JP5538777B2 - Information presentation device, information presentation system, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information presentation apparatus, an information presentation system, and a program that can present information to a driver or the like seated on a vehicle seat by tactile stimulation.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various warning devices for automobiles that detect a dangerous object approaching the host vehicle and present information on the dangerous object to a driver or the like are known.
For example, in Patent Document 1 below, a vibrator in which sensors such as an infrared sensor and an ultrasonic sensor are arranged in a vehicle, an obstacle existing around the vehicle is detected, and information related to the obstacle is arranged in a driver's seat or the like. A technique for notifying a driver or the like by vibrating a (vibrator) is disclosed.

In this technique, information such as the position and speed of an obstacle is presented by changing the vibration pattern (which vibrator is to be vibrated) of a large number of vibrators arranged in a driver's seat or the like.
Also, in Patent Document 2 below, as in Patent Document 1, an obstacle is detected by various sensors arranged in the vehicle, and a plurality of vibrations arranged in the driver's seat according to the dangerous state due to the obstacle. A technique for changing the vibration state of a child and presenting information to a driver is disclosed.

  This technology can perceive an apparent motion phenomenon (for example, a virtual vibration phenomenon indicating the moving direction of an obstacle, etc.) by matching the vibration frequency, presentation time, amplitude, etc. of the vibrator with the human tactile characteristics. By controlling in this way, the information is intended to be presented without giving the driver a feeling of discomfort or discomfort due to vibration.

JP 2006-215900 A JP 2008-77631 A

However, with the technology of Patent Document 1 described above, it has not been possible to present information indicating the direction of an obstacle or the direction of movement.
Further, in the technique of Patent Document 2, it is possible to present information indicating the direction of an obstacle. However, in terms of a configuration in which information is presented to the driver by vibration of a vibrator embedded in the driver's seat, It was not easy to present information accurately to the driver.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and its purpose is to provide a tactile sensation that can accurately present information related to the direction of an obstacle or the like and the direction of movement to a driver or the like. An object is to provide an information presentation device, an information presentation system, and a program using stimulation.

(1) The invention according to claim 1 is an information presentation apparatus that uses a plurality of tactile stimulation means for applying tactile stimulation to a living body to present information indicating the direction around the living body to the living body. As the tactile stimulation means, the tactile stimulation means on the start point side and the tactile stimulation means on the end point side are used to control the living body so that the start point side is emphasized and stimulated from the end point side. A plurality of physical vibrators arranged in a plane, and when indicating the direction, the plurality of vibrators to vibrate so that the vibrators vibrate on the start point side and the end point side, respectively. The vibrator is changed along the direction, and the degree of stimulation enhancement by the vibrator is controlled by adjusting the amplitude of vibration .

  When presenting a direction by tactile stimulation to a driver or the like based on research by the present inventors, the direction can be clearly shown by stimulating the start point side to be emphasized from the end point side. It has become clear, and the present invention has been made based on the findings.

  In other words, in the present invention, when a driver's tactile sensation is stimulated by a plurality of tactile stimulation means and information related to the direction (information such as the direction of the obstacle or the moving direction) is presented, the start point side is changed from the end point side. Since control is performed so as to emphasize and stimulate, information about the direction can be presented to the driver or the like more accurately than in the past.

  Here, “stimulate with the start point side emphasized from the end point side” means that a stimulus such as a tactile sensation (i.e., a stimulus on the start point side is perceived stronger than a stimulus on the end point side) For example, stimulation by vibration).

Furthermore, in the present invention, as the tactile stimulation means, a plurality of physical vibrators arranged in a planar shape are provided, and when indicating the direction, a plurality of the vibrations are respectively provided on the start point side and the end point side. The plurality of vibrators to be vibrated are changed along the direction so as to vibrate the child.
Therefore, the direction of an obstacle or the like can be clearly presented by vibrations of a plurality of vibrators.
Examples of the physical vibrator include a vibration motor and a piezoelectric element whose vibration state changes depending on applied electric power.
Moreover, in the present invention, the degree of enhancement (strength: level) of stimulation by the vibrator can be controlled by adjusting the amplitude of the vibrator. That is, by increasing the vibration amplitude of the vibrator, the degree of stimulation enhancement (that is, the intensity of the stimulation) can be increased.
It should be noted that the degree of stimulation enhancement (i.e., the intensity of stimulation) can be increased by lowering the frequency of vibration and lengthening the duration of vibration.
(2) In the invention of claim 2, control is performed so that the vibrations caused by the vibrators in one or more rows are changed from the start point side to the end point side.
Here, control of vibration of the vibrator is illustrated.

