JPH11150584A - Notice device and notice method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the notice device and the notice method by which the user is surely informed of prescribed information. SOLUTION: When an incoming call arrives, an actuator 10 is started to inform the user of the incoming call. The device is also provided with a mount means for the user body and an external shape change device 11 that is driven by the actuator 10. When the external shape change device 11 causes an external shape to change, being started by the incoming call, part of the external shape comes to intermittent contact with the body of the user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a notification device and a notification method for notifying an incoming call of a portable telephone or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a notifying apparatus for notifying an incoming call of a telephone by using notifying means other than sound. In recent years, portable communication devices such as mobile phones, PHSs, pagers, etc., which have been remarkably widespread, have been proposed with an incoming call notifying device that uses notifying means other than a sound in view of the incoming call sound regardless of location. I have.

[0003] For example, as a notification means of such a portable communication device, vibration by a vibrator or light by a light emitting element, and further, such as a device attached to a mobile phone disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 02-186863. , Sound, vibration,
And a combination of light and light.

[0004]

By the way, in the above-mentioned notification device, information is notified by acting on the user's hearing, touch, vision, etc., but depending on the situation around the user, Such sensing can be very difficult.

[0005] For example, when the notification means is a sound, the ringtone may be drowned out by surrounding noise. In particular, as described above, the ring tone itself may cause noise to the surroundings.

[0006] When the notification means is vibration, the vibration can hardly be sensed unless the user wears the device.

Further, when the notification means is light, it is not suitable for use outdoors or the like exposed to direct sunlight because the lit light is very difficult to see.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a notification device capable of reliably notifying a user of predetermined information and a notification method performed by using the notification device. It is intended to be.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a notifying device for activating an actuator when a signal arrives and for notifying the user of the incoming call, the mounting means for holding the user. And an external shape changing mechanism driven by the actuator. When the external shape changing mechanism is activated by an incoming call, the external shape changing mechanism moves the external shape, and a part of the external shape intermittently contacts the user's body. This is a notification device that operates in a desired manner.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an actuator control section for controlling the actuator based on an external signal or an internal signal. Signal content identification means for identifying the content, an operation pattern table in which the operation pattern of the actuator is stored, and an output from the signal content identification means and an operation pattern of the actuator stored in the operation pattern table in association with each other. And a drive pattern determining means for determining an operation pattern to be used.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the mounting means is a notification device configured to include a device mounted on clothes or a device mounted on a body.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a notifying method using a notifying device for activating an actuator when a signal arrives and notifying the user of the incoming call, wherein the notifying device is held by the user. And an external shape changing mechanism driven by the actuator. The external shape changing mechanism moves the external shape when activated by an incoming call, and a part of the external shape is applied to the body of the user. This is a notification method that operates so as to make intermittent contact, and further identifies the signal content of the incoming call and notifies the user of the change by the outer shape change defined in the signal content of the incoming call.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for informing the user that the mounting means comprises a device to be worn on clothes or a device to be worn on a body.

The present invention is applied to clothes or a body, and is used, for example, with a mobile phone. When an incoming call is received, the incoming signal is used as an internal signal (in the case of being integrated into the mobile phone) or externally. The signal is captured (in the case of being separate from the mobile phone) and, as an example, an actuator is activated by an actuator control unit, and the external shape is deformed by the actuator to notify the user of an incoming call. The notification by the outer shape deformation means that a part of the outer shape comes into contact with the user's body intermittently, and the content of the incoming call is identified, and the outer shape change specified in the signal content of the incoming call, for example, the outer shape In the case where the deforming means rotates the predetermined member, one incoming call and another incoming call are notified by changing the form of change of the outer shape change, for example, by changing the rotation speed.

According to the present invention, as compared with the conventional notification means for sound, vibration, light and the like, the notification means involves a change in the outer shape of the notification device, so that the user can easily confirm the visual information. When the user is wearing the notification device, the external deformation can be sensed tactilely. As a result, the predetermined information can be reliably notified to the user.

