using the above recognition device, it is necessary to register the shape and posture of the hand in advance, and there are many restrictions on recognition for the cost of the recognition device, and it is difficult to maintain a high recognition level. was there. In addition, while being able to operate from a remote location, it was not possible to intuitively understand what the user was doing “what and how”.

JP 2001-56861 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of conventional audio equipment, and the object of the present invention is new and improved that allows a user to perform intuitive and easy operations by gestures. It is to provide audio equipment.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved audio device that can be installed in any place without a sense of incongruity by an appearance that does not make it conscious of being an audio device.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to an aspect of the present invention, a signal operation means comprising a tubular casing; and an input detection means embedded in the inner surface of the casing and detecting one or more operation inputs. A signal generation unit that generates an audio signal in response to an operation input of the signal operation unit; a signal that is provided on at least a part of the surface of the housing and outputs the audio signal generated by the signal generation unit as sound An audio device is provided, characterized in that it has an output means, does not have a movable switch by pressing, rotating and sliding, and does not have a built-in removable type. The tubular shape means, for example, a shape of a tube obtained by extending a polygon or circular edge by a predetermined length in the vertical direction when the polygon or circle is a plane. This shape can be regarded as a frame-only configuration with the box-shaped lid and bottom removed. Due to the shape of the tube, a hollow portion is formed in the approximate center of the housing, and a configuration that does not make it conscious of being an electronic device such as an audio device can be adopted. In addition, the take-out type means that the movable switch is once stored in the housing and pulled out to be used when the audio device is used.

  The signal operation means detects an operation input by a user by one or more input detection means. The input detection means can output 1-bit information, for example, 0 or 1, in response to a user operation input. However, such an input detection means is not a movable switch by pressing, turning and sliding, but is formed so as not to be conscious of the input detection means from the appearance when the power is turned off. Here, the movable switch by pressing means a push switch, a lock switch, etc. The movable switch by turning and sliding is an adjustment switch that can change the absolute value of the volume and the left / right balance of the volume, and can visually check the state. Say.

  Such an input detection means may be constituted by a non-contact sensor for detecting the detected means in a non-contact manner, for example, a set of a light emitting element and a light receiving element arranged facing the inner surface of the casing, The operation input may be an act of blocking light rays from the light emitting element and the light receiving element by the detected means. Further, the input detection means may be a contact sensor for detecting that the detected means is in contact, for example, a temperature sensor embedded in the inner surface of the casing, and the user touches the temperature sensor. It is also possible to detect a change in temperature and specify an operation input from that position. Furthermore, a sensor for detecting a change in resistance value may be used as the input detection means, and the change in the resistance value may be detected by touching the audio device, and the operation input may be specified from the position. In addition, various sensors such as a rotation (angle) sensor and an electrostatic sensor can be used. As described above, the input detection means is not a movable switch, and when the power of the audio device is turned off, the appearance is not conscious of the input detection means.

  In addition, since there is no movable switch that requires an arrangement that is easy to visually recognize and push, there is no design limitation due to the movable switch that has been received in the past. That is, conventionally, there has been a restriction that a movable switch must be provided at a position where the user can easily see and operate, and the appearance of the audio device has to be created on the premise of that. Since the audio device does not have such a restriction, the shape can be created from a free viewpoint.

  In addition, the conventional audio device has a structure in which a built-in object (main unit) such as a reproduction unit, an amplifier unit, and a control unit included in the audio device is covered with an exterior, but the audio device according to the present invention is hollow as described above. By providing a section, it is expressed to the user as if there were no built-in items. This does not mean that there is actually no built-in object, but considers the effect of keeping the user's consciousness away from the fixed idea of being an audio device.

  The audio device may be operated by a gesture based on the position and operation of the detected means. The operation input by such a gesture can be detected by the non-contact sensor shown in the example of the light emitting element and the light receiving element. Specifically, in the signal operation means provided with a plurality of input detection means, which is a set of the light emitting element and the light receiving element, an operation for blocking any one of the divided spaces in the hollow portion for a predetermined time, It may be operated by an operation of moving across the two.