( 3 ) In the invention of claim 3 , when the information indicating the direction is presented, different vibrators are vibrated along the direction, and the number of vibrators vibrated at the start point is set as the end point. The number of vibrators to be vibrated is increased.

  The present invention exemplifies control of the degree of stimulation enhancement by a vibrator. In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3B, for example, the number of vibrators (S) to be vibrated as a starting point is made larger than the number of vibrators to be vibrated as an end point (E: E <S). The intensity of stimulation on the side can be increased from the end point side. Thereby, the direction can be clearly presented.

( 4 ) In the invention of claim 4 , when presenting information indicating the direction, the vibrator to be vibrated along the direction in which the information is presented is changed, and at the time of changing the vibrator, The vibrator that has already been vibrated is also vibrated.

  The present invention exemplifies control of the degree of stimulation enhancement by a vibrator. In the present invention, for example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the vibrator to be vibrated from the start point to the end point is changed. However, when changing the vibrator to be vibrated, the vibrator on the start point side already vibrated is changed. Also vibrate together.

According to the experiments by the present inventors, it is clear that even when the vibrator is vibrated in this way, the direction can be presented more clearly than in the conventional case.
The reason for this is not necessarily clear, but by controlling the vibrator as in the present invention, the driver feels that the vibration of the vibrator moves from the start point side to the end point side. It is presumed that the vibrator on the starting point side that vibrates continuously vibrates, so that the starting point side is always recognized.

( 5 ) The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the tactile stimulation means is embedded in at least one of a seat and a steering of an automobile.
The present invention exemplifies the attachment position of the tactile stimulation means. For example, when tactile stimulation means is attached to the backrest portion or seating surface of the seat, for example, a matrix arrangement in which transducers are arranged vertically and horizontally in a plane (on a plane) can be employed. For example, when a tactile stimulation means is attached to the steering, for example, a matrix arrangement in which a plane in which transducers are arranged vertically and horizontally is formed in a cylindrical shape can be employed.

Note that a matrix of “n ≧ 2, m ≧ 1” or “n ≧ 1, m ≧ 2” (where n is the number of rows and m is the number of columns) can be employed as the matrix of the vibrator or the like.
( 6 ) The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the tactile sense stimulating means is controlled based on information from a periphery monitoring device for monitoring the situation around the vehicle, and the direction of the dangerous article is presented.

  In the present invention, for example, the direction of the dangerous substance is presented based on information from a peripheral monitoring device such as a camera or a radar, so that the driver who receives the direction can drive the vehicle more safely.

( 7 ) The invention of claim 7 is characterized in that the direction of route guidance is presented by controlling the tactile stimulation means based on information from a navigation device.
In the present invention, the direction of the route guidance is presented based on the information from the navigation device, so that the driver who receives the direction can drive the vehicle more safely.

Incidentally, the tactile stimulation means, embeds the seat and steering of a motor vehicle, both by stimulation of the tactile stimulation means of the tactile stimulation means of the sheet steering, by perception of apparent movement to the driver, wherein Direction can be presented.

  According to the study by the present inventors, the driver perceives the apparent movement (at a position different from the actual vibration location) by the stimulation of both the tactile stimulation means of the seat and the tactile stimulation means of the steering. Has been shown to be possible.

  In other words, when the driver sitting on the seat and holding the steering wheel receives stimulation from the tactile stimulation means of the seat and the tactile stimulation means of the steering, the driver is stimulated between the seat and the steering (for example, the middle part of the arm). (This is called an apparent movement phenomenon). Therefore, the direction can be presented by this apparent movement.