[0016]

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

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a notification device according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a signal receiving circuit 1 is an electronic circuit having a function of receiving a signal transmitted by a calling side and outputting the content to a subsequent stage. For example, in the case of directly receiving a signal transmitted by the calling side, the signal receiving circuit 1 is configured to have the same function as the receiving function of a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone, a personal handy phone, a private telephone, or a pager. However, when the notification device of the present invention is used for notification of an incoming call of a mobile phone, the signal receiving circuit 1 has only a function of receiving a signal transmitted from the mobile phone to a base station to secure a line at the time of an incoming call. It may be provided and simply configured. Also, when indirectly receiving a signal transmitted by the calling side, an incoming signal generation device that is built in or external to a mobile communication device not shown,
When the communication between the two is wireless, the signal receiving circuit 1 has a function of receiving a radio wave or the like transmitted by the incoming signal generating device. In the case of a wired system, the incoming signal generation device and the notification device of the present invention are connected using a cable such as a copper wire, and the signal receiving circuit 1 has a function of receiving a signal transmitted through the cable. It is composed of

The transmission content code identification means 2 comprises a transmission content code detection circuit 3, a transmission content determination circuit 4, and a transmission content code table 5.

The transmission content code detection circuit 3 is an electronic circuit having a function of detecting a call signal and a transmission content code from a signal transmitted by a calling side, and outputting the detection signal 100 to a subsequent stage. At this time, if the transmission content code cannot be detected, the transmission content code detection circuit 3 outputs the detection signal 100 indicating that the transmission content code cannot be detected to the subsequent stage.

The transmission content determination circuit 4 detects the detection signal 1
This is an electronic circuit having a function of comparing 00 with the transmission content code table 5, determining the meaning of the transmission content, and outputting a determination signal 101 to a subsequent stage. The transmission content code table 5 is an electronic circuit composed of a non-volatile memory or the like, which stores all patterns of the detection signal 100 and their meanings in association with each other.

When the above-described incoming signal generator and the notification device of the present invention are used in combination, the transmission content code identifying means 2 is not provided in the notification device of the present embodiment but in the incoming signal generator. It can also be provided. In that case, the signal receiving circuit 1 is configured to have a function of receiving the determination signal 101 transmitted by the incoming signal generating device. Then, the transmission content code identification unit 2 is deleted from the notification device of this example.

The external deformation pattern determining means 6 comprises a driving pattern determining circuit 7, a deformation pattern table 8, and an actuator driving circuit 9. The drive pattern determination circuit 7 is an electronic circuit having a function of comparing the determination signal 101 with the deformation pattern table 8, determining a drive pattern of the actuator, and outputting a drive signal 102 to a subsequent stage.

The deformation pattern table 8 is an electronic circuit composed of a non-volatile memory or the like which stores the judgment signal 101 and the driving pattern of the actuator in association with each other. The actuator drive circuit 9 is an electronic circuit having a function of driving an actuator according to the drive signal 102.

The actuator 10 is a mechanical component that moves according to a command from the actuator drive circuit 9. At this time, the actuator 10 also includes a speed reducer, a power transmission mechanism, and the like.

The power of the actuator 10 is used to move the external deformation structure 11. An incoming call can be notified by intermittent contact of a part of the outer shape with the user's body due to the change in the shape of the outer shape deformation structure 11.

As described above with reference to FIG. 1, when the number of identification patterns in the transmission content code identification means 2 is small, the transmission content code table 5 can be omitted and the outer shape deformation pattern can be omitted. Also in the determining means 6, when there are few deformation patterns, the deformation pattern table 8 can be omitted.

The transmission content judgment circuit 4, the transmission content code table 5, the drive pattern determination circuit 7, and the deformation pattern table 8 can be formed into a microcomputer and integrated into one chip. Further, since the number of the actuators 10 is not necessarily limited to one, a large number of actuators may be arranged.

The above-mentioned signal transmitted by the calling side includes not only the signal transmitted by the terminal of the calling side but also a signal which has been amplified or converted by a base station or a relay station on the way. It includes not only a call signal but also a transmission content code. Further, the transmission content code is a code indicating transmission content, and specifically, is a code indicating a telephone number of a calling side added to a calling signal in a digital mobile phone.

