Tactile sense transmission device and tactile sense transmission method

Abstract

To provide a tactile sense transmission device and a tactile sense transmission method with which tactile sense can be transmitted a remote location with high responsiveness.SOLUTION: A tactile sense transmission device 1 comprises: an input unit 2 for generating a voltage corresponding to a pressing force due to contact and generating a signal S based on the generated voltage; a relay unit 3 for relaying the signal S from the input unit 2 and adjusting the value of the signal S; and an output unit 4 for outputting vibration based on the signal S relayed by the relay unit 3. The input unit 2 is composed of a piezoelectric sensor 11 including a piezoelectric element 13, and the output unit 4 is composed of a vibrator 21 including a piezoelectric element 23 and vibrating based on the signal S.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tactile transmission device and a tactile transmission method. [Background technology]

[0002] As an example of a technology for providing a tactile sensation through vibration, there is an input device described in Patent Document 1. In this conventional input device, a capacitance sensor detects contact with a user's finger or the like, and a drive signal is supplied to a piezoelectric actuator based on the detection result. The piezoelectric actuator vibrates the part of the finger that is in contact, providing the user with a tactile sensation that indicates that the input has been accepted. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP2005-339298A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional devices such as those described above, the tactile sensation is presented by vibration at the part that is actually touched by a finger. For this reason, when considering applications such as sensing, there is a demand for technology that can transmit and output the tactile sensation detected at a certain position to a remote position. In addition, high responsiveness of the output to the input is also required for the transmission of the tactile sensation.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a tactile transmission device and a tactile transmission method that can transmit a tactile sensation to a remote location with high responsiveness. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A tactile transmission device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises an input unit that generates a voltage corresponding to the pressure applied by contact and generates a signal based on the generated voltage, a relay unit that relays the signal from the input unit and adjusts the value of the signal, and an output unit that outputs vibrations based on the signal relayed by the relay unit, wherein the input unit is constituted by a piezoelectric sensor including a piezoelectric element, and the output unit is constituted by a vibrator that includes a piezoelectric element and vibrates based on the signal.

[0007] In this tactile transmission device, a signal based on a voltage generated in the input section is relayed by the relay section, and vibrations based on the signal are output from the output section. Therefore, in this tactile transmission device, the tactile sensation detected by the input section can be presented by the output section located at a remote location. Also, in this tactile transmission device, the input section is configured by a piezoelectric sensor including a piezoelectric element, and the output section is configured by a vibrator including a piezoelectric element. In this way, by configuring both the input section and the output section to include a piezoelectric element, high responsiveness of the output to the input can be achieved.

[0008] The relay unit may amplify the value of the signal and output it to the output unit, thereby enabling the output unit to present a clearer tactile sensation.

[0009] The operating frequency of the piezoelectric sensor may be higher than the operating frequency of the transducer, and such a relationship between the operating frequencies allows for optimization of the output relative to the input.

[0010] The input unit may have a plurality of piezoelectric sensors with different operating frequencies, which allows for more detailed tactile sensations to be presented, such as a tactile sensation for minute irregularities on an uneven surface.

[0011] The tactile transmission device may further include a conversion unit that converts a signal from the input unit into an audio signal, and a restoration unit that receives the audio signal from the conversion unit via a network, restores the audio signal to a signal before conversion, and outputs the restored signal to the relay unit. In this case, the tactile sensation detected by the input unit can be presented by an output unit located further remotely via the network.

[0012] A tactile transmission method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an input step in which an input unit constituted by a piezoelectric sensor including a piezoelectric element generates a voltage corresponding to the pressure caused by contact and generates a signal based on the generated voltage, a relay step in a relay unit relaying the signal from the input unit and adjusting the value of the signal, and an output step in an output unit constituted by a vibrator including a piezoelectric element, outputting a vibration based on the signal relayed by the relay unit.