  Specifically, for example, when the steering vibrator is vibrated more strongly than the seat vibrator, an apparent motion can be generated in a portion before the center of the arm. Therefore, by adjusting the strength of vibration of both the steering and seat vibrators, the position of the apparent motion can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the arm (and hence the vehicle). The direction can be presented according to the moving direction.

  In addition, the strength of the apparent motion can be controlled by adjusting the vibration strength of both the steering and seat vibrators (that is, increasing the strength of the vibration of both vibrators can increase the strength of the apparent motion. it can).

  Therefore, by adjusting the vibration intensity of both the steering and seat vibrators, the direction (for example, the direction from the steering side (start point side) to the seat side (end point side)) can be presented, and the stimulus intensity on the start point side Can be increased from the end point side.

( 8 ) The invention of claim 8 is characterized in that the tactile stimulation means is a vibration motor.
The present invention exemplifies tactile stimulation means. The vibration motor can adjust the intensity of vibration (and hence the intensity of stimulation) by adjusting the power supplied.

(9) The invention of claim 9, wherein an information presentation system having a information presentation device according to any one of claims 1-8, in this information presentation system provided with a feeler stimulation means, the own At least one of a periphery monitoring device and a navigation device for monitoring the periphery of the vehicle is provided.

(10) The invention of claim 10 has a configuration in which information indicating the direction around the living body is presented to the living body using a plurality of tactile stimulating means for applying tactile stimulation to the living body. Information presentation using tactile stimulation means on the start point side and tactile stimulation means on the end point side when indicating the direction, and including a plurality of physical vibrators arranged in a plane as the tactile stimulation means A program for controlling the operation of the information presentation device by a computer, and realizing the function of controlling the computer so as to stimulate the living body with the start point side emphasized from the end point side. In addition, when the direction is indicated, the plurality of vibrators to be vibrated are changed along the direction so that the plurality of vibrators are vibrated on the start point side and the end point side, respectively. Moni, by adjusting the amplitude of the vibration, which is Puraguramu for realizing the function of controlling the degree of enhancement of the stimulation by the vibrator.
With this program, the information presentation apparatus can be operated as described above.

  Note that the above-described program indicates the order of instructions suitable for processing by a computer, and can be stored in advance in, for example, a storage device included in the information presentation device, and can be stored via various recording media and communication lines. Can be provided to an information presentation device.

It is a block diagram which shows the information presentation system containing the information presentation apparatus of Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an arrangement of vibration motors according to the first embodiment. (A) is a timing chart which shows the drive waveform of the vibration motor in Example 1, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the change of the movement position of the vibration motor. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of the information presentation device according to the first embodiment. (A) is a timing chart which shows the drive waveform of the vibration motor in a comparative example, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the change of the movement position of the vibration motor. (A) is a timing chart which shows the drive waveform of the vibration motor in Example 2, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the change of the movement position of the vibration motor. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an arrangement of a vibration motor for steering in Embodiment 3. It is explanatory drawing which shows the apparent exercise | movement in Example 4. FIG.

  Next, embodiments of the information presentation apparatus, information presentation system, and program of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

a) First, an information presentation system including the information presentation apparatus of this embodiment will be described.
The information presentation system of the present embodiment detects dangerous objects (obstacles such as other vehicles, people, and fixed objects) around the own vehicle, and depending on the state of the own vehicle and dangerous objects (position, speed, etc.) The direction of the dangerous substance (the existing direction and the moving direction) is presented to the driver.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information presentation system 1 of the present embodiment presents the direction of a dangerous object to the driver by a tactile sense (vibration sensation) and a surrounding monitoring device 3 that detects a dangerous object around the host vehicle. An information presentation vibration unit 5 and an information presentation device 7 that controls the operation of the information presentation vibration unit 5 based on information from the periphery monitoring device 3 are provided. A navigation device 9 is also connected to the information presentation device 7.

Each configuration will be described below.
The periphery monitoring device 3 includes a front camera 11, a rear camera 13, a side camera 15, an infrared camera 17, a laser radar 19, and the like.

