Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that make it possible to reduce the amount of data required for presentation of a tactile sensation. [Solution] An information processing device provided with a controller that performs control including a tactile presentation unit that determines that driving is to be omitted on the basis of the movement speed of a perceptual position acquired from a tactile signal, the tactile presentation unit from which the drive is to be omitted is included in at least one tactile presentation unit located between a tactile presentation unit corresponding to a start position at which presentation of the tactile stimulus is started and a tactile presentation unit corresponding to an end position at which presentation of the tactile stimulus is ended; and generating a control signal for sequentially driving the driving target haptic presentation unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program. Background Art

[0002] Techniques have been proposed in the past for presenting tactile stimulation to a user, for example in the form of vibrations.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 shown below discloses a technology for reducing the amount of data using an illusory feeling or apparent movement corresponding to a high-order tactile perception. An illusory feeling refers to a phenomenon in which when a tactile stimulus is simultaneously presented to each different position on the user's skin, the user feels as if the tactile stimulus is presented at a position between the different positions. Apparent movement refers to a phenomenon in which a stimulus is inserted between the stimulus points due to the discrete time series movement of the stimulus points, resulting in the user feeling as if the stimulus points are continuously moving on the user's skin.

[0004] Patent Document 2 shown below discloses a technology for controlling stimulation output so as to maintain the intensity of perception when perceiving tactile stimulation at a desired position using a phantom sense.

[0005] Citation List

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: WO 2020 / 003727

[0008] Patent Document 2: WO 2018 / 008217 Summary of the invention

[0009] Technical issues

[0010] The above-mentioned techniques for presenting tactile stimulation provide a wide range of tactile representations by increasing the number of body parts to which tactile stimulation is provided. However, this results in an increase in the number of channels of tactile signals, and therefore in an increase in the amount of data. The increase in the amount of data of the tactile signals results in, for example, a decrease in the speed of processing performed to present the tactile sensation, and an increase in transmission delay. This is disadvantageous.

[0011] Solution to the problem

[0012] The present disclosure provides an information processing device, which includes a controller, which performs controls, including determining a tactile presentation part to be omitted from driving based on a moving speed of a perception position obtained from a tactile signal, wherein the tactile presentation part to be omitted from driving is included in at least one tactile presentation part located between a tactile presentation part corresponding to a starting position for starting presentation of tactile stimulation and a tactile presentation part corresponding to an ending position for ending presentation of tactile stimulation; and generating a control signal for sequentially driving the target tactile presentation parts.

[0013] In addition, the present disclosure provides an information processing method performed by a processor, the information processing method including determining a tactile presentation part to be omitted from driving based on a moving speed of a perception position obtained from a tactile signal, the tactile presentation part to be omitted from driving being included in at least one tactile presentation part located between a tactile presentation part corresponding to a starting position for starting presentation of tactile stimulation and a tactile presentation part corresponding to an ending position for ending presentation of tactile stimulation; and generating a control signal for sequentially driving the target tactile presentation parts.

[0014] In addition, the present disclosure provides a program that enables a computer to function as a controller, and the controller performs controls, including determining a tactile presentation part whose driving is to be omitted based on a moving speed of a perception position acquired from a tactile signal, wherein the tactile presentation part whose driving is to be omitted is included in at least one tactile presentation part located between a tactile presentation part corresponding to a starting position for starting presentation of tactile stimulation and a tactile presentation part corresponding to an ending position for ending presentation of tactile stimulation; and generating a control signal for sequentially driving the target tactile presentation parts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 The diagram illustrates the configuration of a tactile presentation system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 2 : is a diagram for describing determination of a drive omission channel according to a moving speed of a perception position in the present embodiment.

[0017] Figure 3 2 is a diagram for describing driving of channels according to the moving speed of the perception position in this embodiment.

[0018] Figure 4 : is a flowchart illustrating an example of how the tactile sense presentation system 1 in the present embodiment performs operation processing.

[0019] Figure 5 is a diagram for describing driving of channels according to a first modification example of the present embodiment.

[0020] Figure 6: is a diagram for describing changes in perception intensity according to the first modification example of the present embodiment.

[0021] Figure 7 2 is a diagram for describing driving of channels according to a second modification example of the present embodiment.

[0022] Figure 8 3 is a diagram for describing the degree of contact between the tactile sense presentation section 210 and the skin according to the third modification example of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that in the specification and the drawings, structural elements having substantially the same functional configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals to omit repeated descriptions.

