WO2014207820A1

WO2014207820A1 - Electronic device and control method

Info

Publication number: WO2014207820A1
Application number: PCT/JP2013/067358
Authority: WO
Inventors: 真己人山口
Original assignee: 株式会社東芝
Priority date: 2013-06-25
Filing date: 2013-06-25
Publication date: 2014-12-31

Abstract

The electronic device according to an embodiment is provided with a body having an audio signal processing unit that includes an audio output terminal and an audio input terminal, with a band capable of attaching the body to a human body, and with a first switching means. The band is provided with a first piezoelectric film capable of functioning as a speaker and microphone and bending. The first switching means switches the connection destination of the first piezoelectric film between the audio output terminal and audio input terminal of the audio signal processing unit.

Description

Electronic apparatus and control method

Embodiments described herein relate generally to an electronic device that is required to include a speaker and a microphone.

In recent years, the use of various electronic devices has become widespread due to advances in electronic technology. Some representative electronic devices include smartphones, tablet terminals, personal computers, and the like.

Many electronic devices are equipped with several human interface devices. Examples of human interface devices include displays, speakers, and microphones.

JP-A-9-55679

By the way, recently, technology for reducing the size and weight of electronic devices has progressed, and wearable devices have started to appear on the market. A wearable device is an electronic device that can be worn on a human body and is smaller than a portable electronic device.

In conventional electronic devices, dedicated functions are often assigned to individual components in the electronic device. For this reason, if some parts assigned with dedicated functions are applied to the wearable device as is the case with conventional electronic devices, the performance of the wearable device (eg, size, operability, design, etc.) is impaired. May be.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device and a control method capable of sharing one component for a plurality of uses.

According to the embodiment, the electronic device includes an audio signal processing unit including an audio output terminal for outputting an audio output signal to be supplied to the speaker and an audio input terminal for receiving an audio input signal input from the microphone. A main body, a band capable of mounting the main body on a human body, and first switching means. The band includes a first piezoelectric film that can function and bend as a speaker and a microphone. The first switching means switches a connection destination of the first piezoelectric film between the audio output terminal and the audio input terminal of the audio signal processing unit.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an external appearance of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the electronic apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of switching processing executed by the electronic apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another example of the appearance of the electronic apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating another example of the system configuration of the electronic apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing still another example of the system configuration of the electronic apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing still another example of the system configuration of the electronic apparatus according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, the configuration of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This electronic apparatus can be realized as, for example, a wearable device that can be worn on a human body. In the following, it is assumed that the electronic device is realized as a wristwatch-type wearable device 10.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the wearable device 10. The wearable device 10 includes a main body 11. The main body 11 is composed of a thin casing. Various electronic components are provided in the housing. A display 12 such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) is disposed on the upper surface of the main body 11. The display 12 may be a touch screen display capable of detecting a contact position on the display screen.

The wearable device 10 includes a band that can attach the main body 11 to a human body (arm). The term “band” is synonymous with belt. In FIG. 1, the case where this band is divided into two

bands

21 and 22 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the

bands

21 and 22 may be different band portions within one band.

Each of the

bands

21 and 22 is realized by a flexible member such as leather.

One end of the band 21 is attached to, for example, one side surface portion (for example, the left side surface portion) of the main body 11. Two attachment portions 13 </ b> A and 13 </ b> B are arranged on the left side surface portion of the main body 11 so as to protrude from the left side surface portion of the main body 11. One end of the band 21 is wound around a rod 13C supported by the two

attachment portions

13A and 13B.

One end of the band 22 is attached to, for example, the other side surface (for example, the right side surface) of the main body 11 facing the one side surface described above. The two attachment portions 14 </ b> A and 14 </ b> B are arranged on the right side surface portion of the main body 11 so as to protrude from the right side surface portion of the main body 11. One end of the band 22 is wound around a rod 14C supported by the two

attachment portions

14A and 14B.

In the present embodiment, the band 21 includes a bendable piezoelectric film 31. The piezoelectric film 31 is affixed on the outer surface of the band 21, for example. The piezoelectric film 31 is a flexible thin film (acoustic conversion film). The piezoelectric film 31 includes a piezoelectric material and can function as a speaker (film speaker) and a microphone. In other words, the piezoelectric film 31 is used for generating sound due to vibration according to the electrical signal. Furthermore, the piezoelectric film 31 can be used to convert vibration caused by sound into an electrical signal. As the structure of the piezoelectric film 31, any structure that can be bent and can function as a speaker and a microphone can be used.

