Textile and acoustic output device

Abstract

A textile enabling control related to sound output is to be provided. A textile according to the present application is characterized by being formed to include foil of an organic piezoelectric film.

Description

Field

[0001] The present invention relates to textiles and sound output devices.Background

[0002] There is a demand for incorporating electronic circuits into fabrics (or articles that can be made from fabrics) in many industries, such as the interior industry, the fashion industry, and the car industry. A technique using textiles called smart textiles has been known as a technique for meeting this demand.Citation ListPatent Literature

[0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-143546SummaryTechnical Problem

[0004] However, conventional techniques have not been able to provide textiles that enable control related to sound output.

[0005] In view of the above, an object of the present application is to provide a textile and a sound output device that enable control related to sound output. Solution to Problem

[0006] A textile according to the present application is characterized by being formed to include foil of an organic piezoelectric film.Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0007] An effect achieved according to an aspect of an embodiment is that a textile and a sound output device that enable control related to sound output are able to be provided.Brief Description of Drawings

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of a fabric using a textile according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of the fabric using the textile according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a system configuration including the fabric using the textile according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the system configuration including the fabric using the textile according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a first example of weaving of acoustic foil according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the weaving of the acoustic foil according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a third example of the weaving of the acoustic foil according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a fourth example of the weaving of the acoustic foil according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of size of the acoustic foil according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for description of dielectric breakdown. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relation between widths of the acoustic foil and an electrode, according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a first example of an electrode variation, according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the electrode variation, according to the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a third example of the electrode variation, according to the embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a connector structure according to the embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of knitting of the acoustic foil according to the embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a textile system according to the embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a sound output system according to the embodiment. FIG. 19 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example of a computer that implements functions of a sound output device. Description of Embodiments

[0009] Embodiments of a textile and a sound output device, according to the present application (hereinafter, referred to as "embodiments") will hereinafter be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The textile and the sound output device according to the present application are not to be limited by the embodiments. Furthermore, with respect to each of the following embodiments, the same reference sign will be assigned to parts that are the same and redundant description thereof will be omitted.Embodiments1. Example of Information Processing

[0010] Organic piezoelectric films using organic polymer materials are known to enable sound output like speakers. For example, an organic piezoelectric film using a fluorine-based organic polymer material is known to be deformed by an electric force when a voltage is applied to the organic piezoelectric film, because a negatively charged region is attracted to a positively charged region. Such an organic piezoelectric film vibrates air through such deformation, and as a result, is capable of outputting sound. This phenomenon of deformation caused by such an electric force is also called a piezoelectric effect.

[0011] Furthermore, sound pressure of sound generated from an organic piezoelectric film is proportional to volume of air expelled when a vibrating portion (which may hereinafter be generally referred to as an actuator) in the organic piezoelectric film vibrates. When voltage is applied to an organic piezoelectric film, the organic piezoelectric film expands in a planar direction (lateral direction) and shrinks in a thickness direction (longitudinal direction). More specifically, for example, crystal orientation in a piezoelectric element is determined by a direction of a poling process, which involves stretching and molecular alignment (a process of causing polarization by application after heating and crystallization). Furthermore, in a case where the stretching direction is along the major axis in the plane of the organic piezoelectric film, the organic piezoelectric film can expand particularly extensively along the major axis in the plane and be driven. Displacement in the thickness direction is small, but a volume calculated from the displacement in the planar and thickness directions of the organic piezoelectric film is expelled as an air volume. Upon the expulsion, if an end portion of the organic piezoelectric film is in a restrained state, the organic piezoelectric film tends to expand in the restrained state, and the shape of the organic piezoelectric film is thus deformed. The entirety of the air expelled by the deformation of the shape of the organic piezoelectric film is then converted into sound pressure and sound is thus output. In this way, the shape of the organic piezoelectric film will have no more direction to escape, and vibration in a direction normal to the plane results in the output of sound. The larger the vibration in the direction normal to the plane, the higher the sound pressure, and thus the larger the sound that is output. The organic piezoelectric film has a characteristic of decreasing in thickness correspondingly to lateral expansion of the organic piezoelectric film. The organic piezoelectric film has a characteristic of vibrating in the direction normal to the plane because the organic piezoelectric film is unable to expand laterally in a case where a constraint is applied laterally when the organic piezoelectric film is about to expand laterally.

