Ring-type device

Abstract

To provide a technique that can improve operability of a plurality of parts to be operated included in a ring-type device.SOLUTION: A ring-type device 1 is worn on the finger of a user, and comprises: a ring-shape body 2 that has an inside surface surrounding a wearing space and an outside surface 22 on the opposite side of the inside surface; a first part to be operated 5 that is provided on the outside surface 22; second parts to be operated 6R, 6L that are provided at positions different from the first part to be operated 5 on the outside surface 22; and a rib 25 that is provided between the first part to be operated 5 and the second parts to be operated 6R, 6L on the outside surface 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a finger ring device used for operating an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] A ring-shaped operation device that is worn on the finger has appeared as a device for operating an information processing device (Patent Document 1), and has been attracting attention in recent years as an operation input means to replace conventional mice, keyboards, touchpads, etc.

[0003] From the viewpoint of reducing the burden on the finger, it is preferable that such a ring-shaped device is as light as possible. In addition, the fit when worn on the finger is also important. That is, whether or not the user can maintain a stable posture when wearing the ring-shaped device on the finger, or whether or not the user is forced into an unnatural posture or feels uncomfortable when wearing the ring-shaped device, etc. Furthermore, whether or not various operations can be easily performed when wearing the ring-shaped device on the finger, that is, operability, is also important. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2023 / 286316 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] A ring-type device that is worn on a finger and operated is required to have operability that allows various input operations to be performed by relying on the feel of the finger without looking at the hand on which the ring-type device is worn. On the other hand, the ring-type device is designed to be as small as possible (especially, narrow in the direction of insertion of the finger) from the viewpoint of wearability on the finger, and the size of the operated parts such as buttons used for input operations must also be small. Therefore, it is necessary to devise a way to allow the user to distinguish the operated parts only by the touch of the finger without looking at the ring-type device. In particular, when multiple operated parts are provided, it is necessary to allow the user to distinguish the arrangement and differences of the operated parts only by the touch of the finger, and to prevent erroneous operation such as operating one operated part by mistake while operating another operated part.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of improving the operability of a plurality of operated parts in a finger ring type device having the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the ring-type device of the present invention comprises: A ring-type device that is worn on a user's finger, an annular body having an inner surface surrounding the mounting space and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface; A first operated portion provided on the outer surface; A second operated portion provided at a position different from the first operated portion on the outer surface; The present invention is characterized in that it further comprises a rib provided on the outer surface between the first operated portion and the second operated portion. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the operability of a ring-type device having a plurality of operated parts. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a finger ring type device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of an information processing system 100. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the control configuration of the information processing system 100. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of how the ring-type device 1 is worn. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating changes in posture of the first arm 3 and the second arm 4. [Figure 6] Bottom view of the ring-shaped device 1 [Figure 7] Schematic diagram of first arm 3 [Figure 8] Schematic diagram showing the configuration of a ring-type device 1. [Figure 9] Schematic diagram showing the configuration of a ring-type device 1. [Figure 10] Schematic diagram showing a deformation configuration of the ring-type device 1 [Figure 11] Schematic diagram showing a deformation configuration of the ring-type device 1 [Figure 12] Schematic diagram showing a deformation configuration of the ring-type device 1 [Figure 13] Schematic diagram showing the configuration of a ring-type device 1. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of the ring-type device 1. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a finger ring type device according to a comparative example; [Figure 16] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a ring-type device 1. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the ring-type device 1. [Figure 18] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an operated surface of a ring-type device 1. [Figure 19] Schematic cross-sectional view of the E arrow in FIG. [Figure 20] Schematic cross-sectional view of the F arrow in FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an operated surface of a ring-type device 1. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a schematic front view of a finger ring type device 1d according to a modified example. [Diagram 23] Schematic front view of the ring-type device 1 [Figure 24]13 is a schematic front view of a finger ring type device 1e according to a comparative example 3. [Diagram 25] Schematic front view of a finger ring type device 1f according to Comparative Example 4. [Figure 26] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a change in posture of the first arm 3b and the second arm 4b. [Figure 27] Bottom view of ring-shaped device 1g [Figure 28] Bottom view of ring-shaped device 1g DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] In the following examples, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described by way of example. However, the configurations disclosed in the following examples, such as the functions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the parts, are examples of forms related to the scope of the claims, and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims to the configurations disclosed in these examples. In addition, the problems solved by the configurations disclosed in the following examples or the actions or effects obtained from the disclosed configurations are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) A finger ring type device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1(A) to 25(B).

[0012] <Outline of the ring-type device> 1(A) to 1(C) are schematic diagrams showing the configuration of a finger ring type device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1(A) is a diagram of the finger ring type device 1 as viewed in the direction in which a finger is inserted, and is a front view of the finger ring type device 1. Fig. 1(B) is a view taken along the arrow A in Fig. 1(A), and is a top view showing the configuration of the operated surface of the finger ring type device 1. Fig. 1(C) is a view taken along the arrow B in Fig. 1(A), and is a side view of the finger ring type device 1.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1A, the ring-shaped device 1 of this embodiment has a generally annular outer shape and is configured so that a user can insert a finger F into a central hole. More specifically, the ring-shaped device 1 includes a main body 2, a first arm 3, and a second arm 4. They are connected in a ring shape so as to form a mounting space FS into which a user's finger F can be inserted (constituting a ring-shaped body surrounding the mounting space FS).

[0014] Here, in this specification, the term "annular" does not only refer to an annular configuration that completely closes the outer periphery of the mounting space FS, but also refers to a shape configuration that is discontinuous in some parts, such as an approximately C-shape, but has an approximately annular shape overall.

[0015] The main body 2 has an exterior 20 having a generally arc-shaped exterior. The exterior 20 has an inner surface 21 having a concave arc-like shape that forms the mounting space FS, and an outer surface 22 opposite to the inner surface 21.

[0016] The first arm 3 is connected to a first end 23 which is one end of the main body 2 in a direction surrounding the mounting space FS, and extends in a substantially arc shape in one direction (first direction) in the surrounding direction from the first end 23 of the main body 2. The first arm 3 has a concave arc-shaped inner surface 31 which forms the mounting space FS, and the inner surface 31 faces the inner surface 21 of the main body 2 across the mounting space FS. The first arm 3 is rotatably attached to the first end 23 of the main body 2 so that the opposing distance between the inner surface 31 and the inner surface 21 of the main body 2 can be changed.

[0017] The second arm 4 is connected to a second end 24 which is the other end of the main body 2 in the direction surrounding the mounting space FS, and extends in a substantially arc shape from the second end 24 of the main body 2 in the other direction (second direction) in the surrounding direction. The second arm 4 has a concave arc-shaped inner surface 41 which forms the mounting space FS, and the inner surface 41 faces the inner surface 21 of the main body 2 across the mounting space FS. The second arm 4 is rotatably attached to the second end 24 of the main body 2 so that the opposing distance between the inner surface 41 and the inner surface 21 of the main body 2 can be changed.

[0018] The first arm 3 is biased by a torsion coil spring 32s as a first biasing member, and the second arm 4 is biased by a torsion coil spring 42s as a second biasing member, in a direction to close the mounting space FS, i.e., in a direction to narrow the opposing distance with the inner surface 21 of the main body 2. Therefore, the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 can each rotate with respect to the main body 2 in accordance with the thickness (diameter) of the finger F inserted into the mounting space FS. That is, the opposing distance between the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 and the inner surface 21 of the main body 2 changes depending on the thickness (diameter) of the finger F inserted into the mounting space FS, and the size of the mounting space FS can be changed.

[0019] Here, the rotation axis 32x of the rotation shaft 32 relative to the main body 2 of the first arm 3 and the rotation axis 42x of the rotation shaft 42 relative to the main body 2 of the second arm 4 are each oriented along the insertion direction ID of the finger F relative to the mounting space FS. In this embodiment, the rotation axis 32x, the rotation axis 42x, and the insertion direction ID are configured to be parallel to each other, but are not limited to such a configuration. As long as the same effect as in this embodiment can be obtained, that is, the size of the mounting space FS can be changed without affecting the mounting property and operability, the rotation axis 32x, the rotation axis 42x, and the insertion direction ID may be configured to be inclined relative to each other within a predetermined range instead of being parallel to each other.

[0020] <Main body configuration> The main body 2 has a touch sensor 5 and a button switch 6 built into the outer surface 22 of the exterior 20. The touch sensor 5 and the button switch 6 are arranged in a line in a direction surrounding the wearing space FS. As shown in FIG. 1B, the button switch 6 is arranged in a line in a shape symmetrical with respect to the insertion direction ID of the finger F. A first finger rest 223 and a second finger rest 224 are provided on both sides of the operation section in the surrounding direction, in which the touch sensor 5, the button switch 6, etc. are arranged on the outer surface 22. The first finger rest 223 and the second finger rest 224 are formed in a concave shape so that, for example, a finger adjacent to the finger inserted into the wearing space FS can be placed thereon. In addition, an inertial sensor 71, a geomagnetic sensor 72, a vibration element 8, a communication unit 9, a control unit 10, a power source 11, etc. are provided inside the main body 2 (inside the exterior 20).

[0021] The touch sensor 5 and the button switch 6 will be described in detail later.

[0022] The inertial sensor 71 is composed of an acceleration sensor for detecting the position and speed of the ring-type device 1 equipped with the inertial sensor 71, a gyro sensor (angular velocity sensor) for detecting the attitude and orientation of the ring-type device 1, etc. Detection data of the earth's magnetic force by the geomagnetic sensor 72 is used to correct the detection data of the inertial sensor 71.

[0023] The vibration element 8 is used to generate vibrations in the ring-type device 1 and provide the vibrations as tactile information to the user's finger F. The communication unit 9 is composed of, for example, a wireless module, a wireless antenna, etc., and can communicate with an external device via wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0024] The control unit 10 includes, for example, a CPU as an arithmetic processing unit, a ROM as a storage unit for storing programs, arithmetic parameters, and a RAM, and controls the overall operation of the ring type device 1. The power source 11 supplies power to each part of the ring type device 1.

[0025] <Outline of information processing system> An overview of an information processing system 100 in which the finger ring device 1 according to this embodiment is used will be described with reference to FIGS. 2(A), 2(B) and 3. FIG.

[0026] The information processing system 100 shown in Fig. 2(A), Fig. 2(B), and Fig. 3 is a system that provides a so-called MR (mixed reality) space to a user by using an HMD (head mounted display) 101. The HMD 101 is provided with a camera 113 for capturing an image of a space in front of which a user wearing the HMD 101 faces, and a display 114 for displaying an image as seen by the user wearing the HMD 101. The control unit 110 is provided with, for example, a CPU as a calculation processing unit, a ROM as a storage unit for storing programs, calculation parameters, and the like, a RAM, and the like, and controls the overall operation of the HMD 101. The display 114 displays an image in which an image of a virtual object or the like that is not in substance and is generated by signal processing in the HMD 101 is superimposed on the real space captured by the camera 113.

[0027] The ring type device 1 and the HMD 101 are communicatively connected via a communication unit 9 and a communication unit 109 in a wired or wireless manner, and can transmit and receive data to and from each other.

[0028] The user can use the ring-shaped device 1 to perform various input operations on virtual objects and the like displayed on the display 114. For example, various input operations are possible by changing the orientation of the ring-shaped device 1, operating the touch sensor 5 or the button switch 6 provided on the operation unit of the ring-shaped device 1, or by combining these operations in various ways.

