JPH09206325A - Information transmitter by vibration - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information transmitter using a vibration device with excellent transmitting efficiency of vibration energy, by equipping a vibration element, a wire to supply power to drive the vibration element, and a flexible case to house those parts. SOLUTION: A vibration device comprises a transmission device to detect a sound signal and to transmit a signal made based on the sound signal for informing the generation of a sound, and a receiving device to receive the transmitted signal and to convert the signal to a signal to drive a vibration element. A vibration element 101 is inserted into a hole set on a case 104 of the receiving device via a case 103. A vibration device comprising a wire 102 to supply power to drive the vibration element 101 of a vibrator comprising an eccentric wheel and a motor, and, to fix them, the rubber-made flexible case 103 to house those parts is mounted on the receiving device by pushing a rubber-formed stopper into the rear face of the case 104.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vibrating device used for an information transmitting device and an information transmitting device using the vibrating device, particularly for a hearing impaired person.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art According to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, a person who has a deafness in his / her daily life is about 600
There are 30,000 people, and among them, there are approximately 340,000 people with hearing impairments in the 2nd to 6th grades who are recognized as physically handicapped. The presbycusis of these people is cared for and cared for, and does not interfere with their daily lives. , Crying infants, responding to kitchen timers, boiling water alarms, or avoiding danger with various alarms,
Outside the home, knocking at hotels, calling at banks, post offices, hospitals, government offices, responding to group travel, etc.
It is difficult to communicate information by voice in social life.

Therefore, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 48-79515, a microphone detects a voice signal, and the signal is used to modulate and transmit a weak radio wave which does not require a license application for a radio station. However, it is known that the radio wave is transmitted to a receiver carried by the receiver and the occurrence of an audio signal is transmitted to a hearing-impaired person by a display device such as a vibration or a lamp. However, with this method, since only weak radio waves can be used, it may not be received in the shadow of the radio waves of furniture, shields, etc., and since the reliability of information transmission is low,
It is gradually becoming obsolete.

When a user's code and communication information are input from a telephone, such as what is usually called a pager for calling a user wirelessly, the signal is wirelessly transmitted from the central office and the user's code is transmitted. It is known that only the user of the receiver that matches the above will receive a call by making a ringing sound or the like. Furthermore, a method of transmitting the fact that a call has been made by vibration instead of ringing has been developed and put into practical use. In addition, a mobile phone using wireless for bidirectional information exchange is known as a cellular mobile phone.

[0005] Such a transmitter for transmitting a voice signal or a calling signal is a device that does not require a wireless license, which imposes a burden on the hearing impaired person for applying for a license and is difficult to spread. In addition, when the recipient is in a place called a dead zone where radio waves do not reach, the recipient may not be aware of the fact and cannot confirm that the call has been made. In the case of a mobile phone, the receiver receives a call from the receiver with a specific code, and if there is no call from the contacted person, the caller will not receive the call. Is contacted by making a call again, so that it is possible to supplement the communication of information to the recipient in the dead zone. However, if this method is adopted for communication of information to the hearing impaired,
If important information or urgent information for a hearing-impaired person cannot be received at that time, it may be difficult for social activity or prompt information transmission. In addition, in calls and mobile phones, only the input part of the receiver must be supplied at all times in order to answer calls that do not know when there is a contact, which makes it difficult to reduce power consumption. . In order to solve such a problem, the inventors of the present invention have, as a result of diligent studies, conducted a transmitter that always transmits a carrier wave, includes an input terminal, and transmits a certain encoded signal when an input signal is detected. A receiver that receives the transmitted signal and outputs a certain mode as an output corresponding to the code, and when the carrier wave or the coded signal cannot be received, the mode is We have developed a device for transmitting information for the hearing impaired, which outputs different signals.

[0006]

By the way, when information is transmitted to such a device by vibration, a vibration device attached to the receiving device vibrates the receiver itself,
The vibration energy is absorbed by the receiver, and the energy transmitted to the outside to be transmitted is reduced. Therefore, a considerable amount of energy is required to transmit the energy to the portion that comes into contact with the human body, the power source is consumed so much that the size of the battery required for carrying becomes large.

