Auditory-tactile presentation apparatus and auditory-tactile presentation method

Abstract

To provide an auditory-tactile presentation apparatus and an auditory-tactile presentation method capable of presenting an auditory-tactile sensation with reality.SOLUTION: An auditory-tactile presentation apparatus 1 comprises a reception unit 21 that receives an input of a drive signal S, and an output unit 2 for performing output based on the drive signal S. The output unit 2 is composed of a vibrator 11 including a piezoelectric element 13. The vibrator 11 outputs signal components of the drive signal S that are higher than a predetermined frequency as sound, and outputs the signal components of the drive signal S that are equal to or lower than the predetermined frequency as vibration.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an auditory-tactile presentation device and an auditory-tactile presentation 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 the conventional devices described above, the tactile sensation is presented by vibration at the part that is actually touched by a finger, etc. However, the sense of various real events is composed of not only the sense of touch but also the sense of hearing, so there is a demand for technology that can present a realistic sense of hearing and touch.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an auditory-tactile presentation device and an auditory-tactile presentation method that can present a realistic auditory-tactile sensation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An audio-tactile presentation device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a receiving unit that receives input of a drive signal and an output unit that produces output based on the drive signal, the output unit being constituted by a vibrator including a piezoelectric element, and the vibrator outputs signal components of the drive signal that are higher than a predetermined frequency as sound and outputs signal components below the predetermined frequency as vibration.

[0007] In this audio-tactile presentation device, the output section is composed of a vibrator including a piezoelectric element. Due to its characteristics, a piezoelectric element can output signal components higher than a predetermined frequency as sound and vibration, and can output signal components below the predetermined frequency as vibration, but it is difficult to output them as sound. In this audio-tactile presentation device, the characteristics of the piezoelectric element are utilized to output signal components of the drive signal that are higher than a predetermined frequency as sound, and output signal components below the predetermined frequency as vibration. This makes it possible to present a realistic audio-tactile sensation that combines the sense of hearing due to sound and the sense of touch due to vibration.

[0008] The predetermined frequency may be 200 Hz. In a piezoelectric element, the frequency range in which sound can be output is typically a range greater than 200 Hz. Therefore, by setting the predetermined frequency at the boundary between the output as sound and the output as vibration at 200 Hz, the hearing sense due to sound and the tactile sense due to vibration can be more appropriately combined.

[0009] The drive signal may be a digital signal, which can improve the convenience of storing the drive signal and inputting it to the reception unit.

[0010] The drive signal may be a signal obtained by superimposing an audio signal and a vibration signal set for a period during which the amplitude of the audio signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. By using such a superimposed signal as the drive signal, it is possible to present a more realistic auditory and tactile sensation at the output unit.

[0011] The vibration signal may be a sine wave, which can prevent audio output from being mixed with vibration output in a region equal to or lower than a predetermined frequency.

[0012] The vibration signal may have multiple frequency components, in which case more realistic tactile and auditory sensations can be presented by varying the intensity of the vibration.

[0013] The audio-tactile presentation device may further include an amplifier section that amplifies the drive signal and outputs the amplified signal to the output section, thereby enabling the output section to present a clearer audio-tactile sensation.

[0014] The audio-tactile presentation device may be configured with a transducer including a piezoelectric element, and may include a signal generating unit that generates a signal based on a generated voltage corresponding to a pressure applied to the piezoelectric element as a drive signal. In this case, the audio-tactile sensation generated by the signal generating unit can be transmitted to a remote location.

[0015] The audio-tactile presentation device may include a conversion unit that converts a signal from the signal generation unit into a digital signal and transmits it to the reception unit via a network, and a restoration unit that restores the digital signal received by the reception unit via the network to the signal before conversion. In this case, the audio-tactile sensation generated by the signal generation unit can be further transmitted to a remote location via the network.

[0016] An auditory-tactile presentation method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a receiving step of receiving an input of a drive signal in a receiving unit, and an output step of producing an output based on the drive signal in an output unit constituted by a vibrator including a piezoelectric element, wherein in the output step, signal components of the drive signal higher than a predetermined frequency are output as sound, and signal components below the predetermined frequency are output as vibration.

[0017] In this auditory-tactile presentation method, the output section is made up of a vibrator including a piezoelectric element. Due to its characteristics, a piezoelectric element can output signal components higher than a predetermined frequency as sound and vibration, and can output signal components below the predetermined frequency as vibration, but it is difficult to output them as sound. In this auditory-tactile presentation method, the characteristics of the piezoelectric element are utilized to output signal components of the drive signal that are higher than a predetermined frequency as sound, and output signal components below the predetermined frequency as vibration. This makes it possible to present a realistic auditory-tactile sensation that combines the sense of hearing due to sound and the sense of touch due to vibration. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present disclosure, a realistic auditory and tactile sensation can be presented. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an auditory-tactile presentation device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of a vibrator. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a drive signal. [Figure 4] 2 is a flowchart showing an auditory-tactile presentation method using the device of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] 11 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an auditory-tactile presentation device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a flowchart showing an auditory-tactile presentation method using the device of FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an auditory presentation device and an auditory-tactile presentation method according to one aspect of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0021] [First embodiment] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an auditory-tactile presentation device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, the auditory-tactile presentation device 1 according to this embodiment includes an output unit 2 and a control unit 3. The auditory-tactile presentation device 1 is a device that presents an auditory-tactile sensation at the output unit 2 based on a drive signal S input to the control unit 3.