The band 22 also includes a bendable piezoelectric film 32. The piezoelectric film 32 is affixed on the outer surface of the band 22, for example. The piezoelectric film 32 is a flexible thin film (acoustic conversion film). The piezoelectric film 32 includes a piezoelectric material, and can function as a speaker (film speaker) and a microphone. In other words, the piezoelectric film 32 is used for generating sound due to vibration according to the electrical signal. Furthermore, the piezoelectric film 32 can be used to convert vibration caused by sound into an electrical signal. As the structure of the piezoelectric film 32, any structure that can be bent and can function as a speaker and a microphone can be used.

In this embodiment, at least one of the piezoelectric film 31 or the piezoelectric film 32 is used as an acoustic conversion film that functions as both a speaker and a microphone. More specifically, the main body 11 connects at least one of the piezoelectric film 31 and the piezoelectric film 32 between an audio output terminal and an audio input terminal (microphone input terminal) of an audio processing unit (CODEC) in the main body 11. A switching unit configured to switch is provided. By the combination of the switching unit and the

piezoelectric film

31 or 32, at least one of the

bands

21 and 22 wound around the user's arm can function as a speaker and a microphone.

Thus, in this embodiment, the band part of the wearable device 10 of the type wound around the arm can be used as a microphone / speaker. Therefore, voice input / voice output can be realized without impairing design. Moreover, since the

piezoelectric films

31 and 32 are arrange | positioned on the surface of the

bands

21 and 22, each surface area of the

piezoelectric films

31 and 32 can fully be ensured. This can contribute to improving the acoustic conversion characteristics of each of the

piezoelectric films

31 and 32.

FIG. 2 shows a system configuration example of the wearable device 10.
The wearable device 10 includes a CPU 111, a memory 112, a communication interface unit 113, a transmission / reception unit 114, an audio signal processing unit (CODEC) 115, an embedded controller (EC) 116, and a switching unit 117.
The CPU 111 is a processor configured to control various components in the wearable device 10. The CPU 111 executes various software stored in the memory 112. These software includes an operating system and various application programs. The CPU 111 may include a display controller configured to supply a display signal to the display 12 described with reference to FIG. Further, the CPU 111 may be realized by an SOC (System-on-a-chip) including various functional modules.

The communication interface unit 113 is an interface unit for performing communication with another electronic device wirelessly or by wire. The communication interface unit 113 may be, for example, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) module, a universal serial bus (USB) host controller, or the like. The transmission / reception unit 114 is a module for mobile wireless communication such as 3G and LTE, and is configured to wirelessly transmit signals to the base station and wirelessly receive signals from the base station.

The audio signal processing unit (CODEC) 115 is configured to output an audio output signal to be supplied to the speaker. Further, the audio signal processing unit (CODEC) 115 is configured to receive and process an audio input signal input from a microphone. The audio signal processing unit (CODEC) 115 includes at least one audio output terminal for outputting an audio output signal to be supplied to the speaker, and at least one audio input terminal for receiving an audio input signal input from the microphone. With.

The switching unit 117 is hardware for causing at least one of the

piezoelectric films

31 and 32 to function as a speaker and a microphone. Here, it is assumed that the piezoelectric film 31 functions as a speaker and the piezoelectric film 32 functions as a speaker and a microphone. In this case, the switching unit 117 sets the connection destination of the piezoelectric film 32 (the terminal of the audio signal processing unit 115 to which the piezoelectric film 32 is to be electrically coupled) to the audio output terminal of the audio signal processing unit (CODEC) 115 and the audio. Switching between the audio input terminal of the signal processing unit (CODEC) 115 is performed.

Hereinafter, a configuration example of the switching unit 117 will be described. Here, it is assumed that the CODEC 115 is configured to output the first and second two-channel audio output signals. The first channel is, for example, a left (L) channel audio output signal. The second channel is, for example, a right (R) channel audio output signal.

