JP7538435B2 - Electronic device stand device and electronic device stand system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a stand device for electronic devices and a stand system for electronic devices.

In recent years, so-called "electronic paper" (hereafter also referred to as electronic device) has become popular as an information terminal that can replace paper documents. Electronic paper has a memory function for the display and is lightweight and thin, so it can be easily carried and distributed. For this reason, for example, a musician who plays a musical instrument may import sheet music into the electronic paper and perform while looking at the sheet music displayed on the electronic paper.

JP 2018-163224 A

However, when a performer plays an instrument while looking at the sheet music displayed on the electronic paper, for example, both hands may be occupied while playing the instrument. In such a case, when the performer wants to turn the page of the sheet music displayed on the electronic paper, he or she must take his or her hands off the instrument and touch the electronic paper to turn the page (to change the content displayed on the electronic paper), which leaves room for further improvement.

Therefore, one example of the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electronic device stand device and an electronic device stand system that can switch the display screen displayed on an electronic device in response to a user action to switch the display screen displayed on the electronic device without the user having to touch the electronic device.

A first aspect of the present invention is an electronic device stand device comprising a plurality of gripping sections, each having a first gripping section, a second gripping section , a third gripping section, and a fourth gripping section, each of which grips one end of an electronic device at a different position, a first contact section and a second contact section which contact the electronic device, and a support section which supports the electronic device, the electronic device stand device further comprising: a motion information acquisition section which acquires motion information indicating a user motion for switching a display screen displayed on the electronic device; and a motion information output section which outputs a current associated with the motion information to the first contact section and the second contact section based on the motion information acquired by the motion information acquisition section, the first gripping section comprising the first contact section, and the second gripping section comprising a first contact section and a second contact section which contacts the first gripping section and the second gripping section. The stand device for an electronic device is positioned in a substantially straight line, and has the second contact portion, which holds one end of the electronic device at a position different from the first holding portion, the third holding portion holds another end of the electronic device in a direction perpendicular to the one end of the electronic device and has a third contact portion that contacts the electronic device, and the fourth holding portion holds the other end of the electronic device at a position different from the third holding portion and has a fourth contact portion that contacts the electronic device, and the operation information output portion outputs the current to the third contact portion and then outputs the current to the fourth contact portion when the operation information includes refresh information indicating to the electronic device to erase an afterimage displayed on the electronic device.

In addition, the first contact portion and the second contact portion may be in contact with the display screen, and the operation information output portion may output the current to the first contact portion and then output the current to the second contact portion when the operation information includes page turning information indicating to the electronic device to proceed from a current display screen to a next display screen, and may output the current to the second contact portion and then output the current to the first contact portion when the operation information includes page return information indicating to the electronic device to return from the current display screen to a previous display screen.

A second aspect of the present invention is a stand system for an electronic device comprising a plurality of gripping sections, each having a first gripping section, a second gripping section , a third gripping section, and a fourth gripping section, each of which grips one end of an electronic device at a different position, a first contact section and a second contact section which contact the electronic device, a support section which supports the electronic device, and an operation section which is operated by a user, the stand system comprising: a motion information transmitting section which transmits motion information indicating a user action to switch a display screen displayed on the electronic device; and a motion information output section which outputs a current associated with the motion information to the first contact section and the second contact section based on the motion information transmitted by the motion information transmitting section, the first gripping section comprising the first contact section, the second gripping section comprising : The stand system for electronic devices includes a second contact portion located approximately in a straight line with the first gripping portion, gripping one end of the electronic device at a position different from the first gripping portion, the third gripping portion gripping another end of the electronic device in a direction perpendicular to the one end of the electronic device and comprising a third contact portion that contacts the electronic device, and the fourth gripping portion gripping the other end of the electronic device at a position different from the third gripping portion and comprising a fourth contact portion that contacts the electronic device, and the operation information output portion outputs the current to the third contact portion and then outputs the current to the fourth contact portion when the operation information includes refresh information indicating to the electronic device to erase an afterimage displayed on the electronic device.