  The information presentation vibration unit 5 includes a plurality of vibrators (vibration motors) 23 embedded in the backrest portion 21 of the driver's seat 20. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the vibration motor 23 is disposed on the same plane along the surface of the backrest portion 21 of the seat 20 so as to form a matrix of 5 rows × 5 columns.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the information presentation device 7 controls the operation of the information presentation vibration unit 5 (specifically, the vibration motor 23) in order to indicate the direction of the dangerous substance (for example, the direction in which it exists). A microcomputer (microcomputer) 25 is a main part, and a waveform generator 27 that generates a waveform for driving the vibration motor 23 based on a signal from the microcomputer 25, and an amplifier that amplifies the signal output from the waveform generator 27 Part 29. The amplifier unit 29 may be provided separately from the information presentation device 7.

  In the information presentation system 1, as shown in FIG. 2, amplifiers 31 to 39 are provided corresponding to the transducers 23 in each column of the information presentation vibration unit 5. That is, the first amplifier 31 that amplifies signals for the five vibration motors 23 in the row 1, the second amplifier 33 that amplifies signals for the five vibration motors 23 in the row 2, and the five vibration motors in the row 3. A third amplifier 35 that amplifies signals for the five vibration motors 23 in the row 4, a fourth amplifier 37 that amplifies signals for the five vibration motors 23 in the row 4, and a fourth amplifier 39 that amplifies signals for the five vibration motors 23 in the row 5. And.

b) Next, the operation of the information presentation system 1 of the present embodiment will be described.
In this embodiment, each vibration motor 23 of the information drive vibration unit 5 is driven as shown in FIG.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3A, first, at timing t0, the information presentation device 7 causes the information presentation drive unit 5 (and hence the vibration motor 23) to vibrate all the vibrations in the columns 1 and 2. A signal for driving the motor 23 (a signal for vibrating) is output. That is, at timing t0, the drive signal is turned on.

Next, at timing t1 100 msec after timing t0, the drive signal is turned OFF in order to stop the vibrations of all the vibration motors 23 in row 1 and row 2.
Next, at timing t2 after 100 msec from timing t1, the drive signal is turned on to vibrate all the vibration motors 23 in the row 3.

Next, the drive signal is turned off in order to stop the vibration of all the vibration motors 23 in the row 3 at the timing t3 after 100 msec from the timing t2.
Next, at timing t4 after 100 msec from timing t3, the drive signal is turned on to vibrate all the vibration motors 23 in row 4.

Next, at timing t5, which is 100 msec after timing t4, the drive signal is turned off in order to stop the vibration of all the vibration motors 23 in the row 4.
Next, at timing t6 after 100 msec from timing t5, the drive signal is turned on to vibrate all the vibration motors 23 in the row 5.

Next, at timing t7 100 msec after timing t6, the drive signal is turned off in order to stop the vibration of all the vibration motors 23 in the row 5.
Thereafter, the operation returns to the operation at the first timing t0 from the timing t8 after 100 msec from the timing t7, and the operation at the timing t0 to t8 (the operation of AB) is repeated a predetermined number of times.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 3B, the vibrations of the vibration motors 23 in the row 3 are sequentially spaced from each other by 100 msec from the vibrations of the vibration motors 23 in the row 1 and the row 2 (indicating the starting points). The vibration of the vibration motor 23 in the row 4 and the vibration of the vibration motor 23 in the row 5 (indicating the end point) are performed, and the operation according to the vibration pattern from the start point to the end point is repeated. In addition, the vibration motor 23 which the gray circle part of FIG.3 (b) vibrates is shown.

c) Next, the control process performed by the microcomputer 25 of the information presentation apparatus 7 of the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4, first, in step (S) 100, signals from the cameras 11 to 17 and the laser radar 19 of the periphery monitoring device 3 are input.

  In the following step 110, based on the signal from the surroundings monitoring device 3, the state of the dangerous goods is analyzed, and if it is determined that the information on the dangerous goods needs to be presented, which vibration is used to present the information. It is determined how to drive the motor 23.