The CODEC 115 includes two audio signal output terminals (OUT1, OUT2). The audio signal output terminal (OUT1) is an audio output terminal for outputting an L channel audio output signal SPK OUT L (speaker output signal). The audio signal output terminal (OUT2) is an audio output terminal for outputting an R channel audio output signal SPK OUT R (speaker output signal). Further, the CODEC 115 includes an audio signal input terminal (IN). The audio signal input terminal (IN) is an audio input terminal for receiving an audio input signal (Mic In) input from a microphone.

The switching unit 117 includes a mixer (MIX) 201, a selector 202, an amplifier (AMP) 203, an amplifier (AMP) 204, an amplifier (AMP) 205, and a selector 206.

The selector 206 selects the connection destination of the piezoelectric film 32 (the terminal of the audio signal processing unit 115 to which the piezoelectric film 32 should be electrically coupled) in accordance with the control signal (CONT2) output from the EC 116, and the audio output terminal ( It functions as a switch unit configured to switch between OUT2) and the audio input terminal (IN).

In response to the control signal (CONT1) output from the EC 116, the selector 203 determines the connection destination of the piezoelectric film 31 (the terminal to which the piezoelectric film 31 should be electrically coupled), the audio output terminal (OUT1), and the mixer ( MIX) 201 functions as a switch unit configured to be switched between. The mixer (MIX) 201 synthesizes the L channel audio output signal SPK OUT L and the R channel audio output signal SPK OUT R to generate a synthesized audio output signal.

In the normal state, the selector 202 selects the input terminal A of the selector 202 according to the control signal (CONT1), and the selector 206 selects the input terminal A of the selector 206 according to the control signal (CONT2). The L channel audio output signal SPK OUT L is sent to the amplifier 203 via the input terminal A of the selector 202 and amplified by the amplifier 203. The amplified L channel audio output signal SPK OUT L is supplied from the amplifier 203 to the piezoelectric film 31. The L channel audio output signal SPK OUT L output from the amplifier 203 includes two signals, positive and negative, and an electric field is applied to the piezoelectric film 31 by the two positive and negative signals. On the other hand, the R channel audio output signal SPK OUT R is amplified by the amplifier 204. The amplified R channel audio output signal SPK OUT R is supplied to the piezoelectric film 32 via the input terminal A of the selector 206. The R channel audio output signal SPK OUT R output from the selector 206 includes two signals, positive and negative, and an electric field is applied to the piezoelectric film 32 by the two positive and negative signals.

Next, an operation for switching the function of the piezoelectric film 32 from the speaker to the microphone will be described.
When the piezoelectric film 32 is used as a microphone, the selector 202 selects the input terminal B of the selector 202 according to the control signal (CONT1), while the selector 206 selects the input terminal B of the selector 206 according to the control signal (CONT2). To do.

The piezoelectric film 32 outputs an electrical signal (audio signal) corresponding to the stress applied to the piezoelectric film 32. The audio signal output from the piezoelectric film 32 is sent to the amplifier 205 via the input terminal B of the selector 206 as an input signal from the microphone. The audio signal output from the piezoelectric film 32 is amplified by the amplifier 205 and supplied to the input terminal (IN) of the CODEC 115. Thus, the piezoelectric film 32 is electrically coupled to the input terminal (IN) of the CODEC 115 via the selector 206 and the amplifier 205, so that the piezoelectric film 32 can function as a microphone. The L channel audio output signal SPK OUT L and the R channel audio output signal SPK OUT R are combined by a mixer (MIX) 201 to generate a combined audio output signal. The synthesized audio output signal is sent to the amplifier 203 via the input terminal B of the selector 202 and amplified by the amplifier 203. The amplified synthesized audio output signal is supplied from the amplifier 203 to the piezoelectric film 31.

The flowchart of FIG. 3 shows the procedure of the switching process executed by the wearable device 10. The CPU 111 executes a control program for executing the switching process.

In the normal state, as described above, the switching unit 117 electrically couples the piezoelectric film 31 to the audio output terminal (OUT1) of the CODEC 115, and electrically connects the piezoelectric film 32 to the audio output terminal (OUT2) of the CODEC 115. Join. Thereby, the

piezoelectric films

31 and 32 function as a stereo speaker.

The control program detects whether the application program that can process the voice input signal has transitioned to the active state (step S11). Note that an application program being in an active state means that this application program has moved to the foreground, in other words, that this application program has been activated and is focused. Examples of application programs that can process a voice input signal include an application program for executing a voice call, an application program for executing a voice recognition process, and an application program for executing voice recording.