According to the present invention, the display screen displayed on the electronic device can be switched according to the user's actions.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an electronic device stand system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a receiving unit and a transmitting unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the electronic device stand system according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process executed in the electronic device stand system.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. The configuration of the embodiment described below, and the actions and effects brought about by said configuration, are merely examples and are not limited to the contents described below.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an electronic device stand system 100 according to an embodiment. The electronic device stand system 100 according to this embodiment is a system in which an electronic device 10 used by a user is placed on an electronic device stand device 20, and the content displayed on the electronic device 10 can be switched according to the user's actions without the user having to touch the electronic device 10. The electronic device stand system 100 includes an electronic device 10, an electronic device stand device 20, and a transmission unit 30.

The electronic device 10 is, for example, a tablet-type electronic paper. The electronic device 10 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a communication interface, a touch panel, and the like. The touch panel is of a capacitive type, and a user of the electronic device 10 can select an image displayed on the display screen 11 or switch images displayed on the display screen (turn a page) by, for example, touching with a finger a position on the surface (operation surface) of the touch panel that corresponds to an image displayed on the display screen 11 or moving a finger on the display screen 11.

The electronic device stand device 20 includes a plurality of gripping parts 21, a plurality of receiving parts 22, and a support part 25. The gripping parts 21 are members that grip one end of the electronic device 10. In FIG. 1, the plurality of gripping parts 21 are configured to grip one end of the electronic device 10 in the longitudinal direction at different positions, but this is not limited thereto, and they may grip one end of the electronic device 10 in the lateral direction.

The receiving unit 22 is a receiver provided in the holding unit 21. The receiving unit 22 includes a first contact unit 23 and a second contact unit 24. When the holding unit 21 holds the electronic device 10, the receiving unit 22 is located between the holding unit 21 and the display screen 11 of the electronic device 10. In other words, when the holding unit 21 holds the electronic device 10, the receiving unit 22 is located such that the first contact unit 23 and the second contact unit 24 touch (are in contact with) the display screen 11 of the electronic device 10.

The multiple receivers 22 are positioned in a substantially straight line with respect to one end of the display screen 11. The receivers 22 also acquire transmission information to be transmitted by the transmitter 30 (described later) via the network 40. The functions of the receivers 22 will be described later.

The first contact portion 23 and the second contact portion 24 are members that each come into contact with the display screen 11. The first contact portion 23 and the second contact portion 24 are provided with a sensor electrode inside. The first contact portion 23 and the second contact portion 24 generate electrodes based on the transmission information transmitted by the transmitter 30, pass a weak current through the display screen 11, and act like a capacitor between the first contact portion 23 and the second contact portion 24 and the display screen 11, thereby generating electrostatic capacitance.

The support unit 25 is a member that supports the electronic device 10. Specifically, the support unit 25 supports the electronic device 10 held by the multiple gripping units 21 by connecting the multiple gripping units 21 with a connecting member or the like (not shown).

The transmission unit 30 is a transmitter that transmits user actions operated by the user to the electronic device stand device 20. The transmission unit 30 includes a main body unit 31, a first operation unit 32, and a second operation unit 33 (operation units). The main body unit 31 is a rectangular housing and has the first operation unit 32 and the second operation unit 33. For example, the first operation unit 32 and the second operation unit 33 are operated by the user to perform operation input with the user's fingers.

The first operation unit 32 and the second operation unit 33 are operation members that input information that the user wants to operate to the electronic device 10. The information that the user wants to operate is, for example, operation information that indicates a user operation to switch the display screen 11 displayed on the electronic device 10. The first operation unit 32 and the second operation unit 33 are, for example, buttons that are input (pressed) by the user. Note that the number of operation units of the transmission unit 30 is not limited to this, and there may be two or more. Note that the functions of the transmission unit 30 will be described later.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the receiving unit 22 according to the embodiment. The receiving unit 22 illustrated here has a configuration similar to that of a general-purpose computer, with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 202, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 203, an auxiliary storage device 204, and a communication I/F 205 interconnected by a bus 206. Note that the transmitting unit 30 in this embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the receiving unit 22, and therefore a description of the hardware configuration of the transmitting unit 30 will be omitted.