  Since the operation input by the gesture is performed by the user's hand within a limited range in the hollow portion of the audio device, it is possible to intuitively understand what the user is operating “how”. it can. In addition, by making the above gestures an operation that can be predicted sensuously, such as "If you move your hand like this, you can expect this operation", you can easily operate even various users including elderly people and children. Can be provided.

  In addition, when the signal operation means is composed of input detection means using a plurality of contact sensors, the audio device is in contact with any one of the input detection means for a predetermined time or straddles any one of the input detection means. It may be operated by the movement operation.

  The information display means is further embedded in an outer surface of the casing and displays information about the audio equipment. The information display means is covered with a film forming the exterior of the casing, and when the audio equipment is turned off, Instead of appearing on the external appearance of the audio device, when the audio device is turned on, information regarding the audio device may be displayed through the film forming the external appearance of the housing.

  The information display means is formed, for example, by providing a display means using a light emitting element on the upper part of the audio device and stacking thin films on the outside of the display means. With this configuration, the information display means is covered with the thin film when the audio device is turned off, and the appearance is not conscious. The thin film may be a film having a color or pattern that is standardized for the entire audio device.

  Further, such information display means can be provided at a position that is easy to see from the user who uses the signal operation means. Therefore, the user can confirm the result of the operation input by the gesture by the information display means, and can obtain a sense of security that the operation intended by the user is performed.

  Further, it is provided with a wireless communication means that is provided in the casing and performs wireless data communication with a separate electronic device, and the signal generation means converts data from the separate electronic device into an audio signal. Also good.

  With this configuration, it is not necessary to previously store music content used in the audio device. In addition, since the separate electronic device can operate independently of the audio device, music content can be added, deleted, replaced, and edited in parallel during music playback of the audio device. it can. Further, by adding the wireless communication means, the audio device can be made wireless.

  The hollow portion may be a space of 60% or more of the volume formed by the external dimensions of the casing. As the volume of the hollow portion is increased in this way, an image that there is no built-in object in the case can be given to the user, and the sense of being an audio device can be kept away. For this purpose, the volume of the hollow portion can be 70% or more or 80% or more of the volume formed by the external dimensions of the housing. This ratio can be adjusted by the ratio of the volume occupied by each means necessary for the audio device and the volume ratio of the entire housing.

  The tubular casing may be formed with substantially the same thickness. Such a configuration can also give the user an image that there is no built-in object in the casing due to the uniform thickness of the tubular portion, and can be kept away from the sense of being an audio device.

  The appearance of the casing may be a single color or a single pattern. With this configuration, it is possible to form an appearance that does not make the user more aware of the audio device. In addition, by taking measures such as unifying the casing in a wood grain, it becomes possible to form a soft appearance that is not even conscious of being a metal or even an electronic device. As described above, the audio device has few design restrictions, can have various appearances according to the atmosphere of the installation location, and can be installed in any location without a sense of incongruity. .

  Moreover, the said housing | casing is good also as not having a protrusion in an external appearance. If there is a projection that is not familiar with the appearance of the housing, the projection will be meaningful, and it will be difficult to maintain an appearance that does not make you aware of the audio device. With such a configuration that does not have a protrusion on the appearance, the sense that the casing is an audio device can be further distant.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an audio device that allows a user to perform an intuitive and easy operation using a gesture in a limited space. Also, the audio device has an appearance that is not recognized as an audio device, and can be installed in any place without a sense of incongruity.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(First embodiment: audio device)
The conventional audio equipment can be immediately recognized as an audio equipment from its metallic appearance, and the audio equipment can be operated by various switches provided on the surface of the conventional audio equipment. I could guess easily.

  The audio device of the present embodiment has an appearance as an audio device that has been conventionally used, for example, a metallic feeling that it is an electronic device, a switch that requires visual recognition and movement, a display that explicitly displays information, a sound Abandoning the concept of speakers, etc. that presuppose that the sound comes out, the shape is created from the viewpoint of sound coming from nothing without being conscious of being an audio device.