In response to the detection that the application program capable of processing the audio input signal has transitioned to the active state (YES in step S11), the control program controls the EC 116 and the switching unit 117 to control the piezoelectric film (here, the piezoelectric film). 32) is switched from the audio output terminal (here, audio output terminal OUT2) of the CODEC 115 to the audio input terminal (here, audio input terminal IN) of the CODEC 115 (step S12). Thereby, since the piezoelectric film 32 is electrically coupled to the audio input terminal IN, the function of the piezoelectric film 32 is changed from the speaker to the microphone. In step S12, a process of switching the connection destination of the piezoelectric film 31 to the output terminal of the mixer 201 is also executed.

Next, the control program detects whether the application program that can process the voice input signal has transitioned to the inactive state (step S13). In response to detecting that the application program capable of processing the audio input signal has transitioned to the inactive state (YES in step S11), the control program controls the EC 116 and the switching unit 117 to control the piezoelectric film (here, piezoelectric film). The connection destination of the film 32 is switched from the audio input terminal (here, audio input terminal IN) of the CODEC 115 to the audio output terminal (here, audio output terminal OUT2) (step S14). Thereby, since the piezoelectric film 32 is electrically coupled to the audio output terminal OUT2, the function of the piezoelectric film 32 is changed from the microphone to the speaker. In step S14, a process of switching the connection destination of the piezoelectric film 31 from the output terminal of the mixer 201 to the audio output terminal OUT1 of the CODEC 115 is also executed.

FIG. 4 shows another example of the appearance of the wearable device 10.
The wearable device 10 of FIG. 4 further includes a piezoelectric film disposed on the inner surface of the band. In FIG. 4, the case where the piezoelectric film 33 is affixed on the inner surface of the band 22 is illustrated. Since the piezoelectric film 33 on the inner surface of the band 22 is in direct contact with the arm, the vibration of the piezoelectric film 33 can be used as a vibrator.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a system configuration corresponding to the wearable device 10 of FIG.
In the system configuration of FIG. 5, a vibration amplifier 118 is added in addition to the various components described in FIG. The vibration amplifier 118 is a signal processing unit configured to supply a vibration signal for vibrating the piezoelectric film 33 on the inner surface of the band 22 to the piezoelectric film 33. A signal in a specific frequency band can be used as the vibration signal.

The CPU 111 transmits a command to the vibration amplifier 118 when, for example, an incoming signal addressed to the wearable device 10 is received by the transmission / reception unit 114. In response to receiving this command, the vibration amplifier 118 supplies a vibration signal to the piezoelectric film 33.

The piezoelectric film 33 can also function as a microphone, like the other

piezoelectric films

31 and 32. For this reason, the piezoelectric film 33 can also be used as a sensor for monitoring a sound of a biological signal, for example, an arterial sound.

FIG. 6 shows a system configuration example for causing the piezoelectric film 33 to function as a vibrator and a sensor.
In the system configuration of FIG. 6, a biological signal monitor 119 and a switching unit 120 are added in addition to the various components described in FIG. 5. The biological signal monitor 119 functions as a monitoring unit configured to monitor a biological signal. The switching unit 120 switches the connection destination of the piezoelectric film 33 between the vibration amplifier 118 and the biological signal monitor 119 in accordance with a control signal (CONT3) from the EC 116. The switching unit 120 includes a selector 301.

In the normal state, the selector 301 selects, for example, the input terminal B of the selector 301, thereby electrically coupling the piezoelectric film 33 to the biological signal monitor 119. When receiving an incoming call, the selector 301 selects, for example, the input terminal A of the selector 301 and thereby electrically couples the piezoelectric film 33 to the vibration amplifier 118.

FIG. 7 shows still another system configuration example of the wearable device 10.
The system configuration of FIG. 7 corresponds to a structure in which a piezoelectric film (31 or 32) is attached to only one of the

bands

21 or 22. The CODEC 115 includes one audio output terminal (OUT) and one audio input terminal (IN). According to the control signal (CONT) from the EC 116, the switching unit 117 connects the connection destination of the piezoelectric film (31 or 32) (the terminal of the CODEC 115 to which the piezoelectric film is to be electrically coupled), the audio output terminal (OUT) of the CODEC 115, and the CODEC 115. The audio input terminal (IN) is switched to. The switching unit 117 includes an amplifier 411, an amplifier 412, and a selector 413.