The CPU 201 performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the RAM 202 as a working area in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 203 and the auxiliary storage device 204. The auxiliary storage device 204 is a non-volatile memory, and stores various data necessary for the processing of the CPU 201. The auxiliary storage device 204 is configured, for example, from an SSD, a flash memory, etc.

The communication I/F 205 is, for example, a device for establishing communication with the transmitting unit 30 in accordance with a predetermined standard via the network 40. The predetermined standard is, for example, a wireless communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). Note that the configuration of the receiving unit 22 is not limited to the above.

Next, the functional configuration of the receiving unit 22 and the transmitting unit 30 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the electronic device stand system 100.

The transmission unit 30 includes a press information acquisition unit 301 and an action information transmission unit 302. Note that the functions of the transmission unit 30 are not limited to these.

The pressing information acquisition unit 301 acquires pressing information indicating that at least one of the first operation unit 32 and the second operation unit 33 has been operated. Specifically, when the first operation unit 32 is pressed by a user, the pressing information acquisition unit 301 cooperates with the first operation unit 32 to acquire pressing information indicating that the first operation unit 32 has been operated. In addition, when the second operation unit 33 is pressed by a user, the pressing information acquisition unit 301 cooperates with the second operation unit 33 to acquire pressing information indicating that the second operation unit 33 has been operated.

Here, the pressing information will be explained. Pressing information is information that corresponds to information that the user wishes to operate on the electronic device 10 that the user uses. For example, the pressing information when the user presses the first operation unit 32 is page-turning information that indicates to the electronic device 10 to proceed from the current page to the next page (turn the page) and switch the image displayed on the electronic device 10.

When the user presses the second operation unit 33, the pressing information is page return information that instructs the electronic device 10 to return from the current page to the previous page (turn the page) and switch the image displayed on the electronic device 10. In other words, the pressing information (page turn information and page return information) includes operation information that indicates a user operation to switch the display screen 11 displayed on the electronic device 10.

The operation information transmitting unit 302 transmits the pressing information acquired by the pressing information acquiring unit 301 to the receiving unit 22 via the network 40. Specifically, the operation information transmitting unit 302 transmits operation information indicating a user operation of switching the display screen 11 displayed on the electronic device 10, which is included in the pressing information acquired by the pressing information acquiring unit 301, to the receiving unit 22 via the network 40.

For example, when the user presses the first operation unit 32, the operation information transmission unit 302 transmits page turn information corresponding to the press information acquired by the press information acquisition unit 301 to the receiving unit 22 via the network 40. When the user presses the second operation unit 33, the operation information transmission unit 302 transmits page return information corresponding to the press information acquired by the press information acquisition unit 301 to the receiving unit 22 via the network 40.

The receiving unit 22 includes a motion information acquisition unit 401 and a motion information output unit 402. Note that the functions of the receiving unit 22 are not limited to these.

The motion information acquisition unit 401 acquires the pressing information transmitted by the transmission unit 30. Specifically, the motion information acquisition unit 401 acquires, via the network 40, motion information indicating a user motion for switching the display screen 11 displayed on the electronic device 10, which is included in the pressing information transmitted by the motion information transmission unit 302 of the transmission unit 30.

The motion information output unit 402 outputs a current to the first contact unit 23 and the second contact unit 24 based on the pressing information acquired by the motion information acquisition unit 401. Specifically, the motion information output unit 402 outputs a current to the first contact unit 23 and the second contact unit 24 based on the motion information included in the pressing information acquired by the motion information acquisition unit 401.

For example, when the pressing information is page-turning information indicating to the electronic device 10 to move from the current page to the next page and to switch the image displayed on the electronic device 10, the operation information output unit 402 outputs a current to the first contact unit 23, and then outputs a current to the second contact unit 24. Also, when the pressing information is page-returning information indicating to the electronic device 10 to move from the current page to the previous page and to switch the image displayed on the electronic device 10, the operation information output unit 402 outputs a current to the second contact unit 24, and then outputs a current to the first contact unit 23.

As a result, the electronic device 10 detects current from different positions on the display screen 11, and the capacitance changes from different positions, so it recognizes different positions as if the user's finger had touched them, and can switch the screen displayed on the display screen 11.

