JP5391285B2 - Distance detector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a distance detection device, and is suitable for application to motion capture, for example.

  Motion capture captures the motion of an operation target within a predetermined space as data, and uses the data to detect the motion of the operation target on a computer. Medical capture, CG (Computer Graphics) and games Or VR (Virtual Reality) is applied in the field of body posture motion sensing for controlling the viewpoint of a player in a three-dimensional virtual space.

  In this motion capture, there are an optical system, a magnetic system, and a mechanical system as conventional systems when capturing motion of an operation target as data. In the optical system, a marker that reflects light or infrared light is attached to a predetermined position of the operation target, and the light reflected by the marker according to the movement of the operation target is transmitted through a camera or the like arranged around the operation target. Capture as. Then, after creating the shape of the operation target from a set of data (reflection light) of each captured marker, the movement of the operation target is captured as data by following the reflected light of each corresponding marker ( For example, see Patent Document 1).

  On the other hand, in the magnetic type, a sensor with a built-in coil is mounted at a predetermined position of an operation target, a constant static magnetic field is generated from a certain location, and the intensity of current generated in the coil of the operation target moving within the static magnetic field is measured. This is a method of capturing motion as data (see, for example, Patent Document 2). This magnetic type is used as widely as the optical type, and is particularly used in the field of virtual reality and the like because the configuration of the apparatus is simpler than that of the optical type (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  On the other hand, the mechanical system is a system in which a rotary encoder is attached to a joint to be operated, and the movement of the joint from a reference posture is captured as data by a gyro connected to the rotary encoder (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

JP 2003-35515 A JP 2003-84051 A Transactions of the Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers VOL.J81-D-2, NO.10; PAGE.2385-2393

  By the way, in such an optical system, since light is used, if there is a reflective object other than a marker in the imaging space of the camera, not only the reflective object is erroneously recognized as a marker, but also the human body etc. between the camera and the marker If it is shielded by, the reflected light reflected by the marker cannot be detected. Furthermore, since a plurality of cameras are arranged and synchronous processing is performed, facilities and apparatuses are increased in size, and calibration of each camera is always necessary, which is complicated.

  On the other hand, the magnetic type is generally performed in a building. However, since the inside of the static magnetic field in which the operation target exists is disturbed by the reinforcing bar of the building and the movement of the operation target cannot be accurately captured as data, Equipment for forming a uniform magnetic field space is required. In addition, since the entire moving range of the operation target must be a constant magnetic field space, a huge magnetic field generating coil and a huge excitation coil surrounding the operating space are required according to the moving range, and in reality the use space is limited. It will be constrained. Furthermore, in terms of accuracy, although distance resolution is higher than radio waves, it is not sufficient.

  On the other hand, in the mechanical type, since the rotary encoder and gyro are connected with cables and shafts, the device itself becomes heavy and the operation target is restricted, so that natural and free movement itself is obstructed. Is not suitable for motion detection. Further, not only does the data value greatly change depending on the position of the gyro mounted on the operation target, but it is difficult to trace the movement with high accuracy due to the drift of the gyro itself.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to propose a distance detection device capable of detecting the motion of an operation target with high accuracy.

In order to solve such a problem, the present invention is a distance detection device, a measurement unit that measures a potential difference between receiving electrodes, and the intensity of a quasi-electrostatic field at each distance to which a frequency other than a frequency to be a reference is assigned, and a determination unit for determining the distance of the electric field source or found to generate an electric field which is a strength of the quasi-electrostatic field at a distance of a frequency to be the reference is assigned, said determining unit, the measurement result in the measurement unit The received frequency is detected, and a correction process is applied to the distance to which the received frequency is assigned to remove the distortion caused by the human body, and the distance after the correction process is determined as the distance from the electric field generation source to the receiving electrode. It is characterized by that.

  When trying to obtain the distance to the human body using an electric field, the relative dielectric constant of the human body is much larger than the relative dielectric constant of air, so the presence of the human body distorts the measurement results at the measurement unit. End up. This is also clear from the experimental results. In the determination unit of the present invention, the distance from the electric field generation source to the reception electrode is determined based on the reception frequency obtained from the measurement result of the measurement unit, but the distortion is corrected. Specifically, out of the distances to which different frequencies are assigned to each distance from the electric field generation source, the distance to which the reception frequency is assigned is corrected with a correction value for correcting the amount of distortion caused by the human body. Is determined as the distance from the electric field generating source to the receiving electrode. For this reason, in the present invention, even when the distance is detected based on the reception frequency of the electric field transmitted as a different frequency according to the distance from the electric field generation source, even if there is an influence of the human body, the reception is performed from the electric field generation source. The distance to the electrode can be obtained accurately. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to detect the movement of the operation target with high accuracy.

It is a graph which shows the relative intensity | strength change (1 [MHz]) of each electric field according to distance. It is a graph which shows the relative intensity change (10 [MHz]) of each electric field according to distance. It is a basic diagram with which it uses for description of the semi-electrostatic field distance scale for distance determination (1). It is a graph which shows the quasi-electrostatic field distance scale for distance determination (2). It is a basic diagram which shows the whole structure of the motion capture system by 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a quasi-electrostatic field generator. It is a basic diagram which shows the example of a production | generation of the signal for distance determination. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the apparatus for distance determination. It is a basic diagram with which it uses for description of the measurement of the electrical potential difference of 3 axial directions. It is a flowchart which shows a distance determination processing procedure. It is a basic diagram which shows the simulation result of an electric field strength. It is an approximate line figure used for explanation of amendment of distance. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an operation state detection apparatus. It is an approximate line figure used for explanation of calculation of a position. It is a flowchart which shows an operation state detection process procedure. It is a basic diagram which shows simulation (1). It is a basic diagram which shows simulation (2). It is a basic diagram which shows simulation (3). It is a basic diagram which shows the whole structure of the motion capture illumination apparatus by 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a motion capture illumination apparatus. It is a basic diagram which shows the whole structure of the motion capture display apparatus by 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a motion capture display apparatus. It is a basic diagram which shows the electric potential change pattern corresponding to the operation | movement from the top to the bottom of an arm. It is a basic diagram which shows the electric potential change pattern corresponding to each operation | movement of an arm. It is a flowchart which shows a control processing procedure. It is a flowchart which shows a volume decreasing process procedure. It is a flowchart which shows a volume increase process procedure. It is a flowchart which shows a channel change process procedure.

  The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

(1) Distance determination method according to the present invention In the present invention, motion capture is performed using a quasi-electrostatic field in which the quasi-electrostatic field has a high resolution with respect to the distance. First, the nature of the quasi-electrostatic field will be described.

(1-1) Properties of quasi-electrostatic field An electric field is generated by a radiation electric field that is linearly proportional to the distance from the electric field generation source, an induction electromagnetic field that is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the electric field generation source, It is generated as a combined electric field with a quasi-electrostatic field that is inversely proportional to the cube of the distance.

  When the relationship between the relative intensity of each of the radiated electric field, the induction electromagnetic field, and the quasi-electrostatic field and the distance is graphed, the result shown in FIG. 1 is obtained. However, in FIG. 1, the relationship between the relative intensity and distance of each electric field at 1 [MHz] is shown on a logarithmic scale.

  As is clear from FIG. 1, there is a distance (hereinafter referred to as an intensity boundary point) at which the relative strengths of the radiated electric field, the induction electromagnetic field, and the quasi-electrostatic field are equal. In this case, the radiated electric field dominates farther than the intensity boundary point (a state larger than the intensity of the induction electromagnetic field and quasi-electrostatic field), whereas the quasi-electrostatic field dominates near the intensity boundary point (radiated electric field). Or a state where the intensity is greater than the intensity of the induction electromagnetic field.

として表すことができる。なお、(１)式では、ダイポールにかかる電荷量をｑ[c]、ダイポールの長さをｌ[m]、波数をｋ[1/m]、虚数単位をｊとしている。 Here, the dipole strength of the radiation field at a distance r [m] only separated position with a (electric field source) E _{theta, radiation,} intensity of induced electromagnetic field E _theta, intensity of _induction and the quasi-electrostatic field _{E θ,} quasielectrostatic Respectively

Can be expressed as In equation (1), the charge amount applied to the dipole is q [c], the dipole length is l [m], the wave number is k [1 / m], and the imaginary unit is j.

を満たす距離ｒである。つまり、電界発生源から強度境界点までの距離ｒは、次式

として表すことができる。 The intensity boundary point is determined by the following equation from the condition that the intensities of the radiated electric field, the induction electromagnetic field, and the quasi-electrostatic field match.

The distance r satisfying That is, the distance r from the electric field generation source to the intensity boundary point is given by

Can be expressed as

として表すことができることから、強度境界点は、（３）式に（４）式を代入して整理した次式

として表すことができる。 The wave number k [1 / m] in equation (3) is expressed as follows when the speed of light in vacuum is c [m / s] (c = 3 × 10 ⁸ ) and the frequency is f [Hz].