[0012] In the following embodiment, a textile 10 is a textile using an organic piezoelectric film. Furthermore, the organic piezoelectric film according to the embodiment is, for example, an organic piezoelectric film having an organic polymer material, such as a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride (VDF) and trifluoroethylene (TrFE), coated with silver electrodes. This PVDF-TrFE is an example, and the organic polymer material according to the embodiment may be not particularly limited to this example. Furthermore, an electrode according to the embodiment is, for example, an electrode using poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) / polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT / PSS), which is a transparent conductive material. This PEDOT / PSS is an example, and the electrode according to the embodiment may be not particularly limited to this example.

[0013] Furthermore, the organic piezoelectric film according to the embodiment may also be, for example, a polymer matrix film including a lead zirconate titanate-based (PZT-based) nanoceramic. Using the nanoceramic is expected to improve operation. Furthermore, the organic piezoelectric film according to the embodiment may also be, for example, a polymer film including electrodes made of a transparent conductive material, such as PEDOT / PSS or indium tin oxide (ITO). Since a portion corresponding to foil of the organic piezoelectric film (hereinafter, referred to as "acoustic foil" as appropriate) is transparent, improvement in design is expected. These are each an example and the organic piezoelectric film according to the embodiment may be not limited particularly to these examples.

[0014] The textile 10 is a textile formed to include the organic piezoelectric film. A case of "weaving" will be described hereinafter as an example of the textile formed to include the organic piezoelectric film. For example, the textile 10 is a textile formed by weaving of the acoustic foil. For example, the textile 10 is a textile formed by weaving of strips of the acoustic foil obtained by cutting the organic piezoelectric film. These individual acoustic foil strips that have been cut may each serve as a speaker.

[0015] The textile 10 is a textile formed by weaving weft yarns and warp yarns together. For example, the textile 10 is a textile formed by weaving weft yarns and warp yarns together by a weaving method, such as plain weave, twill weave, or satin weave.

[0016] The textile 10 is a textile formed by weaving the acoustic foil into the weft. For example, the textile 10 is a textile formed by weaving the acoustic foil into the weft having a fixed length, by means of a loom. Lengths of the warp yarns are able to be changed by the loom. The warp yarns are, for example, important for constraining the acoustic foil from being detached from a fabric. Furthermore, strength of this constraint by the warp yarns can change how the acoustic foil vibrates. Layers in which the acoustic foil is woven may also be put together, for example, at the back. Putting them together at the back may generate a sound pressure difference but the design on the front is unrestricted. Furthermore, the layers in which the acoustic foil is woven are not limited to the back, and may be put together, for example, at the center or the front, or may be arranged in a mixed manner. Furthermore, since the acoustic foil is woven only into the weft, unlike a case where organic piezoelectric films are layered and used, space that allows something else to be placed is generated. Therefore, sound can pass through more easily. This can also be advantageous for some applications. For example, it is applicable to a case where sound is desired to be additionally listened to while ambient sound is listened to.

[0017] Because the textile 10 is a textile formed by weaving the organic piezoelectric film, the textile 10 may also be called a textile-type speaker. Weaving a flexible organic piezoelectric film forms a speaker in the form of a textile. Furthermore, forming and controlling partitioned electrode regions enable control of the sound field.