[0022] The output section 2 is a section that performs output based on the drive signal S. The output section 2 is configured by a vibrator 11 including a piezoelectric element 13. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of the vibrator. As shown in FIG. 2, the vibrator 11 is configured to include a vibration plate 12, a piezoelectric element 13 arranged on one surface side of the vibration plate 12, and a wiring member 14 electrically connected to the piezoelectric element 13. The vibration plate 12 has, for example, a rectangular shape in a plan view. Examples of materials that can be used for the vibration plate 12 include Ni-Fe alloy, Ni, brass, and stainless steel.

[0023] The piezoelectric element 13 includes, for example, a piezoelectric body 15, an internal electrode (FIG. 4), and a pair of external electrodes 16, 16. The piezoelectric body 15 has, for example, a flattened rectangular parallelepiped shape. The rectangular parallelepiped shape includes a shape in which the corners and ridges are chamfered and a shape in which the corners and ridges are rounded. Note that in the vibrator 11, the diaphragm 12 may be omitted, and the vibrator 11 may be formed only by the piezoelectric element 13.

[0024] The piezoelectric element 15 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 15, the piezoelectric layers are integrated to such an extent that the boundaries between the piezoelectric layers are not recognizable.

[0025] The internal electrodes and external electrodes 16, 16 are formed of a conductive material. Examples of the conductive material include Ag, Pd, and Ag-Pd alloys. The internal electrodes and external electrodes are formed of a sintered body of a conductive paste containing the conductive material described above.

[0026] The wiring member 14 is formed of, for example, a flexible printed circuit board (FPC). The wiring member 14 has a base member 17, a pair of conductors 18, 18, and a cover 19. The base member 17 is formed of an electrically insulating material such as polyimide resin. The conductors 18, 18 are formed of a conductive material such as copper. The conductors 18, 18 are joined to the base member 17 by adhesion or the like while being spaced apart from each other.

[0027] The cover 19, like the base member 17, is made of an electrically insulating material such as polyimide resin. The cover 19 is arranged so as to cover a portion of the conductors 18, and is joined to the base member 17 by adhesion or the like. Ends of the conductors 18 are exposed from the cover 19. The portions of the conductors 18 exposed from the cover 19 may be plated with nickel or gold. The tip end of the wiring member 14 (the conductors 18 at the end on the piezoelectric element 13 side) is electrically connected to each of the external electrodes 16. The base end of the wiring member 14 (the end on the control unit 3 side) is electrically connected to the control unit 3.

[0028] The control unit 3 is a part that controls the operation of the vibrator 11 that constitutes the output unit 2. The control unit 3 is physically configured to include a computer system that includes 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 control unit 3 include a personal computer, a cloud server, and a smart device (smartphone, tablet terminal).

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 3 includes a reception unit 21, a conversion unit 22, and an amplification unit 23 as functional components. The reception unit 21 is a unit that receives an input of a drive signal S. The drive signal S is, for example, a digital signal. An example of a digital signal is a digital audio signal compressed using an audio file format such as MP3. There is no particular limitation on the input form of the drive signal S to the reception unit 21, and any form can be adopted, such as reception from another personal computer, reading from a storage medium, or reception via the Internet. The reception unit 21 outputs the input drive signal S to the conversion unit 22.

[0030] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the driving signal S is a signal in which an audio signal Sa and a vibration signal Sb are superimposed. The audio signal Sa is a signal including frequency components of, for example, about 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, which is the human audible range. The audio signal Sa may be generated by collecting sounds generated from various events, or may be generated by artificially editing the sounds using a personal computer or the like. In the example of Fig. 3, the audio signal Sa is generated by collecting, by a microphone or the like, the sound of a piece of ice being spun in a paper cup.

[0031] The vibration signal Sb is generated based on, for example, the audio signal Sa. The vibration signal Sb is set for a period in which the amplitude of the audio signal Sa exceeds a predetermined threshold. In the example of Fig. 3, the amplitude of the audio signal Sa exceeds a predetermined threshold in periods T1, T2, and T3 that are spaced apart from each other, and the vibration signal Sb is assigned to each of the periods T1, T2, and T3.