[0013] In this tactile transmission method, a signal based on a voltage generated in the input section is relayed by the relay section, and vibrations based on the signal are output from the output section. Therefore, in this tactile transmission method, the tactile sensation detected by the input section can be presented by the output section located at a remote position. Also, in this tactile transmission method, the input section is configured by a piezoelectric sensor including a piezoelectric element, and the output section is configured by a vibrator including a piezoelectric element. In this way, by configuring both the input section and the output section to include a piezoelectric element, high responsiveness of the output to the input can be achieved. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present disclosure, tactile sensations can be transmitted to remote locations with high responsiveness. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a tactile transmission device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a configuration of a piezoelectric sensor. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of a vibrator. [Figure 4] FIG. 2A is a diagram showing detection of contact with a smooth surface by a piezoelectric sensor, and FIG. 2B is a diagram showing the waveform of the generated voltage. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing detection of contact with a somewhat rough surface by a piezoelectric sensor, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the waveform of the generated voltage. [Figure 6]FIG. 2A is a diagram showing detection of contact with a rough surface by a piezoelectric sensor, and FIG. 2B is a diagram showing the waveform of the generated voltage. [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a haptic transmission method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a tactile transmission device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 9 is a diagram showing an example of a signal output from an input unit of the tactile transmission device shown in FIG. 8 to a relay unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a tactile transmission device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a tactile transmission device and a tactile transmission method according to one aspect of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0017] [First embodiment] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a tactile transmission device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, the tactile transmission device 1 according to this embodiment is configured to include an input unit 2, a relay unit 3, and an output unit 4. The tactile transmission device 1 is a device that relays a tactile sense detected by the input unit 2 through the relay unit 3, and presents the tactile sense at the output unit 4 located away from the input unit 2.

[0018] The input section 2 is a section that generates a voltage according to a pressing force due to contact and generates a signal S based on the generated voltage. The input section 2 is configured by a piezoelectric sensor 11 including a piezoelectric element 13. In this embodiment, the piezoelectric sensor 11 is configured to include a base plate 12, a piezoelectric element 13 arranged on one side of the base plate 12, and a wiring member 14 electrically connected to the base plate 12 and the piezoelectric element 13. In the piezoelectric sensor 11, power is generated in the piezoelectric element 13 according to a pressing force (distortion of the base plate 12) applied to the base plate 12 by the piezoelectric sensor 11 coming into contact with another object or the like. The signal S based on the power from the piezoelectric element 13 (hereinafter also referred to as "generated power") is output to the relay section 3 via the wiring member 14.

[0019] The piezoelectric sensor 11 may be configured with the base plate 12 and the piezoelectric element 13 exposed, or the base plate 12 and the piezoelectric element 13 may be covered with a protective cover, a laminate film, etc. The piezoelectric sensor 11 may be fixed to a part of the human body (e.g., a fingertip) or the tip of a pen via a predetermined mounting member, etc.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of a piezoelectric sensor. As shown in Fig. 2, the base plate 12 has, for example, a square shape in a plan view. Examples of materials constituting the base plate 12 include Ni-Fe alloy, Ni, brass, and stainless steel. The piezoelectric element 13 includes a piezoelectric body 15 and a pair of external electrodes 16, 16 (only one of the external electrodes 16, 16 is shown in Fig. 2). The piezoelectric body 15 has a flattened rectangular parallelepiped shape. The rectangular parallelepiped shape also includes a shape in which the corners and ridges are chamfered and a shape in which the corners and ridges are rounded.

[0021] In this embodiment, the piezoelectric element 15 does not have an internal electrode and is composed of a single piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer is composed of a piezoelectric material. In this embodiment, the piezoelectric layer is composed of a piezoelectric ceramic material. An example of the piezoelectric ceramic material is PZT [Pb(Zr,Ti)O 3 ], PT(PbTiO 3), PLZT[(Pb,La)(Zr,Ti)O 3 ], barium titanate, etc. The piezoelectric layer is formed of, for example, a sintered ceramic green sheet containing the above-mentioned piezoelectric ceramic material.

[0022] The external electrodes 16 are made of a conductive material. Examples of the conductive material include Ag, Pd, and Ag-Pd alloys. The external electrodes 16 are made of a sintered body of a conductive paste containing the above-mentioned conductive material, for example.