  However, the audio device of the present embodiment substantially includes an operation input unit, a wireless communication unit, a control unit, a display unit, and a speaker.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view for understanding the external appearance of an audio device according to this embodiment. In FIG. 1, the audio device 110 is supported on a tripod 112. The audio device 110 is entirely expressed in wood grain, and has an appearance that combines plates as a box-shaped frame. Also, the audio device 110 has a hollow portion 114 at the center of the housing, and the background can be confirmed through the housing. The hollow portion 114 is provided with a size that allows a user's hand to be easily inserted. The tripod 112 is detachably attached to the center of the bottom surface of the audio device 110 as the main body.

  Since the main body, which is a case, is composed only of a frame and has a hollow portion 114 in the center, if it is a built-in object, for example, an audio device, a reproduction unit that reproduces a music storage medium, It seems that there are no components of the amplifier section that amplifies, the speaker section that outputs the amplified signal, and the operation section that operates them. In this way, it is possible to install in any place without a sense of incongruity by using an appearance that does not make it conscious of being an audio device.

  FIG. 2 is a six-side view for explaining the external appearance of the audio device 110 in detail. 2 includes a front view 120, a plan view 122, a rear view 124, a bottom view 126, a left side view 128, and a right side view 130.

  In the front view 120 and the rear view 124, it can be seen that the audio device 110 is represented only by a frame, and there are no protrusions on the hollow inner surface. Although the information display means 132 is represented by the alternate long and short dash line on the plan view 122, it is actually embedded in the surface of the casing and does not appear on the surface of the audio device 110 as an appearance. As can be seen from the plan view 122, the bottom view 126, the left side view 128, and the right side view 130, the hollow portion 114 is represented as a rectangular parallelepiped and penetrates from the front to the back.

  In addition, the audio device 110 is made of a metal such as aluminum or a plastic material, and the surface can be coded. Further, the housing surface can be represented by a single color such as white, black, red, blue, and yellow, or a single pattern such as wood grain or cork.

  In FIG. 2, the size of the audio device 110 can be set such that the width W is 460 mm, the height H is 160 mm, the depth D is 160 mm, and the thickness T of the portion hitting the frame is 20 mm.

  Next, the entire audio system including the audio device 110 will be described.

(Audio system)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the audio system. The audio system includes a server 152 connected to the communication network 150 and an audio device 110.

  The communication network 150 includes, for example, the Internet network, which is a public network, and the server 152 and other terminals are connected by a telephone line or the like. This communication network 150 is also connected to a server or the like of a music content distributor. Therefore, the server 152 can download music content via the communication network 150.

  The server 152 reads audio data such as music content from the communication network 150 or a music storage medium reader, and stores it in a storage medium held by the server 152. The server 152 transmits audio data to the audio device 110 by radio such as a wireless LAN or NFC (Near Field Communication) (represented by a dotted line in FIG. 3). In addition, since the server 152 can perform processing independent of the audio device 110, when the audio device 110 is playing back music content by its function, addition, deletion, replacement, and editing of other music content is performed. Can be performed in parallel.

  The audio device 110 includes a wireless communication unit 160, a signal generation unit 162, a signal operation unit 164, an information display unit 166, and a signal output unit 168.

  The wireless communication means 160 receives the audio data transmitted from the server 152 wirelessly. In the present embodiment, the audio device 110 performs streaming playback in which audio data is received by the wireless communication unit 160 and played back in real time. In this way, the configuration in which the music content is sequentially input via the wireless communication unit 160 eliminates the need for the audio device 110 to store the music content. The wireless communication unit 160 also has a function of transmitting a user operation input input from the signal operation unit 164 to the server 152. It is possible to configure the audio device 110 wirelessly by such wireless communication means 160.

  The signal generation unit 162 includes an audio control unit 170 and an amplifier unit 172. The audio control unit 170 converts the audio data received by the wireless communication unit 160 into an audio signal, and transmits an operation input from the signal operation unit 164 to the server 152 via the wireless communication unit 160. The amplifier unit 172 amplifies the audio signal converted by the audio control unit 170 and transmits it to the signal output means 168. In addition, when the audio device 110 has a configuration in which a music storage medium is built in, the playback device may be included.

  The signal operation means 164 includes a plurality of input detection means 174, and the input detection means 174 detects a user operation input. The input detection unit 174 can output 1-bit information, for example, 0 or 1, in response to a user operation input. The input detection means 174 is not a movable switch by pressing, turning, and sliding, and is formed so as not to be conscious of the input detection means 174 from the appearance when the power is turned off. Here, the movable switch by pressing means a push switch, a lock switch, etc. The movable switch by turning and sliding is an adjustment switch that can change the absolute value of the volume and the left / right balance of the volume, and can visually check the state. Say.