  For example, when a dangerous object is present on the left side in front of the vehicle (as viewed from the driver), as shown in FIG. The vibration is controlled so as to move from the left side to the right side.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the vibration motor 23 is sequentially moved to the right, and at the start point, the vibration motor 23 is vibrated in two rows, and thereafter (up to the end point). The drive signal is set so that only the vibration motor 23 is vibrated. That is, it is set to output a drive signal for the corresponding vibration motor 23 at the timing shown in FIG.

In the following step 120, drive signals are sequentially output in accordance with the driving procedure of the vibration motor 23 determined in step 110.
In the subsequent step 130, it is determined whether or not the output of the driving signal AB is repeated a predetermined number of times. If an affirmative determination is made here, the present process is temporarily terminated, whereas if a negative determination is made, the process returns to step 120. .

  Accordingly, the operation of each vibration motor 23 is repeated so that the vibration moves (with emphasis on the start point side) from the left side where the start point is located in FIG. Can clearly experience that the vibration moves from the left side to the right side. Therefore, the driver can clearly feel that the direction from the left side to the right side (toward the seat 20) (that is, the direction from the right side to the left side of the vehicle as viewed from the driver) is presented.

d) Next, an experimental example performed to confirm the effect of the present embodiment will be described.
In this experimental example, the information presentation drive unit 5 of the present embodiment is attached to the backrest portion of an experimental seat (seat: not shown), the subject is seated on the seat, and the information presentation device 7 moves to the vibration motor 23. On the other hand, the drive signal shown in FIG. 3A was output (10 times between A and B), and the recognition rate of the vibration direction at that time was examined.

Specifically, sensory evaluation was performed to determine whether or not the moving direction of vibration could be recognized when similar driving signals were output to the vibration motor 23 of the seat for six subjects.
As a result, in the case of this embodiment, the vibration motors 23 in two rows are vibrated at the start point, and the vibration motors 23 in one row are vibrated until the end point thereafter, so that all six persons can move the vibration clearly. I was able to recognize the direction.

-Moreover, the experiment of the comparative example was also conducted.
Specifically, the same information presentation drive unit 5 as in the present embodiment is attached to a test sheet, a subject is seated on the sheet, and a drive signal is output from the information presentation device 7 to the vibration motor 23, The recognition rate of the direction of vibration at that time was examined.

  However, here, unlike the present embodiment, a drive signal was output as shown in FIG. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the vibration motors 23 in columns 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are respectively moved to the right in the figure for 100 msec (with an interval of 100 msec). Control was made to vibrate one row at a time.

As a result, in the case of the comparative example, since only one row of vibration motors 23 is vibrated from the start point to the end point, only one of the six persons can recognize the vibration moving direction.
e) Next, the effect of the present embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the two rows of vibration motors 23 indicating the start point are vibrated, and each subsequent row of vibration motors 23 is sequentially vibrated in the right direction in FIG. 3B until the end point thereafter. The driver can clearly recognize the moving direction of the vibration. As a result, the driver can clearly recognize the direction in which the obstacle exists.

  In this embodiment, the degree of stimulation enhancement is adjusted by changing the number of vibration motors 23. However, for example, using a piezoelectric element, the amplitude of vibration, the frequency of vibration, and the duration of vibration are adjusted. May control the intensity of the stimulus.

In the present embodiment, the direction of the route guidance may be presented by controlling the operation of the vibration motor 23 based on the information from the navigation device 9.
For example, when guiding the vehicle to turn left, as shown in FIG. 1, control may be performed so that the vibration is moved in the right direction toward the seat 20.

Next, the second embodiment will be described, but the description of the same contents as the first embodiment will be omitted.
Since the present embodiment is different from the second embodiment only in the method of driving the vibration motor, the difference will be mainly described. In addition, the same number is used about the same component as Example 1. FIG.

First, the operation of the information presentation system of this embodiment will be described.
In this embodiment, each vibration motor 23 of the information drive vibration unit 5 is driven as shown in FIG. That is, while controlling so that the vibration of the vibration motor 23 of each row moves to the right side of FIG. 6B, the vibration motor 23 of the row that has been vibrated once vibrates the vibration motor 23 of the next row or later. Also control to vibrate at the same time. That is, control is performed so that the number of vibration motors 23 that vibrate increases along the direction indicating the presence of the dangerous substance.