[0024] Furthermore, the description will be made in the following order.

[0025] 1. Composition of the tactile presentation system

[0026] 2. Operation processing

[0027] 3. Modifications

[0028] 3-1. First Modification

[0029] 3-2. Second Modification

[0030] 3-3. Third Modification

[0031] 3-4. Fourth Modification

[0032] 4. Supplement

[0033] <<1. Composition of tactile presentation system>>

[0034] First, refer to Figure 1 A tactile presentation system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described. Figure 1 The diagram illustrates the structure of the tactile presentation system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 As shown in the diagram, the tactile presentation system 1 includes an input unit 110, a controller 120, a storage device 130, and a tactile presentation unit 210. A plurality of tactile presentation units 210 (tactile presentation units 210a-210n) are provided, and the plurality of tactile presentation units 210 provide tactile stimulation to a plurality of parts of the human body under the control of the controller 120.

[0035] The tactile presentation system 1 can be implemented by a single device (information processing device) or multiple devices. For example, the tactile presentation system 1 can be implemented by an information processing device and a tactile presentation device, wherein the information processing device includes an input unit 110, a controller 120 and a storage device 130, and the tactile presentation device includes multiple tactile presentation units 210.

[0036] <1-1. Input unit 110>

[0037] The input unit 110 includes a function of acquiring a tactile signal and inputting the tactile signal to the controller 120. The tactile signal may be data stored using a tactile sensor, may be data for which necessary parameters are arbitrarily set, or may be data based on information about a movement or operation performed by a user. The tactile signal includes a perceived position, a perceived intensity, and time series data of the perceived position and the perceived intensity, wherein the perceived position and the perceived intensity are the perceived position and the perceived intensity when the tactile sensation is presented. The input unit 110 may be a communication unit that receives a tactile signal from an external device, or may be a generator that generates a tactile signal.

[0038] <1-2. Storage device 130>

[0039] The memory 130 is implemented by a read-only memory (ROM) storing therein programs and calculation parameters for processing by the controller 120, for example, and a random access memory (RAM) temporarily storing therein parameters that change as needed, for example. The storage device 130 may store a haptic signal therein.

[0040] <1-3. Tactile presentation unit 210>

[0041] The tactile presentation unit 210 outputs tactile stimulation, for example, in the form of vibration, according to a control signal input by the controller 120. Examples of types of tactile stimulation include vibration, pressure, and cold / heat. In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the tactile presentation unit 210 outputs tactile stimulation using vibration.

[0042] At least three tactile presentation parts 210 may be provided. A plurality of tactile presentation parts 210 may be provided to a tactile presentation device that can be touched by the user's body. The type of tactile presentation device is not particularly limited, and examples of the type of tactile presentation device include wearable devices such as gloves, vests, pants, hats, socks, and shoes; and handheld devices such as mice and controllers. The body part to which the tactile sense is presented is also not particularly limited, and examples of the body part include hands, fingertips, and torsos.

[0043] Here, as described above, if the number of tactile presentation parts set to the tactile presentation device is large (making the number of stimulation points large), a wider range of tactile representations can generally be provided. For example, when the tactile presentation device is a vest worn on the user's torso, a large number of tactile presentation parts can be arranged on the front surface and the rear surface of the vest, respectively. In addition, for example, when the tactile presentation device is a glove worn on the user's hand, a large number of tactile presentation parts can be arranged on, for example, the palm, the back of the hand, and the fingertips, respectively. However, the increase in the number of tactile presentation parts leads to an increase in the number of channels of the tactile signal, thereby leading to an increase in the amount of data. The increase in the amount of data, for example, leads to a reduction in the speed of processing performed to present the sense of touch, and an increase in transmission delay. In the present embodiment, the amount of data is reduced using the pseudo motion described below, which makes it possible to reduce the possibility of, for example, a reduction in processing speed and an increase in transmission delay.

[0044] <1-4. Controller 120>

[0045] The controller 120 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and controls the overall operation performed in the tactile presentation system 1 according to various programs. For example, the controller 120 is implemented by an electronic circuit such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor. In addition, the controller 120 may include a ROM and a RAM, wherein the ROM stores therein programs and calculation parameters used by the controller 120, for example, and the RAM temporarily stores therein parameters that change as needed, for example.