  The input detection means 174 may be a temperature sensor provided on the surface of the audio device 110 or a sensor that detects a change in resistance value. In the present embodiment, the input detection unit 174 faces the hollow portion 114 of the audio device 110. A set of a light emitting element and a light receiving element arranged in this manner. Therefore, the operation input by the user is an act of blocking the light rays of the light emitting element and the light receiving element by the detected means, for example, the user's hand. In addition, a low tension sensor or an electrostatic sensor can be used as the input detection means.

  Such an input detection means 174 is erased in the housing, and it is not known from the appearance that it is the input detection means 174 when the power is turned off. One of the purposes of the present embodiment is not to make the user aware of being an audio device. Therefore, the use of the above-described input detection means 174 that allows an ambiguous operation input by the user without using a movable switch by pressing, turning, and sliding for which an accurate position has to be grasped is rather realized. It can be said that.

  In recent electronic devices including conventional audio devices, the number of switches provided for operating the functions has increased complicatedly as the functions have increased. Therefore, even a user who does not need such advanced functions originally has to select a necessary switch from such many switches. In order to eliminate such dissatisfaction, it will be a future problem to provide a user interface that can be operated intuitively with few switches. In the present embodiment, an attempt was made to physically drop a user interface composed of such a small number of switches. This is represented by the signal operation means 164.

  The information display means 166 is embedded in the vicinity of the upper outer surface of the audio device 110, and displays information related to the audio device 110, such as the content name, performance time, operation result, etc., of the music content using letters, numbers and other symbols. In the present embodiment, display means using light emitting elements is embedded in the audio device 110, and the upper portion thereof is covered with a thin film equal to the exterior of the audio device 110. With this configuration, the information display unit 166 is not confirmed from the appearance of the audio device 110 when the audio device 110 is turned off, and permeates the thin film on the surface when the audio device 110 is turned on. Display information.

  The signal output means 168 can be provided on the upper and lower surfaces or the left and right surfaces of the inner surface of the hollow portion 114, or on the front and back frame portions, and emits an audio signal transmitted from the signal generating means 162 by a diaphragm material. . The signal output means 168 is also formed integrally with the casing and is provided so as not to be conscious of being an audio device. Further, in order to improve the directivity of sound by the signal output means 168, a reflective material such as glass or an acrylic plate may be put therein.

  Each means thus provided in the audio device 110 will be described in detail below.

(Signal output means 168)
4A, 4B and 4C are perspective views for explaining various embodiments of the signal output means 168. FIG.

  In FIG. 4A, the signal output means 168 is provided on the side surface 180 of the hollow portion 114 of the audio device 110. In FIG. 4B, the signal output means 168 is provided on the upper and lower surfaces 182 of the hollow portion 114. By providing the signal output means 168 in the hollow portion 114 in this way, it is possible to escape from the consciousness of being an audio device, and a strange feeling that sound is emitted from a place where there is nothing (hollow portion 114). Can be obtained. Here, in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the case where the signal output means 168 is provided on the left and right side surfaces and the upper and lower surfaces of the hollow portion 114 has been described separately. However, the present invention is not limited to this case. An output means 168 can also be provided.

  FIG. 4C shows a case where the signal output means 168 is provided on the front and rear surfaces 184 of the audio device 110. In normal audio equipment, the sound is output from the center of the front of the speaker. With this configuration, the sound is output from the frame, so that it is possible to obtain a mysterious feeling that sound is produced even though the center is space.

  In addition, the audio signal may be output as sound only by the signal output means 168 formed as described above. However, in order to improve the directivity of the sound by the signal output means 168, it is intentionally predetermined. In order to output sound in the direction, a reflective material such as glass or an acrylic plate may be provided in the hollow portion 114. At this time, not only the sound is reflected on the glass or acrylic, but also information may be displayed using reflection of light by the glass or acrylic instead of the information display means 166 described later.