  Specifically, first, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), at time t0, the information presentation device 7 sends all the vibration motors 23 in the column 1 to the information presentation drive unit 5 (and hence the vibration motor 23). Outputs a signal to vibrate. That is, the drive signal is turned on at timing t0.

Next, at timing t1 100 msec after timing t0, the drive signal is turned off in order to stop the vibration of all the vibration motors 23 in the row 1.
Next, at timing t2 after 100 msec from timing t1, the drive signal is turned on to vibrate all vibration motors 23 in row 1 and row 2.

Next, at timing t3 100 msec after timing t2, the drive signal is turned off in order to stop the vibrations of all vibration motors 23 in row 1 and row 2.
Next, at timing t4 100 msec after timing t3, the drive signal is turned on to vibrate all the vibration motors 23 in the first to third columns.

Next, at timing t5 after 100 msec from timing t4, the drive signal is turned off in order to stop the vibration of all the vibration motors 23 in the first to third columns.
Next, at timing t6 after 100 msec from timing t5, the drive signal is turned on in order to vibrate all vibration motors 23 in column 1 to column 4.

Next, at timing t7, which is 100 msec after timing t6, the drive signal is turned off in order to stop the vibration of all the vibration motors 23 in the first to fourth columns.
Next, at timing t8 after 100 msec from timing t7, the drive signal is turned on in order to vibrate all vibration motors 23 in column 1 to column 5.

Next, at timing t9, which is 100 msec after timing t8, the drive signal is turned off in order to stop the vibrations of all the vibration motors 23 in the first to fifth columns.
Thereafter, the operation returns to the first timing t0 from the timing t10, which is 100 msec after the timing t9, and the operation at the timings t0 to t10 (AB operation) is repeated a predetermined number of times.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 6B, the vibrations of the vibration motors 23 in the first and second rows are sequentially spaced from each other by 100 msec from the vibration of the vibration motor 23 in the first row (indicating the starting point). The vibrations of the vibration motors 23 in the columns 1 to 3, the vibrations of the vibration motors 23 in the columns 1 to 4, and the vibrations of the vibration motors 23 in the columns 1 to 5 (indicating the end point) are performed from the start point to the end point. The operation with the reaching vibration pattern is repeated.

  In this way, in this embodiment, for example, when there is a dangerous substance on the right side (toward) of the seat 20 shown in FIG. 1, vibration is caused from the left side (starting point side) to the right side (ending point side) of the seat 20. 6 is controlled so that the row of vibration motors 23 that vibrate increases sequentially as it moves to the right as shown in FIG. 6B. As a result, the direction of the dangerous substance can be clearly shown to the driver.

Also in the present example, as in the experimental example of the first example, when a similar experiment was performed on six subjects, five of the six persons could clearly recognize the vibration moving direction.
In this embodiment, the number of columns that vibrate increases from the start point side to the end point side. Therefore, at first glance, there is an impression that vibration is emphasized on the end point side, but in reality, the vibration column simply moves. In addition to this, it is presumed that the directionality becomes clearer by always being aware of the starting point side by changing the number of vibrating columns (and hence the width of the vibrating portion).

Next, the third embodiment will be described, but the description of the same contents as the first embodiment will be omitted.
In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, a vibration motor for indicating a direction is also disposed in the steering.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, a matrix of, for example, 3 columns × 3 rows is arranged so that the steering 41 is wound around a part of the steering 41 (a portion touched by the driver's hand) (in a cylindrical shape). A vibration motor 43 is arranged at.

  Therefore, for example, when direction presentation in the direction of the arrow A is performed (for example, “indicating that there is an approaching vehicle behind”), from the three vibration motors 43 in the horizontal row at the top, 3 in the middle row. The vibration motors 43 are sequentially driven in the order of the vibration motors 43 and the three vibration motors 43 in the lower row, and the operation is repeated a predetermined number of times.