[0046] The controller 120 acquires a tactile signal from the input unit 110 or the storage device 130, and generates a control signal for controlling the tactile presentation unit 210 based on the tactile signal. In this case, the controller 120 uses the apparent motion to reduce the amount of data. Specifically, when the tactile signal is a signal indicating the movement of the perceived position, and when there are at least three tactile presentation units 210, the controller 120 determines the tactile presentation unit 210 (hereinafter also referred to as the drive omission channel) to be omitted from the driving according to the moving speed of the perceived position acquired from the tactile signal. The tactile presentation unit 210 to be omitted from the driving is determined from at least one tactile presentation unit 210 located between the tactile presentation unit 210 corresponding to the starting position of the presentation of the tactile sense and the tactile presentation unit 210 corresponding to the ending position of the presentation of the tactile sense. The moving speed may be included in the tactile signal, or may be calculated by the controller 120 based on the tactile signal.

[0047] Figure 2 2 is a diagram for describing the determination of the drive omission channel according to the moving speed of the sense position in this embodiment. When the movement of the sense position indicated by the tactile signal is the movement from the tactile presentation part 210a to the tactile presentation part 210e, as shown in FIG. Figure 2As shown in the diagram, the channels (driving target channels) that can be controlled (driven) by the controller 120 include a start channel (start CH) corresponding to the tactile presentation unit 210a set at the position where the presentation of the tactile stimulation starts, an end channel (end CH) corresponding to the tactile presentation unit 210e set at the position where the presentation of the tactile stimulation ends, and an intermediate channel (intermediate CH) corresponding to each tactile presentation unit 210b~210d located between the tactile presentation unit 210a and the tactile presentation unit 210e.

[0048] The tactile presentation parts 210a to 210e are tactile presentation parts 210 located on the moving route of the perception position indicated by the tactile signal. From among a large number of tactile presentation parts 210 provided to the tactile presentation device, the tactile presentation parts 210a to 210e corresponding to the moving route may be specified by the tactile signal, or may be determined by the controller 120 based on the perception position indicated by the tactile signal and the arrangement of the tactile presentation parts.

[0049] From at least one tactile presentation part 210b, 210c, 210d (hereinafter also referred to as a middle channel) located between the tactile presentation part 210a corresponding to the starting position of the presentation of the starting tactile sensation and the tactile presentation part 210e corresponding to the ending position of the presentation of the ending tactile sensation, the controller 120 determines the tactile presentation part 210 to be omitted from driving (drive omission channel) according to the moving speed of the perceived position.

[0050] More specifically, for example, when the moving speed is less than the first specified value ( Figure 2 ), the controller 120 does not omit driving of the middle channel (there is no channel to omit driving). In this case, the controller 120 drives all channels (the tactile presentation units 210a to 210e).

[0051] In addition, when the moving speed is greater than the first specified value ( Figure 2 In the example of "Moving speed: medium" shown in the diagram, the controller 120 omits driving of a portion of the middle channels (tactile presentation parts 210b to 210d). Which of the middle channels is to be omitted may be determined according to a predefined rule. For example, the controller 120 may determine that every other or every other channel is a channel to be omitted. Figure 2 In the example illustrated in FIG. 2 , two channels corresponding to the tactile sense presenting portion 210 b and the tactile sense presenting portion 210 d are determined as drive omission channels.

[0052] In addition, when the moving speed is greater than a second specified value greater than the first specified value ( Figure 2), the controller 120 omits driving of all the middle channels (three channels corresponding to the tactile presentation parts 210b to 210d). In other words, the controller 120 determines all the middle channels as drive-omitted channels, and only drives the tactile presentation part 210a corresponding to the start position and the tactile presentation part 210e corresponding to the end position.

[0053] Figure 3 2 is a diagram for describing the driving of the channel according to the moving speed of the perception position in this embodiment. Figure 3 As shown in the diagram, the controller 120 drives the tactile presentation unit 210 by generating instantaneous tactile stimulation in the start channel and the end channel in sequence. In addition, for the middle channel, as described above, the driving of the tactile presentation unit 210 is appropriately omitted according to the moving speed.

[0054] The controller 120 outputs a control signal for driving the tactile presentation part 210 to each driving target tactile presentation part 210. The controller 120 may transmit the control signal by establishing a communication connection with a tactile presentation device including a plurality of tactile presentation parts 210 by wire or wirelessly.