(Signal operation means 164)
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an arrangement example of the signal operation means 164. In the present embodiment, three input detection means 174 are provided as the signal operation means 164. The input detection means 174 is composed of a set of a light emitting element 210 and a light receiving element 212. For example, assume that three regions are provided in the space of the hollow portion 114. The light emitting element 210 and the light receiving element 212 are provided so that the light beam 214 runs from the center of each of the three regions divided in the longitudinal direction toward the top and bottom of the hollow portion 114.

  The light emitting element 210 and the light receiving element 212 are embedded in the inner surface of the hollow portion 114, and a thin film is stacked on the surface as long as the light beam 214 can be detected. Therefore, when the power of the audio device 110 is turned off, the signal operation means 164 does not appear on the inner surface of the audio device 110, and when the power of the audio device 110 is turned on, the light beam 214 emitted from the light emitting element 210 is located above the inner surface of the hollow portion 114. The light passes through the surface and further passes through the surface below the inner surface to reach the light receiving element 212.

  By blocking such a light beam 214 by a detected means, for example, a user's hand 220, the input detecting means 174 can detect an operation input related to an audio signal. This means that the user can perform an operation by a gesture in the space of the hollow portion 114. The operation input by the gesture includes an operation of blocking a plurality of spaces in the hollow portion 114, that is, a plurality of the light beams 214 of the input detection means 174 provided for a predetermined time, or a plurality of the input detections provided. It may be performed by an operation of moving over the light ray 214 of the means 174.

(Information display means 166)
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a display example of the information display means 166. The information display means 166 is formed by a light emitting display such as a light emitting diode or EL (Electro Luminescence). In addition, any display method existing conventionally can be applied to the present embodiment.

  The information display unit 166 is embedded in the vicinity of the outer surface of the housing of the audio device 110 and displays information related to the audio device 110. In the present embodiment, the information display means 166 is formed by being embedded in the vicinity of the outer surface of the audio device 110 as described above and then stacking a thin film 250 further outside the information display means 166. With such a configuration, when the power of the audio device 110 is turned off, the information display unit 166 is covered with the thin film 250 and the appearance thereof is not conscious. In addition, the information display unit 166 displays information about the audio device 110 through the thin film 250 when the audio device 110 is turned on. The thin film 250 may be a film having a color or pattern that is standardized for the entire audio device.

  In FIG. 6, the elapsed time “03:45” (3 minutes 45 seconds) of the music content is displayed for convenience of explanation, but the display is not limited to such display, and various characters, numbers, and symbols can be displayed. . Also, the size and position of the information display means 166 can take various forms.

  Further, such an information display unit 166 can be provided at a position that is easy to see from the user who uses the signal operation unit 164 described above. Therefore, the user can confirm the result of the operation input by the gesture by the information display unit 166, and can obtain a sense of security that the operation intended by the user is performed.

(Second Embodiment: Operation of Audio Device 110)
Next, the operation of the audio device 110 described in the first embodiment will be specifically described. In this description, the signal operation means 164 and the information display means 166 are mainly referred to.

  FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation input of the signal operation means 164. FIG. 7A shows a view from the front of the audio device 110, and three sets of input detection means 174 as signal operation means 164 are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the hollow portion 114. FIG. Accordingly, there are also three light beams from the light emitting element 210 to the light receiving element 212 as the input detection means 174, and these light beams are denoted as A, B, and C in order from the left. These A, B, and C are referred to in an operation to be described later. When the operation input is simply expressed as A, the light of the input detection means 174 of A is blocked by the detected means, for example, the user's hand. Show.

  As described above, in the audio device 110 according to the present embodiment, the user's operation input is detected by blocking the light beam. The operation input by the gesture is performed by an operation of blocking any one of the plurality of spaces in the hollow portion 114 for a predetermined time or an operation of moving across the plurality of spaces in the hollow portion 114. That is, among the plurality of input detection means 174, which input detection means 174 detects the operation input, how many seconds the operation input in the specific input detection means 174 is detected, and the plurality of input detection means Of 174, the operation input is specified by the input detection means 174 to which input detection means 174 the operation input has moved. In the following, a description will be given of how to perform specific operations such as reproduction of music content and music selection using the above operation.

  FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram summarizing specific operation inputs and information displays in the form of a table. FIG. 7B includes items of operation 310, operation input 312, time 314, and information display 316. The operation 310 is an operation of the target audio device 110. The operation input 312 is an operation input in the signal operation means 164 for performing the operation 310, that is, a user's gesture input.

  The time 314 is a time during which the detected means is detected by the signal operation means 164. For example, “0.5 sec.” Indicates that an operation input is recognized for the first time when the input detection unit 174 continuously detects 0.5 sec or more. The information display 316 indicates the content of information displayed on the information display unit 166.

  When the power-on (ON) operation 320 of the audio device 110 according to the present embodiment is performed, all of the input detection units 174 of A, B, and C are detected for 0.5 sec or longer. In other words, the user uses both hands to block the light rays running on A, B, and C. The display of the information display means 166 at this time is the initial operation state of the audio device 110. The information display 316 of the power-on operation 320 has “opening sequence”. In such a case, this character is not displayed, but indicates that sequence information regarding such initial operation is displayed. Yes.

  Similarly, the power-off (OFF) operation 322, the music playback (PLAY) operation 324, and the pause (PAUSE) operation 326 insert the user's hand into the operation input of B, that is, the center of the hollow portion 114 of the audio device 110. To react. This operation is distinguished from the insertion time and the state of the audio device 110 before the operation. When the user's hand is detected by the input detection means 174 for 2 sec or longer, the power off operation 322 is activated. At this time, an end sequence is displayed. The music playback (PLAY) operation 324 and the pause (PAUSE) operation 326 are alternately changed. That is, if an operation input to B is performed during playback of the music content, the pause state is entered, and if an operation input to B is performed in the pause state, the music content is reproduced again from the playback state immediately before the pause. Is done.

  When an operation input for detecting only C for 0.5 sec or longer is performed, a volume up operation 328 is performed, and in the information display, the counter is increased, that is, the volume bar extending in the longitudinal direction of the screen of the information display means 166 is extended. When an operation input for detecting only A for 0.5 sec or longer is performed, a volume DOWN operation 330 is performed contrary to the above.

  Further, when the user's hand as the detected means is moved from B to C, a forward (FORWARD) operation 332 is performed, and when the user's hand is moved from B to A, a backward (BACK) operation 334 is performed.

  Further, as a continuous movement, a category jump forward operation 336 in which the hand moves from A to B, C, and a category jump backward movement in which the hand moves from C to B, A (Category Jump BACK). An action 338 is also provided.

  Here, the category refers to a stage such as an artist, the album title of the artist, and the title of the music in each album, and each stage is changed by the category jump. Furthermore, in such a stage, the forward (FORWARD) operation 332 and the reverse (BACK) operation 334 are used to perform the operation intended by the user. For example, when the album title is selected as a category, the music is incremented in the album by performing the forward operation 332.

  Since the operation input by the gesture is performed in a limited range in the hollow portion 114 of the audio device 110, it is possible to intuitively understand what the user is operating “what and how”. Further, the user can confirm the result of the operation input by the gesture by the information display unit 166, and can confirm that the operation intended by the user is performed.

(Comparison with conventional audio equipment 110)
Next, the effect of the operation input as described above will be described in comparison with the conventional audio device 110.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a conventional audio device 500. The audio device 500 includes a volume 510, a push button switch 512, and an information display unit 514, and speakers and the like are provided separately. In a movable switch such as the volume 510 and the push button switch 512, when the movable switch is operated, the operation position must be visually recognized. For example, when changing the volume 510, it is necessary to directly rotate the volume 510 by grasping it with the hand.

  With respect to the movable switch of the conventional audio device 500, the signal operation means 164 of the present embodiment can more intuitively operate the audio device 110 and can cope with ambiguous operations. . Therefore, it is possible to perform an intuitive and easy operation by a user's gesture. For example, the user can send and return the music in the music content by an intuitive operation in which the user puts his / her hand into the hollow portion 114 and moves it left and right.

  Furthermore, the operation input according to the present embodiment can provide an easy operation that does not require gripping force or the like for a handicapped person who is difficult to grasp, for example, the volume 510 of the conventional audio device 500.