[0029] 2(A), three virtual objects O1 to O3 are arranged side by side in front of the eyes of a user wearing an HMD 101. A virtual ray L is projected on the display 114 from a ring-shaped device 1 worn on the user's finger so as to extend forward in a direction corresponding to the orientation of the ring-shaped device 1. The virtual ray L is a so-called laser pointer type user interface.

[0030] FIG. 2(B) shows a state where the user operates the ring-shaped device 1 to select a virtual object O2 from the three virtual objects O1 to O3. The user changes the position and orientation of the ring-shaped device 1 so that the virtual light ray L hits the virtual object O2, and selects the virtual object O2 by, for example, tapping the touch sensor 5 of the operation unit. By performing a selection operation of the virtual object O2, various information displays related to the virtual object O2 and menu displays for performing various input operations for the virtual object O2 are displayed as virtual objects M beside the virtual object O2. Various input operations can also be performed for the virtual object M using the ring-type device 1.

[0031] In a system capable of recognizing a real three-dimensional structure from an image captured by the camera 113, a virtual input operation can be performed on the recognized three-dimensional structure using the ring-shaped device 1.

[0032] Moreover, the speaker 115 outputs sounds corresponding to the operation state of the ring-type device 1 and the state in the MR space displayed on the display 114, and audio information is provided to the user along with visual information. Furthermore, the vibration element 8 generates vibrations corresponding to the operation state of the ring-type device 1 and the state in the MR space displayed on the display 114, and transmits the vibrations to the finger or hand on which the ring-type device 1 is worn. That is, tactile information corresponding to the visual information and audio information is provided to the user.

[0033] Here, the above-mentioned information processing system 100 is a system using a so-called video see-through method, but the ring-type device 1 according to this embodiment can also be used in a system using an optical see-through method. That is, it is a system configured to project the real space directly to the user's eyes through a lens provided in the HMD 101, rather than an image displayed by the display 114, and display virtual objects, etc. on the lens. Alternatively, the ring-type device 1 according to this embodiment can also be used in a system in which an image is projected onto the user's retina to allow the user to visually recognize virtual objects.

[0034] Furthermore, the above-described information processing system 100 can also be used to display a VR (virtual reality) space generated only by signal processing in the HMD 101 on the display 114, without using the image captured by the camera 113. In other words, it may be used as a system that provides a VR (virtual reality) space to a user, and various input operations are possible in such a VR space using the ring-type device 1 of this embodiment.

[0035] <Details of the ring-shaped device (configuration of the operation section)> The touch sensor 5 detects the contact of the finger F and sends an input signal to the control unit 10. The touch sensor 5 is configured to be able to send various types of input signals to the control unit 10 by changing the way the finger F is contacted. Specifically, examples include a tap operation in which the finger F is momentarily brought into contact with the touch sensor 5 as if tapping and then released, and a swap operation in which the finger F is brought into contact with the touch sensor 5 as if sliding, and the contact position of the finger F on the touch sensor 5 is changed. By such various input operations, a selection operation of a virtual object, a scroll operation, and the like can be performed. In addition, an operation in which a predetermined state is maintained only while the finger F is touching the touch sensor 5 is also possible. For example, an operation in which the state in which the virtual light beam L is irradiated is maintained only while the finger F is touching the touch sensor 5, and the virtual light beam L is no longer irradiated when the finger F is released from the touch sensor 5 is possible. Alternatively, an operation in which the selection state of the virtual object is maintained only while the finger F is touching the touch sensor 5, and the selection state of the virtual object is released when the finger F is released from the touch sensor 5 is possible.

[0036] The pair of button switches 6L and 6R may be used, for example, to perform an alternative selection operation or an opposing selection operation. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, when a virtual object O2 is selected, pressing the button switch 6L changes the selected object to the virtual object O1 on the left, and pressing the button switch 6R changes the selected object to the virtual object O3 on the right.

[0037] <Details about the ring-type device (how to wear it)> Fig. 4(A) is a schematic diagram showing a first wearing mode, which is an example of a wearing mode when the ring-type device 1 is in use. Fig. 4(B) is a schematic diagram showing a second wearing mode, which is another example of a wearing mode when the ring-type device 1 is in use. Fig. 4(C) is a schematic diagram showing a third wearing mode, which is an example of a wearing mode when the ring-type device 1 is not in use. Note that the wearing modes shown here are merely examples, and the wearing modes of the ring-type device 1 of this embodiment are not limited to the following ones.

[0038] 4(A) is a wearing mode in which the ring-type device 1 is worn on the index finger. That is, the index finger is inserted into the wearing space FS, and various operations are performed with the thumb. In this wearing mode, the thumb can be placed on the first finger rest portion 223.

[0039] 4(B) is a wearing mode in which the ring-type device 1 is worn on the middle finger. That is, the middle finger is inserted into the wearing space FS, and various operations are mainly performed with the thumb. In this wearing mode, the thumb can be placed on the first finger rest portion 223, and the index finger can be placed on the second finger rest portion 224.

[0040] The third wearing mode shown in FIG. 4(C) is a wearing mode in which, for example, the ring-type device 1 is not used at the moment but is to be held. As shown in FIG. 4(C), the orientation of the ring-type device 1 is changed from the wearing modes shown in FIG. 4(A) and FIG. 4(B), and the ring-type device 1 is held in a gripping manner. The ring-type device 1 is configured such that the volume of the main body 2 is relatively large compared to the first arm portion 3 and the second arm portion 4. In the third wearing mode, the first arm portion 3 and the second arm portion 4 are gripped in the palm of the hand. On the other hand, in the first and second wearing modes, a part of the main body 2 is gripped in the palm of the hand. That is, in the third wearing mode, the volume of the ring-type device 1 on the palm side is reduced compared to the first and second wearing modes, so that it is easier to grip and hold the ring-type device 1, and the ring-type device 1 is prevented from interfering with other tasks.

[0041] <Details of the ring-shaped device (Arm configuration)> The configuration of the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 of the ring-type device 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 5(A) to 5(C), 6(A) and 6(B). Figs. 5(A) to 5(C) are schematic diagrams for explaining the state of change in posture of the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 due to the difference in thickness of the finger F. Here, the case where the ring-type device 1 is worn on a finger F1 of a first thickness (Fig. 5(B)), a finger F2 of a second thickness thicker than the first thickness (Fig. 5(A)), and a finger F3 of a third thickness thicker than the second thickness (Fig. 5(C)) will be described. Fig. 6(A) is a bottom view of the ring-type device 1 as viewed in the opposite direction to the arrow A in Fig. 1. Fig. 6(B) is a view similar to Fig. 6(A), and is a bottom view of the ring-type device 1 according to a modified example in which the width of the first arm 3 is changed from that of the ring-type device 1 in Fig. 6(A).

[0042] 6(A), the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 are arranged so that their positions overlap each other in the insertion direction ID of the finger F relative to the mounting space FS. The lengths of the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 in the direction surrounding the mounting space FS from the main body 2 are such that their tip regions interfere with each other depending on the thickness of the finger F to be worn. That is, the tip of one of the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 when closest to the inner surface 21 of the main body 2 is closer to the rotation axis of the other arm than the tip of the other arm when closest to the inner surface 21.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 1(A), when the finger is worn on a fourth finger F4 that is thicker than the third finger In this case, the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 are at a large angle relative to the main body 2 and do not interfere with each other. However, as shown in Figs. 5(A) to 5(C), when forming a mounting space FS corresponding to the fingers F1 to F3, the regions on the tip side of the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 interfere with each other. Therefore, both the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 cannot contact the fingers F1 to F3 at the same time, and one of the arms contacts the fingers F1 to F3, and the other arm biases the one arm against the fingers F1 to F3 (supports it from the back). That is, the region including at least the tip of the other arm when it is closest to the inner surface 21 of the main body 2 is located outside the mounting space FS compared to the one arm when it is closest to the inner surface 21.

[0044] As the thickness of the finger F becomes smaller, the space between the finger F and the wearing space FS becomes larger, and the wearing posture must be formed with a wider gap between the wearing finger F and the adjacent finger F. In other words, there is a concern that the wearing posture of the ring type device 1 on the finger F becomes more unstable as the thickness of the finger F becomes smaller.

[0045] Here, in the ring-type device of this embodiment, as described above, the one arm part contacting the finger F is supported from behind by the other arm part. Furthermore, the area where the other arm part contacts the one arm part, that is, the area OR where the one arm part and the other arm part overlap each other when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the one arm part or the rotation axis of the other arm part, is configured to be wider as the finger F becomes thinner. As shown in Fig. 5(A) to Fig. 5(C), the contact area between the one arm part and the other arm part becomes wider in the order of areas OR3, OR2, and OR1 from finger F3 to finger F1. By widening the contact area, the acting area of ​​the biasing force that the one arm part receives from the other arm part becomes wider, and the force with which the one arm part holds the finger F between the inner surface 21 of the main body 2 increases, resulting in a stable wearing state.

[0046] With the above configuration, when the thickness of the finger F worn becomes thinner, the contact area between the first arm portion 3 and the second arm portion 4 expands, making it possible to prevent the wearing posture of the ring-type device 1 on the finger F from becoming unstable.

[0047] In this way, the width of the wearing space FS can be changed to correspond to the fingers F1 to F4 of various sizes (diameters), and the holding force acting on the finger F can be changed according to the thickness of the finger F. This allows the main body 2, the first arm 3, and the second arm 4 to be stably wrapped around the outer circumference of the finger F even if the size of the finger F to be inserted varies. In other words, regardless of the size of the finger F to be inserted into the wearing space FS, the ring-type device 1 is worn and held on the user's finger F in a stable position.

[0048] In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the first arm 3 is located inside the second arm 4 and comes into direct contact with the finger F, and the second arm 4 supports the first arm 3 from behind, has been exemplified, but the opposite configuration may also be used. That is, the second arm 4 may be located inside the first arm 3 and comes into direct contact with the finger F, and the first arm 3 may support the second arm 4 from behind.

[0049] The biasing force (spring constant of the torsion coil spring) biasing the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 is preferably set to a magnitude that does not cause a misalignment between the finger F and the ring-type device 1 for a user with a thin finger F. For example, the spring constant of the torsion coil spring may be set by adjusting the number of turns so that a biasing force of 10 N*mm or more is generated. Conversely, for a user with a thick finger F, if the biasing force is too strong, pain may occur while wearing the device, so it is preferable to set the spring constant so that the load on the finger F is not large. For example, the spring constant of the torsion coil spring may be set by adjusting the number of turns so that the biasing force is suppressed to 45 N*mm or less. Although it depends on the device configuration, it is preferably set to 15 N*mm or more and 30 N*mm or less. The range between the lower limit and upper limit of such a biasing force may be set, for example, For example, the spring constants of the torsion coil springs 32a and 42a may be appropriately determined by experiment or the like.

[0050] Furthermore, the biasing force biasing the first arm portion 3 (spring constant of the torsion coil spring 32a) and the biasing force biasing the second arm portion 4 (spring constant of the torsion coil spring 42a) may be set to be approximately equal. However, this is not limited to this, and for example, when the arm portion that is on the inside and the arm portion that is on the outside with respect to the mounting space FS are predetermined, a difference may be made between the biasing force acting on the inside arm portion and the biasing force acting on the outside arm portion to increase mounting stability.

[0051] For example, the arm of the first arm 3 or the second arm 4 that is on the outside of the mounting space FS may be made wider in the insertion direction ID than the arm on the inside, and the number of turns of the torsion coil spring may be increased accordingly to increase the biasing force more than that of the inner arm. Alternatively, the inner diameter of the inner surface of the outer arm may be made larger than the inner diameter of the inner surface of the inner arm without making a difference in the spring constant.