[0055] Here, even if the controller 120 omits at least a portion of the middle channel according to the moving speed of the perceived position, the user can perceive as if the perceived position is continuously moving on the user's skin due to the above-mentioned apparent motion corresponding to the high-order tactile perception. As described above, in the present embodiment, the omission of at least a portion of the middle channel makes it possible to reduce the amount of data required for the presentation of the tactile sensation (reproduction of the tactile sensation) while ensuring the ability to reproduce the tactile sensation.

[0056] The reduction in the amount of data makes it possible to reduce the possibility of, for example, a reduction in processing speed and an increase in transmission delay. In addition, when the power consumption in the tactile presentation system 1 is reduced due to the reduction in the amount of data, the time period during which the tactile sensation presented by the tactile presentation system 1 can be experienced increases. Furthermore, this makes it possible to provide a tactile representation that does not rely solely on an increase in the number of stimulation points. This leads to a reduction in the cost of the vibration device.

[0057] Note that the first specified value and the second specified value may be different depending on the arrangement interval of the corresponding tactile presentation parts 210 (ie, the distance between the corresponding tactile presentation parts 210). Figure 2 and Figure 3In the described example, the moving speed is divided into three levels, and the channels to be omitted from driving are represented by "no channel", "partial channel" or "all channels", although the present disclosure is not limited to this. In addition, the number of channels to be omitted from driving is not particularly limited. When the controller 120 omits driving of a portion of the middle channel, the controller 120 can determine, for example, every other or every other two channels as drive-omitted channels based on at least one of the moving speed, the arrangement spacing of the corresponding tactile presentation unit 210 (the distance between them), or the number of drive target channels.

[0058] The above specifically describes the structure of the tactile presentation system 1. Note that the structure of the tactile presentation system 1 in this embodiment is not limited to Figure 1 The example shown in the figure.

[0059] <<2. Operation Process>>

[0060] Next, refer to Figure 4 The operation process performed by the tactile sense presentation system 1 according to the present embodiment is described. Figure 4 : is a flowchart illustrating an example of how the tactile sense presentation system 1 in the present embodiment performs operation processing.

[0061] First, if Figure 4 As shown in the diagram, the input unit 110 inputs a haptic signal to the controller 120 (step S103 ).

[0062] Next, the controller 120 determines the tactile presentation part 210 to be omitted from driving according to the moving speed of the perception position (step S106). The controller 120 determines the tactile presentation part 210 to be omitted from driving from at least one tactile presentation part 210 located between the tactile presentation part 210 corresponding to the start position of the presentation of the tactile sensation and the tactile presentation part 210 corresponding to the end position of the presentation of the tactile sensation. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of data required for the presentation of the tactile sensation.

[0063] Next, the controller 120 generates a control signal for driving the tactile sense presentation unit 210 (step S109 ).

[0064] Then, the controller 120 sends a control signal to the tactile sense presentation unit 210 to control the driving of the tactile sense presentation unit 210 (step S112 ).

[0065] The above describes the operation processing performed in this embodiment. Note that Figure 4 The operation processes illustrated in the diagrams are merely examples, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0066] <<3. Modifications>>

[0067] Next, a modification of the present embodiment is described.

[0068] <3-1. First Modification>

[0069] When the spacing of the arrangement of the position presenting the tactile sensation (the position of the tactile presentation unit 210 to be driven) exhibits a value greater than a specified value relative to the moving speed due to the drive omission described above, the user feels as if the perceived position is moving due to the apparent motion. However, it is conceivable that there will be a reduction in the quality of the perceptual representation, such as the continuity or smoothness of the movement of the perceived position, compared to before the drive was omitted. Therefore, in a first variant, when the controller 120 omits the drive of at least a portion of the middle channel, the controller 120 makes the driving time period (the time period for presenting the tactile sensation) longer than the time period indicated by the tactile signal. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility of a reduction in the quality of the perceptual representation compared to before the drive was omitted.

[0070] Figure 5 1 is a diagram for describing the driving of the channels according to the first modification of the present embodiment. When the driving is not omitted, the start channel, the middle channel and the end channel are all driven, such as Figure 5 On the other hand, when the controller 120 omits the driving of the channel according to the above embodiment, the controller 120 omits the driving of the middle channel, for example, Figure 5 Here, as described above, in order to reduce the possibility of a reduction in the quality of the perceived representation due to the omission of the drive, the controller 120 makes an adjustment to make the driving time period (the time period for presenting the tactile sensation) longer relative to the channel to be driven, as shown in the middle part of Figure 5 Thus, when the drive is omitted, the possibility of degradation in the quality of the perceptual representation, such as the continuity or smoothness of the movement of the perceptual position, can also be reduced.