Next, an outline of the operation of such a notification device will be described.

A description will be given of a case where the notification device of the present embodiment is used for the purpose of notifying the incoming of a digital portable telephone.

First, the user holds the notification device of the present example on a chest part of clothes by means of wearing on a body such as a pin or a band.

When the calling side transmits a signal, the signal receiving circuit 1 receives the signal and outputs the content to the transmission content code identifying means 2 at the subsequent stage.

The transmission contents code identification means 2 is constituted by
The transmission content code detection circuit 3 detects a call signal and a code indicating the telephone number of the caller as the transmission content code from the signal transmitted by the caller, and outputs the caller's telephone number as the detection signal 100.

The transmission content code table 5 stores a telephone number database created by the user. This database stores, for example, the relationship between phone number data and the person who owns the phone number (friendship, estrangement, etc.)
Consists of data and. Then, the transmission content determination circuit 4 collates the detection signal 100 with the transmission content code table 5, determines the meaning of the transmission content, and outputs the determination signal 101 to the outer shape deformation pattern determination means 6 in the subsequent stage.

In this example, the determination signal 101 is bit data indicating “close” or “distant”. If the transmission content code has no data in the transmission content code table 5, the determination signal 101 is bit data indicating "incoming".

The deformation pattern table 8 constituting the external deformation pattern determination means 6 stores the determination signal 1
01 and a drive pattern of the actuator are stored in a one-to-one correspondence. For example, a drive pattern for rotating the actuator at 1000 rpm corresponds to the bit data of the determination signal 101 indicating “friendly”, and the actuator rotates at 100 rpm for the bit data of the determination signal 101 indicating “distant”. The drive pattern corresponds to the bit data of the determination signal 101 indicating “incoming call”.
A driving pattern that is rotated alternately at 0 rpm and 100 rpm corresponds to the driving pattern. Then, the drive pattern determination circuit 7 collates the determination signal 101 with the deformation pattern table 8 to determine the drive pattern of the actuator,
The drive signal 102 is output to the corresponding actuator drive circuit 9.

The actuator 10 starts to move according to the actuator drive circuit 9. Then, the outer shape deformation structure 11 moves accordingly, and a part of the outer shape intermittently contacts the user's body, so that the user is notified of the incoming call through the tactile sense of the skin, and the incoming shape is changed by the change in the outer shape. Can also be visually confirmed. Also,
By transmitting the contents of the incoming call using the change pattern of the outer shape, information transmission is performed using a sight that is more sensitive than tactile sensation, so that the amount of transmitted information can be increased as compared with the conventional case.

Next, a specific example of the external deformation structure 11 provided in the notification device of this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 2 shows the first link mechanism.
This link mechanism has a configuration in which a four-section link mechanism is used as an operating portion of the outer shape deformation structure 11, and a rotation center shaft 73 of a lever 72 is swingably mounted about a fulcrum shaft 70 of a crank 71. An example is shown.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration in which the rotation center shaft 73 is mounted so as to be movable along a guide portion 83 provided on a circumference around the fulcrum shaft 70. A configuration may be employed in which the shaft 70 and the rotation center shaft 73 are connected by a member having spring properties.

More specifically, the power of the actuator is appropriately reduced by a reduction mechanism (not shown) and connected to the fulcrum shaft 70. The fulcrum shaft 70 is connected to the housing 8.
2, it is rotatably supported.

One end of the crank 71 is fixed to the fulcrum shaft 70 so as to rotate together with the fulcrum shaft 70, and the other end is connected to one end of a connecting rod 73 by a pin 80. At this time, the crank 71 and the connecting rod 73 are rotatably connected to the pin 80 using a bearing or the like.

The other end of the connecting rod 73 is L
It is connected to one end of the L-shaped lever 72. Also at this time, the connecting rod 73 and the lever 72 are fixed to the pin 81 using a bearing or the like.
It is rotatable with respect to.

The lever 72 is rotatably attached to the rotation center shaft 73 at the L-shaped portion of the lever 72.