[0023] The wiring member 14 is formed of, for example, a flexible printed circuit board (FPC). The wiring member 14 has a structure in which, for example, a conductor is covered with a cover material. The conductor is formed of a material having excellent conductivity, such as copper. The cover material is formed of a non-conductive resin, such as polyimide resin. The tip portion (the end portion on the piezoelectric element 13 side) of the wiring member 14 is branched into two. One of the two branched ends is electrically connected to one of the external electrodes 16, 16. The other of the two branched ends is connected to the base plate 12 and is electrically connected to the other of the external electrodes 16, 16 via the base plate 12. The base end portion (the end portion on the relay section 3 side) of the wiring member 14 is electrically connected to the relay section 3.

[0024] 1, the relay unit 3 is a part that relays a signal S from the input unit 2 and adjusts the value of the signal S. In this embodiment, the relay unit 3 is configured with a signal amplifier, and amplifies the value of the signal S input from the input unit 2 by a predetermined factor and outputs the amplified value to the output unit 4. There is no particular limit to the amplification factor of the signal S by the relay unit 3, but the amplification factor is set to, for example, 6 to 12 times.

[0025] The output unit 4 is a part that outputs vibration based on the signal S relayed by the relay unit 3. That is, the output unit 4 outputs vibration based on the signal S to restore the touch detected by the piezoelectric sensor 11 constituting the input unit 2 and present it as a tactile sensation. The output unit 4 is composed of a vibrator 21 that includes a piezoelectric element 23 and vibrates based on the signal S. In this embodiment, the vibrator 21 is composed of a vibration plate 22, a piezoelectric element 23 arranged on one side of the vibration plate 22, and a wiring member 24 electrically connected to the piezoelectric element 23.

[0026] The operating frequency of the piezoelectric sensor 11 described above is higher than the operating frequency of the vibrator 21. In this embodiment, for example, the operating frequency of the piezoelectric sensor 11 is about 11 kHz, whereas the operating frequency of the vibrator 21 is about 200 Hz to 1.5 kHz. The operating frequency of the piezoelectric sensor 11 can be adjusted based on the dimensions of the piezoelectric element 13 including the base plate 12. The operating frequency of the vibrator 21 can be adjusted based on the dimensions of the piezoelectric element 23 including the vibration plate 22. Here, the dimensions (planar dimensions) of the piezoelectric element 13 constituting the piezoelectric sensor 11 are smaller than the dimensions (planar dimensions) of the piezoelectric element 23 constituting the vibrator 21, thereby satisfying the above-mentioned relationship of the operating frequencies.

[0027] In this embodiment, the planar shape of the vibrator 21 is made larger than the planar shape of the piezoelectric sensor 11, thereby satisfying the above-mentioned relationship between the operating frequency of the piezoelectric sensor 11 and the operating frequency of the vibrator 21. This allows the frequency band of the generated voltage output from the piezoelectric element 13 on the input unit 2 side to be covered by the piezoelectric element 13 on the output unit 4 side, making it possible to restore various touches detected by the input unit 2 in the output unit 4 and present them as tactile sensations.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of the vibrator. As shown in FIG. 3, the vibration plate 22 has, for example, a square shape in a plan view. Examples of materials constituting the vibration plate include Ni-Fe alloy, Ni, brass, and stainless steel. The piezoelectric element 23 includes a piezoelectric body 25, an internal electrode (not shown), and a pair of external electrodes 26, 26. The piezoelectric body 25 has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. The rectangular parallelepiped shape also includes a shape in which the corners and ridges are chamfered, and a shape in which the corners and ridges are rounded. Note that the vibration plate 22 may be omitted in the vibrator 21, and the vibrator 21 may be formed only by the piezoelectric element 23.

[0029] The piezoelectric element 25 is configured by laminating a plurality of piezoelectric layers. The piezoelectric layers are made of a piezoelectric material. In this embodiment, the piezoelectric layers are made of a piezoelectric ceramic material. An example of the piezoelectric ceramic material is PZT [Pb(Zr,Ti)O 3 ], PT(PbTiO 3 ), PLZT[(Pb,La)(Zr,Ti)O 3 ], barium titanate, etc. The piezoelectric layers are formed of, for example, sintered ceramic green sheets containing the above-mentioned piezoelectric ceramic material. In the actual piezoelectric element 25, the piezoelectric layers are integrated to such an extent that the boundaries between the piezoelectric layers are not recognizable.