[0052] In this embodiment, the mounting space FS is configured to have a size that can accommodate a virtual circle with a diameter dimension in a predetermined range (i.e., a finger with a thickness corresponding to the virtual circle) when viewed in the insertion direction ID. Specifically, the size is a size that can accommodate a virtual circle with a diameter of 12.8 mm (a finger F1 with a thickness corresponding to the virtual circle) to a virtual circle with a diameter of 25.4 mm (a finger F4 with a thickness corresponding to the virtual circle), that is, a size of 12.8 mm or more and 25.4 mm or less. As shown in FIG. 1(A), the basis for the change in the size of the virtual circle is the deepest part of the concave arc-shaped (concave curved) inner surface 21 of the main body 2. That is, virtual circles of each size are arranged so as to pass through the point of the deepest part, and the spatial area corresponding to the size of the virtual circle is used as the basis for measuring the size of the mounting space FS.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 6(B), the width of the inner arm portion in contact with the finger F may be narrower than the width of the outer arm portion in the insertion direction ID of the finger F relative to the wearing space FS. For example, as shown in FIG. 4(C), the ring-shaped device 1 can be held in a different orientation. In this wearing state, the side of the finger F facing the arm portion is the inner side (palm side) of the finger F, which is the side that is concave when the joint of the finger F is bent. In this embodiment, the width W3 in the insertion direction ID of the first arm portion 3, which is the inner arm portion in contact with the finger F, is narrower than the width W4 in the same direction of the second arm portion 4, which is the outer arm portion away from the finger F, so that the finger F can be easily bent. This makes it easier to take a posture in which the finger is gripped to hold the ring-shaped device 1, and for example, when performing another task while holding the ring-shaped device 1, the task is prevented from being hindered, and the efficiency of the task can be improved. In addition, the process of putting on and taking off the ring-shaped device 1 can be reduced, so that the efficiency of the entire task can be improved.

[0054] Moreover, the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 are configured so that the width in the insertion direction ID gradually narrows toward the tip. Here, in particular, the width in the insertion direction ID of the tip surface of the arm that enters inside the mounting space FS is preferably 20 mm or less, or less than the width of the main body 2 in the insertion direction ID. More preferably, the width is 8 mm or less, which is suitable for storing the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 between the first and second joints of the finger F. Alternatively, in the region where the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 overlap each other, the width in the insertion direction ID of the inner arm may be configured to fall within the above range.

[0055] Fig. 7(A) is a schematic diagram of the first arm 3, and Fig. 7(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C in Fig. 7(A). Here, only the first arm 3 will be described, but the second arm 4 is configured in the same way, so its description will be omitted.

[0056] The inner surface 31 is the part of the first arm portion 3 that comes into contact with the finger F, and the surface thereof is particularly smooth. For example, as shown in Fig. 7(A) and Fig. 7(B), the first arm 3 may be composed of two members, a first member 30a on the inner surface 31 side and a second member 30b on the opposite outer surface 34 side. With this configuration, when manufacturing the first arm 3 by combining a plurality of members, it is possible to position the parting line of the first member 30a and the second member 30b away from the inner surface 31, and it is possible to form the inner surface 31 smoothly. In addition, it is preferable that the parting line of the first member 30a and the second member 30b is located as close as possible to the outer surface 34 in order to more effectively prevent the finger F from getting caught. Since the inner surface 31 is a gently and smoothly concave curved surface, it is possible to prevent the finger F from getting caught when the finger F is inserted, and cleaning is also easy.

[0057] 7(A), the tip surface 33 (first tip surface) of the first arm 3 may be tapered to prevent the finger F from getting caught when the finger F and the ring-type device 1 rotate relatively. That is, the tip surface 33 of the first arm 3 has an inner distance (first inner distance) Li from the rotation axis (first rotation axis) 32x of the first arm 3 on the inner surface (first inner surface) 31 to the tip surface 33. Also, the tip surface 33 has an outer distance (first outer distance) Lo from the rotation axis 32x to the tip surface 33 on the outer surface (first outer surface) 34. The tip surface 33 is inclined with respect to a virtual plane vp perpendicular to the extension direction of the first arm 3 so that the inner distance Li is shorter than the outer distance Lo.

[0058] 7(B) (cross section taken along arrow C in FIG. 7(A)), the inner surface 31 is configured so that both sides in the insertion direction ID are tapered surfaces ts1 and ts2 that are inclined symmetrically with respect to the insertion direction ID. This configuration prevents the finger F from getting caught on the inner surface 31, and smoothly guides the insertion and removal of the finger F into and from the mounting space FS.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 8, the length of each of the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 from the main body 2 is preferably set so that the ring-type device 1 does not slip off the finger F4 when the thickest finger F4 that is allowed to be worn is inserted. For example, the gap Ws1 between the tip surface 33 and the tip surface 44 of each of the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 when they are opened to insert the thickest finger F4 may be set to less than half the distance Ws2 corresponding to the maximum diameter of the thickest finger F4. This makes it possible to prevent the ring-type device 1 from slipping off the finger when used by a user with a thick finger F.

[0060] 9, it is preferable to set the gap Ws3 between the tip surface 33 and the tip surface 44 of the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 when the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 are opened to their movable limit to be slightly larger than the maximum diameter of the thickest finger F4 that can be supported. With this configuration, when removing the ring-type device 1 from the thickest finger F4, it is possible to remove the ring-type device 1 in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction ID.

[0061] In addition, in this embodiment, the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 have approximately the same length from the main body 2, but they may be different.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 10, for example, the length of the first arm 3 is made shorter than the length of the second arm 4, and the rotatable range (maximum opening angle) of the first arm 3 relative to the main body 2 is made larger than that of the second arm 4. This allows the movement direction of the finger F to be guided to the side of the weaker biasing force when the finger F is removed from the mounting space FS, and the second arm 4 can be controlled to close before the first arm 3. At this time, it is preferable to provide a tapered surface on the outer surface side of the tip of the second arm 4, which closes first and comes to the inside with respect to the mounting space FS. Due to the action of this tapered surface, it is possible to make it easier for the second arm 4 to enter inside when the tip of the second arm 4 and the tip of the first arm 3 collide with each other.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 11, the inner surface 21 of the main body 2 may be a concave surface in which a plurality of planes 21f1, 21f2 are connected at gradually changing angles. In the above embodiment, the inner surface 21 of the main body 2, the inner surface 31 of the first arm 3, and the inner surface 41 of the second arm 4 are each configured as a concave curved surface with a curvature corresponding to the maximum diameter of the thickest finger F4, but are not limited to such a configuration. As shown in Fig. 11, the concave surface may be configured by planes 21f1, 21f2 including a tangent to a virtual circle (virtual cylindrical surface) corresponding to the maximum diameter of the thickest finger F4.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 12, it is preferable to configure the center FC of an imaginary circle corresponding to the finger Fb with the smallest diameter accommodated in the wearing space FS to be located on an imaginary line vl passing through the rotation center of the first arm 3 and the rotation center of the second arm 4, or on the main body 2 side of the imaginary line vl. Furthermore, it is preferable to provide a third finger rest 213 and a fourth finger rest 214 on which fingers Fa and Fc on both sides of the finger Fb can be placed on the outside of the first arm 3 and the second arm 4, respectively. With this configuration, in the third wearing mode shown in Fig. 4(C), the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 are prevented from interfering with the gripping of the fingers.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 13, a restricting portion 29 is provided on the inside of the exterior 20 of the main body 2. The restricting portion 29 is provided so as to be able to come into contact with the outer surface 34 around the rotation axis 32 of the first arm 3 in order to restrict the maximum rotation angle (rotation range) of the first arm 3. The exterior 20 is a member that requires strength in the device configuration, and as a part of it, the restricting portion 29 that restricts the rotation of the first arm 3 is provided. By improving the strength of the device and suppressing the occurrence of breakage during long-term use, it is possible to extend the life of the device. Such a rotation restricting configuration is similarly provided for the second arm 4. The described range of rotation may be the same for the first arm 3 and the second arm 4, or may be different.

[0066] <Details of the ring-shaped device (arrangement of vibration elements)> The arrangement of the vibration elements 8 in the ring-type device 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 14 to 17. Fig. 14 is a schematic front view of the ring-type device 1 according to this embodiment for explaining the arrangement of the vibration elements 8. Fig. 15(A) is a schematic front view of the ring-type device 1b according to Comparative Example 1. Fig. 15(B) is a schematic side view of the ring-type device 1c according to Comparative Example 2. Fig. 16(A) is a schematic cross-sectional view (cross-section perpendicular to the insertion direction ID) of the vibration element 8 and its periphery in the ring-type device 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 16(B) is a schematic cross-sectional view as viewed from the arrow D in Fig. 16(A). Fig. 16(C) is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the ring-type device 1 according to this embodiment showing the state when the power source 11 is expanded. Fig. 17 is a side view of the ring-type device 1 according to this embodiment for explaining the arrangement of the vibration elements 8.

[0067] The manner in which the vibration generated by the vibration element 8 is transmitted to the user may differ depending on the arrangement of the vibration element 8 in the ring-type device 1. In other words, depending on the position and orientation of the vibration element 8 in the ring-type device 1, the vibration of the vibration element 8 may not be transmitted well to the finger on which the ring-type device 1 is worn, and the user may not be able to have the desired sensory experience. In addition, if the ring-type device is configured to allow various ways of wearing the device on the finger, it is conceivable that differences in the way the device is worn (for example, when the finger on which it is worn is changed) may cause differences in how the user perceives the vibration.

[0068] Furthermore, the vibration element 8 is a component that consumes a large amount of power among the components mounted on the ring-type device 1, and is required to vibrate efficiently with as little power as possible. It is difficult to mount a large-capacity battery on the ring-type device 1, and it is necessary to transmit vibrations efficiently with small power. On the other hand, if the vibration is not large enough, it may be difficult for the user to sense it.

[0069] Furthermore, the arrangement of the vibration element 8 takes into consideration the effect of vibration on the operation of other built-in devices. For example, the ring-type device 1 of the present embodiment is equipped with an inertial sensor 71, and depending on the arrangement of the vibration element 8, vibration may be transmitted to the inertial sensor 71, causing erroneous detection.

[0070] <<Vibration direction of vibration element 8>> In the ring-type device 1 of the present embodiment, the vibration element 8 is provided in a predetermined arrangement so that a user wearing the ring-type device 1 can more reliably sense the vibration of the vibration element 8. Specifically, the vibration element 8 is arranged so that the vibration direction is toward the finger inserted into the wearing space FS.

[0071] As an arrangement in which the vibration direction of the vibration element 8 is a direction toward the finger inserted in the mounting space FS, as shown in Fig. 14, a virtual line VL passing through the vibration element 8 along the vibration axis VX of the vibration element 8 can be arranged to pass through the mounting space FS. That is, the virtual line VL passes through the inner surface and the outer surface opposite to the inner surface of the ring-shaped body surrounding the mounting space FS, which is composed of the main body 2, the first arm portion 3 connected to one end side of the main body 2, and the second arm portion 4 connected to the other end side of the main body 2. In this embodiment, the virtual line VL passes through the inner surface 21 of the exterior 20 of the main body 2 and the inner surface 31 of the first arm portion 3 as the inner surface of the ring-shaped body, and passes through the outer surface 22 of the exterior 20 of the main body 2 and the outer surface opposite to the inner surface 31 of the first arm portion 3 as the outer surface of the ring-shaped body. One end of the vibration element 8 in the direction in which the vibration axis VX extends is located closer to the inner surface 21 of the exterior 20 of the main body 2, which is the inner surface of the annular body, and the other end is located closer to the outer surface 22 of the exterior 20 of the main body 2, which is the outer surface of the annular body.