  In addition, since the operation input of this embodiment is non-contact, that is, does not touch the audio device 110 itself, a delicate material such as a material that is easily soiled, easily damaged, or easily deformed on the surface of the audio device 110 is used. Can be used. This makes it possible to create a new appearance using materials such as mirror surfaces, fur, paper, and liquid that could not be used conventionally.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation input by a conventional gesture input. In the conventional audio device 550, an operation technique by gesture input using a recognition device that recognizes the shape and posture of the user's hand has been proposed. However, such operation input by gesture input requires a certain level of expertise and a registration act for performing an operation according to the user. Therefore, on the contrary to the advantage that it can be remotely operated by gestures, it is impossible to intuitively understand what and how a user who does not know the gesture input may operate.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, it is possible to easily operate by moving the hand intuitively within a range (hollow part 114) suitable for moving the user's hand. Furthermore, the information display means 166 feeds back the contents synchronized with the operation, and a sense of security that the operation intended by the user is performed can be obtained. For example, when the user wants to perform a forward (FORWARD) operation to the next music, the user moves the hand 220 from the left to the right in the hollow portion 114. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, “NEXT SONG” is displayed on the information display means 166, and the user can confirm that he / she is responding to the gesture, and can perform the next operation with peace of mind. Can do.

(Third embodiment: usage example of audio device 110)
In the audio device 110 described in the first and second embodiments, as described above, the opening of the signal output means 168 and the signal operation means 164 are formed in the same hollow portion 114, and a movable switch by pressing, turning and sliding is used. Is not included in the appearance and is not built in the take-out type. Furthermore, it has no protrusions in appearance. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently use the audio device 110 and the surrounding environment. Examples of use depending on the installation location of the audio device 110 will be given below.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where the audio device 110 is used as an interior. Here, the audio device 110 is installed as an interior of a user's personal space, for example, his / her own room. According to the present embodiment, there is no sense of a weighted image that is inevitably generated for conventional audio equipment.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the audio device 110 embedded in an installation such as a wall. Here, a groove having the size of the audio device 110 is provided in a fixed installation such as a wall, and the audio device is embedded therein. In such a case, compared to the installation in FIG. 11, the installation environment is integrated without a sense of incongruity. In the embodiment of FIG. 12, when the hand 220 is put in a place where there is nothing, it is possible to obtain a mysterious feeling that sound is emitted from the place where there is nothing.

(Fourth Embodiment: Modification of Audio Device)
The audio device 110 in the above-described embodiment does not have a movable switch by rotation and sliding in appearance, and each means of signal generation means, signal output means, signal operation means, and information display means is erased in the casing, Since it is formed integrally with the housing, there are few design restrictions. That is, various appearances can be formed according to the atmosphere of the installation place.

  The various appearances described above also mean that the appearance of the casing is expressed by a single color or a single pattern. In addition, by taking measures such as unifying the casing in a wood grain, it is possible to form an appearance that does not even make it aware that it contains metal or is an electronic device. Moreover, the said housing | casing is good also as not having a protrusion in an external appearance.

  Furthermore, the shapes of the various appearances may be changed. Here, some examples of the shape will be given in consideration of securing the areas such as the signal generation means, signal output means, signal operation means, and information display means described above.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a change in the external shape of the audio device 110. In FIG. 13A, a rectangular frame of the audio device 110 is formed as a substantially square. Similarly, in FIG. 13B, it is substantially circular, in FIG. 13C it is substantially equilateral triangle, and FIG. 13D is the shape obtained by rounding the corners of the rectangle described above. Is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape. The modifications listed here are only examples, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that all modifications created by the same concept fall within the scope of application of the present embodiment.

  The above-described audio device 110 is a new creation that can be integrated into the surrounding environment and away from the sensation of conventional audio devices. Therefore, even when the audio device 110 is sold as a product, the user's impression can be gathered with an appearance completely different from that of the conventional audio device.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to the example which concerns. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the signal operation means is configured by three input detection means, but is not limited to such a configuration, and may be configured by fewer or more input detection means. Further, since the hollow portion of the audio device has a shape penetrating the housing, it can be operated from both the front and rear sides. Therefore, not only by arranging the input detection means in the longitudinal direction of the housing but also in the short direction, the operation will be different when operated from the front (front) and from the rear (back). It can also be formed.