The rotation center shaft 73 is housed in a slot-shaped guide portion 83 provided in the housing 82.
It is urged by the urging device 75 in the direction in which the body comes when the user wears it. Therefore, the rotation center shaft 73 usually exists at the end of the guide portion 83. Specifically, the biasing device 75 may be a spring as shown in the drawing, but a weight or the like with a pulley is used to obtain a constant biasing force regardless of the amount of movement of the rotation center shaft 73. A thing may be used.

According to this structure, when the tip of the lever 72 makes strong contact with the user's body, the rotation center shaft 73 presses and compresses the spring 75 in the guide portion 83 by the reaction force applied to the tip of the lever 72. You can move in any direction.

As described above, the rotation center shaft 73 is
If it is configured to be able to swing while maintaining a constant distance from zero, the rotation center 73 of the lever 72 moves in a direction away from the body and the rotation of the crank 71 becomes possible while reducing the drag. The mechanism can be prevented from locking.

Next, another example (second link mechanism) of the notification device of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the lever 72 is formed of a member having a spring property. With this configuration, when the lever contacts the user's body and a drag is applied to the tip, the lever 72 is deformed and the crank 71 can rotate while reducing the drag, so that the link mechanism locks. Can be avoided.

In the above-described specific example, a portable communication device, particularly a digital portable telephone, is given as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the portable communication device, and therefore, a personal computer is notified that an e-mail has arrived. You can do it,
Further, the present invention can also be applied to a system for reporting an error signal or the like of various machines.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a signal is received, the actuator is activated to notify the user of the incoming call. In the present invention, the mounting means for holding the user and the drive by the actuator are provided. An alerting device that, when activated by an incoming call, moves the outer shape and operates so that a part of the outer shape contacts the user's body intermittently; This is a notification method.

Therefore, according to the present invention, since the conventional notification means such as sound, vibration, light, etc. is a notification means accompanied by a change in the outer shape of the notification device, the user can easily confirm it visually. In addition, when the notification device is worn, the external deformation can be sensed tactilely. As a result, the predetermined information can be reliably notified to the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a notification device according to a specific example of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a first link mechanism provided in the notification device according to a specific example of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a first link mechanism provided in the notification device according to a specific example of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 signal reception circuit 2 transmission content code identification means 3 transmission content code detection circuit 4 transmission content determination circuit 5 transmission content code table 6 external deformation pattern determination means 7 drive pattern determination circuit 8 deformation pattern table 9 actuator drive circuit 10 actuator 11 external deformation Structure 70 Support shaft 71 Crank 72 Lever 72 'Lever 73 composed of a springy member, rotation center shaft 74 Connecting rod 75 Biasing device 80 Pin 81 Pin 82 Housing 83 Guide part 100 Detection signal 101 Judgment signal 102 Driving signal

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A notifying device that activates an actuator when a signal arrives to notify a user of an incoming call, comprising: mounting means for holding the user; and an outer shape changing mechanism driven by the actuator. When the external shape changing mechanism is activated by an incoming call, the external shape is moved and a part of the external shape is operated so as to intermittently contact the user's body. 2. An actuator control unit for controlling the actuator based on an external signal or an internal signal, the actuator control unit comprising: a signal content identification unit for identifying the content of the signal; and an operation pattern of the actuator. Having an operation pattern table stored therein; and a drive pattern determination unit for determining an operation pattern to be used by associating an output from the signal content identification unit with an operation pattern of an actuator stored in the operation pattern table. The notification device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The alerting device according to claim 1, wherein said attaching means comprises a device to be worn on clothes or a device to be worn on a body. 4. A notifying method that uses an alerting device that activates an actuator when a signal arrives and alerts a user of an incoming call, wherein the alerting device includes a mounting unit for allowing a user to hold, and the actuator. And an external shape changing mechanism driven by an external device, wherein the external shape changing mechanism operates upon receiving an incoming call to move the external shape so that a part of the external shape contacts the user's body intermittently. And a notification method for identifying the signal content of the incoming call and notifying the user by a change in outer shape defined in the signal content of the incoming call. 5. The notification method according to claim 4, wherein said mounting means comprises a device mounted on clothes or a device mounted on a body.