[0072] Although fingers of various sizes can be worn in the wearing space FS, it is preferable to arrange the vibration element 8 so that the vibration of the vibration element 8 can be reliably sensed by the user regardless of the size of the finger worn. Therefore, in this embodiment, the virtual line VL is arranged so as to pass through the center F2C of the virtual circular cross section corresponding to the finger F2 as the reference center position of the finger inserted into the wearing space FS. In this embodiment, the center F2C is adopted as the center position at which the vibration of the vibration element 8 can be sensed by the user even when a finger F1 smaller than the finger F2 is worn or when fingers F3 and F4 larger than the finger F2 are worn.

[0073] The reference center position of the mounting space FS for determining the vibration direction of the vibration element 8 is not limited to the above-mentioned center F2C, and may be appropriately determined according to the configuration of the device. For example, the center position of a virtual circular cross section corresponding to a finger of an average size within the range of finger sizes that can be inserted into the mounting space FS may be set as the reference center position for determining the vibration direction of the vibration element 8. Alternatively, for example, the center of curvature of the concave arc surface that constitutes the inner side surface 21 may be set as the reference center position.

[0074] Moreover, it is preferable to dispose the vibration element 8 so that the above-mentioned virtual line VL passes near the deepest part of the concave inner side surface 21. As shown in Fig. 1(A), the deepest part of the inner side surface 21 can be the part where fingers F1 to F4 of all sizes come into contact with the exterior 20. By configuring the vibration of the vibration element 8 to be directly transmitted to such a part, it is possible to make it easier for the user to sense the vibration of the vibration element 8, regardless of the size of the finger inserted into the wearing space FS.

[0075] Here, in this embodiment, the vibration element 8 is a so-called linear vibration actuator. That is, the vibration element 8 is equipped with a mover that is equipped with a magnet and supported by a shaft and a spring so as to be capable of reciprocating in a predetermined axial direction, and a coil to which a current can be applied from the outside. The mover is provided with an integral weight, and reciprocates against the biasing force of the spring in a predetermined axial direction (vibration axis direction) along the shaft due to excitation of the coil by application of a current and the magnetic force of the magnet provided in the mover. The reciprocating movement of this mover generates vibration in the vibration element 8 in a predetermined vibration direction. In the vibration element 8 of this embodiment, for example, in the axial direction of the shaft, An axis passing through the center of the mover, which is parallel to the axis V, may be set as a vibration axis VX, and the direction along the vibration axis VX may be set as the vibration direction of the vibration element 8.

[0076] In addition, the ring-type device 1 of this embodiment can be used in a wearing state in which it is held between a finger inserted into the wearing space FS and another finger, as shown in Fig. 4(A) to Fig. 4(C). Therefore, by generating vibration of the vibration element 8 along the finger touching the ring-type device 1 (particularly the exterior 20) and the arrangement of the fingers, it is possible to make the vibration easily perceptible by the user. Therefore, for example, it is preferable to arrange the vibration element 8 so that the above-mentioned virtual line VL passes through at least one of the first finger rest portion 223 and the second finger rest portion 224 of the exterior 20.

[0077] 14, the vibration element 8 (or the second finger rest portion 224) is disposed so that the imaginary line VL passes through the second finger rest portion 224. As a result, the vibration element 8 is positioned between the finger F2 inserted into the wearing space FS and the finger Fn placed on the second finger rest portion 224, and can efficiently and effectively transmit vibration to each of the finger F2 and the finger Fn.

[0078] More preferably, the vibration element 8 may be arranged so that the virtual line VL passes through the region of the inner surface 21 that is particularly in contact with the finger inserted into the wearing space FS and the region of the second finger rest portion 224 that is particularly in contact with the finger placed on the second finger rest portion 224. The concave shape of the inner surface 21 and the outer circumferential shape of the finger inserted into the wearing space FS usually do not completely match, and the outer circumferential shape of the finger does not necessarily contact the entire region of the inner surface 21. Similarly, the concave shape of the second finger rest portion 224 and the outer circumferential shape of the finger placed on the second finger rest portion 224 usually do not completely match, and the outer circumferential shape of the finger does not necessarily contact the entire region of the second finger rest portion 224. Therefore, for example, by arranging the vibration element 8 so that the virtual line VL passes through the above-mentioned region of the inner surface 21 and passes through the center of the finger inserted into the wearing space FS, it is possible to efficiently and effectively transmit vibration to the finger inserted into the wearing space FS. Similarly, by positioning the vibration element 8 so that the virtual line VL passes through the above-mentioned area of ​​the second finger rest portion 224 and also passes through the center of the finger placed on the second finger rest portion 224, it is possible to efficiently and effectively transmit vibrations to the finger placed on the second finger rest portion 224.

[0079] In addition, in addition to the first and second finger rests 223 and 224, the outer surface 22 of the exterior 20 as a contacted portion that is in contact with a finger other than the finger inserted in the wearing space FS is provided with a button switch 6 and a touch sensor 5 as an operating member. Therefore, for example, in a ring-shaped device as a modified form of this embodiment, the vibration element 8 may be arranged so that the above-mentioned virtual line VL passes through the button switch 6 and the touch sensor 5. In addition, the touch sensor 5 may be arranged at a position that is off the above-mentioned virtual line VL that passes through the vibration element 8 when there is a concern that an erroneous operation may occur due to the vibration of the vibration element 8. In this embodiment, as described later, the touch sensor 5 is arranged at a predetermined distance from the vibration element 8 in the circumferential direction around the center F2C of the virtual circle corresponding to the finger F2 as the center of the wearing space FS.

[0080] The ring-type device 1b according to Comparative Example 1 shown in Fig. 15(A) has a different arrangement of the vibration element 8 from that of the ring-type device 1 according to this embodiment. Specifically, in the ring-type device 1b, the vibration axis VX of the vibration element 8 is perpendicular to the vibration axis VX of the vibration element 8 in the ring-type device 1 and perpendicular to the finger insertion direction ID into the wearing space FS. Therefore, in Comparative Example 1, the imaginary line VL passing through the vibration element 8 along the vibration axis VX does not pass through the wearing space FS, and there is a concern that the vibration of the vibration element 8 may not be sufficiently transmitted to the finger wearing the ring-type device 1b.

[0081] In addition, in Comparative Example 1, the vibration direction of the vibration element 8 is along the circumferential direction surrounding the finger. There is a concern that the vibration of the vibration element 8 may act to relatively move the ring-shaped device 1b and the finger inserted in the wearing space FS in the circumferential direction. That is, there is a concern that the vibration of the vibration element 8 may rotate the ring-shaped device 1b with respect to the finger (shift the wearing position of the ring-shaped device 1b in the direction around the outer circumference of the finger).

[0082] Like the ring-type device 1b of Comparative Example 1, the ring-type device 1c of Comparative Example 2 shown in FIG. 15(B) has a different arrangement of the vibration element 8 from that of the ring-type device 1 of this embodiment. Specifically, in the ring-type device 1c, the vibration axis VX of the vibration element 8 is perpendicular to the vibration axis VX of the vibration element 8 in the ring-type device 1 of this embodiment and is aligned with the finger insertion direction ID into the wearing space FS. Therefore, in Comparative Example 2, the imaginary line VL passing through the vibration element 8 along the vibration axis VX does not pass through the wearing space FS, and there is a concern that the vibration of the vibration element 8 may not be sufficiently transmitted to the finger wearing the ring-type device 1c.

[0083] Furthermore, in Comparative Example 2, since the vibration direction of the vibration element 8 is along the finger insertion direction ID relative to the wearing space FS, there is a concern that the vibration of the vibration element 8 acts to move the ring type device 1b and the finger inserted into the wearing space FS relative to each other in the insertion direction ID. That is, there is a concern that the vibration of the vibration element 8 will move the ring type device 1c in the insertion direction ID relative to the finger (shift the wearing position of the ring type device 1b relative to the finger in the insertion direction ID).

[0084] In contrast to the above Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the ring-type device 1 according to this embodiment makes it possible to effectively transmit the vibration of the vibration element 8 to the finger wearing the ring-type device 1. Furthermore, with the ring-type device 1 according to this embodiment, there is no concern that the vibration of the vibration element 8 will affect the wearing state of the ring-type device 1 on the finger as in Comparative Examples 1 and 2, and a stable wearing state can be obtained.

[0085] <<Arrangement of vibration element 8 on exterior 20>> The vibration element 8 is preferably arranged in the vicinity of a portion of the exterior 20 that forms the outer surface 22 on which the first and second finger rests 223, 224, the button switch 6, and the touch sensor 5 are arranged, and preferably so as to be in contact with this portion. By making the vibration strongly transmitted to the outer portion of the exterior 20, the vibration is easily transmitted not only to the finger inserted into the mounting space FS, but also to fingers other than the finger, making it easier for the user to sense the vibration.

[0086] As shown in Fig. 16(A) and Fig. 16(B), the exterior 20 is composed of an inner exterior 210 as a first housing and an outer exterior 220 as a second housing. The inner exterior 210 has an inner surface 21 that forms a mounting space FS. The outer exterior 220 has an outer surface 22 on which first and second finger rests 223, 224, a button switch 6, a touch sensor 5, and the like are arranged. The inner exterior 210 and the outer exterior 220 are joined to each other by screws or the like, and form between them a substantially arc-shaped accommodation space (the internal space of the exterior 20) that accommodates built-in devices such as an inertial sensor 71, a geomagnetic sensor 72, a vibration element 8, a communication unit 9, a control unit 10, and a power source 11.

[0087] The vibration element 8 is attached to a mounting portion 208 provided on the inner surface of an outer exterior 220 that forms the above-mentioned housing space of the exterior 20. Since the vibration of the vibration element 8 is directly transmitted to the outer exterior 220, the vibration is easily transmitted to the first and second finger rests 223 and 224 provided on the outer exterior 220, the button switch 6, the touch sensor 5, or the like.

[0088] On the other hand, on the inside surface of the inner exterior 210 which forms the above-mentioned storage space of the exterior 20, there are provided an attachment section 201 on which a control board 111 having a control IC mounted thereon as the control section 10 is attached, and an attachment section 211 on which the communication section 9 and the power source 11 are attached. The inner surface of the sensor 71 is further provided with a mounting portion for mounting a substrate on which an inertial sensor 71 and a geomagnetic sensor 72 are mounted.

[0089] That is, the vibration element 8 is disposed in the above-mentioned storage space of the exterior 20 separately from the other built-in devices (installed away from the board on which the other built-in devices are mounted). The operation of the vibration element 8 (application of current to the coil) is controlled by a control signal from the control unit 10, but the vibration element 8 is provided separately from the board 111 on which the control unit 10 is mounted, and is connected to the board 111 by a flexible cable 18. The vibration element 8 is also separated from the other boards attached to the inner exterior 210 of the exterior 20. This prevents the vibration of the vibration element 8 from being directly transmitted to various devices provided on the inner exterior 210.

[0090] In addition, when emphasis is placed on the transmission of vibration from the vibration element 8 to the finger inserted into the mounting space FS, for example, the mounting portion 208 may be extended to a position close to the inner exterior 210, and the vibration element 8 may be positioned closer to the inner surface 21 than the outer surface 22.