  The present invention relates to an audio device, and in particular, can be applied to an audio device that can be operated by a user's gesture.

It is a perspective view for understanding the appearance of an audio device. It is a 6th page figure for demonstrating in detail the external appearance of an audio equipment. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an audio system. It is a perspective view for demonstrating various embodiment of a signal output means. It is a perspective view for demonstrating various embodiment of a signal output means. It is a perspective view for demonstrating various embodiment of a signal output means. It is the perspective view which showed the example of arrangement | positioning of a signal operation means. It is the perspective view which showed the example of a display of an information display means. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the operation input of a signal operation means. It is explanatory drawing which put together the concrete operation input and information display in the format of the table | surface. It is the perspective view which showed the external appearance of the conventional audio equipment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the operation input by the conventional gesture input. It is the perspective view which showed the example of a display of an information display means. It is explanatory drawing showing the case where an audio equipment is used as interior. It is explanatory drawing showing the audio equipment embed | buried under installation objects, such as a wall. It is explanatory drawing which showed the modification of the audio equipment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 Audio equipment 114 Hollow part 160 Wireless communication means 162 Signal generation means 164 Signal operation means 166 Information display means 168 Signal output means 174 Input detection means

Claims (16)

A tubular housing;
Signal operating means embedded in the inner surface of the casing and comprising input detecting means for detecting one or more operation inputs;
Signal generating means for generating an audio signal in response to an operation input of the signal operating means;
Signal output means provided on at least a part of the surface of the housing and outputting the audio signal generated by the signal generation means as sound;
With
An audio device characterized by having no movable switch by pressing, turning and sliding and having no built-in removable type.   The audio device according to claim 1, wherein the input detection unit is a non-contact sensor that detects the detected unit in a non-contact manner.   The non-contact sensor is composed of a set of a light emitting element and a light receiving element arranged to face the inner surface of the housing, and detects an operation input that blocks light from the light emitting element and the light receiving element by a detected means. The audio device according to claim 2, wherein   The signal operation means includes input detection means provided in a plurality of spaces obtained by dividing the hollow portion of the casing, and detects an operation input that blocks any of the input detection means for a predetermined time. The audio device according to claim 3.   The signal operation means is composed of input detection means provided in each of a plurality of spaces obtained by dividing the hollow portion of the housing, and detects an operation input that moves across any of the input detection means. The audio device according to claim 3, wherein the audio device is characterized.   The audio device according to claim 1, wherein the input detection unit is a contact sensor that detects contact of the detected unit.   The said contact sensor is a temperature sensor or resistance value sensor embedded in the inner surface of the said housing | casing, The change of the temperature or resistance value by the contact of a to-be-detected means is detected, The change of Claim 6 characterized by the above-mentioned. Audio equipment.   The signal operation means includes input detection means provided in each of a plurality of regions obtained by dividing the inner surface of the housing, and detects an operation input that is in contact with any one of the input detection means for a predetermined time. The audio device according to claim 7.   The signal operation means is composed of input detection means provided in each of a plurality of areas obtained by dividing the inner surface of the housing, and detects an operation input that moves across any of the input detection means. The audio device according to claim 7. An information display means embedded in the outer surface of the housing and displaying information about the audio device;
The information display means is covered with a film that forms the outer appearance of the casing, and does not appear on the outer appearance of the audio equipment when the audio device is turned off, and a film that forms the outer appearance of the casing when the audio device is turned on. The audio device according to claim 1, wherein the information about the audio device is displayed in a transparent manner. A wireless communication means provided in the housing, for performing wireless data communication with a separate electronic device;
The audio device according to claim 1, wherein the signal generation means converts data from the separate electronic device into an audio signal.   The audio device according to claim 1, wherein the hollow portion of the casing is a space of 60% or more of a volume formed by an outer dimension of the casing.   The audio apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tubular casings are formed with substantially the same thickness.   The audio device according to claim 1, wherein an appearance of the casing is made of a single color.   The audio device according to claim 1, wherein an appearance of the housing is a single pattern. The audio device according to claim 1, wherein the casing does not have a protrusion in appearance.

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