An object of the present invention is to provide an information transmitting device using a vibrating device which is excellent in the transmission efficiency of vibration energy.

[0008]

As shown in FIG. 1, a vibrating device of the present invention includes a vibrator 101, an electric wire 102 for supplying power to drive the vibrator, and a flexible case for housing these. And 103.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Such a vibration device is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2A, a voice signal is detected, a signal for informing that a voice is generated is generated by the signal, and a transmitter for transmitting the signal is transmitted, and the transmitted signal as shown in FIG. In an information transmission device including a receiving device for receiving the signal and converting the signal into a signal for driving the vibrator, FIG.
As shown in, in the hole provided in the case 104 of the receiving device,
It can be fitted through the flexible case 103.

A vibrating device fitted into a hole provided in the case of such a receiving device via a flexible case always transmits a carrier wave and is provided with an input terminal.
A transmitter that transmits a constant encoded signal when an input signal is detected, and a receiver that receives the transmitted signal and outputs a constant mode as an output corresponding to the code, When the carrier wave or the coded signal cannot be received, a mode other than the above mode is output, and when the carrier wave or the coded signal can be received again, a signal confirming that the signal has been received is transmitted. After sending to the machine, as the output corresponding to the code,
In the information transmission device that resumes outputting in a certain mode, in the hole provided in the case of the reception device, the vibrator,
It is also possible to use an oscillating device including an electric wire for supplying electric power for driving an oscillator and a flexible case for housing these as an information transmission device by vibration fitted through the flexible case. it can. As this flexible case, a molded product of natural rubber, synthetic rubber or thermoplastic elastomer can be used.

[0011]

【Example】

Example 1 As shown in FIG. 1, a vibrator 101 including an eccentric wheel and a motor is used as a vibrator 101, an electric wire 102 for supplying a power source for driving the vibrator 101, and a flexible case 103 for housing these. The vibration device using the rubber molded product was attached to the receiver by pushing the stopper of the rubber molded product from the back surface of the case in order to fix it.

The structure of the transmitter used in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2 (a), and the structure of the receiver is shown in FIG. 2 (b). "Common specifications" The frequency used in this device is 429.2.
50 MHz to 429.7375 MHz, channel spacing 12.5 kHz, number of channels 40, intermediate frequency 1
As shown in FIG. 3, the contents of one field of the signal to be transmitted are 0.7 MHz, the modulation method is FSK, and a bit synchronization signal for notifying the receiver that the data is transmitted, and a calling code to the receiver. It includes a frame synchronization signal for notification, a data signal indicating the content of transmission information, and an empty signal indicating the end of transmission.

[Summary of Configuration of Transmitter and Receiver] As shown in FIG. 2A, this transmitter has a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO1), a phase-locked loop circuit (PLL circuit 2), and a programmable component. Voltage controlled oscillator (VCO3) having frequency circuit 31, transmission amplifier 4, program RO
M (read only memory), work memory RAM (random access memory), interface input / output port, 4-bit microprocessor (MPU5) with built-in counter timer, transmission / reception switching RF switch 6, LC Filter 7,
Microphone or switch 8, audio amplifier / filter 9, LED display 10, LCD display 10 ', reception amplifier 11, mixer 12, IF (intermediate frequency) amplifier 1
3, an antenna 71, a power supply circuit (DC-DC converter), a battery, and a charger (also serving as an AC power supply adapter). As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the receiver is a transmitter, except for the microphone 8 and the audio amplifier / filter 9, is provided with a switch, an audio amplifier 14 and a vibrator 15, and uses only a battery as a power source. With this configuration, the common part of the hardware can be efficiently manufactured, and the program ROM
It is possible to selectively use the transmitter and the receiver by replacing only the transmitter.

The transmitting unit includes a TCXO1, a PLL circuit 2 and a V
CO3, transmission amplifier 4, MPU5, RF switch 6, L
It is a synthesizer type circuit including a C filter 7, a microphone or switch 8, an audio amplifier / filter 9, and an antenna 71.