[0091] Furthermore, the mounting section 211 to which the communication section 9 and the power source 11 are mounted is configured to form a clearance space ES as a shared space for the communication section 9 and the power source 11. The communication section 9 includes a wireless module 90, a wireless antenna 91, and a wireless board 92 on which these are mounted. In this embodiment, the power source 11 is a lithium ion battery, which has the property of expanding in the event of an abnormality such as high temperature generation, and is provided with, for example, a gas vent valve for venting gas when the battery expands. In order to ensure sensitivity, it is desirable to avoid placing obstacles that may interfere with radio wave reception around the wireless antenna 91 as much as possible, particularly to eliminate conductors, and a space for ensuring sensitivity is usually provided around the wireless antenna 91. In addition, the power source 11, which is a lithium ion battery, requires a space around it to allow expansion in the event of the above-mentioned abnormality.

[0092] As shown in Fig. 16(A), the mounting portion 211 is configured to support the wireless board 92 and the power source 11 such that a gap space ES is formed between the wireless board 92 of the communication unit 9 and the power source 11. As shown in Fig. 16(C), this gap space ES provides a space for allowing the above-mentioned expansion of the power source 11, and also provides a space for ensuring sensitivity around the wireless antenna 91. In other words, the gap space ES is a space shared by the communication unit 9 and the power source 11, and by sharing the space required for the communication unit 9 and the power source 11, it is possible to reduce the space of the exterior 20 and improve the degree of freedom in the layout of the internal space of the exterior 20.

[0093] 14 and 17, the vibration element 8 is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is aligned with the insertion direction ID of the finger F. The vibration element 8 provided in the ring-type device 1 of this embodiment has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and by aligning its longitudinal direction with the insertion direction ID of the finger F, it can be arranged so as not to take up space in the circumferential direction in the substantially arc-shaped space inside the exterior 20. Therefore, it is possible to increase the design freedom in designing the shape of the exterior 20 that fits the outer periphery of the finger.

[0094] 17, in this embodiment, the vibration element 8 is disposed so that the direction in which the vibration axis VX of the vibration element 8 extends is perpendicular to the finger insertion direction ID into the wearing space FS, but it does not necessarily have to be perpendicular. In other words, the direction may be an intersecting direction having a slight angle with respect to the perpendicular direction as long as the vibration of the vibration element 8 can be sufficiently transmitted to the finger inserted in the wearing space FS or the fingers placed on the first and second finger rests 223, 224, etc.

[0095] <<Arrangement relationship between vibration element 8 and other built-in devices, etc.>> 14 and 16(A), in the ring-type device 1 of this embodiment, the built-in devices such as the communication unit 9, control unit 10, power source 11, inertial sensor 71, and geomagnetic sensor 72, except for the vibration element 8, are attached to the inner exterior 210. Furthermore, the vibration element 8 and the other built-in devices are arranged inside the exterior 20, spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction around the center F2C of an imaginary circle corresponding to the finger F2, which is the center of the wearing space FS.

[0096] In the arrangement configuration seen in the finger insertion direction ID shown in FIG. 14, an axis that is parallel to a virtual line passing through the rotation center (rotation axis 32x) of the first arm portion 3 and the rotation center (rotation axis 42x) of the second arm portion 4 and passes through the center F2C as the reference center position is defined as an axis CX. An axis that is perpendicular to the axis CX and passes through the center F2C is defined as an axis CY. In a coordinate system consisting of the axes CX and CY, the inertial sensor 71, the geomagnetic sensor 72, and the touch sensor 5 are located in the first quadrant, the vibration element 8, the communication unit 9, and the power source 11 are located in the second quadrant, and the control unit 10 is located so as to straddle the first and second quadrants. The communication unit 9, the control unit 10, and the power source 11, which are included in the same second quadrant as the vibration element 8, are located in positions that do not overlap with the virtual line VL passing through the vibration element 8 in terms of the positional relationship in the circumferential direction around the center F2C (positions that are off the vibration element 8 when viewed in the vibration direction of the vibration element 8).

[0097] The region where the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 open and close is the vicinity of the boundary between the third and fourth quadrants in a coordinate system consisting of the axes CX and CY, and is the opposite region of the axis CX from the region where various built-in devices including the vibration element 8 are arranged. That is, the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 hold the finger from the opposite side to the vibration element 8 and push the finger from the third and fourth quadrants to the first and second quadrants, i.e., the main body 2, so that the vibration of the vibration element 8 is easily transmitted to the finger.

[0098] As described above, the vibration element 8 in this embodiment is configured to operate by passing a current through the coil, and there is a concern that the magnetic force and magnetic field generated by the current passing through the coil may affect the operation of other built-in devices. For example, there is a concern that the magnetic force and magnetic field generated by the vibration element 8 may be detected as noise by the inertial sensor 71 and the geomagnetic sensor 72. In addition, the communication unit 9 is composed of a wireless module 90 and a wireless antenna 91, but there is a concern that the magnetic force and magnetic field generated by the vibration element 8 may also become noise in the wireless antenna 91, and that the metal material constituting the vibration element 8 may affect the sensitivity of the wireless antenna 91. Furthermore, as described above, there is a concern that the vibration of the vibration element 8 may cause erroneous operation of the touch sensor 5.

[0099] The geomagnetic sensor 72 is disposed at a distance from the vibration element 8 so as to form an angle of at least 60 degrees or more, preferably 90 degrees or more, in the circumferential direction around the center F2C. The distance between the geomagnetic sensor 72 and the vibration element 8 may be defined as the shortest distance between the geomagnetic sensor 72 and the vibration element 8 in the circumferential direction around the center F2C. For example, a virtual line passing through the center F2C and a portion of the geomagnetic sensor 72 that is closest to the vibration element 8 in the circumferential direction is defined as L72. A virtual line passing through the center F2C and a portion of the vibration element 8 that is closest to the geomagnetic sensor 72 in the circumferential direction is defined as L8a. The geomagnetic sensor 72 and the vibration element 8 may be disposed so that the angle R1 formed by the virtual line L72 and the virtual line L8a around the center F2C falls within the above-mentioned angle range.

[0100] Similarly to the geomagnetic sensor 72, the inertial sensor 71 is disposed at a distance from the vibration element 8 so as to form an angle of at least 60 degrees, preferably 90 degrees, in the circumferential direction around the center F2C. Similarly to the geomagnetic sensor 72, the distance between the inertial sensor 71 and the vibration element 8 may be determined, for example, by the shortest distance between the inertial sensor 71 and the vibration element 8 in the circumferential direction around the center F2C. For example, the distance between the center F2C and the part of the inertial sensor 71 above the vibration element 8 may be determined, for example, by the shortest distance between the inertial sensor 71 and the vibration element 8. An imaginary line passing through the portion closest to the inertial sensor 71 in the circumferential direction is defined as L71. Also, an imaginary line passing through the center F2C and the portion of the vibration element 8 closest to the inertial sensor 71 in the circumferential direction is defined as L8a. The inertial sensor 71 and the vibration element 8 should be disposed such that the angle R2 formed by the imaginary line L71 and the imaginary line L8a around the center F2C is within the above angle range.

[0101] The communication unit 9 is disposed so that the wireless antenna 91 forms an angle of at least 30 degrees or more, preferably 90 degrees or more, with respect to the vibration element 8 in the circumferential direction around the center F2C. The distance between the wireless antenna 91 and the vibration element 8 may be determined, for example, by the shortest distance between the wireless antenna 91 and the vibration element 8 in the circumferential direction around the center F2C. For example, a virtual line passing through the center F2C and a portion of the wireless antenna 91 that is the closest position to the vibration element 8 in the circumferential direction is defined as L91. A virtual line passing through the center F2C and a portion of the vibration element 8 that is the closest position to the wireless antenna 91 in the circumferential direction is defined as L8b. The wireless antenna 91 (communication unit 9) and the vibration element 8 may be disposed so that the angle R3 formed by the virtual line L91 and the virtual line L8b around the center F2C falls within the above-mentioned angle range.

[0102] The touch sensor 5 is disposed so as to form an angle of at least 30 degrees or more, preferably 90 degrees or more, with respect to the vibration element 8 in the circumferential direction around the center F2C. The distance between the touch sensor 5 and the vibration element 8 may be defined as the shortest distance between the touch sensor 5 and the vibration element 8 in the circumferential direction around the center F2C. For example, a virtual line passing through the center F2C and a portion of the touch sensor 5 that is closest to the vibration element 8 in the circumferential direction is defined as L5. A virtual line passing through the center F2C and a portion of the vibration element 8 that is closest to the touch sensor 5 in the circumferential direction is defined as L8a. The touch sensor 5 and the vibration element 8 may be disposed so that the angle R4 formed by the virtual line L5 and the virtual line L8a around the center F2C falls within the above-mentioned angle range.

[0103] Here, the center position of the mounting space FS for determining the circumferential distance between the vibration element 8 and the other built-in devices and the touch sensor 5 is not limited to the center F2C described above, and may be determined appropriately depending on the configuration of the device. For example, the center position of the imaginary circular cross section corresponding to a finger of an average size within the range of finger sizes that can be inserted into the mounting space FS may be used as a reference. Alternatively, for example, the center of curvature of the concave arc surface constituting the inner side surface 21 may be used as a reference.

[0104] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which a so-called linear vibration actuator is used as the vibration element 8, but other vibration actuators may be used as the vibration element 8. For example, a vibration actuator using a piezoelectric element or a vibration actuator using an eccentric motor may be used.

[0105] <Details of the ring-shaped device (configuration of the area around the operated part)> A configuration for improving operability in the finger ring type device 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs.

[0106] FIG. 18 is a top view showing the configuration of the operated surface of the ring-type device 1. As shown in FIG. 18, the ring-type device 1 of this embodiment has an operated surface on the outer surface 22 of the exterior 20 of the main body 2, on which a touch sensor 5 and button switches 6R and 6L are provided as operated parts. The ring-type device 1 is assumed to be used in a manner in which the user performs various input operations without looking at the hand on which the ring-type device 1 is worn. In other words, the user grasps and identifies the touch sensor 5 and button switches 6R and 6L by relying on the feel of the finger touching the operated surface, and performs the desired input operation. For this reason, the ring-type device 1 is used in a manner in which the user can operate the touch sensor 5 and button switches 6R and 6L without looking at the operated surface. It is required that the positions of the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R and 6L can be grasped reliably, and that the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R and 6L can be smoothly operated without operating errors.

[0107] Here, the arrangement of the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R and 6L on the operated surface is such that the touch sensor 5 is arranged on the wrist side of the hand wearing the ring-shaped device 1, and the button switches 6R and 6L are arranged on the fingertip side, as shown in Fig. 4(A) to Fig. 4(C). That is, the positional relationship is such that the touch sensor 5 is arranged on the front side in the circumferential direction around the finger insertion direction with respect to the finger inserted into the wearing space FS, and the button switches 6R and 6L are arranged on the back side. In a normally assumed operation mode, a finger other than the thumb (typically the index finger or middle finger) is inserted into the wearing space FS, and the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R and 6L are operated by the thumb extended from the front side to the back side of the touch sensor 5. Although Fig. 4(A) to Fig. 4(C) show the case where the ring-shaped device 1 is worn on the right hand, the ring-shaped device 1 may be worn on the left hand.

[0108] The first finger rest 223 is a finger rest (first recess) disposed on the front side of the exterior 20 of the main body 2. For example, when the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R and 6L are not operated, the thumb can be placed on the first finger rest 223. The second finger rest 224 is a finger rest (second recess) disposed on the rear side of the exterior 20 of the main body 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, in a wearing mode in which the middle finger is inserted into the wearing space FS, the index finger can be placed on the second finger rest 224. This allows the ring-shaped device 1 to be held in such a manner that a part of the ring-shaped device 1 is wrapped in the palm and the index finger presses the main body 2, thereby stabilizing the wearing posture of the ring-shaped device 1. In addition, the first finger rest 223 and the second finger rest 224 provide a place for the fingers to retreat when not operating, which prevents the fingers from unintentionally touching the operated part, leading to prevention of erroneous operation.