[0018] The textile 10 has, for example, a characteristic of not only being bendable, but also being soft to be able to be rolled because the acoustic foil has been divided. Because the soft organic piezoelectric film has been cut and woven only in one direction (the weft direction), the shape is able to be flexibly changed (made soft) in a direction (the warp direction) perpendicular to the organic piezoelectric film. Furthermore, because the textile 10 has the acoustic foil introduced in the weft, for example, the textile 10 has a characteristic of facilitating size customization through extension of the woven length. Furthermore, for example, the acoustic foil is able to be arranged at desired intervals and the textile 10 thus has a characteristic of enabling sound to be generated only at optional locations by integration with another material by being arranged horizontally to the other material. Sound thus passes more easily through any portion where the acoustic foil has not been arranged.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of a fabric using a textile according to the embodiment. In FIG. 1, the textile 10 is affixed in a curved shape to a fixture J1. A horizontal direction in FIG. 1 corresponds to the warp direction of the textile 10, and a vertical direction in FIG. 1 corresponds to the weft direction of the textile 10. Furthermore, acoustic foil strips P1 to P3 are arranged in parallel along the weft direction of the textile 10. For convenience of illustration in FIG. 1, reference signs have been assigned only to the acoustic foil strips P1 to P3, but many acoustic foil strips other than the acoustic foil strips P1 to P3 have also been arranged therein, without being limited to the acoustic foil strips P1 to P3. The fabric in FIG. 1 is an example and the embodiment may be not particularly limited to a case where the fabric is affixed to a curved fixture like the one illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a fabric using the textile according to the embodiment. In FIG. 2, "150 mm × 4200 mm" is an example of the area of the plane of the textile 10 and "180 mm × 4 mm" in FIG. 2 is an example of the area of the plane of the acoustic foil. The textile 10 may be, for example, a textile formed by weaving weft yarns in parallel along a short-side direction of the plane of the textile 10. When "150 mm" is compared with "180 mm" among these, the length of the acoustic foil is "30 mm" longer. Increasing the length of the acoustic foil a little (for example, by allowing the acoustic foil to flex with respect to the vibration direction) thus enables vibration that causes the acoustic foil to be deformed up and down and sound is thereby output. The vibration direction is, more precisely, the electric-field direction, because the acoustic foil actually vibrates simultaneously in a direction in which the electric field is applied and in the plane perpendicular to that direction. Furthermore, the electric-field direction is the direction of the electric field applied to the acoustic foil by the electrodes provided to drive the acoustic foil. For example, if the short side of the fabric is made a little shorter than the length of the acoustic foil, larger sound can be output. Furthermore, the sound pressure and directivity of the sound change according to the bending angle and width of the fabric and the fabric's housing itself may be treated as something variable. The structure of the fabric in FIG. 2 is an example and the embodiment may be not particularly limited to this example. Sound can be heard even from a single strip of the acoustic foil if the strip has a width of about "4 mm". The textile 10 may be, for example, a textile formed by weaving weft yarns so that the acoustic foil is deformed in the vibration direction (more precisely, in the electric field direction).

[0021] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a system configuration including a fabric using the textile according to the embodiment. Switchers in FIG. 3 are elements having a function of switching application of voltage on and off. That is, the switchers are elements that switch audio signals. Different switchers (switchers 1 to N) are connected respectively to areas 1 to N in FIG. 3. Controlling the switchers controls the application of voltage to the respective areas and the areas 1 to N are thus electrode regions. For example, different pieces of music in respective areas, such as a piece of music A in the area 1 and a piece of music B in the area 2, will be able to be played. The areas 1 to N may each be a region of a single weft yarn of the textile 10, or a region corresponding to a group of a predetermined number of weft yarns of the textile 10. In the former case, for example, if the textile 10 has 500 weft yarns, as many as 500 areas will be needed, which would not be ideal. Furthermore, sound from each of individual areas could become faint. Furthermore, in the latter case, for example, the areas 1 to N may each be, for example, a region corresponding to a group of ten weft yarns of the textile 10. The switchers enable local control of the sound field. The system configuration in FIG. 3 is an example and the embodiment may be not particularly limited to this example. For example, any technique that enables control of the application of voltage to each electrode region may be adopted. For example, as described above, a technique using a switcher (or a switching circuit) that switches audio signals may be adopted. Furthermore, as an example of the switcher, for example, a mechanical relay (a technique for physically disconnecting wiring) may be used, or a solid-state relay (SSR) may be used. Furthermore, in FIG. 3, the switchers are controlled by a single audio source, but the embodiment may be not particularly limited to this example, and the switchers may be controlled by a plurality of audio sources. Furthermore, output of sound by the textile 10 is controlled, for example, by acoustic foil speakers formed by cutting the organic piezoelectric film and arranging the divided organic piezoelectric film, switchers, an audio source, and software that controls the audio source and switchers.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the system configuration including the fabric using the textile according to the embodiment. FIG. 1 illustrates a curved portion of the fixture J1, but the fixture J1 is a fixture including the curved portion and a linear portion, and the textile 10 has been affixed over the entire fixture J1. In FIG. 4, the weft yarns of the textile 10 are grouped in units each including a predetermined number of weft yarns, for division into twelve electrode regions. Each electrode region is connected to a switcher, enabling control of the sound field in each of the twelve electrode regions. That is, in FIG. 4, the sound field is able to be controlled over twelve channels. Electrode regions of channels 1 to 4 in FIG. 4 and electrode regions of channels 9 to 12 in FIG. 4 have been affixed to correspond to the curved portion of the fixture J1, and electrode regions of channels 5 to 8 in FIG. 4 have been affixed to correspond to the linear portion of the fixture J1. The system configuration in FIG. 4 is an example and the embodiment may be not particularly limited to this example. For example, a fixture to which the textile 10 is affixed is not limited to a fixture having a curved portion and a linear portion, and may be a fixture having any shape. Furthermore, for example, the number of electrode regions (the number of channels) may be not particularly limited to this example. Furthermore, in the curved portion of the fixture J1, sound is gathered and a focal point is formed in a concave portion and sound is dispersed to the surroundings at a convex portion. Furthermore, in FIG. 4, a control circuit and an amplifier have been connected. Furthermore, a control box in FIG. 4 may include, for example, a microcontroller for receiving signals from software, and switchers (for example, switchers using mechanical relays).