The receiving unit includes a TCXO1, a PLL circuit 2 and a V
CO3, MPU5, RF switch 6, LC filter 7,
This is a synthesizer-type single super-reception unit having an intermediate frequency of 10.7 MHz, which includes a reception amplifier 11, a mixer 12, an IF amplifier 13, and an antenna 71.

The synthesizer section oscillates the transmission frequency f _X or the reception local oscillation (local oscillation) frequency f _R in the VCO ₃ and outputs the oscillation signal at 12.5 kHz by the programmable frequency dividing circuit 31 incorporated in the VCO 3. And the signal oscillated by TCXO1 is 1
The PLL circuit 2 compares the phase of the signal divided up to 2.5 kHz, converts the phase difference into a DC voltage, and controls the oscillation frequency of the VCO 3. At this time, the frequency division number by the programmable frequency dividing circuit 31 is the intermediate frequency 1
Since the transmission frequency is increased by 0.7 MHz, the frequency division number is increased by 856, and the transmission frequency division number (N _X ) is 0 channel; 34,340 ₁₀ = 1000,0110,0010,0100 ₂ 39 channels; 34,379 ₁₀ = 1000,0110,0100,1011 ₂ reception frequency division number (N _R) 0 channel; since it is 33,523 ₁₀ = 1000,0010,1111,0011 _2; 33,484 ₁₀ = 1000,0010,1100,1100 ₂ 39 channels , As the frequency division number input data of the programmable frequency division circuit 31, at the time of switching between transmission and reception,
Since it is sufficient to switch the bit at the same time as the channel switching signal and give 0 to 6 bits of data for switching the channel, 7 bits of output is actually required, so a 4-bit MPU is used. So at most 2
The number of divisions can be set by outputting the number of times.

[Operation of Transmitter] The operation of the transmitter will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the (Initial) switch is turned on, the program starts, and registers required for initial setting, data initial processing, interrupt prohibition, etc. are performed.

(Confirmation of Utilized Frequency) When the initial processing is completed, the reception mode is set, and the frequency division number N _R (= 34, 34) of the VCO is set so that the reception frequency of the channel 0 is obtained.
0) is output from the output 51 of the MPU 5 to the programmable frequency dividing circuit 31 of the VCO 3. At this time, since the RF switch has no output from the transmitter, it is automatically connected to the receiving side, and the antenna 8, the LC filter 7, the RC switch 6, the receiving amplifier are received at the frequency to be transmitted. It is selected and amplified by the IF amplifier 13 via 11, and its output is input to the A / D input terminal 55 of the MPU 5,
5 demodulates the received signal and checks if its frequency is available for communication. If there is a signal, the frequency division number is incremented by 1, the next channel is received in the same manner as above, and this is repeated until a channel with no signal is received. And
If no frequency is available after searching all the channels, it returns to channel 0 and repeats. At this time, the capture ratio of the PLL circuit can be widened in order to reliably secure the signal in the channel. In this case, if a signal is generated in the adjacent channel, it may be received. Therefore, in order to avoid this, it is possible to increase the number of frequency divisions by two or more, that is, skip channels. Then, the interrupt prohibition performed in the initial setting is released, the obtained reception frequency division number N _R is stored, and the process proceeds to the next program.

(Transmission 0 mode) The transmission 0 mode is an operation performed to obtain a response for confirming that the receiver is not in the radio dead zone or the power switch is not turned off. The counter t is set to 0, and the reception frequency division number N _{R is set.}
To the programmable frequency dividing circuit 31 of the VCO 3 from the output 51 of the MPU 5 as the transmission frequency dividing number N _X. Next, the output of the VCO 3 is used as a carrier, and the modulated wave corresponds to 0 of the binary signal.
8 kHz, 1 corresponds to a 9.6 kHz FSK signal, the serial signal 52 from the MPU 5 as an FSK signal, is modulated and amplified by the transmission amplifier 4, and the RF switch 6 is switched to transmission by the output of the transmission amplifier 4, An antenna 71 is provided via an LC filter 7 that blocks unnecessary radio waves.
Send from At this time, the transmission data is FSK.
The signal is set to 0 only, or a code different from when a voice or the like is input to the transmitter is transmitted.