[0109] 18 (the width of the main body 2 in the finger insertion direction ID relative to the wearing space FS) is set to approximately 25.0 mm. This setting corresponds to the distance between the joints of the finger inserted into the wearing space FS, or the width of the thumb that operates the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R and 6L.

[0110] In the ring-type device 1 of this embodiment, the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R and 6L are configured with a predetermined size, shape and arrangement, and a first boundary identification rib 25 and a second boundary identification rib 26, which will be described later, are arranged on the premise that the device is operated by the thumb. Since the thumb is the widest finger on the human hand, it is necessary for the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R and 6L, which are operated parts, to have a configuration that allows them to be easily pressed apart, while not being able to be given a sufficient size.

[0111] <<Boundary Identification Rib>> 18 and other figures, the ring-type device 1 of this embodiment has a first boundary identification rib 25 and a second boundary identification rib 26 as a configuration for allowing a user to recognize the distinction and arrangement of the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R, 6L only by the sensation of the finger touching the operated surface. The first boundary identification rib 25 as the first rib and the second boundary identification rib 26 as the second rib are configured as parts of the exterior 20. Furthermore, the shapes and arrangements of the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R, 6L as the operated parts are also configured to be suitable for operation only by the tactile sense of the finger.

[0112] The first boundary identification rib 25 is an annular rib arranged to surround the outer periphery of the touch sensor 5. The first boundary identification rib 25 allows the user to recognize that the touch sensor 5 is located inside it by touching the annular convex shape with a finger. In this embodiment, the touch sensor 5 has a shape that protrudes higher than the first boundary identification rib 25. Therefore, by touching with a finger, the user can recognize that there is a convex portion that protrudes further inside the annular convex shape. , the user can recognize that it is a touch sensor 5.

[0113] Furthermore, a portion of the annular first boundary identification rib 25 is disposed between the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R, 6L. Therefore, the positional relationship between the first boundary identification rib 25 and a second boundary identification rib 26 (described later) allows the user to recognize the boundary between the touch sensor 5 as the first operated part and the button switches 6R, 6L as the second operated part.

[0114] The second boundary identification rib 26 is provided to extend in the circumferential direction on the outer surface 22 of the exterior 20 of the main body 2 between the button switch 6R and the button switch 6L aligned in the finger insertion direction ID with respect to the wearing space FS of the ring-type device 1. The second boundary identification rib 26 protrudes higher than the upper surfaces of the button switches 6R and 6L. Therefore, by making the finger feel the convex shape extending in the circumferential direction of the finger (around the finger insertion direction) inserted into the wearing space FS, the user can recognize that the lower parts adjacent to both sides of the convex shape in the finger insertion direction ID are the button switches 6R and 6L. In other words, the second boundary identification rib 26 allows the user to recognize the boundary between the button switch 6R as the first operated part and the button switch 6L as the second operated part.

[0115] In this embodiment, the first boundary identification rib 25 is disposed on the front side in the circumferential direction of the finger relative to the second boundary identification rib 26, and the pair of button switches 6R, 6L are disposed so as to be symmetrical in the finger insertion direction ID relative to the second boundary identification rib 26. It can be said that these configurations disposed around the second boundary identification rib 26 have the function of providing the user with a certainty that the circumferentially extending convex shape felt by the finger is the second boundary identification rib 26.

[0116] That is, the annular convex shape of the first boundary identification rib 25 is a characteristic shape that can be easily recognized by touch alone, and is a shape that is easy for a user to recognize. By tactilely sensing with a finger that there is a convex shape extending in the circumferential direction on the circumferential back side of the annular convex shape, the user can confidently recognize that the convex shape in the circumferential direction is the second boundary identification rib 26.

[0117] Also, by making the user tactilely perceive that both sides of the insertion direction ID of the finger are symmetric with respect to the convex shape extending in the circumferential direction of the finger, the user can surely recognize that the convex shape in the circumferential direction is the second boundary discrimination rib 26. Further, the user can surely recognize that, among the symmetric shapes on both sides of the insertion direction ID of the finger with respect to the convex shape in the circumferential direction, the right side is the button switch 6R and the left side is the button switch 6L.

[0118] <<Dimensional relationship etc. of the first boundary discrimination rib 25>> FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the arrow E in FIG. 18, showing the height relationship etc. of the touch sensor 5, the button switches 6R and 6L, the first boundary discrimination rib 25, etc. As shown in FIG. 19, the height H5 of the touch sensor 5 is higher than the height H25 of the first boundary discrimination rib 25. Also, the height H6 of the button switches 6L and 6R is equal to or higher than the height H22 of the outer surface 22 of the exterior 20 of the main body 2. Further, the height H25 of the first boundary discrimination rib 25 is equal to or higher than the height H6 of the button switches 6L and 6R. That is, the heights of the outer surface 22 of the exterior 20 of the main body 2, the touch sensor 5, the button switches 6R and 6L, and the first boundary discrimination rib 25 are configured to satisfy the relationship of H22 ≦ H6 ≦ H25 < H5.

[0119] Here, in this embodiment, the height difference (H25 - H6) of the first boundary discrimination rib 25 with respect to the button switches 6L and 6R is configured to be 0.3 mm or more. Also, the width W25 of the first boundary discrimination rib 25 (the difference between the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the first boundary discrimination rib 25) is configured to be 1.5 mm or more in this embodiment in this embodiment.

[0120] The height H25 and width W25 of the first boundary identification rib 25 are set from the viewpoint of preventing erroneous operation during blind operation. If the height H25 is too low or the width W25 is too narrow, it may be difficult to identify the first boundary identification rib 25. Conversely, if the height H25 is too high or the width W25 is too wide, it may interfere with the operation of the touch sensor 5. The above-mentioned numerical ranges for each dimension are merely examples, and may be appropriately set to suitable numerical values ​​from the viewpoint of operability depending on the configuration of the device.

[0121] By arranging the first boundary identification rib 25 between the button switches 6R, 6L and the touch sensor 5, unintentional operation of the touch sensor 5 is suppressed when pressing the button switches 6R, 6L, which are push buttons.

[0122] Here, the touch sensor 5 is a so-called optical pointing device, and includes an optical sensor unit 5c with a detection window provided in the center of the circular upper surface 5b of the button unit 5a. By moving a finger (moving it in a plane) on this optical sensor unit 5c, a pointing operation, a flick operation, etc. can be performed. Note that the touch sensor 5 is not limited to an optical pointing device, and may be, for example, a capacitive pointing device.

[0123] The touch sensor 5 is also configured such that the button portion 5a is movable up and down, and an input operation of pressing the circular upper surface 5b of the button portion 5a is also possible. That is, the button portion 5a is movable so that the amount of sinking into the first boundary identification rib 25 surrounding the outer periphery of the button portion 5a can be changed, and the circular upper surface 5b is pressed and sinks inside the annular first boundary identification rib 25 to form an input state. The button portion 5a is biased by a biasing means such as a spring (not shown) so as to be positioned at a height (home position) protruding from the first boundary identification rib 25 unless a particular external force is applied. The user can perform an input operation by pressing the circular upper surface 5b of the button portion 5a against the biasing force of the biasing means. When the finger is released and the pressed state (input state) of the button portion 5a is released, the biasing force of the biasing means returns the button portion 5a to a height (home position) protruding from the first boundary identification rib 25.

[0124] Here, it is preferable that the height of the circular upper surface 5b of the button portion 5a for establishing the input state by pressing it is lower than the height of the first boundary identification rib 25. This makes it possible to configure the button portion 5a so that it will not easily enter the input state even if the finger accidentally touches the button portion 5a while checking the first boundary identification rib 25 with the finger. In other words, it is possible to suppress a malfunction that erroneously places the button portion 5a in the input state.

[0125] Between the top 25a of the first boundary identification rib 25 and the optical sensor unit 5c, there are an annular surface region on the circular upper surface 5b that surrounds the outer periphery of the optical sensor unit 5c, and an inclined region 25b that extends from the base of the first boundary identification rib 25 to the top 25a. This ensures a predetermined distance between the top 25a of the first boundary identification rib 25 and the optical sensor unit 5c. This also makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of a malfunction in which the action of a finger to feel the first boundary identification rib 25 described above is detected as an input to the optical sensor unit 5c.

[0126] In addition, the outer periphery of the circular upper surface 5b of the button portion 5a has an inclined surface 5d that tapers in diameter, and a distance is also provided between the top 25a of the first boundary identification rib 25 and the circular upper surface 5b. This makes it possible to prevent the movement of a finger to feel the feel of the first boundary identification rib 25 from leading to a pressing operation of the button portion 5a of the touch sensor 5. In other words, the occurrence of erroneous operations can be suppressed.

[0127] <<Dimensional Relationship of the Second Boundary Identification Rib 26>> Fig. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line F in Fig. 18. As shown in Fig. 20, the second boundary identification rib 26 protrudes outward (upward) from the top surface of each of the button switches 6R, 6L, and in this embodiment, the protruding height H26 is configured to be in the range of 0.3 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less. In addition, the width W26 of the second boundary identification rib 26 between the button switches 6R, 6L (width in the finger insertion direction ID) is configured to be in the range of 1.0 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less in this embodiment.

[0128] The protruding height H26 and width W26 of the second boundary discrimination rib 26 are set from the viewpoint of preventing erroneous operation during blind operation. If the protruding height H26 is too low or the width W26 is too narrow, it may be difficult to identify the second boundary discrimination rib 26. Conversely, if the protruding height H26 is too high or the width W26 is too wide, it may hinder the pressing action of the button switches 6R and 6L. The above-mentioned numerical ranges of each dimension are merely examples, and may be appropriately set to suitable numerical values ​​from the viewpoint of operability depending on the configuration of the device.

[0129] Here, the button switches 6R, 6L have curved (convex arc-shaped) ends 6cR, 6cL on the outside of the flat portions 6pR, 6pL in the finger insertion direction ID. The ends 6cR, 6cL are located upstream of the corners 20eR, 20eL between the outer circumferential surface and the side surface of the exterior 20 of the main body 2 in the pressing direction of the button switches 6R, 6L (radially outward with respect to the reference center of the mounting space FS).

[0130] That is, the ends 6cR, 6cL of the button switches 6R, 6L are configured to form part of the corner between the outer circumferential surface and the side surface of the main body 2. With this configuration, the button switches 6R, 6L can be pressed with an image of pressing a corner of a substantially arc-shaped structure including the exterior 20 of the main body 2 and the button switches 6R, 6L. With this configuration, the button switches 6R, 6L can be easily pressed even in the small-sized main body 2. In particular, in blind operation, the corners of the structure have a shape that is easily sensed by the tactile sense of the fingers, and the operability can be improved by configuring the pressing operation to be performed by relying on the tactile sense of the corners.

[0131] In this embodiment, the ends 6cR, 6cL are ends having surfaces that are curved relative to the flat portions 6pR, 6pL, but they may be corners that are formed with straight surfaces.

[0132] <<Dimensional relationship between the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R and 6L>> 21 is a top view showing the configuration of the operated surface of the ring-shaped device 1, and is a diagram illustrating the shapes and positional relationship of the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R and 6L. The sizes and positions of the button switches 6R and 6L are defined by various dimensions based on the center 5e (center of the annular shape of the first boundary identification rib 25) of the touch sensor 5 (optical sensor unit 5c) when the operation surface of the main body 2 is viewed in plan.