[0030] The internal electrodes and the external electrodes 26 are formed of a conductive material. Examples of the conductive material include Ag, Pd, and Ag-Pd alloys. The internal electrodes and the external electrodes are formed of a sintered body of a conductive paste containing the conductive material described above.

[0031] The wiring member 24 is formed of, for example, a flexible printed circuit board (FPC). The wiring member 14 has a base member 27, a pair of conductors 28, 28, and a cover 29. The base member 27 is formed of an electrically insulating material such as polyimide resin. The conductors 28, 28 are formed of a conductive material such as copper. The conductors 28, 28 are joined to the base member 27 by adhesion or the like while being spaced apart from each other.

[0032] The cover 29, like the base member 27, is made of an electrically insulating material such as polyimide resin. The cover 29 is arranged so as to cover a part of the conductors 28, and is joined to the base member 27 by adhesion or the like. The ends of the conductors 28 are exposed from the cover 29. The parts of the conductors 28 exposed from the cover 29 may be plated with nickel or gold. The tip end of the wiring member 14 (the conductors 28 at the end on the piezoelectric element 13 side) is electrically connected to each of the external electrodes 26. The base end of the wiring member 14 (the conductors 28 at the end on the relay section 3 side) is electrically connected to the relay section 3.

[0033] In the tactile transmission device 1 having the above configuration, contact with another object or the like detected by the piezoelectric sensor 11 is represented by the amplitude and frequency of the voltage generated in the piezoelectric element 13. When the piezoelectric sensor 11 slides over a smooth surface (slippery surface) P1 as shown in Fig. 4(a), a generated voltage with a small amplitude and high frequency is generated as shown in Fig. 4(b), and the generated voltage is output as a signal S from the input unit 2 via the relay unit 3 to the output unit 4. In the output unit 4, the vibrator 21 vibrates based on the signal S, and a slippery tactile sensation similar to that experienced when actually touching the smooth surface P1 is presented.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 5(a), when the piezoelectric sensor 11 slides over a slightly rough surface (rough surface) P2, as shown in Fig. 5(b), a generated voltage with a larger amplitude and lower frequency than that in Fig. 4(b) is generated, and a signal S based on the generated voltage is output from the input unit 2 via the relay unit 3 to the output unit 4. In the output unit 4, the vibrator 21 vibrates based on the signal S, and a rough tactile sensation similar to that experienced when actually touching the slightly rough surface P2 is presented.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 6(a), when the piezoelectric sensor 11 slides over a rough surface (craggy surface) P3, as shown in Fig. 6(b), a generated voltage with a larger amplitude and a lower frequency than Fig. 4(b) is generated, and a signal S based on the generated voltage is output from the input unit 2 via the relay unit 3 to the output unit 4. In the output unit 4, the vibrator 21 vibrates based on the signal S, and a craggy tactile sensation similar to that experienced when actually touching the rough surface P3 is presented.

[0036] 7 is a flowchart showing a tactile transmission method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, the tactile transmission method includes an input step S01, a relay step S02, and an output step S03.

[0037] The input step S01 is a step of generating a signal S based on a generated voltage in the input unit 2 configured by the piezoelectric sensor 11 including the piezoelectric element 13. In the input step S01, the piezoelectric sensor 11 generates a voltage according to the pressing force due to contact, and outputs the signal S based on the generated voltage to the relay unit 3.

[0038] The relay step S02 is a step in which the relay unit 3 relays the signal S from the input unit 2 and adjusts the value of the signal S. In the relay step S02, the relay unit 3 amplifies the signal S received from the input unit 2 and outputs it to the output unit 4. The output step S03 is a step in which the output unit 4, which is composed of a vibrator 21 including a piezoelectric element 23, outputs vibration based on the signal S relayed by the relay unit 3. In the output step S03, the vibrator 21 vibrates based on the signal S, and a tactile sensation corresponding to the touch detected by the input unit 2 is presented.