[0023] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a first example of weaving of the acoustic foil according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 illustrates a basic configuration of the weaving of the acoustic foil. Hatched portions are the acoustic foil. For convenience of illustration in FIG. 5, the reference signs are assigned only to the acoustic foil strips P1 to P3 , but many acoustic foil strips other than the acoustic foil strips P1 to P3 have also been arranged therein without being limited to the acoustic foil strips P1 to P3. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the weaving of the acoustic foil according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 illustrates a case of plain weave. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a third example of the weaving of the acoustic foil according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 illustrates a case of twill weave. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a fourth example of the weaving of the acoustic foil according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 illustrates a case of satin weave. For convenience of illustration in FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, reference signs have been assigned only to weft yarns K1 and K2 and warp yarns T1 and T2, but many weft yarns and warp yarns other than these weft yarns K1 and K2 and warp yarns T1 and T2 have been arranged therein, without being limited to these weft yarns K1 and K2 and warp yarns T1 and T2.

[0024] The width and length of the plane of the acoustic foil according to the embodiment may be not particularly limited, but when the aspect ratio between width and length increases, a sound-pressure characteristic not proportional to the area may be generated. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of size of the acoustic foil according to the embodiment. In consideration of weavability and design excellence, for example, the size may be "180 mm × 4 mm". Furthermore, reducing the thickness of the acoustic foil allows the driving voltage to be lowered and the thickness may thus be, for example, "80 µm". Furthermore, although thin film layering is expected to enable voltage to be reduced while maintaining characteristics, a single layer may also be adopted in view of amplifier characteristics. Possibility of cost reduction is expected by adopting a single layer.

[0025] Characteristics of the acoustic foil can significantly vary according to the electrode structure. Furthermore, some electrode configurations may cause dielectric breakdown from an end portion. FIG. 10 is a diagram for description of the dielectric breakdown. In a case of the organic piezoelectric film, dielectric breakdown occurs through the sheet, but in a case of the acoustic foil, dielectric breakdown occurs through the air. Therefore, in the case of the organic piezoelectric film, the breakdown voltage is 4000 V or more, but in the case of the acoustic foil, the breakdown voltage is about 240 V. More specifically, because the PVDF-TrFE material has a dielectric breakdown field strength of 50 V / µm or more, the acoustic foil having the thickness of 80 µm can remain stable even at about 4000 V, but the shortest short-circuit path at the end portion is about 80 µm, and because the dielectric breakdown field strength of air is about 3 V / µm, dielectric breakdown can occur at about 240 V. Because an error may be generated in the thickness during edge lowering, in some cases, a voltage of 150 V or less is preferable in practice. Furthermore, if the end portion is damaged during cutting, the risk of breakage is increased, and breakage may occur even at about 200 V. For example, a technique, in which something is applied to end portions to guard the end portions, or a technique, in which electrodes having a somewhat narrower width are printed and the printed foil is then cut and weaved, is one example of a technique for avoiding dielectric breakdown. Furthermore, for example, the electrodes may be arranged at positions somewhat shifted from the end portions of the acoustic foil. For example, the textile 10 may be a textile formed by weaving the acoustic foil having the electrodes arranged at positions separate from the end portions of the acoustic foil.