[0133] For example, the width BD of the combined button switch 6R and button switch 6L in the finger insertion direction ID is configured to be 25.0 mm or less, preferably 10.0 mm or less. The shortest distance SD between the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R and 6L is configured to be 1.5 mm or more, and the longest distance LD is configured to be 20.0 mm or less. Note that this numerical range is suitable for the ring-type device 1 of this embodiment. In other words, this is merely an example, and may be appropriately set so as to minimize the amount of finger movement between the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R and 6L and to be within a reasonable range for the amount of finger movement used for operation.

[0134] Further, the width DD of the button switches 6R, 6L in the circumferential direction of the main body 2 (direction from the front side to the back side) is configured to be 8.0 mm or more even in the narrowest region. The size and shape of the button switches 6R and 6L are preferably configured so that when used by a person with large fingers, the button switches 6R and 6L can be comfortably pressed with the pad of the thumb when the finger is inserted up to the base into the wearing space FS. Note that the above numerical ranges are merely examples and may be set appropriately depending on the device configuration.

[0135] In this embodiment, first finger rest section 223 and second finger rest section 224 are configured with a concave curved surface, but may be configured with a flat surface, and are configured so that at least one of the width in the finger insertion direction ID and the width in the circumferential direction of main body 2 is 10.0 mm or more. In particular, it is preferable to set the size and shape of first finger rest section 223 so that it provides sufficient space for placing the thumb, which is the largest of the fingers.

[0136] FIG. 22 is a schematic front view of a ring-shaped device 1d according to a modified example. The ring-shaped device 1d is provided with a configuration for preventing a user from wearing the ring-shaped device 1d with the front side and the back side reversed. Specifically, the ring-shaped device 1d is provided with a protruding portion 22e4 as a configuration for giving a sense of discomfort to the user when the device is worn incorrectly. The protruding portion 22e is provided at the back end of the operated surface 22o on which the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R and 6L are arranged in the circumferential direction of the main body 2, between the operated surface 22o and the second finger rest portion 224. The front end of the operated surface 22o on the opposite side, that is, between the operated surface 22o and the first finger rest portion 223, is a flat portion 22e3. That is, the back end and the front end of the operated surface 22o are asymmetrically configured.

[0137] When the ring-shaped device 1d is erroneously worn with the front side and the back side reversed, the thumb is placed on the second finger rest 224, and when operating, the thumb moves back and forth between the second finger rest 224 and the operated surface. Therefore, by providing the protrusion 22e between the second finger rest 224 and the operated surface, which has a shape that prevents the thumb from moving back and forth as described above, smooth movement of the thumb is hindered when the device is worn normally, making the user feel uncomfortable. This allows the user to recognize that the device is erroneously worn.

[0138] The configuration that gives the user a sense of discomfort when the device is worn incorrectly is not limited to the above-mentioned protrusion 22e. For example, the first finger rest section 223 and the second finger rest section 224 may be made to have different shapes to give the user a sense of discomfort. For example, by making the first finger rest section 223 concave and the second finger rest section 224 flat, the user is made to feel that the thumb does not fit comfortably in the resting state, which is stable when the device is worn correctly, and the user is made aware of the incorrect wear.

[0139] It is also assumed that users may wish to wear the device with the button switches 6R and 6L on the front side and the touch sensor 5 on the back side. That is, there may be quite a few users who intentionally wear the device with the front side and the back side reversed. In such a case, in order to meet the needs of users, the control unit 10 may be configured to process the input to the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R and 6L so that the input signals are inverted vertically and horizontally.

[0140] <<Circumferential arrangement of the operated parts>> 23(A) to 25(B), the relative arrangement of the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R and 6L with respect to the finger contact position on the inner surface 21 of the exterior 20 of the main body 2 in the ring-type device 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0141] Fig. 23(A) is a schematic front view of the ring-shaped device 1 of this embodiment, showing a state where the user is pressing the button switches 6R and 6L with a finger FO. Fig. 23(B) is a schematic front view of the ring-shaped device 1 of this embodiment, showing a state where the user is pressing the touch sensor 5 with a finger FO.

[0142] As shown in FIG. 23(A) and the like, when the ring-shaped device 1 is viewed in the finger insertion direction ID relative to the wearing space FS, a virtual line along the operated surface 22o (the surface on which the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R and 6L are aligned in the circumferential direction of the main body 2) of the outer surface 22 of the exterior 20 of the main body 2 is defined as AL. Also, a virtual line (virtual reference line) that passes through the deepest part P of the inner surface 21 of the exterior 20 of the main body 2 and is perpendicular to the virtual line AL is defined as FL. When viewed in the finger insertion direction ID, the ring-shaped device 1 of this embodiment is configured such that the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R and 6L aligned in the circumferential direction of the main body 2 are arranged on opposite sides of the virtual line FL (symmetrical in the circumferential direction with respect to the virtual line FL). That is, the touch sensor 5 is located on the front side (one side, first side) of the main body 2 with respect to the virtual line FL, and the button switches 6R and 6L are located on the back side (the other side, second side) of the main body 2 with respect to the virtual line FL.

[0143] The deepest part P of the inner surface 21 for determining the virtual line FL may be defined as a position where a finger FI inserted into the wearing space FS always comes into contact with the inner surface 21. Alternatively, a virtual line that passes through a reference center F2C of a finger inserted into the wearing space FS and is perpendicular to the virtual line AL may be defined as the virtual line FL. Alternatively, the deepest part P may be defined as a position included in a region of the inner surface 21 that is located opposite the region where the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 overlap with each other, with respect to the reference center F2C of a finger inserted into the wearing space FS.

[0144] In the ring-shaped device 1 of the present embodiment, the touch sensor 5 as the first operated part and the button switches 6R and 6L as the second operated part are arranged in the circumferential direction of the main body 2. Therefore, the force that the touch sensor 5 receives from the finger FO by pressing the touch sensor 5 may include a component force that generates a moment with respect to the main body 2, the contact area of ​​the finger FI and the inner surface 21 including the deepest part P as the base point. Similarly, the force that the button switches 6R and 6L receive from the finger FO by pressing the touch sensor 5 may include a component force that generates a moment with respect to the main body 2, the contact area of ​​the finger FI and the inner surface 21 including the deepest part P as the base point. Such a moment may occur inevitably due to the layout in which the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R and 6L are arranged in the circumferential direction of the main body 2. However, by arranging the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R and 6L, which are arranged close to each other in the circumferential direction of the main body 2, on opposite sides of the virtual line FL, it is possible to minimize the magnitude of the generated moment.

[0145] Fig. 24(A) is a schematic front view of the ring type device 1e of Comparative Example 3, showing a state where a user is pressing the button switches 6R and 6L with a finger FO. Fig. 24(B) is a schematic front view of the ring type device 1e of Comparative Example 3, showing a state where a user is pressing the touch sensor 5 with a finger FO.

[0146] As shown in Fig. 24(A) and Fig. 24(B), the ring-shaped device 1e of Comparative Example 3 is configured such that the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R, 6L are arranged so that the touch sensor 5 overlaps with the imaginary line FL when viewed in the finger insertion direction ID. In other words, the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R, 6L aligned in the circumferential direction of the main body 2 are arranged toward the rear side in the circumferential direction of the main body 2 (biased toward the rear side with respect to the imaginary line FL). In this configuration, as shown in Fig. 24(B), it is possible to keep the magnitude of the moment described above small when the touch sensor 5 is pressed.

[0147] 24(A), when the button switches 6R and 6L are pressed, the magnitude of the generated moment cannot be suppressed, and a force that moves the main body 2 toward the rear in the circumferential direction may act on the main body 2. This may cause the ring-shaped device 1e to rotate with respect to the finger FI inserted in the wearing space FS, and the wearing state of the ring-shaped device 1e with respect to the finger FI may become unstable.

[0148] In the ring-shaped device 1e of Comparative Example 3, the button switches 6R and 6L are arranged farther away from the finger FO in the circumferential direction. Due to the layout in which the finger FO approaches the button switches 6R and 6L from the front side toward the back side in the circumferential direction, the direction of action of the pressing force of the finger FO when pressing the button switches 6R and 6L approaches the direction from the front side toward the back side in the circumferential direction. This increases the magnitude of the above-mentioned moment generated in the main body 2, and a force that rotates the ring-shaped device 1e with respect to the finger FI inserted in the wearing space FS is easily generated.

[0149] Fig. 25(A) is a schematic front view of the ring type device 1f of Comparative Example 4, showing a state where the user is pressing the button switches 6R and 6L with the finger FO. Fig. 25(B) is a schematic front view of the ring type device 1f of Comparative Example 4, showing a state where the user is pressing the touch sensor 5 with the finger FO.

[0150] 25(A) and 25(B), the ring-shaped device 1f of Comparative Example 4 is configured such that the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R, 6L are arranged so that the button switches 6R, 6L overlap with the imaginary line FL when viewed in the finger insertion direction ID. In other words, the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R, 6L aligned in the circumferential direction of the main body 2 are arranged closer to the front in the circumferential direction of the main body 2 (biased toward the front with respect to the imaginary line FL).

[0151] As described above, the finger FO, particularly when the finger FO is the thumb, assumes a posture of approaching the touch sensor 5 and the button switches 6R, 6L from the front side toward the back side in the circumferential direction of the main body 2. Therefore, the direction of action of the pressing force of the finger FO tends to include an angle from the front side toward the back side, and therefore, whether the touch sensor 5 or the button switches 6R, 6L is pressed, the magnitude of the generated moment can be kept small.

[0152] 25(B), when pressing the button switches 6R, 6L arranged near the front side of the main body 2, it is difficult to press the button switches 6R, 6L unless the finger FO is tilted up, particularly when the finger FO is the thumb, and the posture during the pressing operation becomes cramped. As a result, the attachment state of the ring type device 1f to the finger FI may become unstable, which may lead to erroneous operation.

[0153] In contrast to the above-mentioned comparative examples 3 and 4, the ring-type device 1 of this embodiment makes it possible to stabilize the wearing state of the ring-type device 1 on the finger FI, and also makes it possible to obtain stable operability without forcing the finger FO to assume an awkward posture during pressing operation.

[0154] In this embodiment, the second boundary identification rib 26 is a single rib that extends continuously in the circumferential direction of the finger, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the second boundary identification rib 26 may be a rib divided in the circumferential direction, that is, a configuration in which multiple ribs each extending in the circumferential direction are continuously arranged in the circumferential direction. Alternatively, the second boundary identification rib 26 may be a configuration in which multiple protrusions are continuously arranged in the circumferential direction.

[0155] In this embodiment, the first boundary identification rib 25 is a single rib formed in a continuous annular shape, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the rib may not be a completely closed annular shape, but may be a substantially C-shaped rib with a part of the circle interrupted. Alternatively, for example, a configuration may be such that a plurality of ribs each extending on an arc are continuously arranged in an annular shape. Alternatively, a configuration may be such that a plurality of protrusions are continuously arranged in an annular shape. Furthermore, the annular shape is not limited to a perfect circle as in this embodiment, and may be an ellipse. Alternatively, it may be a polygonal shape instead of a circle.