In the normal state, the selector 413 selects the input terminal A of the selector 413 according to the control signal (CONT) from the EC 116. The audio output signal SPK OUT is supplied to the piezoelectric film (31 or 32) via the amplifier 411 and the selector 413.

Next, an operation for switching the function of the piezoelectric film (31 or 32) from the speaker to the microphone will be described.
When the piezoelectric film (31 or 32) is used as a microphone, the selector 413 selects the input terminal B of the selector 413 according to the control signal (CONT1).

The audio signal output from the piezoelectric film (31 or 32) is supplied as a microphone input signal to the input terminal (IN) of the CODEC 115 via the selector 413 and the amplifier 412.

As described above, according to the system configuration of FIG. 7, the combination of the piezoelectric film (31 or 32) and the switching unit 117 can cover the place where each of the microphone device and the speaker device is necessary with one piezoelectric film. As a result, a wearable device excellent in mounting and design can be realized.

Note that the switching processing procedure described in FIG. 3 can also be applied to the system configuration in FIG.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the combination of the piezoelectric film and the switching unit 117 allows the piezoelectric film to be used for both the speaker and the microphone.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

A main body including an audio signal processing unit including an audio output terminal for outputting an audio output signal to be supplied to a speaker and an audio input terminal for receiving an audio input signal input from a microphone;
A band capable of mounting the main body on a human body, comprising a first piezoelectric film that can be bent and function as a speaker and a microphone;
An electronic apparatus comprising: a first switching unit configured to switch a connection destination of the first piezoelectric film between the audio output terminal and the audio input terminal of the audio signal processing unit.
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first piezoelectric film is disposed on an outer surface of the band.
The band further includes a second piezoelectric film that is disposed on an inner surface of the band and can be bent and function as a speaker and a microphone.
The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a signal processing unit that supplies a vibration signal for vibrating the second piezoelectric film to the second piezoelectric film.
A monitoring unit for monitoring biological signals;
The electronic apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a second switching unit that switches a connection destination of the second piezoelectric film between the signal processing unit and the monitoring unit.
In response to the transition to the active state of the first application program that can be processed by the main body and that can process the voice input signal, the first switching unit changes the connection destination of the first piezoelectric film, The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein an audio output terminal is switched to the audio input terminal.
First and second audio output terminals for outputting first and second two-channel audio output signals to be supplied to a speaker, and an audio input terminal for receiving an audio input signal input from a microphone A main body including an audio signal processing unit;
A first piezoelectric film which is a band capable of mounting the main body on a human body and which is electrically coupled to the first audio output terminal and can function as a speaker and a microphone; and the second audio output A band comprising a second piezoelectric film electrically coupled to the terminal and capable of functioning as a speaker and a microphone and bendable;
An electronic apparatus comprising: first switching means for switching a connection destination of the second piezoelectric film between the second audio output terminal and the audio input terminal.
The electronic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first and second piezoelectric films are disposed on an outer surface of the band.
In response to the transition to the active state of the first application program that can be processed by the main body and that can process the voice input signal, the first switching unit changes the connection destination of the second piezoelectric film, The electronic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein an audio output terminal is switched to the audio input terminal.
The first switching means includes a first switch unit for switching a connection destination of the second piezoelectric film between the second audio output terminal and the audio input terminal, and a connection destination of the first piezoelectric film. And a second switch unit that switches between the first audio output terminal and an output terminal of a mixing unit that synthesizes the audio signal of the first channel and the audio signal of the second channel. The electronic device described.
An audio output terminal for outputting an audio output signal to be supplied to a speaker and an audio signal processing unit including an audio input terminal for receiving an audio input signal input from a microphone, and the main body can be attached to a human body A method for controlling an electronic device comprising a band,
A switching unit electrically connects the audio output terminal of the audio signal processing unit and the bendable first piezoelectric film that can function as a speaker and a microphone, and the first piezoelectric film functions as the speaker. Let
Switching the connection destination of the first piezoelectric film from the audio output terminal to the audio input terminal of the audio signal processing unit by the switching unit, and causing the first piezoelectric film to function as the microphone;
The control method, wherein the band includes the first piezoelectric film.