Since the intensity boundary point can be expressed as

Can be expressed as

  As can be seen from this equation (5), the frequency is closely related when the space of the quasi-electrostatic field, which has a higher strength than the radiated electric field and the induced electromagnetic field, is closely related. The more the space of the quasi-electrostatic field that is in a stronger state than the radiated electric field and the induction electromagnetic field becomes larger. (That is, the distance to the intensity boundary point shown in FIG. 1 becomes longer as the frequency becomes lower (that is, moves to the right). On the other hand, the higher the frequency, the more the ratio to the radiated electric field and the induced electromagnetic field. As a result, the space of the quasi-electrostatic field in a state where the intensity is high becomes narrow (that is, the distance to the intensity boundary point shown in FIG. 1 becomes shorter as the frequency becomes higher (that is, moves to the left)).

  For example, when 1 [MHz] is selected, according to the above equation (5), as is apparent from FIG. 2 in which the distance shown in the logarithmic scale in FIG. The strength of the quasi-electrostatic field in the space up to the point of 2 [m] is about 13 [dB] larger than the induction electromagnetic field. Therefore, in this space, the quasi-electrostatic field can be detected without being substantially affected by the induction electromagnetic field and the radiation electric field.

(1-2) Distance Determination Method Using Quasi-Electrostatic Field Using the properties of the quasi-electrostatic field as described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the range from the electric field source to 0.01 [m] ( In other words, the distance from the electric field generation source) is associated with the frequency of 1 [MHz] as the reference frequency, and the range widened every 0.01 [m] is associated with the lower frequency, respectively. A quasi-electrostatic field corresponding to the combined result of each frequency is generated from the transmitter TX. The relationship between the frequency and the distance is stored in advance in the receiver RX as a table (hereinafter referred to as a frequency distance table).

In FIG. 3, the receiver RX existing at a point d [m] from the transmitter TX has frequencies f _{1 to} f _{(i−1) from} 0.01 to (d−0.01) [m]. A quasi-electrostatic field that oscillates according to [MHz] can be received, but quasi-electrostatic fields corresponding to the frequencies f _i [MHz] to f _n after d [m] cannot be received. Therefore, in this case, if the receiver RX detects a reception frequency by performing a frequency analysis process such as FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) on the reception result, it uses the detected reception frequency and the frequency distance table. The distance (d [m]) from the transmitter TX to itself can be determined.

  As described above, the present invention uses a quasi-electrostatic field (hereinafter referred to as a quasi-static electric field) that vibrates in accordance with a composite result of a plurality of frequencies respectively associated with the reach distance from the electric field generation source as an index when determining the distance. The distance is determined from the reception result (reception frequency) of the quasi-electrostatic field distance scale.

  However, in this case, the higher the frequency, the narrower the space in which the quasi-electrostatic field is dominant (that is, the intensity boundary point described above with reference to FIG. 2 moves to the upper left), so that the vicinity of the end of the range corresponding to the high frequency In this case, the intensity of the quasi-electrostatic field distance scale is unstable because it is smaller than the intensity difference (13 [dB]) between the quasi-electrostatic field and the induction electromagnetic field in the range (distance) corresponding to the reference frequency. As a result, the reliability of the quasi-electrostatic field distance scale serving as a distance determination index is impaired.

  In this case, the intensity in the range corresponding to the frequency of 1 [MHz] (0.01 [m] from the electric field generation source) matches the intensity of the intensity boundary point corresponding to each frequency of 1 [MHz] or higher. If the output is adjusted so that the strength of the quasi-electrostatic field distance scale becomes stable, the reliability of the quasi-electrostatic field distance scale as a distance determination index is ensured.

Further, as described above, the change in the intensity of the quasi-electrostatic field is inversely proportional to the cube of the distance, but can be clearly seen from the graph shown in FIG. In this case, each distance having the smallest intensity change (in FIG. 4, a distance of 1 [m] from the transmitter TX (outermost circumference) and a distance of 0.99 [m] from the transmitter TX although not shown) If the receiver TX can identify the quasi-electrostatic field corresponding to each frequency (frequency f _{n in} FIG. 4 and frequency f _(n−1) not shown ₎ in FIG. Thus, the reliability of the quasi-electrostatic field distance scale is further ensured.

  Here, a method for determining a condition for generating such a quasi-electrostatic field distance scale will be described.

として表すことができる。 (1-3) Conditions for generating a quasi-electrostatic field distance scale That is, when a sine wave signal is output to an electrode as an electric field generation source and a quasi-electrostatic field that vibrates according to the frequency of the sine wave signal is generated from the electrode, When the coefficient for adjusting the output (hereinafter referred to as the output adjustment coefficient) is A _(r) , the quasi-electrostatic field strength E _(r) at the distance r [m] from the electrode is given by

Can be expressed as

として表すことができる。 When the distance r in the equation (6) is transformed in accordance with the above equation (5) relating to the intensity boundary point,

Can be expressed as

が成り立ち、この(８)式を整理すると、次式

となる。 As described above, the intensity at a distance (electrode (electric field generation source) 0.01 [m]) corresponding to a frequency of 1 [MHz] is obtained for each frequency f _(r) of 1 [MHz] or more. Since the frequency f _(r) may be determined so that the intensity of the corresponding intensity boundary point matches,

When this equation (8) is rearranged,

It becomes.

と表すことができ、この(１０)式の出力係数Ａ_(r)を、上述の（９）式に従って変形すると、次式

となり、この(１１)式を整理した次式

を用いて決定することができる。 Using this equation (9), it is possible to determine the output coefficient A _(r) when outputting a signal that changes with a sine wave of the frequency f _(r) corresponding to the distance r. For example, for each frequency f _(r) corresponding to each distance r from the electrode (electric field generation source) every 0.01 [m],

When the output coefficient A _(r) of the equation (10) is transformed according to the above equation (9), the following equation is obtained:

Then, the following formula which rearranged this formula (11)

Can be determined.

のように、各距離（０．９９[m]と１[m]）をそれぞれ（１２）式に代入した結果得られる値を差し引くことによって、当該周波数差の限界値を決定することができる。 Further, regarding the frequency difference of each frequency corresponding to each distance having the smallest intensity change, as described above, each frequency corresponding to a distance of 0.99 [m] and a distance of 1 [m] from the transmitter TX, respectively. Since the difference is

As described above, the limit value of the frequency difference can be determined by subtracting the value obtained as a result of substituting each distance (0.99 [m] and 1 [m]) into the equation (12).

  When the quasi-electrostatic field distance scale generated based on each of the above conditions determined in this way is graphed, the result shown in FIG. 4 is obtained. However, in FIG. 4, in order to make it easy to see, a predetermined distance (0.01 [m], 0.2 [m], 0.4 [m], 0.6 [m], 0.8 [m]) is used instead of all the distances every 0.01 [m]. , 1 [m]) only the quasi-electrostatic field is shown, and in FIG. 4A, the vertical axis (electric field strength) is shown, and in FIG. 4B, the vertical axis (electric field strength) and the horizontal axis (distance) are shown. Shown on a log scale. As is clear from FIG. 4, if a quasi-electrostatic field distance scale in which the electric field strength of the quasi-electrostatic field is a predetermined reference, for example, constant at an intensity boundary point, is generated, the reach can be accurately controlled by frequency Will be able to.

  In addition, although the case where the quasi-electrostatic field distance scale of each frequency corresponding to each distance for each 0.01 [m] interval is generated from the electric field generating electrode (FIGS. 3 and 4) has been described above, Whether or not to generate a quasi-electrostatic field every time is selected in consideration of performance (reception sensitivity) in the receiver RX (FIG. 3) and the like. In this case, based on the selection result, Equations (9), (12), and (13) are derived, and the output adjustment coefficient, frequency, and maximum intensity are the conditions for generating a reliable quasi-electrostatic field distance scale. The frequency difference of each frequency corresponding to each distance having a small change is determined.

  To summarize the above items, the present invention uses the fact that the quasi-electrostatic field has a very high resolution with respect to the distance on the generation side, and the radiated electric field and the induction electromagnetic wave at each distance corresponding to a plurality of frequencies. A quasi-electrostatic field distance scale is obtained that provides a greater intensity than the field, and the receiving side is based on the detection result (detection frequency) of the quasi-electrostatic field distance scale and the frequency distance table. To decide. In the present invention, motion capture is performed using such a distance determination method. In this case, since a direct facility for creating a material (quasi-electrostatic field) space for detecting the motion of the operation target does not become excessive, the motion can be easily detected.

(2) This Embodiment Hereinafter, the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be described as one embodiment of the present invention.