[0039] As described above, in the tactile transmission device 1 and the tactile transmission method, a signal S based on a voltage (generated voltage) generated in the input unit 2 is relayed by the relay unit 3, and vibration based on the signal S is output from the output unit 4. Therefore, in the tactile transmission device 1, the tactile sensation detected by the input unit 2 can be presented by the output unit 4 located at a remote position. Also, in the tactile transmission device 1, the input unit 2 is configured by a piezoelectric sensor 11 including a piezoelectric element 13, and the output unit 4 is configured by a vibrator 21 including a piezoelectric element 23. In this way, by configuring both the input unit 2 and the output unit 4 to include a piezoelectric element, it is possible to achieve high responsiveness of the output to the input, compared to, for example, a case in which the input unit and the output unit are configured by combining a piezoelectric element and a voice coil.

[0040] In this embodiment, the relay unit 3 amplifies the value of the signal S and outputs it to the output unit 4. This allows the output unit 4 to present a clearer tactile sensation. In this embodiment, the operating frequency of the piezoelectric sensor 11 is higher than the operating frequency of the vibrator 21. By having such a relationship between the operating frequencies, the output relative to the input is optimized.

[0041] [Second embodiment] Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a tactile transmission device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 8, a tactile transmission device 1A according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the input unit 2 includes a plurality of piezoelectric sensors 11, in that the input unit 2 includes a single piezoelectric sensor 11.

[0042] More specifically, in the tactile transmission device 1, the input unit 2 has a plurality of piezoelectric sensors 11 with mutually different operating frequencies. In the example of FIG. 8, the input unit 2 has two piezoelectric sensors 11A and 11B. The operating frequency of the piezoelectric sensor 11A is, for example, about 11 kHz. The operating frequency of the piezoelectric sensor 11B is, for example, 200 Hz to 1.5 kHz. In the relay unit 3, the signal SA from the piezoelectric sensor 11A and the signal SB from the piezoelectric sensor 11B are superimposed, and the superimposed signal S is amplified. The amplified superimposed signal S is output from the relay unit 3 to the output unit 4.

[0043] In this tactile transmission device 1A, as in the first embodiment, the tactile sensation can be transmitted to a remote position with high responsiveness. Moreover, in the tactile transmission device 1A, the input unit 2 includes a plurality of piezoelectric sensors 11 having different operating frequencies. This allows for more detailed tactile sensation to be presented. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, for example, a large uneven surface is detected by a piezoelectric sensor 11A having a relatively small operating frequency (signal SA), and a fine unevenness in the uneven surface is detected by a piezoelectric sensor 11B having a relatively large operating frequency (signal SB). Therefore, by superimposing the signals SA and SB and outputting vibrations from the output unit 4, it is possible to present a tactile sensation in response to the fine unevenness in the uneven surface.

[0044] 8, the input unit 2 is configured by two piezoelectric sensors 11A and 11B, but the input unit 2 may be configured by three or more piezoelectric sensors 11. The output unit 4 may be configured by a plurality of vibrators 21. In this case, the signals S of the plurality of piezoelectric sensors 11 may be output in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of vibrators 21, or the signals S of the plurality of piezoelectric sensors 11 may be arbitrarily superimposed according to the purpose, and the superimposed signal may be output from an arbitrary vibrator 21.

[0045] [Third embodiment] Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a tactile transmission device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 10, the tactile transmission device 1B according to the third embodiment differs from the tactile transmission device 1 according to the first embodiment in the method of transmitting a signal S from an input unit 2 to an output unit 4.

[0046] Specifically, the tactile transmission device 1B further includes a conversion unit 31 that converts the signal S from the input unit 2 into an audio signal Sd, and a restoration unit 32 that receives the audio signal Sd from the conversion unit 31 via the network N, restores the audio signal S to the signal S before conversion, and outputs the restored signal to the relay unit 3. There are no particular limitations on the audio signal Sd as long as it can be transmitted and received via the network N, but for example, a digital audio signal compressed using an audio file format such as MP3 can be used.

[0047] The conversion unit 31 and the restoration unit 32 are physically computer systems configured to include memories such as RAM and ROM, a processor such as a CPU, a communication interface, a storage unit such as a hard disk, a display, etc. Examples of the configuration of the conversion unit 31 and the restoration unit 32 include a personal computer, a cloud server, and a smart device (smartphone, tablet terminal).