(Reception Confirmation) In order to receive a reception confirmation signal from the receiver from the receiving device, the same frequency as that transmitted via the antenna 71, the LC filter 7, the RF switch 6 and the reception amplifier 11 is received. , The output 51 from the MPU 5 outputs to the programmable frequency divider circuit 31 of the VCO 3 the frequency division number N _R corresponding to the received frequency shifted from the transmitted frequency by the intermediate frequency, and the VCO 3 extracts the received frequency signal and outputs the IF signal. The amplifier 13 selects and amplifies, and inputs the output to the A / D input terminal 55 of the MPU 5,
Demodulates the received signal, digitizes it, and verifies that the receiving device has received the data at that frequency. If the reception cannot be confirmed, an error is displayed on the LED display 10 to indicate that the receiver is in the dead band or the power switch is off.

In the (transmission 0 mode) and (reception confirmation) programs, the counter t has a predetermined count number t _X.
Repeat until. The error display when there is no confirmation signal can also be performed when this counter becomes larger than t _X and the program exits the loop of (transmission 0 mode) and (reception confirmation).

(Power Saving Mode) The power supply circuit of the transmitter is
A switching regulator that boosts the battery voltage, a switch for turning on / off the power supply, has become a charging-backup output circuit comprising a capacitor and a constant voltage diode to back up the timer circuit and the like, at every predetermined time T ₁ , A program that sets T ₁ and t _X to a counter timer incorporated in the MPU to turn on the power supply for a time t _{X which} is relatively shorter than the repetition cycle, and
When the value of the counter timer is read and when it becomes t _X and T ₁ , a program that turns on / off the power supply and voice input or switch input causes an interrupt, and the power is also supplied by the interrupt. Is controlled by a program that turns on. In addition, the output of the charger is directly connected to the input terminal of MPU5, and the type of power supply is judged by the voltage of the input terminal, and this (power saving mode)
The program can be made to work only when using only the battery, power can be saved for calls made outside the home, and it can be transmitted at home to improve the reliability of information transmission. Also, only MPU5 and TCXO1
The power supply is backed up, and only the timer counter and the clock for it are always working. In addition, this part is an MP for storing the state before the power was turned off.
It is necessary to perform processing such as saving the register / counter of U5, backing up the memory in MPU5, and the input circuit must be operated at all times when voice input or switch input is made. It is preferable that these circuits that are always operating consume as little current as possible.
Even if the supply of power is stopped, it is preferable to operate by the supply from the capacitor stored during the supply. Also, since the power supply circuit has a low operating voltage at the voltage of the battery,
It is preferable to use a DC-DC converter of the type that boosts the voltage to the required voltage.

(Data Transmission Mode) In the data transmission mode, when an input is detected, a code determined in advance according to the type of input is converted into an FSK signal to be a modulated wave, which is modulated and amplified by the transmission amplifier 4, Transmission is performed from the antenna 71 via the RF switch 6 that switches to transmission by the output of the transmission amplifier 4 and the LC filter 7 that shields unnecessary radio waves.

When an input signal is input, an interrupt signal is generated, a code indicating that it is an input signal is prepared as data, the stored transmission frequency division number N _X is output to VCO 3, and VCO 3 , Output to the carrier input of the transmission amplifier 4,
The MPU 5 outputs the data signal as an FSK signal following the bit synchronization signal and the frame synchronization signal, and outputs the output 5 of the MPU 5.
2 is serially output to modulate the carrier wave of the transmission amplifier 4. When this input signal is a voice signal, it is detected by the microphone 8 and the signal is passed through only a necessary band, or noise and excessive voice are processed, and the MPU 5 is passed through an audio amplifier / filter 9 for amplification.
Is input to the A / D input 53 and converted into a digital value. The converted audio signal produces a signal for transmission and is also displayed on the LED display 10. Also, instead of voice signal input by this microphone,
It is also possible to use a signal for calling by directly turning on / off the power supply voltage to the input terminal 53 of the MPU with a switch.