(2-1) Overall Configuration of Motion Capture System According to First Embodiment FIG. 5 shows a motion capture system 1 according to the first embodiment, and shows a quasi-electrostatic field generator 2 and a plurality of distance determination devices 3. (3A to 3G) and the motion detection device 4, and conforms to, for example, the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11b method between each of the distance determination devices 3A to 3G and the motion detection device 4 Information is transmitted / received to / from each other by wireless LAN communication.

  The quasi-electrostatic field generating device 2 is provided, for example, around a human body as an operation target, and the quasi-electrostatic field generating device 2 has electrodes 2A to 2C as electric field generating sources arranged at different predetermined positions. .

  The quasi-electrostatic field generating device 2 has a strength superior to the radiated electric field and the induced electromagnetic field at each distance corresponding to each of a plurality of frequencies based on the conditions determined by the above-described quasi-electrostatic field distance scale generation method. As shown, the equivalent quasi-electrostatic field distance scale (ie, the quasi-electrostatic field distance scale as shown in FIG. 4) SKa, SKb, SKc is sequentially generated from the corresponding electric field generating electrodes 2A, 2B, 2C every unit time. It is made to do.

  Each of the distance determination devices 3A to 3G is provided at a predetermined position such as a joint in the human body, and a quasi-electrostatic field distance scale generated from the quasi-electrostatic field generator 2 is stored in an internal memory of each of the distance determination devices 3A to 3G. A frequency distance table corresponding to SK is stored and held. Incidentally, as described above, this frequency distance table represents the relationship between the frequency and distance in a quasi-electrostatic field (ie, quasi-electrostatic field distance scale SK) at which a predetermined intensity is obtained at each distance corresponding to a plurality of frequencies. It is a thing.

  Each of the distance determination devices 3A to 3G processes the quasi-electrostatic field distance scales SKa, SKb, SKc sequentially generated from the quasi-electrostatic field generator 2 as one unit, and the quasi-electrostatic field distance scale SKa. The electric field strength and the reception frequency are detected from the reception results of SKb and SKc, and the distance from the electrostatic field generator 2 is determined from the detected reception frequency with reference to the frequency distance table.

  Thereafter, each of the distance determination devices 3A to 3G uses the detection result (electric field strength) and the determination result (distance) as information on the detection index of the operating state (hereinafter referred to as state detection index information) DSa, DSb, It is generated as DSc, and the state detection index information DS is transmitted to the motion detection device 4.

  The motion detection device 4 is configured to process each state detection index information DS transmitted from each of the distance determination devices 3A to 3G.

  In this case, when the human body is in a reference posture at a predetermined position, the motion detection device 4 is state detection index information DS (DSa, DSb, DSc) transmitted from each of the distance determination devices 3A to 3G provided on the human body. Based on the electric field strength and distance, the position and angle of each of the distance determination devices 3A to 3G are calculated, and an initial process for storing and holding the combination of the position and angle in the internal memory as reference posture state information (initial setting value) is executed. To do.

  In this state, the motion detection device 4 is calculated in the same manner as in the initial processing based on the electric field strength and distance of the state detection index information DS (DSa, DSb, DSc) transmitted from each of the distance determination devices 3A to 3G. For the position and angle, the amount of change (that is, the amount of movement) with the corresponding position and angle of the reference posture state information is calculated.

  Then, the motion detection device 4 executes predetermined image processing based on the change amount and the reference posture state information, and displays the state of the motion posture after the predetermined motion from the reference posture as image information (hereinafter referred to as the motion state image). Information) and output and display it on, for example, an external display unit (not shown).

  In this way, the motion capture system 1 can detect the movement of a human body as an operation target in a predetermined space, and can provide the detection result as, for example, visual information.

  In the motion capture system 1, a unique identification ID is assigned to each of the distance determination devices 3A to 3G, and processing for various information resulting from the distance determination devices 3A to 3G is executed based on the identification ID. ing.

  In the motion capture system 1, the quasi-electrostatic field (quasi-electrostatic field distance scale SK) generated from the quasi-electrostatic field generator 2 uses a frequency that is sufficiently lower than the frequency band used in a normal wireless LAN. Since the strength superior to that of the radiated electric field and the induction electromagnetic field is obtained, interference with the wireless LAN can be surely avoided.

(2-2) Configuration of quasi-electrostatic field generator As shown in FIG. 6, the quasi-electrostatic field generator 2 includes a signal generation source 21 that generates a plurality of sinusoidal signals having different low frequencies. The sine wave signals given from the signal generation source 21 are synthesized via the synthesis unit 22.

  Then, the quasi-electrostatic field generating device 2 performs a predetermined modulation process on the combined result in the combining unit 22 in an ID (IDentifier) modulating unit 23, and the modulation result is used as a signal for generating a quasi-electrostatic field distance scale (hereinafter referred to as a quasi-electrostatic field distance scale). This is referred to as a distance determination signal) and is output as DW to the electric field generating electrode 2A, 2B, or 2C via the output adjustment unit 24.

  Here, the frequency of each sine wave signal in the signal generation source 21 is set to a value calculated in advance according to the above-described equations (12) and (13). Further, in the output adjustment unit 24, output coefficients calculated in accordance with the above-described equation (9) are set in advance, and output coefficients corresponding to the sine wave frequencies of the distance determination signal DW given from the ID modulation unit 23 are used. The output is adjusted.

  Therefore, as described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the quasi-electrostatic field generator 2 uses the quasi-electrostatic field that vibrates according to each sine wave frequency of the distance determination signal DW as a reliability determination index. A high quasi-electrostatic field scale SK (FIG. 5) can be generated from the electric field generating electrode 2A, 2B or 2C.

  In addition to such a configuration, the output control unit 25 of the quasi-electrostatic field generating device 2 sequentially switches and controls the output destination of the distance determination signal DW output from the output adjustment unit 24 for each unit time. The ID modulation unit 23 is controlled to perform modulation processing using a unique ID (hereinafter referred to as a generation location identification ID) associated with the electric field generating electrode 2A, 2B, or 2C.

  Accordingly, the quasi-electrostatic field generating device 2 uses, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the distance determination signal DWa, the distance determination signal DWb, and the distance determination signal DWc identified by the generation location identification ID as the corresponding electric field generation electrodes. 2A, 2B, and 2C (FIG. 5) can be generated as electrostatic field scales SKa, SKb, and SKc (FIG. 5) in a time-sharing manner for each unit time.

  In this case, the quasi-electrostatic field generation device 2 is generated from any of the electric field generation electrodes 2A, 2B, 2C with respect to the distance determination devices 3A to 3G that receive the quasi-electrostatic field distance scales SKa, SKb, SKc. It is possible to prevent a situation in which an erroneous distance is determined by the distance determination device 3 and the like.

  In this way, the quasi-electrostatic field generator 2 can generate the quasi-electrostatic field distance scales SKa to SKc from the electric field generating electrodes 2A to 2C.

(2-3) Configuration of Distance Determination Device Since each of the distance determination devices 3A to 3G has the same configuration, only the configuration of the distance determination device 3A provided on the head of the human body will be described here.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the distance determination device 3A includes a probe unit 30 including x-axis direction receiving electrodes 30A and 30B, y-axis direction receiving electrodes 30C and 30D, and z-axis direction receiving electrodes 30E and 30F. The probe unit 30 is connected to a potential measuring unit 31 (FIG. 8) that measures the electric field strength for each of these three-axis components.

The potential measuring unit 31 uses the corresponding electrometers 31A, 31B, and 31C to measure the potential differences V _A-B , V _C-D , and V _E-F between the three-axis receiving electrodes A-B, C-D, and E-F. The measurement result is sent to the A / D converter 32 and the demodulator 33 as signals (hereinafter referred to as potential difference signals) S31a, S31b, and S31c.

  The A / D converter 32 generates the potential difference signals S31A, S31B, S31C as potential difference data D32A, D32B, D32C via corresponding ADCs (Analog Digital Converters) 32A, 32B, 32C, and the potential difference data D32a, D32b, D32c is sent to the distance converter 34.

  On the other hand, the demodulator 33 performs a predetermined demodulation process on the potential difference signals S31A, S31B, and S31C to extract the occurrence location identification IDD33 (FIG. 7) superimposed on the quasi-electrostatic field distance scales SKa, SKb, and SKc. This is sent to the distance converter 34.

  The generation location identification IDD 33 is extracted from the quasi-electrostatic field distance scales SKa, SKb, and SKc that are sequentially generated from the quasi-electrostatic field generator 2 every unit time, and is thus given from the A / D conversion unit 32. The potential difference data D32 is information indicating which electric field generating electrode 2A, 2B, 2C (FIG. 5) is a measurement result based on the quasi-electrostatic field distance scales SKa, SKb, SKc.