  In addition, at this time, the vibration intensity of the vibration motor 43 in the upper line indicating the start point is larger than the vibration intensity of the vibration motor 43 in the other central line and the lower line (indicating the end point). To do. For example, by increasing the voltage applied to the vibration motor 43, the vibration intensity (vibration amplitude, etc.) can be increased.

Thereby, the direction in the direction of arrow A can be presented, and the intensity of the stimulus on the start point side can be made larger than that on the end point side, so the direction can be presented more clearly.
For example, when direction presentation in the direction of arrow B is performed (for example, when making a right turn at the next intersection), three vibrations 43 in one column in the center are moved from three vibration motors 43 in the vertical direction on the left side. The vibration motor 43 is sequentially driven in the order of the motor 43 and the three vibration motors 43 in the right column, and the operation is repeated a predetermined number of times.

  Also in this case, as described above, the vibration intensity of the left row of vibration motors 43 indicating the start point is set to the vibration intensity of the other central row and the right row of vibration motors 43 (indicating the end point). Make it bigger.

  Thereby, the direction in the direction of arrow B can be presented, and the intensity of the stimulus on the start point side can be made larger than that on the end point side, so the direction can be presented more clearly.

Next, the fourth embodiment will be described, but the description of the same contents as the first embodiment will be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, vibration motors 55 and 57 are arranged on both the steering 51 and the seat 53, respectively.

  According to the study by the present inventors, when both the vibration motor 55 of the steering 51 and the vibration motor 57 of the seat 53 are vibrated at the same strength, the driver is as if between the vibration motors 55 and 57. It has become clear that the user feels that vibration has occurred at a position (ie, near the center of the arm). Note that the vibration intensity can be set to the same level by making the amplitude, frequency, vibration duration, and the like of both vibration motors 55 and 57 the same.

  That is, when the vibration motor 55 of the steering wheel 51 and the vibration motor 57 of the seat 53 are vibrated at the same strength, vibrations appear to occur at an intermediate position between the vibration motors 55 and 57 (stimulation So-called manifestation movement (as if received) occurs.

  The position where this apparent motion occurs depends on the relationship between the vibration intensity of the vibration motor 55 of the steering 51 and the vibration intensity of the vibration motor 57 of the seat 53. That is, when the vibration intensity of the vibration motor 55 of the steering 51 is higher than the vibration intensity of the vibration motor 57 of the seat 53, the occurrence position of the apparent movement is closer to the vibration motor 55 of the steering 51 than the center. In other words, the position where the apparent movement is generated moves to the higher vibration intensity side.

Therefore, by adjusting the vibration intensity of the front and rear vibration motors 55 and 57, the position where the apparent motion is generated can be moved back and forth.
For example, when the position where the apparent motion is generated is moved from the front to the rear, the strength of the front vibration motor 55 is gradually decreased and the strength of the rear vibration motor 57 is increased to be removed.

  Further, the strength of the apparent motion itself depends on the vibration strength of the front and rear vibration motors 55 and 57. Therefore, if both the vibration strengths of the front and rear vibration motors 55 and 57 are reduced, the strength of the apparent motion is reduced. Conversely, if both the vibration strengths of the front and rear vibration motors 55 and 57 are increased, the apparent motion is reduced. Strength increases.

  Therefore, using these characteristics, the stimulus is perceived as if the stimulus has moved from the start point side to the end point side as in the first embodiment, and the degree of enhancement of the stimulus on the start point side is increased from the end point side. Can do.

  Specifically, for example, when a direction is presented by moving the generation position of the apparent motion from the front to the rear, first, the vibration intensity of the front and rear vibration motors 55 and 57 is set to a large level (level B or higher) (setting 1), and the vibration intensity (level A) of the front vibration motor 55 is made larger than the vibration intensity (level B) of the rear vibration motor 57. This makes it possible to generate an apparent movement that is strongly perceived in front of the center portion of the arm. Note that the level of strength is level A> B> C> D.

  Next, the vibration intensity of the front and rear vibration motors 55 and 57 is set lower than the setting 1 (level C or less), and the vibration intensity (level D) of the front vibration motor 55 is set to the rear vibration. The vibration intensity of the motor 57 (level C) is made weaker. As a result, it is possible to generate an apparent motion that vibrates weakly behind the center portion of the arm.