[0071] Based on at least one of the movement speed and / or the size of the spacing of the arrangement of the corresponding tactile presentation units 210 to be driven (i.e., the distance between them), the controller 120 can determine to what extent the driving time period is to be longer than the time period indicated by the tactile signal. In addition, the controller 120 can control the time period so that the driving time period difference between the corresponding tactile presentation units 210 to be driven shows a value less than or equal to a certain value. The driving time period difference refers to the difference between the completion time of the drive of the first tactile presentation unit 210 to be driven (e.g., the tactile presentation unit 210 corresponding to the start channel) and the start time of the drive of the second tactile presentation unit 210 to be driven next (e.g., the tactile presentation unit 210 corresponding to the end channel).

[0072] Note that the driving of the channel according to the first variant (i.e., adjustment to make the driving time period longer) makes it possible to correct the perceptual intensity between the tactile presentation units 210 to be driven (in particular, near the middle position between the start position at which the presentation of the tactile sensation starts and the end position at which the presentation of the tactile sensation ends). Figure 6 is a diagram for describing changes in the perceived intensity according to the first modification example of the present embodiment. Figure 6 In the example shown in the upper diagram of , the degree of perceptual intensity at the position where the tactile sensation is presented is illustrated, wherein the degree of perceptual intensity is assumed to be exhibited when the driving of the intermediate channel is omitted and the start channel and the end channel are sequentially driven with a time difference. When adjustment is not made to make the driving time period longer, the perceptual intensity near the intermediate position between the start position and the end position may be greatly reduced, as in Figure 6 On the other hand, when an adjustment is made to make the driving time period longer, the decrease in the perceived intensity near the middle position between the start position and the end position can be reduced, as shown in Figure 6 As shown in the lower diagram of .

[0073] <3-2. Second Modification>

[0074] Due to the drive omission described above, the amount of data can be reduced, and due to the apparent motion, the user feels as if the perceived position is continuously moving on the user's skin. However, the number of channels to be driven is small, so it is conceivable that the perceived intensity may be greatly reduced compared to when all channels are driven. Thus, in a second variant, when the controller 120 omits the drive of at least a portion of the middle channels, the controller 120 increases the output intensity (the intensity of the tactile stimulus) compared to the intensity indicated by the tactile signal. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility of a reduction in the perceived intensity of the overall stimulus provided when presenting the tactile sensation compared to before the drive was omitted.

[0075] Figure 7 1 is a diagram for describing the driving of the channels according to the second modification of the present embodiment. When the driving is not omitted, the start channel, the middle channel and the end channel are all driven, such as Figure 7 On the other hand, when the controller 120 omits the driving of the channel according to the above embodiment, the controller 120 omits the driving of the middle channel, for example, Figure 7 Here, as described above, in order to reduce the possibility of a decrease in perceived intensity due to the omission of driving, the controller 120 makes adjustments to increase the perceived intensity relative to the channel to be driven, such as Figure 7 Thus, when the drive is omitted, the likelihood of a decrease in the perceived intensity of the overall stimulus provided when the tactile sensation is presented can also be reduced.

[0076] The controller 120 may determine to what extent the output intensity is to be increased based on at least one of the movement speed and / or the size of the pitch of the arrangement of the corresponding tactile presentation parts 210 to be driven (ie, the distance therebetween).

[0077] <3-3. Third Modification>

[0078] When the contact degree between the tactile presentation part 210 corresponding to the driving target channel and the skin decreases, the controller 120 may cancel the omission of driving of the adjacent channel or increase the output strength of the tactile presentation part 210 corresponding to the driving target channel so as not to lose the tactile quality.

[0079] Figure 8 2 is a diagram for describing the contact degree between the tactile presentation unit 210 and the skin according to the third modified example of the present embodiment. The contact degree between the tactile presentation unit 210 and the skin can be detected by the sensor 220 provided to the vibration presentation device. Specifically, the contact degree between each of the tactile presentation units 210a to 210e and the skin can be detected by a corresponding sensor among the sensors 220a to 220e provided to be located on the side opposite to the skin when viewed from the corresponding tactile presentation unit 210, for example, Figure 8 As shown in the diagram.