  The distance conversion unit 34 sets the quasi-electrostatic field distance scales SK, SKb, SKc sequentially generated from the electric field generating electrodes 2A, 2B, 2C as one unit based on the generation location identification IDD33 according to the processing procedure shown in FIG. A distance determination process is executed.

に従ってｘ軸成分の電界強度Ｅｘ、ｙ軸成分の電界強度Ｅｙ、ｚ軸成分の電界強度Ｅｚを算出し（図１０：ステップＳＰ１）、これら算出結果を用いて、次式

に従って合成するようにして、このとき位置するプローブ部３０（図９）での電界強度Ｅを算出する（図１０：ステップＳＰ２）。 In other words, the distance conversion unit 34 is provided between the potential differences V _A−B , V _C−D , and V _E−F of the potential difference data D32a, D32b, and D32c given from the ADCs 32A, 32B, and 32C and the preset three-axis receiving electrodes. Using the distance d of AB, CD, and EF,

Then, the electric field intensity Ex of the x-axis component, the electric field intensity Ey of the y-axis component, and the electric field intensity Ez of the z-axis component are calculated (FIG. 10: Step SP1).

Then, the electric field strength E at the probe unit 30 (FIG. 9) located at this time is calculated (FIG. 10: step SP2).

  Next, the distance converter 34 detects the reception frequency by performing FFT processing on the electric field strength E so as to calculate the electric field strength for each frequency (FIG. 10: step SP3), and the detected reception frequency. The distance between the electric field generating electrode 2A, 2B or 2C corresponding to is determined with reference to the frequency distance table in the same manner as described above with reference to FIG. 4 (FIG. 10: step SP4).

  Then, the distance conversion unit 34 uses the determination result (distance), the x-axis electric field strength Ex, the y-axis electric field strength Ey, and the z-axis electric field strength Ez, and the generation location identification IDD33 given from the demodulation unit 33 at this time. Is generated as the state detection index information DSa (FIG. 10: step SP5).

  It should be noted that the distance converting unit 34 uses the occurrence location identification ID as the second occurrence location identification ID (FIG. 7), as the state detection index information DSb, and the occurrence location identification ID as the third occurrence location identification. If it is an ID (FIG. 7), it is generated as state detection index information DSc.

  Here, since the relative permittivity of the human body is much larger than the relative permittivity of air, as is clear from the simulation results shown in FIG. 11, distance determination devices 3A, 3B,... Or, the electric field strength (| E | = 1.224e + 001 [V / m]) in 3G (black circle in FIG. 11A) is distorted by the presence of the human body. It becomes smaller than the electric field strength (| E | = 2.479e + 001 [V / m]) at the same position (black circle in FIG. 11B) when it does not exist. This means that the distance determined based on the frequency distance table in the distance conversion unit 34 becomes larger than the actual distance.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, the distance conversion unit 34 is quasi-electrostatic field distance scale SKa, SKb, distance _r a determined from the reception result of _SKc, r b, _{r c} is, of which only one actual distance It cannot be larger than R _a , R _b , and R _c, and the same level of error occurs.

に従って距離Ｒ_ａ、Ｒ_ｂ、Ｒ_ｃに補正する。これにより距離変換部３４は、動作状態（位置及び角度）の検出指標として信頼性の高い状態検出指標情報ＤＳａ、ＤＳｂ、ＤＳｃを生成することができるようになされている。この後、距離変換部３４は、かかる状態検出指標情報ＤＳａ、ＤＳｂ、ＤＳｃを無線ＬＡＮ通信部３５を介して動き検出装置４に送信する。 Therefore distance conversion unit 34 may be set to the average value of such errors in advance, electrostatic field distance scale SKa, SKb, distance from the reception result of SKc _{r a,} r b, at the stage of determining the _{r c,} the average value Where e is

The distances R _a , R _b , and R _c are corrected according to the following. As a result, the distance conversion unit 34 can generate highly reliable state detection index information DSa, DSb, and DSc as detection indexes of the operation state (position and angle). Thereafter, the distance conversion unit 34 transmits the state detection index information DSa, DSb, DSc to the motion detection device 4 via the wireless LAN communication unit 35.

  In this manner, the distance determination device 3A (3B to 3G) determines the electric field strength and distance based on the reception results of the quasi-electrostatic field distance scales SKa, SKb, and SKc generated from the quasi-electrostatic field generator 2 as state detection indicators. Information DSa, DSb, DSc can be transmitted to the motion detector 4.

(2-4) Configuration of Motion Detection Device The motion detection device 4 performs processing for each of the distance determination devices 3A to 3G. Since the processing is the same, only the processing content of the distance determination device 3A is described here. This will be specifically described.

  As illustrated in FIG. 13, the motion detection device 4 receives the state detection index information DS (DSa, DSb, DSc) transmitted from the distance determination device 3A via the wireless LAN communication unit 41, and receives the position detection index information DS (DSa, DSb, DSc). 42 and the angle calculation unit 43.

Based on the state detection index information DS (DSa, DSb, DSc), the position calculation unit 42, as shown in FIG. 14, uses the radii R _a , R _b centered on the electric field generating electrodes 2A, 2B, 2C. calculates the intersection of the spherical surface of the sphere of _{R c,} that is, the center CNT of the probe portion 30 at a distance detecting device 3A (Figure 9).

に従って、プローブ部３０における中心ＣＮＴの位置（ｘ,ｙ,ｚ）を算出することができる。なお、この（１７）式に従って算出される値は２つ存在するが、このうち一方の値については、当該位置（ｘ,ｙ,ｚ）とは明らかに異なるため、位置算出部４２では、なんら問題なく、他方の値を中心ＣＮＴの位置（ｘ,ｙ,ｚ）として採用することができる。 Specifically, the coordinates of the electric field generating electrodes 2A, 2B, and 2C that are set in advance are expressed as (x _A , y _A , z _A ), (x _B , y _B , z _B ), (x _C , y _C , z _C ), and the coordinates of the center CNT (FIG. 9) of the probe unit 30 are (x, y, z), the distances of the state detection index information DSa, DSb, DSc are radii R _a , R _b , R _c ( (Fig. 14)

Accordingly, the position (x, y, z) of the center CNT in the probe unit 30 can be calculated. Note that there are two values calculated according to the equation (17), but one of these values is clearly different from the position (x, y, z). The other value can be adopted as the position (x, y, z) of the center CNT without any problem.

  Then, the position calculation unit 42 sends the position (x, y, z) calculated according to the equation (17) to the operation state calculation unit 44 as position data D43.

  The angle calculation unit 43 calculates the angle in the probe unit 30 (FIG. 9) from the difference in each value of the electric field strengths Ex, Ey, Ez of the state detection index information DSa, DSb, DSc given from the wireless LAN communication unit 41. This is sent to the operation state calculation unit 44 as angle data D43.

の関係式として表すことができ、当該関係式を水平角α、仰角βについて解くと、次式

として表すことができる。 Specifically, with the electrode orientation shown in FIG. 9 as a reference and the horizontal angle at the probe unit 30 as α and the elevation angle as β, the electric field strengths Ex, Ey, Ez are expressed by the following equations:

When the relational expression is solved for the horizontal angle α and the elevation angle β, the following expression is obtained:

Can be expressed as

  Therefore, the angle calculation unit 43 calculates the angle (horizontal) in the probe unit 30 (FIG. 9) from the difference in each value of the electric field strengths Ex, Ey, Ez of the state detection index information DSa, DSb, DSc by the equation (19). The angle α and the elevation angle β) can be calculated.

  The motion state calculation unit 44 stores the reference posture state information (distance determination device 3A) previously stored in the internal memory by the initial processing for the position (x, y, z) of the position data D43 given from the position calculation unit 42. The amount of change (that is, the amount of movement) with the corresponding position among the combinations of the position and angle of each of 3G is calculated.

  Then, the motion state calculation unit 44 also calculates the amount of change (that is, the motion amount) from the corresponding angle in the reference posture state information for the angles (horizontal angle α and elevation angle β) of the angle data D43 given from the angle calculation unit 43. calculate.

  Similarly, the operation state calculation unit 44 calculates the distance determination devices 3B to 3G calculated based on the state detection index information DSa, DSb, and DSc transmitted from the distance determination devices 3B to 3G at substantially the same time as the distance determination device 3A. For each position and angle, the amount of change (that is, the amount of movement) from the corresponding position and angle in the reference posture state information is calculated.

  Thereafter, the motion state calculation unit 44 performs predetermined image processing based on the change amounts (that is, motion amounts) of the respective positions and angles of the distance determination devices 3A to 3G, and the motion posture after the predetermined motion from the reference posture. In this state, operation state image information is generated, and this is output and displayed, for example, on an external display unit (not shown).