[0026] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relation between widths of the acoustic foil and the electrodes, according to the embodiment. The electrodes according to the embodiment may be electrodes printed so as to be narrower in width than the acoustic foil according to the embodiment. By making the width of the electrodes smaller than the width of the acoustic foil, end portions of the electrodes are positioned more inward than the end portions of the acoustic foil and the likelihood of dielectric breakdown can thus be reduced. Furthermore, when V / L satisfies a value of about 30 or higher, the characteristics of the acoustic foil are able to be exhibited sufficiently, where V is the applied voltage for L (µm), the shortest short-circuit distance between the electrodes on the upper and lower surfaces. The dielectric breakdown strength of air is 3 V / µm, and dielectric breakdown can thus occur under a condition where the value of V / L is about 3 or less. The textile 10 may be, for example, a textile formed by weaving foil having a width larger than that of the electrodes in a case where the relation between the shortest short-circuit distance between the electrodes and the applied voltage satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0027] FIG. 12 illustrates a first example an electrode variation according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 illustrates a case of electrode patterning. Further region dividing and patterning in the acoustic foil enable sound to be generated only in specific regions. Thickness is able to be adjusted for each region and the sound field is thus able to be controlled for each region. In this way, sound-field control in, not only units of lines, but also units of grids is enabled. Therefore, local sound-field control is enabled in both units of lines and in units of grids. The textile 10 may be, for example, a textile formed by weaving acoustic foil having partitioned electrode regions. For example, the textile 10 may be a textile enabling control related to sound output for each one of electrode regions.

[0028] FIG. 13 illustrates a second example of the electrode variation according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 illustrates a case of thin-film layering. When voltage of the amplifier increases, the load may be increased. For example, halving the film thickness and superposing the layers double the electric current but halve the voltage and the voltage is thus able to be lowered. The textile 10 may be, for example, a textile formed by weaving the acoustic foil having thin films layered over one another.

[0029] FIG. 14 illustrates a third example of the electrode variation according to the embodiment. FIG. 14 illustrates a case of an exciter structure. When the vibrating portion (electrode) and the acoustic foil are stuck together and they are vibrated as a whole, the acoustic foil also vibrates in the same phase, and sound is thus able to be generated. Reducing the size of the vibrating portion enables the electrode area to be reduced. The textile 10 may be, for example, a textile formed by weaving the acoustic foil having the exciter structure. For example, the textile 10 may be a textile formed by weaving the acoustic foil that includes a vibrating portion having a width narrower than that of the acoustic foil. Furthermore, for example, the textile 10 may be a textile formed by weaving the acoustic foil that includes a vibrating portion having a width narrower than that of the acoustic foil, in a case where the relation between the shortest short-circuit distance between the electrodes and the applied voltage satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0030] The fabric using the textile according to the embodiment may be a fabric having any housing. A case where the fabric using the textile according to the embodiment is a fabric including a fixture has been described as an example with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, but the fabric may be not particularly limited to this example. For example, the fabric using the textile according to the embodiment may be furniture, a curtain, a lampshade, or a car lining. In the case of a curtain, for example, the fabric may be used for a vertical-blind curtain. In this case, for example, each blind serves as a speaker. Furthermore, the fabric using the textile according to the embodiment may be a fabric having any structure. A case where the fabric using the textile according to the embodiment is a fabric having a structure including a curved portion and a linear portion has been described as an example with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, but the fabric may be not particularly limited to this example. For example, the fabric using the textile according to the embodiment may be a fabric having a structure including a planar portion, a spherical portion, and / or an arcuate portion. Furthermore, adjusting the width of the fabric so that the textile according to the embodiment buckles a little enables the sound pressure to be increased.

[0031] A connector structure according to the embodiment may be, for example, a through-type structure or a structure using a magnetic snap. For example, the connector structure according to the embodiment may be a structure in which upper and lower electrodes are penetrated through, or a structure held between magnets. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the connector structure according to the embodiment. FIG. 15 illustrates a case of the through-type structure. Displacing the upper and lower electrodes from each other a little enables a hole to be formed therethrough, allowing electrode wiring to be routed. Displacing the upper and lower electrodes in this ways enables electrode patterning.

[0032] The electrode wiring according to the embodiment may, for example, be arranged on the front and back of one side, or on the front and back of both upper and lower sides. For example, the electrode wiring according to the embodiment may be arranged such that one side is entirely positive and one side is entirely negative. However, when positiveness and negativeness are located close to the upper side or lower side, short-circuiting is more easily caused, and the electrode wiring may thus be arranged to separate them to prevent short-circuiting. Furthermore, the electrode wiring according to the embodiment may also be arranged so that the upper side is entirely positive and the lower side is entirely negative. The electrode wiring according to the embodiment may, for example, be provided on the upper and lower sides, on a plane (one side), or by dividing an area, but the electrode wiring may be not particularly limited to these examples.

[0033] In the above described embodiment, the textile 10 may output an opposite phase to implement cancelling (silencing) of sound. For example, as one example of controlling sound output, the textile 10 may cancel part of output sound.