In this program, when a voice or the like is input, an interrupt occurs, the register / counter value used by the MPU up to that point is saved to another memory, exits the loop, and After transmitting, the value of the register / counter is returned to the original value and the process returns to the inside of the loop. As described above, this interrupt is prohibited from the initial setting to the determination of the frequency to be used, and can be performed thereafter after the interrupt prohibition is released. In this case, the series of operation times can be estimated from the number of signal bits and the clock of the MPU in consideration of the presence of an interrupt. Therefore, the count number t _X should be uniquely determined in consideration of the accuracy of the parts. You can Also, as for the time T ₁ in the power saving mode, the safe operation time can be obtained from the count number t _X , the capacity of the capacitor used for backup and the current consumption during backup.

Further, instead of the (transmission 0 mode), the portion A in FIG. 4 can be used so that the input processing by the interrupt is not performed, and a little after the input signal from the microphone or the switch 9 is received. Delay time (several 100 mse
Although there is about c), the program can be simplified. In this case, since all the programs are sequential, the interrupt prohibition process is unnecessary.

(Error Display) The error display, once displayed, is preferably continued until reset. To reset this error display, set the counter value to 1 after the "confirmation signal" of (receipt confirmation).
Interrupts must be disabled until the number increases,
If an interrupt occurs during this period, the error display will be reset despite the arrival of radio waves, so interrupts must be prohibited.

[Operation of Receiver] The operation of the receiver will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the (Initial) switch is turned on, the program starts, and registers required for initialization, data initial processing, counter reset, etc. are performed.

(Reception Mode) When the initial process is completed, the reception mode is set, and the frequency division number N _R (= 33,484) of the VCO is set so that the reception frequency of channel 0 is obtained.
The output 51 of the MPU 5 outputs it to the programmable frequency dividing circuit 31 of the VCO 3. At this time, since the RF switch has no output from the transmitter, it is automatically connected to the receiving side, and the antenna 71, the LC filter 7, the RF switch 6,
It is selected and amplified by the IF amplifier 13 via the reception amplifier 11, and its output is input to the A / D input terminal 55 of the MPU 5, and the MPU 5 demodulates the received signal, and the bit synchronization shown in FIG. The registered data is compared, and if they match, the frame synchronization is compared with the data registered in advance. If they match, the frequency division number N _R at that time is stored, and the process proceeds to the next step. When the bit synchronization or the frame synchronization (ID code) does not match, the frequency division number is incremented by one, reception is performed, and this is repeated until the channel where the bit synchronization and the frame synchronization match. Then, if all channels are searched and there is no frequency being transmitted, the counter t ₁ is read and compared with a predetermined count number T. If it does not exceed T, the channel is returned to channel 0, and repeat. If the count exceeds T, the radio wave from the transmitter has not arrived,
The display indicating that the user is in the radio dead zone is displayed on the LED display 10, the counter t ₁ is reset, and the program returns to the beginning. At this time, the capture ratio of the PLL circuit 2 may be widened similarly to the transmitter in order to ensure the signal in the channel, and in this case, when a signal is generated in the adjacent channel, it is received. In order to avoid this, it is possible to increase the number of frequency divisions by two or more, that is, skip channels. The number of channels to be skipped at this time must match the number of transmitters.
If the bit synchronization and the frame synchronization (ID code) match, further data is analyzed, and a predetermined output corresponding to the data is displayed on the LED display 10.

(Transmission Mode) In the above-mentioned (Reception Mode), there is ID code data of this receiver, further data is analyzed, and after the communication contents are displayed, a signal of (reception confirmation) that reception is possible is given. , To send to the transmitter,
A predetermined confirmation code is converted into an FSK signal to form a modulated wave, which is modulated / amplified by the transmission amplifier 4 and switched to transmission by the output of the transmission amplifier 4.
Then, the signal is transmitted from the antenna 71 through the LC filter 7 that shields unnecessary radio waves.