  In addition to this configuration, the motion state calculation unit 44 calculates the amount of change (motion amount) with respect to the reference posture state information based on the position data D43 of each of the distance determination devices 3A to 3G. The linear distances between 3G and 3G are calculated, and the linear distances corresponding to the distance detection apparatuses 3A to 3G calculated in advance based on the positions (initial setting values) of the distance determination apparatuses 3A to 3G in the reference posture state information are calculated. It is compared with a linear distance between them (hereinafter referred to as a reference distance), and it is determined whether or not the comparison result is within a range from a predetermined upper limit threshold to a lower limit threshold.

  Since the straight line distance and the reference distance are distances between the distance determination devices 3A to 3G provided at predetermined positions, the human body itself is not stretchable, and thus has a value that basically matches. Therefore, when the comparison result (difference) between the straight line distance and the reference distance is not within the range from the upper limit threshold value to the lower limit threshold value, the distance between the distance determination devices 3A to 3G provided in the predetermined part expands and contracts. This means that the position calculated for the distance determination device 3 at this time is erroneously calculated for some reason.

  Therefore, when the comparison result is not within the range from the predetermined upper limit threshold to the lower limit threshold, the operation state calculation unit 44 sets the position of the distance determination device 3 corresponding to the straight line distance that is not within the range within the range. After the correction is performed, the operation state image information is generated. As a result, the operation state calculation unit 44 can provide the output display result of the operation state image information in a visually uncomfortable state.

  Here, the operation state detection process of the motion detection device 4 is executed according to the operation state detection process procedure shown in FIG.

  That is, the motion detection device 4 enters from the start step SP10 of this motion detection processing procedure RT2 (FIG. 15A), and from each distance detection device 3A to 3G in step SP21 (FIG. 15B) of the next subroutine SRT. Obtained by receiving the state detection index information DSa, DSb, DSc to be transmitted, respectively, and in step SP22, the probe unit 30 for each of the distance detection devices 3A-3G based on the distances of the state detection index information DSa, DSb, DSc. Center CNT (FIG. 9) position is calculated, and in step SP23, an angle is calculated for each of the distance detection devices 3A to 3G based on the electric field strengths of the three axes of the state detection index information DSa, DSb, DSc.

  Then, in step SP24, the motion detection device 4 holds the position and angle combinations calculated in step SP22 and step SP23, respectively, as reference posture state information (initial setting values). In step SP25, each of the distance detection devices 3A to 3G The distance between the straight lines is held as a reference distance.

  Thereafter, the motion detection device 4 shifts to step SP11 (FIG. 15A) of the motion detection processing procedure RT2, which is the main routine, to execute normal processing, and step SP12 following this step SP11. Through step SP13, the position and angle are calculated for each of the distance detection devices 3A to 3G in the same manner as in steps SP21 to SP23 described above.

  Then, in step SP14, the motion detection device 4 corrects the position for each of the distance detection devices 3A to 3G calculated at this time as necessary, and in step SP15, the subroutine is performed for each of the positions and angles of the distance detection devices 3A to 3G. By calculating the amount of change (that is, the amount of movement) of the corresponding position and angle of the reference posture state information stored and held in the internal memory by the SRT, the movement state of the human body in which each of the distance detection devices 3A to 3G is arranged is operated. It is generated as state image information, output and displayed on an external display unit (not shown), and then returns to step SP11 to repeat the above processing.

  In this way, in the motion detection device 4, the distance determination device 3A (3B to 3G) is arranged based on the state detection index information DSa, DSb, and DSc transmitted from the distance determination device 3A (3B to 3G). The movement can be detected from the position and angle of the part.

  In this case, the motion detection device 4 detects the motion in consideration of not only the position but also the angle. For example, even if the human body is turning without changing the head position, This can be detected based on the state detection index information DS of the distance detection device 3 arranged in the section. For example, the predetermined joint position is not changed and the joint is bent (or stretched). However, detection can be made based on the state detection index information DS of the distance detection device 3 arranged at the joint.

(2-5) Operation and Effect of First Embodiment In the above configuration, the motion capture system 1 uses the quasi-electrostatic field distance scales SKa, SKb, and SKc distinguished by the occurrence location identification ID that is an identification index. It is generated sequentially from the three electrodes 2A, 2B, 2C of the quasi-electrostatic field generator 2 every unit time.

  In this state, the motion capture system 1 uses the quasi-electrostatic field distance scales SKa, SKb, SKc based on the reception frequencies of the quasi-electrostatic field distance scales SKa, SKb, SKc to the electrodes 2A, 2B, 2C. Are determined, and the determined distances are notified to the motion detection device 4 as state detection index information DSa, DSb, DSc.

  Then, the motion capture system 1 calculates the position for each of the distance determination devices 3A to 3G based on the distances of the state detection index information DSa, DSb, DSc notified by the distance determination device 3, and the calculated position and The amount of change from the reference position held in advance is detected as the amount of movement of the operation target.

  Therefore, since this motion capture system 1 uses a quasi-electrostatic field, it does not require a video camera as in the conventional optical system when detecting the motion of the operation target, and moves as in the conventional magnetic system. The movement can be detected without requiring a huge magnetic field generating coil or a huge exciting coil surrounding the operation space according to the range, and without restricting the operation target as in the conventional mechanical type. In addition, in this motion capture system 1, since the motion is detected using a quasi-electrostatic field having a high resolution with respect to the distance, the distance is determined with high accuracy by the distance determination devices 3A to 3G. As a result, the amount of movement of the operation target can be detected with high accuracy.

  Moreover, in this motion capture system 1, since the quasi-electrostatic field generator 2 can be incorporated in illumination or the like (described later), the use space is not restricted due to the provision of the quasi-electrostatic field generator 2. Also, physical enlargement of the equipment can be avoided.

  According to the above configuration, a quasi-electrostatic field composed of a plurality of frequencies distinguished by the identification index is generated from at least two or more electric field generation sources, and the distance from the distance based on the reception frequency of the quasi-electrostatic field received in the operation target is calculated. By calculating the position of the distance determination device and detecting the amount of change between the calculated position and a pre-stored reference position as the amount of movement of the operation target, a quasi-electrostatic field having high resolution with respect to the distance As a result, the movement can be accurately detected without requiring an excessive amount of equipment as compared with the conventional method, and the movement of the operation target can be easily detected.

(2-6) Other Embodiments In the first embodiment described above, quasi-electrostatic field generation that generates quasi-electrostatic fields composed of a plurality of frequencies distinguished by identification indices from at least two or more electric field generation sources. As a device (quasi-electrostatic field generating means), a quasi-electrostatic field distance scale is sequentially applied to a plurality of receiving objects (distance determination devices 3A to 3G) provided as operating objects from three electrodes 2A, 2B, and 2C. Although the present invention is not limited to this, the present invention is not limited to this, and sequentially from each of two electric field generation sources having different positions to a plurality of reception targets (distance determination devices 3A to 3G) every unit time. A quasi-electrostatic field distance scale may be generated. In this case, the motion of the operation target can be detected two-dimensionally in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above.

  Further, in this case, for example, one electric field generation source is provided so as to be movable without being provided with two electric field generation sources having different positions from each other, and is generated by sequentially moving to different predetermined generation positions every unit time. May be.

  In this case, as long as the quasi-electrostatic field distance scale is generated from at least two electric field generation sources having different positions, they may be generated at the same time instead of being sequentially generated every unit time. May be generated for a single reception target without being generated for the reception target (distance determination devices 3A to 3G). Even if it does in this way, the effect similar to the above-mentioned 1st Embodiment can be acquired.

  Furthermore, in this case, the quasi-electrostatic field composed of a plurality of frequencies distinguished by the identification index is generated as a quasi-electrostatic field distance scale so that a predetermined intensity is obtained at each distance corresponding to each of the plurality of frequencies. It is not necessary to generate a quasi-electrostatic field according to the generation conditions of the quasi-electrostatic field distance scale, and a quasi-electrostatic field may be generated according to conditions by other methods, or simply a quasi-electrostatic field composed of a plurality of different frequencies. May be generated. Even if it does in this way, the effect similar to the above-mentioned 1st Embodiment can be acquired.

  In the first embodiment described above, the electric field for each component in the three-axis direction is used as a receiving means for receiving a quasi-electrostatic field composed of a plurality of frequencies distinguished by an identification index, which is generated from at least two generation positions. The case where the intensity is acquired and the reception frequency is detected from the acquired electric field intensity for each component has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the reception frequency is simply calculated from the electric field intensity obtained from one flat plate electrode. You may make it detect. In this case, although the motion capture system 1 cannot detect the angle, the position can obtain substantially the same effect as in the first embodiment described above.