[0034] With respect to the above described embodiment, a case where the horizontal direction of an affixed target, such as the fixture J1, is the warp direction of the textile 10, and the vertical direction thereof is the weft direction of the textile 10 has been described as an example, but these directions may be not particularly limited to this example, and the horizontal direction of the affixed target may be the weft direction of the textile 10, and the vertical direction may be the warp direction of the textile 10. For example, without being limited to a case where the weft yarns of the textile 10 are arranged parallel to the short side of an affixed target, such as the fixture J1, and the warp yarns of the textile 10 are arranged parallel to the long side thereof, the weft yarns of the textile 10 may be arranged parallel to the long side of the affixed target and the warp yarns of the textile 10 may be arranged parallel to the short side thereof. However, in some cases, only regions near portions where the electrode wiring is drawn out may be able to vibrate sufficiently even though the acoustic foil is intended to vibrate over the entire textile 10, and arranging the weft yarns of the textile 10 parallel to the short side and the warp yarns of the textile 10 parallel to the long side may thus be preferable.

[0035] With respect to the above described embodiment, a case where the textile formed by weaving the organic piezoelectric film is an example of the textile formed to include the organic piezoelectric film has been described as an example, but the textile may be any textile formed to include the organic piezoelectric film, without being limited to the case of "weaving". For example, the textile 10 may be a textile formed by knitting the organic piezoelectric film. For example, the textile 10 may be a textile formed by knitting acoustic foil obtained by cutting the organic piezoelectric film into strips.

[0036] As one example of the case of "knitting", an example of inlay knitting will be described hereinafter. The case of "knitting" may be not particularly limited to inlay knitting. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of knitting of the acoustic foil according to the embodiment. Knitting yarns R1 to R4 and knitting yarns R11 to R15 are yarns forming part of the textile 10. Among these, the knitting yarns R11 to R15 are inlay-knitted. Inlay knitting is a method of knitting that leaves loops to provide puffs to cloth. In the textile 10, the knitting yarns R1 to R4 have been knitted into these loops. The knitting yarns R1 to R4 include the acoustic foil according to the embodiment. That is, the knitting yarns R1 to R4 are yarns including the acoustic foil according to the embodiment. In the textile 10, for example, the knitting yarn R1 has been knitted through each of loops of the knitting yarn R11. Similarly, in the textile 10, for example, the knitting yarn R2 is knitted through each of loops of the knitting yarn R12, the knitting yarn R3 is knitted through each of loops of the knitting yarn R13, and the knitting yarn R4 is knitted through each of loops of the knitting yarn R14.

[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 16, the textile 10 is not limited to a textile woven using warp yarns and weft yarns and it may also be a textile knitted by providing loops with yarns in one direction. The example of the inlay-knitting in FIG. 16 is also an example and the inlay-knitting may be not particularly limited to this example. For example, without being limited to a case where yarns including the acoustic foil according to the embodiment is passed through all of inlay-knitting loops, a textile may be knitted by passing the yarns partly therethrough.2. Configuration of Textile System

[0038] The following description is on a textile system 1 illustrated in FIG. 17. As illustrated in FIG. 17, the textile system 1 includes a textile 10, a control circuit 20, and a piece of software 30. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the textile system 1 according to the embodiment. The textile system 1 illustrated in FIG. 17 may include a plurality of the textiles 10, a plurality of the control circuits 20, and a plurality of the pieces of software 30.

[0039] The textile 10 is, for example, a textile including a textile, acoustic foil, a housing, and wiring.

[0040] The control circuit 20 is, for example, a control circuit including an amplifier, switchers, and a controller.

[0041] The piece of software 30 is a piece of software that controls, for example, an audio source and motion of sound. Furthermore, the piece of software 30 may control, for example, in addition to the audio source and the motion of sound, a video and motion of the video. Furthermore, the piece of software 30 may be, for example, a piece of software for a sound output device 100 described later.3. Configuration of Sound Output System

[0042] The following description is on a sound output system 2 illustrated in FIG. 18. As illustrated in FIG. 18, the sound output system 2 includes the textile system 1 and the sound output device 100. The textile system 1 and the sound output device 100 are connected to be able to communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly via a predetermined communication network (network N). FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the sound output system 2 according to the embodiment. The sound output system 2 illustrated in FIG. 18 may include a plurality of the textile systems 1 and a plurality of the sound output devices 100.

[0043] The sound output device 100 is an information processing device intended to control sound output of the textile system 1. The sound output device 100 is implemented by, for example, a server device or a cloud system. Furthermore, the sound output device 100 is, for example, an information processing device, such as a PC or a workstation (WS), and performs processing on the basis of information transmitted from the textile system 1 via the network N.