In this way, it is possible to perceive as if the stimulus has moved from the start point side to the end point side, and to enhance the degree of enhancement of the stimulus on the start point side from the end point side.
Also in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to present the direction in the front-rear direction, and since the intensity of the stimulus on the start point side can be made larger than that on the end point side, the direction can be presented more clearly. it can.

Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the present invention.
(1) For example, in the above-described embodiment, the information presentation apparatus has been described. However, the control content can be realized by a program of a microcomputer that controls the information presentation apparatus.

  The program can be recorded on various recording media such as an electronic control device configured as a microcomputer, a microchip, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a DVD, and an optical disk, but is limited to those stored in the recording medium. For example, the present invention is also applied to a program that is transmitted and received on a communication line such as the Internet.

  (2) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration including the waveform generation unit and the amplifier unit is the information presentation device. However, the configuration in which the information presentation device is connected to the information presentation device may be the information presentation device. The microcomputer itself that controls the operation of the motor may be used as the information presentation device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information presentation system 3 ... Perimeter monitoring apparatus 7 ... Information presentation apparatus 9 ... Navigation apparatus 20, 53 ... Seat 23, 43, 53, 57 ... Vibration motor 27 ... Waveform generation part 29 ... Amplifier part 43 ... Steering

Claims (10)

In an information presentation apparatus for presenting information indicating a direction around a living body to a living body using a plurality of tactile stimulation means for applying tactile stimulation to the living body,
Control means for controlling to stimulate the living body with the start point side emphasized from the end point side using tactile stimulus means on the start point side and tactile stimulus means on the end point side when indicating the direction, and ,
The tactile stimulation means includes a plurality of physical vibrators arranged in a plane,
When indicating the direction, the plurality of vibrators to be vibrated are changed along the direction so that the plurality of vibrators are vibrated on the start point side and the end point side, respectively .
An information presentation apparatus characterized in that the degree of stimulation enhancement by the vibrator is controlled by adjusting the amplitude of vibration .   The information presentation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibration is controlled by changing the vibrations of the vibrators in one or more rows from the start point side to the end point side. When presenting information indicating the direction, different vibrators are vibrated along the direction, and the number of vibrators to be vibrated at the start point is larger than the number of vibrators to be vibrated at the end point. information presentation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that. When presenting information indicating the direction, the vibrator that vibrates along the direction is changed, and when the vibrator that has been changed is vibrated, the vibrator that has already been vibrated is also vibrated. The information presentation apparatus according to 1 or 2 . The tactile stimulation means, the information presentation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that embedded in at least one of the sheets and the steering of a motor vehicle. The said tactile sense stimulation means is controlled based on the information from the periphery monitoring apparatus which monitors the condition of the circumference | surroundings of a motor vehicle, The direction of a dangerous article is shown in any one of Claims 1-5 characterized by the above-mentioned. The information presentation device described. The tactile stimulation means, and control based on information from the navigation device, the information presentation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the presenting the orientation of the route guidance. The tactile stimulation means, the information presentation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a vibration motor. The information presentation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the information presentation apparatus includes the tactile stimulation means and at least one of a periphery monitoring device and a navigation device for monitoring the periphery of the host vehicle. Information presentation system. Using a plurality of tactile stimulation means for applying tactile stimulation to a living body, and having a configuration for presenting information indicating a direction around the living body to the living body,
As the tactile stimulation means, a tactile stimulation means on the starting point side and a tactile stimulation means on the end point side when indicating the direction are used, and a plurality of physical vibrations arranged in a plane as the tactile stimulation means A program for controlling an operation of the information presentation device by a computer for an information presentation device provided with a child,
In the computer,
While realizing the function to control the living body to emphasize and stimulate the start point side from the end point side,
When indicating the direction, the plurality of vibrators to be vibrated are changed along the direction so that the plurality of vibrators are vibrated on the start point side and the end point side, respectively, and the amplitude of vibration is changed. A program for realizing a function of controlling the degree of enhancement of stimulation by the vibrator by adjustment .

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