  Further, in this case, as a receiving method of the receiving means, based on each potential difference in the triaxial direction obtained through the probe unit 30, the potential measuring unit 31 and the A / D conversion unit 32 shown in FIG. 34 calculates the electric field strength by component in the triaxial direction, calculates the electric field strength at the probe unit 30 (FIG. 9), and detects the reception frequency from the electric field strength by FFT processing. The reception frequency may be detected by a technique.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the determination means for determining the distance to each generation position based on the reception frequency of the quasi-electrostatic field is determined with reference to the frequency distance table. This is not limited to this, and can be determined by various other methods.

  In this case, when the distance to each generation position is determined based on the reception frequency of the quasi-electrostatic field, the determined distance corresponds to the distortion of the electric field strength for each component caused by the operation target. As a method for correcting the distance, correction was made by subtracting a preset fixed average value for the distortion, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the type of the operation target, the weight, the body fat percentage, etc. The average value corresponding to each item may be selectively set and subtracted for correction, or various other values instead of the average value may be preset as correction values for correcting distortion. Also good.

  Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, the case where notification is made by wireless LAN communication as a notification means for notifying each distance as a determination result as its own position index has been described. Not limited to the wireless LAN communication, notification may be made by another communication method.

(3) Second Embodiment (3-1) Simulation In the second embodiment, a quasi-electrostatic field is generated from an inverter type illumination device such as a fluorescent lamp, and a human body existing in the quasi-electrostatic field is detected. A variation (potential change) in the quasi-electrostatic field corresponding to the pointing to the device (hereinafter referred to as a pointing operation) is detected, and the illumination state of the fluorescent lamp is controlled based on the result. .

  First, the simulation result about the fluctuation | variation of this quasi-electrostatic field is shown in FIGS. FIG. 16A shows various conditions of the simulation. As the conditions, (I) a room RM having a height of 2 [m] from the floor FL, where the ceiling CE and the floor FL are the ground. (II) A generating means SO for generating a quasi-electrostatic field is disposed at a height of 1.8 [m] from the floor FL, and (III) near the generating means SO (height from the floor FL is 1.. It is assumed that a detecting means DT for detecting a quasi-electrostatic field variation (potential change) is disposed at a position of 75 [m].

  Under such conditions, the potential pattern in the room RM is simulated when the human body HB does not exist under the generating means (FIG. 16B) and when it exists (FIGS. 17 and 18). . However, in this case, the human body HB has a height of 1.6 [m] and is handled as a rectangular parallelepiped having a relative dielectric constant of 50. In consideration of the thickness of the flooring and the thickness of the shoe sole, HB is treated as being in a state of 0.05 [m] floating from the floor FL.

  The simulation result shows that when the human body HB does not exist (FIG. 16B), the detection result of the detection means DT is about 41 [V], and the human body HB exists directly under the generation means SO ( In FIG. 17 (A)), the detection result by the detection means DT was about 33 [V].

  In addition, when the human body HB is present at a position shifted laterally (left side) rather than directly below the generating means SO (FIG. 17B), the detection means DT closer to the human body HB (left side) is approximately It was 31 [V], and the detection means DT farther to the human body HB (right side) was about 37 [V]. Further, when the human body HB existing directly below the generating means SO performs a pointing operation (corresponding to a thin portion in the human body HB in the figure) (FIG. 18), the detecting means DT is about 36 [V]. .

  On the other hand, although not shown in the figure, when the human body HB sitting right under the generating means SO stands up, and when the human body HB sitting under the generating means SO performs a pointing operation, both of the detection means DT The potential was equivalent.

  According to such a simulation result, the distance of the human body HB and the presence / absence of a finger pointing motion are detected from the detection result of the potential change at the detecting means DT when the human body performs a finger pointing motion while standing under the generating means SO. I know you can. However, in order to detect the distance of the human body HB and the presence or absence of a finger pointing action, various conditions such as the arrangement position and environment of the generating means SO and the detecting means DT or the height of the human body HB (hereinafter referred to as detection conditions) are used. Therefore, it is necessary to set a threshold value corresponding to the detection condition.

(3-2) Overall Configuration of Motion Capture Illumination Device According to Second Embodiment FIG. 19 shows an inverter illumination device for motion capture according to the second embodiment (hereinafter referred to as a motion capture illumination device). 51 is shown.

  The motion capture illumination device 51 illuminates a predetermined range (hereinafter referred to as an illumination range) from the illumination lamp 52 via the illumination umbrella 53 and generates a quasi-electrostatic field in the illumination range. Then, the motion capture lighting device 51 detects the human body that has entered the illumination range provided in the vicinity of the lighting umbrella 53 and the pointing action of the human body from the potential change obtained through the receiving electrodes 54 and 55, The illumination state is controlled based on the detection result.

  Therefore, since the motion capture lighting device 51 can turn on or off the illumination state by a pointing operation without requiring a physical switch, the complexity of the user can be simplified accordingly. Has been made.

(3-3) Configuration of Motion Capture Illumination Device As shown in FIG. 20, the motion capture illumination device 51 includes an illumination unit 61 that lights the illumination lamp 52 (FIG. 19), and a modulation that superimposes a signal for generating a quasi-electrostatic field. The circuit 62 includes a control unit 63 that controls the entire motion capture lighting device 51 and a reception unit 64.

  The drive circuit 61A of the illuminating unit 61 varies the voltage level of the AC voltage in accordance with the voltage adjustment signal S61 given from the dimming circuit 61C, and converts the AC voltage having the variable voltage level into a piezoelectric transformer via the modulation circuit 62. Send to 61B.

  The piezoelectric transformer 61B boosts the AC voltage supplied from the drive circuit 61A, and applies the boosted AC voltage to the application target electrode (hereinafter referred to as an application electrode) CRa as a driving high voltage.

  The cold cathode ray tube CR emits light between the cold electrode tube CR and the ground electrode CRb connected to the ground based on the driving high voltage, and illuminates the illumination lamp 52 (FIG. 19). As a result, the illumination range is illuminated from the illumination lamp 52 (FIG. 19) via the illumination umbrella 53 (FIG. 19).

  The dimming circuit 61C generates a voltage adjustment signal S61 according to the voltage level applied to the application electrode CRa of the cold cathode ray tube CR, and feeds it back to the drive circuit 61A to apply to the application electrode CRa of the cold cathode ray tube CR. Adjust so that a constant AC voltage is applied.

  Thus, the illumination unit 61 illuminates the illumination range from the illumination lamp 52 (FIG. 19) via the illumination umbrella 53 (FIG. 19) so as to give a predetermined voltage to the cold cathode tube CR.

  Here, the modulation circuit 62 performs a modulation process on the quasi-electrostatic field generating signal S62 having a predetermined frequency so as to be superimposed on the AC voltage supplied from the drive circuit 61A.

  In this case, an alternating voltage (hereinafter referred to as a signal superimposed voltage) on which the quasi-electrostatic field generation signal S62 is superimposed is boosted via the piezoelectric transformer 61B and applied to the application electrode CRa of the cold cathode ray tube CR. . As a result, a quasi-electrostatic field that vibrates in accordance with the frequency of the quasi-electrostatic field generating signal S62 is generated around the application electrode CRa at the same time as illumination within the illumination range.

  As described above, in the motion capture lighting device 51, the driving high voltage for light emission of the cold cathode ray tube CR is shared for generating the quasi-electrostatic field so that the quasi-electrostatic field can be generated with a simple configuration. Has been made. In addition to this, the application electrode CRa of the cold cathode ray tube CR for lighting the illumination lamp 52 (FIG. 19) is also used for generating a quasi-electrostatic field, thereby generating a quasi-electrostatic field with a simpler configuration. Has been made to be able to.

  Further, in the case of this embodiment, in the motion capture lighting device 51, the material of the lighting umbrella 53 (FIG. 19) so as to function also as a shield frame for limiting the quasi-electrostatic field generated from the applied electrode CRa in the isotropic direction. Etc. are selected. Thereby, the motion capture illumination device 51 can generate a quasi-electrostatic field in a range equivalent to the illumination range.

  Further, in the case of this embodiment, in the motion capture lighting device 51, as described above with respect to the relationship between the frequency of the quasi-electrostatic field and the distance using FIGS. 3 and 4, as the frequency of the quasi-electrostatic field generation signal S62, A frequency corresponding to the illumination range (distance from the cold cathode ray tube CR) and a frequency lower than the frequency of the driving high voltage boosted by the piezoelectric transformer 61B (generally about 100 [kHz]) are selected. Yes.

  As a result, the motion capture illumination device 51 can generate a quasi-electrostatic field having a strength superior to the strength of the radiation electric field and the induction electromagnetic field in the illumination range.

  On the other hand, the receiving unit 64 sends the quasi-electrostatic field potential within the illumination range to the control unit 63 as potential data D64a and D64b through the amplifiers 64A and 64B and ADCs 64C and 64D corresponding to the receiving electrodes 54 and 55 in sequence. .