[0044] FIG. 18 illustrates a case where the textile system 1 and the sound output device 100 are separate devices, but the textile system 1 and the sound output device 100 may be integrated together. For example, the piece of software 30 and the sound output device 100 may be integrated together.4. Effects

[0045] As described above, the textile according to the embodiment is characterized by being formed to include the foil of the organic piezoelectric film.

[0046] A textile capable of outputting sound, like a speaker, is thereby able to be provided, for example. Furthermore, for example, a textile that is not just bendable, but is soft enough to be rollable is able to be provided because the acoustic foil has been divided.

[0047] Furthermore, the textile according to the embodiment is characterized in that the textile has been formed to include the foil of the organic piezoelectric film in weft yarns.

[0048] A textile that is soft because of the soft organic piezoelectric film having been cut and woven in only one direction (weft direction) is thereby able to be provided, for example. Furthermore, because the acoustic foil has been introduced in the weft yarns, extending the woven length enables provision of a textile that is easily customized in size, for example.

[0049] Furthermore, the textile according to the embodiment is characterized in that the textile has been formed to include the weft yarns in parallel along the short side of the plane of the textile.

[0050] Extending the woven length thereby enables provision of a textile that is easily customized in size, for example.

[0051] Furthermore, the textile according to the embodiment is characterized in that the textile has been formed to include the weft yarns so that the foil is deformed in the electric field direction.

[0052] A textile capable of outputting sound in the electric field direction is thereby able to be provided, for example.

[0053] Furthermore, the textile according to the embodiment is characterized in that the textile has been formed to include the foil having partitioned electrode regions.

[0054] A textile capable of outputting sound locally is thereby able to be provided, for example.

[0055] Furthermore, the textile according to the embodiment is characterized in that the textile enables control related to sound output for each one of the electrode regions.

[0056] A textile capable of outputting sound in units of grids, rather than in units of lines, is thereby able to be provided, for example.

[0057] Furthermore, the textile according to the embodiment is characterized in that the textile has been formed to include the foil having a region capable of outputting sound and a region not capable of outputting sound, the regions having been partitioned off from each other by division and patterning of the foil into the regions.

[0058] A textile capable of outputting sound locally by means of a region capable of outputting sound and a region not capable of outputting sound is thereby able to be provided, for example.

[0059] Furthermore, the textile according to the embodiment is characterized in that the textile has been formed to include the foil having thin films layered over one another.

[0060] A textile that enables voltage reduction while maintaining characteristics is thereby able to be provided, for example.

[0061] Furthermore, the textile according to the embodiment is characterized in that the textile has been formed to include the foil having an exciter structure.

[0062] A textile that enables reduction in the area of the electrodes is thereby able to be provided by reducing the vibrating portion, for example.

[0063] Furthermore, the textile according to the embodiment is characterized in that the textile has been formed to include the foil larger in width than electrodes in a case where a relation between the shortest short-circuit distance between the electrodes and applied voltage satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0064] A textile in adequate consideration of the characteristics of the acoustic foil is thereby able to be provided, for example.

[0065] Furthermore, the textile according to the embodiment is characterized in that the textile has been formed to include the foil including a vibrating portion smaller in width than the foil.

[0066] A textile that enables reduction in the area of the electrodes is thereby able to be provided by reducing the vibrating portion, for example.

[0067] Furthermore, the textile according to the embodiment is characterized in that the textile has been formed to include the foil having an electrode arranged at a position separate from an end portion of the foil.

[0068] A textile enabling dielectric breakdown to be avoided at an end portion thereof is thereby able to be provided, for example.

[0069] Furthermore, the sound output device according to the embodiment is characterized in that the sound output device has the textile formed to include the foil of the organic piezoelectric film.

[0070] Control of output of sound by the textile is thereby enabled, for example.5. Hardware Configuration

[0071] The sound output device 100 according to the embodiment described above may also be implemented by, for example, a computer 1000 having a configuration illustrated in FIG. 19. FIG. 19 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example of a computer that implements functions of the sound output device 100. The computer 1000 has a CPU 1100, a RAM 1200, a ROM 1300, an HDD 1400, a communication interface (I / F) 1500, an input-output interface (I / F) 1600, and a media interface (I / F) 1700.