[0156] (Embodiment 2) With reference to FIGS. 26(A) to 28, a finger ring type device 1g according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, differences between the configuration of the second embodiment and the configuration of the first embodiment will be described. Configurations of the second embodiment that are common to the configuration of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0157] In this embodiment, the first arm 3b closest to the inner surface 21 of the main body 2 and the second arm 4b closest to the inner surface 21 have an overlapping area when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis 32x of the first arm 3b or the rotation axis 42x of the second arm 4b.

[0158] As shown in Fig. 26(A) to Fig. 27(A), in the ring type device 1g of this embodiment, at least the distal ends of the first arm 3b and the second arm 4b are shifted from each other in the insertion direction ID. That is, the first arm 3b and the second arm 4b are both worn in contact with the finger F. As shown in Fig. 26(A) to Fig. 26(C), the overlapping area between one arm and the other arm becomes gradually wider in the order of areas OR3, OR2, and OR1 from finger F3 to finger F1 when viewed in the direction along the insertion direction ID or the rotation axes 32x and 42x.

[0159] In this way, by arranging the first arm portion 3b and the second arm portion 4b in a staggered arrangement in the insertion direction ID, the size of the external shape of the ring-type device 1g in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction ID is compressed compared to that of the ring-type device 1 of embodiment 1, thereby improving the ease of gripping when worn on the finger F.

[0160] As shown in Fig. 27(A), the first arm 3b and the second arm 4b may be configured to have a substantially symmetrical shape in the insertion direction ID. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 27(A), the first arm 3b and the second arm 4b are configured so that the width in the insertion direction ID gradually narrows toward the tip. With this configuration, for example, in the third wearing mode shown in Fig. 4(C), the first arm 3b and the second arm 4b are prevented from interfering with the gripping of the fingers.

[0161] 27(A), the distance Wt from the outer end of the tip surface of the first arm 3b to the outer end of the tip surface of the second arm 4b in the insertion direction ID is preferably 20 mm or less, or less than the width in the insertion direction ID of the main body 2. More preferably, the distance Wt is 8 mm or less, which is suitable for storing the first arm 3b and the second arm 4b between the first and second joints of the finger F.

[0162] 27(B), the first arm 3c and the second arm 4c may have a different width in the insertion direction ID. That is, the width W3 in the insertion direction ID at the tip end portion of the first arm 3c is larger than the width W4 in the insertion direction ID at the tip end portion of the second arm 4c. For example, the above width may be set according to the difference between the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 32s and the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 42s so that the force with which the first arm 3c biases the finger F and the force with which the second arm 4c biases the finger F are uniform.

[0163] As shown in FIG. 28, the first arm 3d and the second arm 4d may be arranged alternately in the insertion direction ID in a comb-like shape. That is, the second arm 4d has a pair of a first arm 4d1 and a second arm 4d2, and the first arm 3d is arranged between the first arm 4d1 and the second arm 4d2 in the insertion direction ID. The first arm 3d and the second arm 4d are combined to form a symmetrical configuration in the insertion direction ID, and the finger F can be inserted into the mounting space FS in the same way from either the left or right side in the insertion / removal direction ID. That is, when mounting the ring-type device 1g on the finger F, there is no need to be concerned about the insertion direction, and the mounting ease can be improved.

[0164] The above-described embodiments can be combined with each other in any manner possible.

[0165] The disclosure of the embodiments of the present invention includes the following configurations. (Configuration 1) A ring-type device that is worn on a user's finger, an annular body having an inner surface surrounding the mounting space and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface; A first operated portion provided on the outer surface; A second operated portion provided at a position different from the first operated portion on the outer surface; A ring-shaped device comprising: a rib provided between the first operated portion and the second operated portion on the outer surface. (Configuration 2) The ring-type device described in configuration 1, characterized in that the first operated portion and the second operated portion are arranged on the outer surface so as to be aligned circumferentially around the direction in which the finger is inserted into the wearing space. (Configuration 3) The finger ring type device of configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that the rib is provided on the outer surface so as to surround the second operated portion. (Configuration 4) The finger ring type device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the rib is provided in a circular ring shape. (Configuration 5) the first operated unit is an optical pointing device, The finger ring device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the second operated portion is a push button. (Configuration 6) the first operated unit is a capacitive pointing device, The finger ring device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the second operated portion is a push button. (Configuration 7) A ring-type device described in any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that the height of the tip of the rib from the outer surface is greater than or equal to the height of the second operated part and less than the height of the first operated part. (Configuration 8) The finger ring type device described in configuration 7, characterized in that the difference in height of the rib from the height of the second operated portion is 0.3 mm or more. (Configuration 9) the second operated portion includes a first push button and a second push button aligned in a direction in which a finger is inserted into the mounting space, A ring-type device described in any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that the rib is a first rib and further comprises a second rib arranged between the first push button and the second push button. (Configuration 10) The ring-type device described in configuration 9, characterized in that the second rib is arranged to extend along a circumferential direction around the insertion direction. (Configuration 11) The ring-type device described in configuration 9 or 10, characterized in that the height of the tip of the second rib from the outer surface is greater than the height of the first push button and the second push button from the outer surface. (Configuration 12) a difference in height between the first push button and the second push button and the height of the second rib is 0.3 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less; 12. The ring-type device according to any one of configurations 9 to 11, wherein the width of the second rib in the insertion direction is 1.0 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less. (Configuration 13) A ring-type device described in any one of configurations 9 to 12, characterized in that the distance from the outer end of the first push button to the outer end of the second push button in the insertion direction is 25.0 mm or less. (Configuration 14) A ring-type device described in any one of configurations 9 to 13, characterized in that the width of the first push button and the second push button in the circumferential direction around the insertion direction is 8.0 mm or more. (Configuration 15) A ring-type device described in any one of configurations 9 to 14, characterized in that the outer end of the first push button and the outer end of the second push button in the insertion direction form part of a corner between the outer surface of the ring-shaped body and a side surface of the ring-shaped body. (Configuration 16) A ring-type device described in any one of configurations 1 to 15, further characterized in that the outer surface has a recess at a position adjacent to the first operated portion or the second operated portion in the circumferential direction, on which a finger other than the finger inserted into the wearing space can be placed. (Configuration 17) The ring-type device described in configuration 16, characterized in that the recess has at least one of a width in the insertion direction and a width in the circumferential direction of 10.0 mm or more. (Configuration 18) a first recess adjacent to the first operated portion on an opposite side to the second operated portion in the circumferential direction; a second recess adjacent to the second operated portion on a side opposite to the first operated portion in the circumferential direction; Equipped with A finger ring type device as described in configuration 16 or 17, characterized in that the portion between the first recess and the first operated portion and the portion between the second recess and the second operated portion have asymmetric shapes relative to each other. (Configuration 19) When viewed in the direction of finger insertion into the mounting space, the first operated portion is located on a first side with respect to a virtual reference line that passes through a position where a finger touches the inner surface and is perpendicular to a virtual line along a direction in which the first operated portion and the second operated portion are aligned, The finger ring device according to any one of configurations 1 to 18, wherein the second operated portion is located on a second side opposite to the first side with respect to the virtual reference line. (Configuration 20) The ring-type device described in configuration 1, characterized in that the first operated part and the second operated part are arranged on the outer surface so as to be aligned in the direction in which the finger is inserted into the wearing space. (Configuration 21) The finger ring device of configuration 20, characterized in that the rib is provided on the outer surface so as to extend circumferentially around the insertion direction. (Configuration 22) The finger ring type device described in configuration 20 or 21, characterized in that the first operated part and the second operated part have shapes symmetrical in the insertion direction with respect to the rib. (Configuration 23) 23. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the height of the tip of the rib from the outer surface is greater than the heights of the first operated portion and the second operated portion from the outer surfaces. A ring-shaped device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0166] 1... ring-shaped device, 2... main body, 3... first arm, 4... second arm

Claims

1. A ring-type device that is worn on a user's finger, an annular body having an inner surface surrounding the mounting space and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface; A first operated portion provided on the outer surface; A second operated portion provided at a position different from the first operated portion on the outer surface; A ring-type device characterized by having a rib provided between the first operated portion and the second operated portion on the outer surface.

2. The ring-type device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first operated portion and the second operated portion are arranged on the outer surface so as to be aligned circumferentially around the direction in which the finger is inserted into the wearing space.

3. The finger ring device according to claim 2 , wherein the rib is provided on the outer surface so as to surround the second operated portion.

4. The finger ring device according to claim 3 , wherein the rib is provided in a circular shape.

5. the first operated unit is an optical pointing device, The finger ring device according to claim 2 , wherein the second operated portion is a push button.

6. the first operated unit is a capacitive pointing device, The finger ring device according to claim 2 , wherein the second operated portion is a push button.

7. The finger ring device according to claim 2, characterized in that the height of the tip of the rib from the outer surface is greater than or equal to the height of the second operated part and is less than the height of the first operated part.

8. The finger ring device according to claim 7, characterized in that the difference in height of the rib from the height of the second operated portion is 0.3 mm or more.

9. the second operated portion includes a first push button and a second push button aligned in a finger insertion direction into the mounting space, The finger ring device according to claim 3, further comprising a second rib disposed between the first push button and the second push button, the rib being a first rib.

10. The ring-type device according to claim 9, characterized in that the second rib is provided to extend along a circumferential direction around the insertion direction.

11. The ring-type device according to claim 10, characterized in that the height of the tip of the second rib from the outer surface is greater than the height of the first push button and the second push button from the outer surface.

12. a difference in height between the first push button and the second push button and the height of the second rib is 0.3 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less; The ring-type device according to claim 11, characterized in that the width of the second rib in the insertion direction is 1.0 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less.

13. The finger ring device according to claim 12, characterized in that the distance from the outer end of the first push button to the outer end of the second push button in the insertion direction is 25.0 mm or less.

14. The finger ring device according to claim 13, characterized in that the width of the first push button and the second push button in the circumferential direction around the insertion direction is 8.0 mm or more.

15. The finger ring device according to claim 9, characterized in that the outer end of the first push button and the outer end of the second push button in the insertion direction form part of a corner between the outer surface of the annular body and a side surface of the annular body.

16. The ring-type device described in claim 2, further comprising a recess on the outer surface at a position adjacent to the first operated portion or the second operated portion in the circumferential direction, on which a finger other than the finger inserted into the wearing space can be placed.

17. The finger ring device according to claim 16, characterized in that the recess has at least one of a width in the insertion direction and a width in the circumferential direction of 10.0 mm or more.

18. a first recess adjacent to the first operated portion on a side opposite to the second operated portion in the circumferential direction; a second recess adjacent to the second operated portion on a side opposite to the first operated portion in the circumferential direction; Equipped with The finger ring device according to claim 16, characterized in that the portion between the first recess and the first operated portion and the portion between the second recess and the second operated portion have asymmetric shapes.

19. When viewed in the direction of finger insertion into the mounting space, the first operated portion is located on a first side with respect to a virtual reference line that passes through a position where a finger touches the inner surface and is perpendicular to a virtual line along a direction in which the first operated portion and the second operated portion are aligned, The finger ring device according to claim 1 , wherein the second operated portion is located on a second side opposite the first side with respect to the virtual reference line.

20. The ring-type device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first operated portion and the second operated portion are arranged on the outer surface so as to be aligned in the direction in which the finger is inserted into the wearing space.

21. The finger ring device according to claim 20, characterized in that the rib is provided on the outer surface so as to extend along a circumferential direction around the insertion direction.

22. The finger ring type device according to claim 21, characterized in that the first operated portion and the second operated portion have shapes symmetrical with respect to the rib in the insertion direction.

23. The finger ring device according to claim 22, characterized in that the height of the tip of the rib from the outer surface is greater than the height of the first operated portion and the second operated portion from the outer surface.

Images