  In the control unit 63, an upper limit threshold and a lower limit threshold are set as thresholds for detecting that a human body existing within the illumination range has performed a finger pointing action. When both potentials in the given potential data D64a and D64b are between the upper limit threshold and the lower limit threshold, it is detected that the human body existing within the illumination range has performed a pointing operation.

  Specifically, taking the simulation described above as an example, if both potentials in the potential data D64a and D64b are between, for example, an upper threshold of 37 [V] and a lower threshold of 35 [V], this means that As shown in FIG. 18, this means that the human body that is almost directly below the illuminating lamp 52 (FIG. 19) is in the middle of performing a pointing operation. In this case, the control unit 63 Then, it is detected that a human body existing within the illumination range has performed a pointing operation.

  When the drive circuit 61A is operating at the time of detection, the control unit 63 controls to stop the operation. On the other hand, when the drive circuit 61A is not operating at the time of detection, the control unit 63 Control to start operation.

  In this way, the motion capture lighting device 51 can detect a potential change when a human body existing within the illumination range points to the device 51, and control the illumination state (on / off) based on the detection result. It has been made possible.

(3-4) Operation and Effect of Second Embodiment In the above configuration, the motion capture lighting device 51 generates a quasi-electrostatic field having a strength superior to the radiated electric field and the induction electromagnetic field, and The potential detected from the two receiving electrodes 54 and 55 provided at a predetermined position in the electrostatic field is measured.

  The motion capture lighting device 51 detects the human body existing in the illumination range when the potential change at the positions of the receiving electrodes 54 and 55 is between the upper threshold value and the lower threshold value. Is detected to perform a finger pointing operation, and the illumination state (ON / OFF) is controlled based on the detection result.

  Therefore, in this motion capture lighting device 51, the illumination state can be turned on or off by a pointing operation without requiring a physical switch, and thus the user's complexity can be simplified accordingly.

  In this case, in this motion capture illumination device 51, since the quasi-electrostatic field having a high resolution with respect to the distance is used, as in the case of the first embodiment, an excessive amount of equipment is provided as compared with the conventional method. It is possible to detect the movement with high accuracy without necessity. In addition to this, in this motion capture illumination device 51, the driving high voltage for light emission of the cold cathode ray tube CR is shared for generating the quasi-electrostatic field, so that the quasi-static operation is performed as in the first embodiment. By avoiding the physical configuration of the electric field generator 2 (FIG. 5) itself, it is possible to reduce the size and increase the use space.

  According to the above configuration, a quasi-electrostatic field having a strength superior to that of the radiated electric field and the induction electromagnetic field is generated, and the pointing operation is performed based on the potential change at the receiving electrodes 54 and 55 in the quasi-electrostatic field. In addition to the effects of the first embodiment described above, it is possible to perform the pointing operation without requiring a physical switch, by controlling the illumination state (on / off) based on the detection result. Since the illumination state can be turned on or off, the complexity of the user can be simplified accordingly.

(4) Third Embodiment (4-1) Overall Configuration of Motion Capture Display Device According to Third Embodiment In FIG. 21, this motion capture display device 101 has a cold cathode ray tube (not shown) as a backlight. ), And the light emission driving voltage for the cold cathode ray tube is also used for generating a quasi-electrostatic field, and a quasi-electrostatic field is generated from the display panel PN simultaneously with the lighting of the liquid crystal display panel PN.

  In this state, the motion capture display device 101 detects the movement of the human arm from the potential change patterns obtained via the receiving electrodes 102 to 105 provided at the four corners of the housing KT with the liquid crystal display panel PN side as the front surface. As processing associated with the detected operation in advance, for example, power on / off, volume increase / decrease, and the like are executed.

  Therefore, in this motion capture display device 101, processing corresponding to the operation of the user's arm as an operation input from the remote controller can be executed, so that the complexity of the user can be simplified as much as the remote controller is not required. It has been made to be able to.

(4-2) Configuration of Motion Capture Display Device As shown in FIG. 22 in which parts corresponding to those in FIG. 20 are assigned the same reference numerals, in this motion capture display device 101, the control unit 110 is a control unit of the motion capture lighting device 51. 63 (FIG. 20) is different in processing content, and the internal configuration of the reception unit 111 is increased corresponding to the number of reception electrodes compared to the reception unit 64 (FIG. 20) of the motion capture lighting device 51. Except for the point, it has the same configuration as the motion capture illumination device 51 (FIG. 20).

  That is, the illumination unit 61 turns on the liquid crystal display panel PN so as to apply a predetermined voltage to the cold cathode tube CR disposed behind the liquid crystal display panel PN, and moves the user from the display device 101 to a predetermined distance. A quasi-electrostatic field that is a range for detection (hereinafter referred to as a motion detection range) is generated around the cold cathode tube CR in the isotropic direction.

  In this case, in the motion capture display device 101, as in the case of the motion capture illumination device 51, the motion detection range (distance from the display device 101) is used as the frequency of the quasi-electrostatic field generation signal S62 superimposed via the modulation circuit 62. ) And a frequency lower than the frequency of the driving high voltage boosted by the piezoelectric transformer 112 (generally about 100 [kHz]) is selected.

  As a result, the motion capture display device 101 can generate a quasi-electrostatic field having a strength superior to that of the radiation field and the induction field within the motion detection range centered on the application electrode CRa. .

  On the other hand, each receiving unit 111 sequentially converts the potential of the motion detection range into potential data D111a via the amplifiers 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D and ADCs 111E, 111F, 111G, 111H corresponding to the receiving electrodes 102, 103, 104, 105. , D111b, D111c, and D111d are sent to the control unit 110.

  Based on the potential data D111a to D111d given from each receiving unit 111, the control unit 110 detects a potential change pattern corresponding to a predetermined movement of the arm in the human body existing within the motion detection target range, and detects the detection. A control process for controlling a control object associated in advance with the result is executed.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 23, as the potential change pattern, when the arm is brought close to the upper right of the liquid crystal display panel PN, the potential data D111a (FIG. 22) corresponding to the upper right receiving electrode 102 (FIG. 21). The potential is lowest ([1] in FIG. 23A). When the arm in such a state is directly under the arm, the closer the arm is to the receiving electrode 103 (FIG. 21), the corresponding potential of the potential data D111a corresponding to the receiving electrode 102 becomes lower. The potential of the potential data D111b (FIG. 22) corresponding to the reception electrode 103 becomes higher ([2] in FIG. 23A). Further, when the arm is stationary at the lower right of the liquid crystal display panel PN, the potential of the potential data D111b (FIG. 22) corresponding to the lower right receiving electrode 103 is kept low ([ 3]).

  Therefore, the control unit 110 reduces the volume of the potential change pattern (t1 to t2 in FIG. 23B) corresponding to the operation when the arm is brought close to the upper right of the liquid crystal display panel PN and then directly lower right. And the amplification level of the sound amplifying unit (not shown) for the time corresponding to the motion where the arm is still in the lower right (t2 to t3 in FIG. 23B). Try to make it smaller.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 24 (A), the control unit 110 has a potential change pattern (corresponding to an operation when the arm is moved straight up to the upper right from the lower right of the liquid crystal display panel PN ( The time t1 to t2) in FIG. 24A is set for detecting the volume up motion, and the time corresponding to the motion in which the arm is still at the upper right (t2 to t3 in FIG. 24A) is continued. It is set to increase the amplification degree of the sound amplifying unit (not shown).

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 24B, a potential change pattern (FIG. 24B) corresponding to the operation when the arm is moved to the lower right substantially parallel to the lower left of the liquid crystal display panel PN. ) To t1 to t2) for channel (television program) change motion detection, and the time corresponding to the motion where the arm is still in the lower right (t2 to t3 in FIG. 24B) Only the channel of the channel switching unit (not shown) is set to be changed sequentially.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 24C, a potential change pattern corresponding to an operation of rotating the arm from the lower right to the upper right, upper left, and lower left of the liquid crystal display panel PN is previously detected for power on / off detection. It is set so that the operation is started when the drive circuit 61A is not operating at this time, and is stopped when the drive circuit 61A is operating. .

  In this case, the control unit 110 measures the potentials of the potential data D111a to D111d given from the receiving unit 111 (FIG. 25: step SP31), and the measurement result is set to a preset potential change pattern (FIGS. 23 and 24). ) (FIG. 25: step SP32), and the potentials of the potential data D111a to D111d are continuously measured until the matching positive result is obtained.

  When a positive result is obtained, the control unit 110 executes a control process (hereinafter referred to as a corresponding control process) associated with the potential change pattern determined at this time (FIG. 25: subroutine SRT2). Thereafter, the measurement of the potentials of the potential data D111a to D111d is started again.