[0080] The sensor 220 may be, for example, a pressure sensor. According to the degree of contact between the tactile presentation unit 210 and the skin, the tactile presentation unit 210 is pressed by the skin to press the sensor 220. The controller 120 may use a corresponding threshold value to determine whether the contact degree of the tactile presentation unit 210 is high, medium, or low according to the pressure value detected by the corresponding sensor 220.

[0081] exist Figure 8 In the example illustrated in the figure, the contact degree of each of the tactile presentation parts 210a, 210d and 210e is determined to be "low", the contact degree of the tactile presentation part 210b is determined to be "medium", and the contact degree of the tactile presentation part 210c is determined to be "high". When the tactile presentation part 210a corresponding to the start position and the tactile presentation part 210e corresponding to the end position are predetermined to be driven due to the omission of the drive of the middle channel (tactile presentation parts 210b to 210d), the controller 120 can make a change in the specified drive control according to the above contact degree so as not to lose the tactile quality.

[0082] Specifically, for example, the controller 120 may increase the output intensity of at least one of the driving target tactile presentation unit 210a or the driving target tactile presentation unit 210e. In addition, the controller 120 may cancel the omission of the drive of the tactile presentation unit 210c, and may determine the tactile presentation unit 210c as a driving target, wherein the contact degree of the tactile presentation unit 210c is higher (the increase of the driving target tactile presentation unit) among the tactile presentation units 210b to 210d whose drive is predetermined to be omitted. In addition, the controller 120 may determine the tactile presentation unit 210b as a driving target, rather than the tactile presentation unit 210a whose contact degree is low, and the tactile presentation unit 210b is adjacent to the tactile presentation unit 210a and exhibits a higher contact degree than the tactile presentation unit 210a.

[0083] <3-4. Fourth Modification>

[0084] As described above, the tactile signal may be data based on information about a motion or operation performed by a user. The tactile presentation system 1 according to the present embodiment may acquire a tactile signal based on information about a motion or operation performed by a user, and may present a tactile sensation in real time.

[0085] For example, when the tactile presentation device is a mouse for operating input to a personal computer (PC), when the user operates the mouse to operate (e.g., three-dimensionally) a cursor (such as a pseudo finger) displayed on the display unit, a tactile signal can be generated in real time in response to contacting the cursor with a displayed object (such as a 3D object). The controller 120 can determine the tactile presentation unit 210 to be omitted from driving based on such a tactile signal according to the moving speed of the cursor. In this case, the moving speed of the cursor is used as the moving speed of the perceived position. The controller 120 can obtain the moving speed of the cursor from the tactile signal. In addition, in this case, the operation of the cursor is used as an example, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, when presenting a tactile sense according to the operation of scrolling, the controller 120 can determine the tactile presentation unit 210 to be omitted from driving according to the speed of scrolling.

[0086] <3-5. Fifth Modification>

[0087] It is conceivable that susceptibility to pseudo-motion may vary by body part or individual.

[0088] For example, when comparing the fingertips and the arms, the fingertips exhibit a higher tactile spatial resolution, which makes it easier to induce apparent motion. On the other hand, the arms exhibit a lower tactile spatial resolution, which may result in no apparent motion being induced. Therefore, the controller 120 can determine whether to omit the drive according to the body part to which the tactile stimulation is presented.

[0089] In addition, there are people who are easy to perceive apparent motion and people who are not easy to perceive apparent motion. The controller 120 can make adjustments according to the user to whom the tactile stimulation is presented. Specifically, in the case of a user who is not easy to perceive apparent motion, the controller 120 makes adjustments such as reducing the number of channels to be omitted from driving, increasing the output intensity, or making the driving time period longer. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of data required for the presentation of the tactile sense while ensuring the ability to reproduce the presentation of the tactile sense.

[0090] <<4.Supplement>>

[0091] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present technology is not limited to these examples. Obviously, a person skilled in the art of the present disclosure can conceive various modifications or changes within the scope of the technical ideas of the embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood that such modifications or changes certainly also belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0092] For example, the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate.

[0093] Furthermore, at least one computer program for causing hardware such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM to provide the functions of the apparatus for implementing the above-described tactile presentation system 1 may also be created, the hardware being included in the apparatus for implementing the tactile presentation system 1. Furthermore, a computer-readable storage medium in which the at least one computer program is stored is also provided.

[0094] In addition, the effects recorded in this article are not restrictive, but merely descriptive or illustrative. In other words, in addition to the above effects, or instead of the above effects, the technology according to the present disclosure can provide other effects that are obvious to those skilled in the art based on the description herein.