[0072] The CPU 1100 operates on the basis of a program stored in the ROM 1300 or HDD 1400 and controls each unit. The ROM 1300 stores, for example, a boot program executed by the CPU 1100 upon startup of the computer 1000 and a program dependent on hardware of the computer 1000.

[0073] The HDD 1400 stores, for example, a program executed by the CPU 1100 and data used by the program. The communication interface 1500 receives data from another device via a predetermined communication network, transmits the data to the CPU 1100, and transmits data generated by the CPU 1100 to another device via a predetermined communication network.

[0074] The CPU 1100 controls output devices, such as a display and a printer, and input devices, such as a keyboard and a mouse, via the input-output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 obtains data from the input devices, via the input-output interface 1600. Furthermore, the CPU 1100 outputs data generated, to the output devices, via the input-output interface 1600.

[0075] The media interface 1700 reads a program or data stored in a recording medium 1800 and provides the read program or data to the CPU 1100 via the RAM 1200. The CPU 1100 loads the program on the RAM 1200 from the recording medium 1800 via the media interface 1700 and executes the program loaded. The recording medium 1800 is, for example: an optical recording medium, such as a digital versatile disc (DVD) or a phase change rewritable disk (PD); a magneto-optical recording medium, such as a magneto-optical disk (MO); a tape medium; a magnetic recording medium; or a semiconductor memory.

[0076] For example, in a case where the computer 1000 functions as the sound output device 100 according to the embodiment, the CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 implements functions of a control unit by executing programs loaded on the RAM 1200. The CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 reads these programs from the recording medium 1800 and executes the programs read, but in another example, the CPU 1100 may obtain these programs from another device via a predetermined communication network.6. Others

[0077] Furthermore, of the processing described with respect to the embodiment, all or part of any processing described as being performed automatically may be performed manually, or all or part of any processing described as being performed manually may be performed automatically by a publicly known method. In addition, the processing procedures, the specific names, and the information including the various data and parameters described above and illustrated in the drawings may be modified in any way unless particularly stated otherwise. For example, the various information illustrated in the drawings is not limited to the information illustrated.

[0078] Furthermore, the components of each device in the drawings have been illustrated functionally and / or conceptually, and are not necessarily physically configured as illustrated in the drawings. That is, specific forms of separation and integration of each device are not limited to those illustrated in the drawings, and all or part of each device may be configured to be functionally or physically separated or integrated in any units according to various loads and use situations.

[0079] A combination may be made as appropriate from the embodiment described above, so long as no contradiction in the processing is caused by the combination.

[0080] Some of embodiments of the present application have been described above in detail on the basis of the drawings, but these are just examples, and the present invention may be implemented in other forms, to which various modifications and improvements have been made on the basis of the aspects described in the disclosure of the invention section and knowledge of those skilled in the art.Reference Signs List

[0081] 1 TEXTILE SYSTEM 2 SOUND OUTPUT SYSTEM 10 TEXTILE 20 CONTROL CIRCUIT 30 SOFTWARE 100 SOUND OUTPUT DEVICE N NETWORK

Claims

1. A textile characterized by being formed to include foil of an organic piezoelectric film.

2. The textile according to claim 1, wherein the textile has been formed to include the foil of the organic piezoelectric film in weft yarns.

3. The textile according to claim 2, wherein the textile has been formed to include the weft yarns in parallel along a short side of a plane of the textile.

4. The textile according to claim 2, wherein the textile has been formed to include the weft yarns so that the foil is deformed in an electric field direction.

5. The textile according to claim 1, wherein the textile has been formed to include the foil having partitioned electrode regions.

6. The textile according to claim 5, wherein the textile enables control related to sound output for each one of the electrode regions.

7. The textile according to claim 5, wherein the textile has been formed to include the foil having a region capable of outputting sound and a region not capable of outputting sound, the regions having been partitioned off from each other by division and patterning of the foil into the regions.

8. The textile according to claim 1, wherein the textile has been formed to include the foil having thin films layered over one another.

9. The textile according to claim 1, wherein the textile has been formed to include the foil having an exciter structure.

10. The textile according to claim 9, wherein the textile has been formed to include the foil including a vibrating portion smaller in width than the foil.

11. The textile according to claim 1, wherein the textile has been formed to include the foil larger in width than electrodes in a case where a relation between a shortest short-circuit distance between the electrodes and applied voltage satisfies a predetermined condition.

12. The textile according to claim 1, wherein the textile has been formed to include the foil having an electrode arranged at a position separate from an end portion of the foil.

13. A sound output device, comprising a textile formed to include foil of an organic piezoelectric film.

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