Figure 4 is a sequence showing an example of processing executed by the electronic device stand system 100. In the following, the electronic device 10 being used by the user is held by the electronic device stand device 20, and the user is holding the transmission unit 30. The user is, for example, playing a musical instrument, and both hands of the user are occupied.

The transmission unit 30 acquires, by the pressing information acquisition unit 301, pressing information indicating that at least one of the first operation unit 32 and the second operation unit 33 has been operated (step S1). Next, the transmission unit 30 transmits, by the operation information transmission unit 302, operation information indicating a user operation of switching the display screen 11 displayed on the electronic device 10, which is included in the pressing information acquired by the pressing information acquisition unit 301, to the reception unit 22 via the network 40 (step S2).

Next, the receiving unit 22 acquires, via the network 40, the motion information acquisition unit 401, motion information indicating a user motion of switching the display screen 11 displayed on the electronic device 10, which is included in the pressing information transmitted by the motion information transmission unit 302 of the transmission unit 30 (step S3). Next, the receiving unit 22 outputs, via the motion information output unit 402, a current to the first contact unit 23 and the second contact unit 24, based on the motion information included in the pressing information acquired by the motion information acquisition unit 401 (step S4).

As described above, the electronic device stand device 20 according to one aspect of the present invention outputs a current linked to the operation information to the first contact portion 23 and the second contact portion 24 based on the operation information indicating a user operation to switch the display screen 11 displayed on the electronic device 10.

As a result, according to this embodiment, when a user plays an instrument while looking at sheet music displayed on the electronic device 10, even if both hands are occupied playing the instrument, the electronic device stand device 20 obtains motion information indicating a user motion to switch the display screen 11 displayed on the electronic device 10, and outputs a current to the first contact portion 23 and the second contact portion 24 of the display screen 11 of the electronic device 10.

As a result, the electronic device 10 recognizes different positions as if the user's finger had touched them, and can therefore switch the display screen 11. Therefore, the display screen 11 displayed on the electronic device 10 can be switched in response to a user action of switching the display screen 11 displayed on the electronic device 10, without the user touching the electronic device 10.

The program that realizes the above functions may be provided, for example, in a state in which it is pre-stored in a memory element mounted on the CPU 201, but is not limited to this. The program may be provided, for example, in a state in which it is stored in an appropriate storage medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be provided via a computer network such as the Internet.

The above-described embodiment can be modified as appropriate by changing a portion of the configuration of the above-described device. Therefore, several modified examples of the above-described embodiment will be described below as other embodiments. Note that the following will mainly describe the differences from the above-described embodiment, and detailed descriptions of the points in common with the contents already described will be omitted. The modified examples described below may be implemented individually or in appropriate combination.

(Variation 1)
In the above embodiment, the operation information is described as page-turning information instructing the electronic device 10 to proceed from the current page to the next page and switch the image displayed on the electronic device 10, or page-returning information instructing the electronic device 10 to return from the current page to the previous page and switch the image displayed on the electronic device 10, but is not limited thereto. For example, the operation information may include refresh information instructing the electronic device 10 to erase an afterimage on the screen displayed on the electronic device 10.

For example, due to the characteristics of electronic paper, when the display screen 11 is repeatedly switched, a part of a previously displayed image may remain on the display screen (hereinafter, referred to as an afterimage). In order to erase the afterimage displayed on the display screen, the user can erase the afterimage by touching the display screen 11 of the electronic paper.

Therefore, in this modified example, by including refresh information indicating that the afterimage displayed on the electronic device 10 is to be erased in the operation information performed by the user, the display screen 11 displayed on the electronic device 10 can be switched (the afterimage can be erased) in response to a user action of switching the display screen 11 displayed on the electronic device 10 (user action of erasing the afterimage) without the user having to touch the electronic device 10.

Furthermore, as a user action corresponding to the refresh information indicating erasing the residual image on the screen displayed on the above-mentioned electronic device 10, for example, the gripping unit 21 equipped with the receiving unit 22 is gripped at one end of the short side direction (direction perpendicular to the long side direction) of the electronic device 10 at different positions (e.g., two places).