  In practice, when the control unit 110 obtains the potential change pattern shown in FIG. 23B (when the arm is brought close to the upper right of the liquid crystal display panel PN and then directly below the right), the corresponding control process is performed. Volume reduction processing is performed (FIG. 26), and the potential (receiving electrode 103 (FIG. 21)) of the potential data D111b at the time when the potential change pattern is obtained (time t2 in FIG. 23B). Is determined to be within a range of potential change that can be regarded as a state where the arm is stationary at the lower right of the liquid crystal display panel PN (FIG. 26: step SP41). The degree of amplification of the sound amplifying unit (not shown) is successively reduced until a negative result not within the range is obtained (FIG. 26: step SP42).

  In addition, when the control unit 110 obtains the potential change pattern shown in FIG. 24A (when the arm is brought close to the lower right of the liquid crystal display panel PN and then directly moved to the upper right), the control unit 110 increases the volume as a corresponding control process. The processing is executed (FIG. 27), and the potential of the potential data D111a at the time of obtaining the potential change pattern (time t2 in FIG. 24A) (via the receiving electrode 102 (FIG. 21)). It is determined whether or not the obtained potential is within a potential change range such that the arm can be regarded as being stationary at the upper right of the liquid crystal display panel PN (FIG. 27: step SP51). Until a negative result is obtained, the amplification level of the voice amplifying unit (not shown) is sequentially increased (FIG. 27: step SP52).

  Further, when the potential change pattern shown in FIG. 24B is obtained (when the arm is moved close to the lower left of the liquid crystal display panel PN and moved substantially parallel to the lower right), the control unit 110 performs a corresponding control process. Channel change processing is executed (FIG. 28), and the potential (receiving electrode 103 (FIG. 21)) of the potential data D111b at the time when the potential change pattern is obtained (time t2 in FIG. 24B). Is determined to be within a range of potential change that can be regarded as a state where the arm is stationary at the lower right of the liquid crystal display panel PN (FIG. 28: step SP61). Until a negative result not within the range is obtained, the channel of the channel switching unit (not shown) is changed so as to be sequentially incremented by one channel (FIG. 28: step SP62).

  Further, the control unit 110 responds when the potential change pattern shown in FIG. 24C is obtained (when the arm is rotated from the lower right to the upper right, upper left, and lower left of the liquid crystal display panel PN). A drive circuit switching process is executed as a control process, and when the drive circuit 61A (FIG. 22) is not operating at the time of obtaining the potential change pattern, the drive circuit 61A (FIG. 22). By starting the operation, the liquid crystal display panel PN is turned on and a quasi-electrostatic field is generated around the cold cathode tube CR (FIG. 22).

  On the other hand, when the drive circuit 61A (FIG. 22) is operating at the time of obtaining the potential change pattern shown in FIG. 24C, the control unit 110 performs the drive circuit 61A (FIG. 22). By stopping this operation, the liquid crystal display panel PN is turned off and the generation of the quasi-electrostatic field is stopped.

  In this way, when the potential change patterns of the potential data D111a to D111d given from the receiving units 111 match the preset potential change pattern, the control unit 110 associates the potential change pattern with the potential change pattern. The control target (sound amplifier, channel switching unit, or drive circuit 61A) can be controlled.

(4-3) Operation and Effect of Third Embodiment In the above configuration, the motion capture display device 101 generates a quasi-electrostatic field having a strength superior to that of the radiated electric field and the induced electromagnetic field. The potential detected from the four receiving electrodes 102, 103, 104, and 105 provided at predetermined positions in the electrostatic field is measured.

  In the motion capture display device 101, the potential changes at the respective positions of the receiving electrodes 102, 103, 104, and 105 are set in advance in potential change patterns (FIGS. 23B, 24A, and 24B). In the case of t1 to t2 and FIG. 25), it is detected that the associated operation has been performed, and the corresponding control target is controlled based on the detection result.

  Therefore, in this motion capture display device 101, processing corresponding to the operation of the user's arm as an operation input from the remote controller can be executed, so that the complexity of the user can be simplified as much as the remote controller is not required. Can be

  In this case, in this motion capture display device 101, as in the case of the second embodiment described above, the quasi-electrostatic field having a high resolution with respect to the distance is used. The motion can be detected accurately without requiring equipment. In addition, by sharing the driving high voltage for light emission of the cold cathode ray tube CR for generating the quasi-electrostatic field, the quasi-electrostatic field generator 2 (FIG. 5) as in the first embodiment described above. It is possible to avoid the physical configuration of the device itself and reduce the size and increase the use space.

  According to the above configuration, a quasi-electrostatic field having a strength superior to that of the radiated electric field and the induction electromagnetic field is generated, and potential changes at the respective positions of the receiving electrodes 102, 103, 104, and 105 in the quasi-electrostatic field. As described above, the predetermined motion of the operation target is detected, and the process associated with the detected motion is executed, so that the same effect as in the second embodiment can be obtained. Since it is possible to execute processing corresponding to the operation of the user's arm as if it were an operation input from the remote controller, the complexity of the user can be simplified by the amount that does not require the remote controller.

(5) Other Embodiments In the second embodiment described above, the case where the quasi-electrostatic field is generated from the inverter type illumination device using the cold cathode ray tube CR has been described. However, the quasi-electrostatic field may be generated from an inverter illumination device using a hot cathode ray tube. In this case, an effect similar to that of the second embodiment described above can be obtained.

  In the second and third embodiments described above, the modulation circuit 62 is provided in the illumination unit 61 as a quasi-electrostatic field generating means for generating a quasi-electrostatic field having a strength superior to that of the radiation electric field and the induction electromagnetic field. Although the case where it was made to share with an illumination function by incorporating was described, this invention is not limited to this, For example, the quasi-electrostatic field generator 2 in the above-mentioned 1st Embodiment is the illumination umbrella 53 (FIG. 19). Alternatively, it may be separately provided in the vicinity of the liquid crystal display panel PN (FIG. 21).

  In this case, the quasi-electrostatic field generation range (corresponding to the illumination range in the second embodiment and corresponding to the motion detection range in the third embodiment) is fixed. Not limited to this, it may be variable. In this case, it is possible to detect the motion of the operation target by adaptively changing the generation range in accordance with the use situation or the like.

  In the second and third embodiments described above, a predetermined movement of the operation target in the quasi-electrostatic field is detected based on a potential change at at least two positions in the quasi-electrostatic field, and the detection is performed. As a control means for executing the processing associated with the motion, the pattern obtained by the combination of potential changes at each position is detected as a predetermined motion of the operation target in the quasi-electrostatic field, and the detected motion is Although the case where the associated processing is executed has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the pattern obtained by the individual potential change at each position is a predetermined target of the operation target in the quasi-electrostatic field. It may be detected as a motion and a process associated with the detected motion may be executed.

  Furthermore, in the above-described second and third embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to the motion capture lighting device 51 and the motion capture display device 101 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, The present invention can be applied to various other electronic devices such as a personal computer.

  In this case, in the second and third embodiments described above, the process associated with the movement is related to lighting on / off and the display device. However, depending on the processing content of the electronic device to be applied, Can be changed.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used, for example, in the case of sensing body posture motion for controlling a viewpoint of a player in a three-dimensional virtual space by using a motion of a motion target as data, medical diagnosis, CG or game production, or VR. .

  1 ... motion capture system, 2 ... quasi-electrostatic field generator, 2A, 2B, 2C ... quasi-electrostatic field generating electrode, 3A to 3G ... distance determination device, 4 ... motion detector, 22 ... output Adjustment unit 23... Synthesis unit 24 24 Modulation unit 25 Output control unit 30 Probe unit 31 Potential measurement unit 34 Distance conversion unit 42 Position calculation unit 43 ...... Angle calculation unit, 44 …… Operating state calculation unit, 51 …… Motion capture lighting device, 52 …… Light, 53 …… Light umbrella, 54, 55, 102 to 105 …… Reception electrode, 61 …… Light Unit, 62 modulation circuit, 63, 110 ... control unit, 64, 111 ... receiving unit, CR ... cold cathode ray tube, PN ... liquid crystal display panel, RT1 ... distance determination processing procedure, RT2 ... operation state detection Processing procedure, RT3... Control processing procedure.

Claims (1)

A measuring unit for measuring the potential difference between the receiving electrodes;
Distance the intensity of the quasi-electrostatic field at each distance the frequency other than the frequency to be a reference is assigned, the electric field source or found to generate an electric field which is a strength of the quasi-electrostatic field at a distance of a frequency to be is assigned to the reference And a determination unit for determining
The determination unit
Wherein detecting the received frequency from the measurement result of the measuring unit, with respect to the distance to be assigned is the received frequency, distortion amount subjected to correction processing, except for that caused by the human body, the correction processing distance after the electric field source or al A distance detecting apparatus characterized by determining the distance as a distance.

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