(Power Saving) The power supply circuit of the receiver is a switching regulator for boosting the battery voltage, a switch for turning on / off the power supply, a charging / backup output including a capacitor for backing up the timer circuit and a constant voltage diode. It consists of a circuit and T ₂
Each time, in order to turn on the power supply for a time t _R that is relatively shorter than the repetition cycle, a program that sets T ₂ and t _R to the counter timer built into the MPU and starts it, and the value of the counter timer are read. , T _R and T ₂ , respectively, are controlled by a program for turning on / off the power supply. Also, MPU5
And TCXO1 only have their power supplies backed up, and only the timer counter and its clock are always operating. Furthermore, this part requires processing such as saving the register / counter of the MPU 5 for storing the state before the power supply is stopped and backing up the memory in the MPU 5. It is preferable that these circuits that are always operated have a current consumption as small as possible, and that even if the power supply is stopped, a circuit that operates by the supply from the capacitor stored during the supply is preferable. Further, since the operating voltage is low at the voltage of the battery, it is preferable to use a power supply circuit of the DC-DC converter type for boosting the voltage to a required voltage.

In this case, since a series of operation times can be estimated from the number of bits of the signal and the clock of the MPU, the accuracy of parts is taken into consideration, and the number of counts t of the transmitter is further increased.
_From the relationship with _X , it must be set so that reception can be performed at least once within the cycle T, and the count number t _R can be uniquely determined. In this case, at least t _X >
t _R and T> T ₂ . Further, as for the time T ₂ in the power saving mode, the safe operation time can be obtained from the count number t _R , the capacity of the capacitor used for backup and the current consumption during backup.

(Error Display) Similar to the transmitter, the error display is preferably carried out once it is displayed until it is reset. In this way, immediately after the power switch is turned on. Error message is displayed, but if the transmitter and the receiver start operating and the transmitter and receiver are normal, the error message can be reset in a considerably short time.

When the power consumption was examined using the apparatus thus manufactured, it was found that the power consumption when the vibrator was operated was as small as 30 mW, and it was found that the battery could sufficiently operate. For comparison, this oscillator required 600 mW of electric power to be directly attached to the plastic case of the receiver and vibrated to the strength felt by the human body.

[0035]

As described above, by attaching the vibrator through the flexible case, the energy of vibration can be converted into energy that can be efficiently transmitted.

[Brief description of drawings]

1A is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a receiving device using the vibration device of FIG.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram of a transmission device of an information transmission device used in an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram of a reception device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a format of data used in an example of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a program of a transmitter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining a program of the receiver according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101. Oscillator 102. Electric wire 103. Flexible case 104. Receiver case

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A transmitting device which detects an audio signal, generates a signal from the signal to notify that a sound is generated, and transmits the signal, and a receiving device which receives the transmitted signal and converts the signal into a signal for driving vibration. In an information transmission device including a vibrator, a vibrator provided with a vibrator, an electric wire for supplying electric power for driving the vibrator, and a flexible case for housing these in a hole provided in a case of the receiver. An information transmission device by vibration, which is fitted through a flexible case. 2. A voice signal is detected, a signal for informing that a voice is generated is produced by the signal, a transmitting device for transmitting the signal, and the transmitted signal are received and converted into a signal for driving a vibrator. In an information transmission device including a receiving device, a vibrator, a power supply for supplying electric power for driving the vibrator, and a power supply for driving the vibrator by an external signal are provided in a hole provided in a case of the receiving device. An information transmission device by vibration, characterized in that a vibrating device provided with a switch circuit for supplying power and a flexible case accommodating the switch circuit is fitted via the flexible case. 3. A transmitter that always transmits a carrier wave, is provided with an input terminal, and transmits a certain encoded signal when an input signal is detected, and a transmitter that receives the transmitted signal,
A receiver which outputs a certain mode as an output corresponding to the code, and when the carrier wave or the encoded signal cannot be received, outputs a mode different from the mode, and again When a carrier wave or an encoded signal can be received, an information transmission device restarts to output a certain mode as an output corresponding to the code after transmitting to the transmitter a signal for confirming the reception. In the above, in the hole provided in the case of the receiving device, a vibrator, a power supply for supplying power for driving the vibrator, and a switch circuit for supplying power for driving the vibrator by a signal from the outside, and these A device for transmitting information by vibration, characterized in that a vibrating device having a flexible case for accommodating is accommodated through the flexible case.