[0048] In this tactile transmission device 1B, as in the first embodiment, the tactile sensation can be transmitted to a remote location with high responsiveness. In addition, in this embodiment, by providing the above-mentioned conversion unit 31 and restoration unit 32, the tactile sensation detected by the input unit 2 can be presented at the output unit 4 located at a further remote location via the network N. This further improves convenience. The configuration of the second embodiment may be further combined with the tactile transmission device 1B. That is, in the tactile transmission device 1B, the input unit 2 may be configured to include a plurality of piezoelectric sensors 11 having different operating frequencies. With this configuration, it is possible to present a more detailed tactile sensation detected by each of the plurality of piezoelectric sensors 11 at the output unit 4 located at a further remote location.

[0049] The gist of the present disclosure is as follows: [1] to [6] [1] A tactile transmission device comprising: an input unit that generates a voltage according to the pressure of contact and generates a signal based on the generated voltage; a relay unit that relays the signal from the input unit and adjusts the value of the signal; and an output unit that outputs vibrations based on the signal relayed by the relay unit, wherein the input unit is constituted by a piezoelectric sensor including a piezoelectric element, and the output unit is constituted by a vibrator that includes a piezoelectric element and vibrates based on the signal. [2] The tactile transmission device according to [1], wherein the relay unit amplifies the value of the signal and outputs it to the output unit. [3] The tactile transmission device according to [1] or [2], wherein the operating frequency of the piezoelectric sensor is higher than the operating frequency of the vibrator. [4] The tactile transmission device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the input section has a plurality of piezoelectric sensors having different operating frequencies. [5] A tactile transmission device as described in any of claims [1] to [4], further comprising a conversion unit that converts the signal from the input unit into an audio signal, and a restoration unit that receives the audio signal from the conversion unit via a network, restores the audio signal to the signal before conversion, and outputs the restored signal to the relay unit. [6] A tactile transmission method comprising: an input step in which an input unit constituted by a piezoelectric sensor including a piezoelectric element generates a voltage corresponding to the pressure caused by contact and generates a signal based on the generated voltage; a relay step in a relay unit relaying the signal from the input unit and adjusting the value of the signal; and an output step in which an output unit constituted by a vibrator including a piezoelectric element outputs a vibration based on the signal relayed by the relay unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1, 1A, 1B...tactile transmission device, 2...input section, 3...relay section, 4...output section, 11, 11A, 11B...piezoelectric sensor, 13...piezoelectric element, 21...vibrator, 23...piezoelectric element, 31...conversion section, 32...restoration section, S...signal, Sd...audio signal, N...network.

Claims

1. an input unit that generates a voltage according to a pressing force caused by contact and generates a signal based on the generated voltage; a relay unit that relays the signal from the input unit and adjusts the value of the signal; an output unit that outputs a vibration based on the signal relayed by the relay unit, the input unit is configured by a piezoelectric sensor including a piezoelectric element, The output section is configured as a vibrator that includes a piezoelectric element and vibrates based on the signal.

2. The tactile transmission device according to claim 1 , wherein the relay section amplifies the value of the signal and outputs the amplified signal to the output section.

3. The tactile transmission device according to claim 1 , wherein an operating frequency of the piezoelectric sensor is higher than an operating frequency of the vibrator.

4. The tactile transmission device according to claim 1 , wherein the input section includes a plurality of piezoelectric sensors each having a different operating frequency.

5. A conversion unit that converts the signal from the input unit into an audio signal; A tactile transmission device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a restoration unit that receives the audio signal from the conversion unit via a network, restores the audio signal to a signal before conversion, and outputs the signal to the relay unit.

6. an input step of generating a voltage according to a pressing force caused by contact in an input unit constituted by a piezoelectric sensor including a piezoelectric element, and generating a signal based on the generated voltage; a relay step of relaying the signal from the input unit and adjusting a value of the signal in a relay unit; An output step of outputting a vibration based on the signal relayed by a relay section in an output section constituted by a vibrator including a piezoelectric element.

Images