[0095] Note that the present technology can also adopt the following configurations.

[0096] (1) An information processing device comprising:

[0097] A controller, the controller performs control, including

[0098] According to the moving speed of the perception position obtained from the tactile signal, a tactile presentation part to be omitted from driving is determined, and the tactile presentation part to be omitted from driving is included in at least one tactile presentation part located between a tactile presentation part corresponding to a starting position for starting presentation of the tactile stimulation and a tactile presentation part corresponding to an ending position for ending presentation of the tactile stimulation, and a control signal for sequentially driving the target tactile presentation parts is generated.

[0099] (2) The information processing device according to (1), wherein

[0100] When the moving speed is less than a first specified value, the controller makes a determination to generate a control signal, wherein the determination is to determine that the tactile presentation part corresponding to the starting position, the tactile presentation part corresponding to the ending position, and all the tactile presentation parts between the starting position and the ending position are all driving targets without omitting the driving.

[0101] (3) The information processing device according to (1), wherein

[0102] When the moving speed is greater than a first specified value, the controller determines that a portion of the at least one tactile presentation portion located between the start position and the end position is a tactile presentation portion to be omitted from driving, and

[0103] The controller makes a determination to generate the control signal, wherein the determination is to determine that the tactile presentation part corresponding to the starting position, the tactile presentation part corresponding to the ending position, and the tactile presentation part included in the at least one tactile presentation part located between the starting position and the ending position and other than the tactile presentation part whose driving is to be omitted are the driving targets.

[0104] (4) The information processing device according to (3), wherein

[0105] When the moving speed is greater than a second specified value greater than the first specified value, the controller determines that all tactile presentation parts between the start position and the end position are tactile presentation parts whose driving is to be omitted, and

[0106] The controller makes a determination to generate the control signal, the determination being that a tactile sense presentation portion corresponding to the start position and a tactile sense presentation portion corresponding to the end position are drive targets.

[0107] (5) The information processing device according to any one of (2) to (4), wherein

[0108] The specified value differs depending on the intervals at which the tactile sense presenting parts are arranged.

[0109] (6) The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein

[0110] When the controller omits driving of the at least one tactile presentation part, the controller makes an adjustment when generating the control signal, the adjustment including making a driving time period of the driving target tactile presentation part longer than a time period indicated by the tactile signal.

[0111] (7) The information processing device according to (6), wherein

[0112] The controller adjusts the length of the driving period based on the size of the pitch at which the driving target tactile sense presentation parts are arranged.

[0113] (8) The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein

[0114] When the controller omits driving of the at least one tactile presentation part, the controller makes an adjustment when generating the control signal, the adjustment including making the output intensity of the driving target tactile presentation part higher than the intensity indicated by the tactile signal.

[0115] (9) The information processing device according to (8), wherein

[0116] The controller adjusts the output intensity based on the size of the pitch at which the drive target tactile sense presentation parts are arranged.

[0117] (10) The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein

[0118] In response to a decrease in the degree of contact between the drive-target tactile presentation part and the skin, the controller performs an adjustment, the adjustment comprising making the output intensity of the drive-target tactile presentation part higher than the intensity indicated by the tactile signal.

[0119] (11) The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein

[0120] In response to a decrease in the degree of contact between the drive target tactile sense presentation portion and the skin, the controller cancels the determination of the drive omission and performs the addition of the drive target tactile sense presentation portion.

[0121] (12) The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein

[0122] The controller determines whether to omit driving according to the body part to which the tactile stimulation is presented.

[0123] (13) The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein

[0124] When generating the control signal, the controller is adjusted according to the user to which the tactile stimulus is presented.

[0125] (14) The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (13), wherein

[0126] The controller performs control including outputting the generated control signal to a tactile presentation device including a plurality of tactile presentation parts.

[0127] (15) An information processing method performed by a processor, the information processing method comprising:

[0128] According to the moving speed of the perception position obtained from the tactile signal, determine the tactile presentation part to be omitted from driving, wherein the tactile presentation part to be omitted from driving is included in at least one tactile presentation part located between the tactile presentation part corresponding to the starting position of the presentation of the starting tactile stimulation and the tactile presentation part corresponding to the ending position of the presentation of the ending tactile stimulation; and generate a control signal for driving the target tactile presentation part in sequence.