Then, the receiving unit 22 causes the motion information output unit 402 to output a current to each contact part based on the refresh information included in the pressing information acquired by the motion information acquisition unit 401 (as an example, the motion information output unit 402 outputs a current to a contact part located in the short side direction, and then outputs a current to the other contact part located in the short side direction). This allows the electronic device 10 to erase the afterimage.

(Variation 2)
In the above embodiment, the electronic device 10 is, for example, a tablet-type electronic paper, but is not limited to this. The electronic device 10 may be, for example, a tablet-type personal computer or a smartphone.

(Variation 3)
In the above embodiment, the transmitter 30 is described as being operated by the user's finger, but the present invention is not limited to this. The transmitter 30 may be operated by the user's foot (for example, a foot switch).

Although the embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, they are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments and modifications can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Electronic device, 20... Stand device for electronic devices, 21... Gripping part, 22... Receiving part,
23: first contact portion, 24: second contact portion, 25: support portion, 30: transmission portion,
32...first operation unit, 33...second operation unit, 100...electronic device stand system,
201...CPU, 202...RAM, 203...ROM, 204...auxiliary storage device,
205: communication I/F, 301: pressing information acquisition unit, 302: operation information transmission unit,
401...Behavior information acquisition unit, 402...Behavior information output unit

Claims (3)

a plurality of gripping portions including a first gripping portion, a second gripping portion , a third gripping portion, and a fourth gripping portion, each of which grips one end of the electronic device at a different position;
A first contact portion and a second contact portion that come into contact with the electronic device;
A support portion that supports the electronic device;
An electronic device stand device comprising:
an action information acquisition unit that acquires action information indicating a user action for switching a display screen displayed on the electronic device;
a motion information output unit that outputs a current associated with the motion information to the first contact unit and the second contact unit based on the motion information acquired by the motion information acquisition unit;
Equipped with
The first gripping portion includes the first contact portion,
the second gripping portion is positioned substantially in a straight line with the first gripping portion, grips one end of the electronic device at a position different from that of the first gripping portion, and includes the second contact portion ;
the third gripping portion grips one end of the electronic device in a direction perpendicular to the other end of the electronic device and includes a third contact portion that contacts the electronic device;
the fourth gripping portion grips another end of the electronic device at a position different from that of the third gripping portion and includes a fourth contact portion that contacts the electronic device;
When the operation information includes refresh information instructing the electronic device to erase an afterimage displayed on the electronic device, the operation information output unit outputs the current to the third contact portion, and then outputs the current to the fourth contact portion.
Stand device for electronic devices. the first contact portion and the second contact portion are in contact with the display screen;
the operation information output unit outputs the current to the first contact unit when the operation information includes page turning information instructing the electronic device to move from a current display screen to a next display screen, and then outputs the current to the second contact unit;
When the operation information includes page return information that instructs the electronic device to return from a current display screen to a previous display screen, the electronic device outputs the current to the second contact portion, and then outputs the current to the first contact portion.
The stand device for electronic equipment according to claim 1 . a plurality of gripping portions including a first gripping portion, a second gripping portion , a third gripping portion, and a fourth gripping portion, each of which grips one end of the electronic device at a different position;
A first contact portion and a second contact portion that come into contact with the electronic device;
A support portion that supports the electronic device;
an operation unit operated by a user;
An electronic device stand system comprising:
an operation information transmission unit that transmits operation information indicating a user operation for switching a display screen displayed on the electronic device;
a motion information output unit that outputs a current associated with the motion information to the first contact unit and the second contact unit based on the motion information transmitted by the motion information transmission unit;
Equipped with
The first gripping portion includes the first contact portion,
the second gripping portion is positioned substantially in a straight line with the first gripping portion, grips one end of the electronic device at a position different from that of the first gripping portion, and includes the second contact portion ;
the third gripping portion grips one end of the electronic device in a direction perpendicular to the other end of the electronic device and includes a third contact portion that contacts the electronic device;
the fourth gripping portion grips another end of the electronic device at a position different from that of the third gripping portion and includes a fourth contact portion that contacts the electronic device;
When the operation information includes refresh information instructing the electronic device to erase an afterimage displayed on the electronic device, the operation information output unit outputs the current to the third contact portion, and then outputs the current to the fourth contact portion.
Stand system for electronic devices.

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