[0129] (16) A program that causes a computer to function as a controller, the controller performing control including:

[0130] According to the moving speed of the perception position obtained from the tactile signal, determine the tactile presentation part to be omitted from driving, wherein the tactile presentation part to be omitted from driving is included in at least one tactile presentation part located between the tactile presentation part corresponding to the starting position of the presentation of the starting tactile stimulation and the tactile presentation part corresponding to the ending position of the presentation of the ending tactile stimulation; and generate a control signal for driving the target tactile presentation part in sequence.

[0131] Reference numerals list

[0132] 1. Tactile presentation system

[0133] 110 Input section

[0134] 120 Controller

[0135] 130 Storage Device

[0136] 210 Tactile presentation unit

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a controller that performs control including determining a haptic presentation unit to omit driving based on a moving speed of a perceived position obtained from a haptic signal, the haptic presentation unit to omit driving being included in at least one haptic presentation unit between a haptic presentation unit corresponding to a start position where presentation of a haptic stimulus starts and a haptic presentation unit corresponding to an end position where presentation of the haptic stimulus ends, and generating a control signal for sequentially driving a driving target haptic presentation unit.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the moving speed is less than a first specified value, the controller makes a determination to generate a control signal, the determination being that the haptic presentation unit corresponding to the start position, the haptic presentation unit corresponding to the end position, and all the haptic presentation units between the start position and the end position are driving targets without omitting driving.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the moving speed is greater than the first specified value, the controller determines that a part of the at least one haptic presentation unit between the start position and the end position is a haptic presentation unit to omit driving, and the controller makes a determination to generate the control signal, the determination being that the haptic presentation unit corresponding to the start position, the haptic presentation unit corresponding to the end position, and the haptic presentation units included in the at least one haptic presentation unit between the start position and the end position and excluding the haptic presentation unit to omit driving are driving targets.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the moving speed is greater than a second specified value greater than the first specified value, the controller determines that all the haptic presentation units between the start position and the end position are haptic presentation units to omit driving, and the controller makes a determination to generate the control signal, the determination being that the haptic presentation unit corresponding to the start position and the haptic presentation unit corresponding to the end position are driving targets.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the specified value varies depending on the pitch of the arrangement of each haptic presentation unit.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the controller omits driving of the at least one haptic presentation unit, the controller makes an adjustment when generating the control signal, the adjustment including making the driving period of the driving target haptic presentation unit longer than the period indicated by the haptic signal.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the controller adjusts the length of the driving period based on the size of the pitch of the arrangement of the driving target haptic presentation unit.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the controller omits driving of the at least one haptic presentation unit, the controller makes an adjustment when generating the control signal, the adjustment including making the output intensity of the driving target haptic presentation unit higher than the intensity indicated by the haptic signal.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the controller adjusts the output intensity based on the magnitude of the pitch of the arrangement of the driving target haptic presentation units.

10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in response to a decrease in the degree of contact between the driving target haptic presentation unit and the skin, the controller performs an adjustment, the adjustment including making the output intensity of the driving target haptic presentation unit higher than the intensity indicated by the haptic signal.

11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in response to a decrease in the degree of contact between the driving target haptic presentation unit and the skin, the controller cancels the determination of driving omission that has been made and adds a driving target haptic presentation unit.

12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller determines whether to omit driving based on the body part to which the haptic stimulus is presented.

13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when generating the control signal, the controller makes an adjustment according to the user to whom the haptic stimulus is presented.

14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller performs control including outputting the generated control signal to a haptic presentation device including a plurality of haptic presentation units.

15. An information processing method performed by a processor, the information processing method comprising: determining a haptic presentation unit for which driving is to be omitted according to the moving speed of the perceived position obtained from the haptic signal, the haptic presentation unit for which driving is to be omitted being included in at least one of the haptic presentation units located between the haptic presentation unit corresponding to the start position of the start of the presentation of the haptic stimulus and the haptic presentation unit corresponding to the end position of the end of the presentation of the haptic stimulus; and generating a control signal for sequentially driving the driving target haptic presentation units.

16. A program that causes a computer to operate as a controller, the controller performing control including determining a haptic presentation unit for which driving is to be omitted according to the moving speed of the perceived position obtained from the haptic signal, the haptic presentation unit for which driving is to be omitted being included in at least one of the haptic presentation units located between the haptic presentation unit corresponding to the start position of the start of the presentation of the haptic stimulus and the haptic presentation unit corresponding to the end position of the end of the presentation of the haptic stimulus; and generating a control signal for sequentially driving the driving target haptic presentation units.

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