[0032] The vibration signal Sb is composed of frequency components below a predetermined frequency in the audible range. The predetermined frequency is set based on the lower limit of the frequency at which the piezoelectric element 13 can output sound, taking into account the output characteristics of the piezoelectric element 13 constituting the vibrator 11. The predetermined frequency is, for example, 200 Hz. The vibration signal Sb is a sine wave and is composed of frequency components below the predetermined frequency of 200 Hz. The vibration signal Sb may have multiple frequency components within a range below the predetermined frequency. The frequency of the vibration signal Sb in each period may be increased in proportion to the maximum value of the amplitude during the period in which the amplitude of the audio signal Sa exceeds a predetermined threshold. In the example of FIG. 3, the vibration signal Sb having a frequency component of 200 Hz is assigned to the periods T1 and T2, and the vibration signal Sb having a frequency component of 100 Hz is assigned to the period T3.

[0033] The conversion unit 22 is a part that converts the drive signal S, which is a digital signal, into an analog signal. When the conversion unit 22 receives the drive signal S, which is a digital signal, from the reception unit 21, the conversion unit 22 converts the drive signal S into an analog signal that represents the amplitude and frequency of the voltage generated in the piezoelectric element 13. The conversion unit 22 outputs the drive signal S after being converted into an analog signal to the amplification unit 23.

[0034] The amplifier 23 is a section that amplifies the value of the drive signal S. The amplifier 23 is configured with a signal amplifier, and amplifies the drive signal S received from the converter 22 by a predetermined magnification and outputs the amplified signal to the output section 2.

[0035] The vibrator 11 operates based on the drive signal S received from the amplifier 23. More specifically, the vibrator 11 outputs signal components of the drive signal S that are higher than a predetermined frequency as sound, and outputs signal components of the predetermined frequency or lower as vibration. In this embodiment, the vibrator 11 outputs signal components of the audio signal Sa shown in Fig. 3 that are higher than 200 Hz as sound, and outputs a vibration signal Sb composed of frequency components of 200 Hz or lower as vibration.

[0036] As described above, the driving signal S in this embodiment is a signal for the sound and vibration when, for example, an ice piece is rotated in a paper cup. In the example of Fig. 1, the vibrator 11 is fixed to the bottom surface Ca of the paper cup C. By outputting sound and vibration from the vibrator 11 based on the driving signal S, the sound and vibration when an ice piece is rotated in the paper cup are reproduced as if they were generated in the paper cup C.

[0037] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an auditory-tactile presentation method using the device of Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 4, this tactile presentation method includes a receiving step S01, a converting step S02, an amplifying step S03, and an outputting step S04.

[0038] The receiving step S01 is a step in which the receiving unit 21 receives an input of the drive signal S. In the receiving step S01, a digital signal in which the audio signal Sa and the vibration signal Sb are superimposed is input to the receiving unit 21 as the drive signal S. The conversion step S02 is a step in which the signal format of the drive signal S is converted. In the conversion step S02, the conversion unit 22 converts the drive signal S, which is a digital signal, into an analog signal and outputs it to the amplification unit 23.

[0039] The amplification step S03 is a step of amplifying the drive signal S. In the amplification step S03, the drive signal S received from the conversion unit 22 is amplified by a predetermined magnification in a signal amplifier and output to the output unit 2. The output step S04 is a step of outputting based on the drive signal S in the output unit 2 constituted by the transducer 11 including the piezoelectric element 13. In the output step S04, signal components of the drive signal S that are higher than a predetermined frequency are output as sound, and signal components that are equal to or lower than the predetermined frequency are output as vibration. As a result, the output unit 2 presents a sense of hearing that combines the sense of hearing due to sound and the sense of touch due to vibration.

[0040] As described above, in the audio-tactile presentation device 1 and the audio-tactile transmission method, the output unit 2 is configured by the vibrator 11 including the piezoelectric element 13. Due to its characteristics, the piezoelectric element 13 can output signal components higher than a predetermined frequency as sound and vibration, and can output signal components lower than the predetermined frequency as vibration, but it is difficult to output them as sound. In the audio-tactile presentation device 1 and the audio-tactile presentation method, the characteristics of the piezoelectric element 13 are utilized to output signal components higher than a predetermined frequency of the drive signal S as sound, and output signal components lower than the predetermined frequency as vibration. This makes it possible to present a realistic audio-tactile sensation that combines the sense of hearing due to sound and the sense of touch due to vibration.

[0041] In this embodiment, the predetermined frequency is 200 Hz. In the piezoelectric element 13, the frequency range in which sound can be output is typically a range greater than 200 Hz. Therefore, by setting the predetermined frequency at the boundary between the output as sound and the output as vibration at 200 Hz, the hearing sense due to sound and the tactile sense due to vibration can be more appropriately combined.

[0042] In this embodiment, the drive signal S is a digital signal. This can improve the convenience of storing the drive signal S and inputting it to the receiving unit 21. Also, in this embodiment, the drive signal S is a signal obtained by superimposing an audio signal Sa and a vibration signal Sb that is set for a period in which the amplitude of the audio signal Sa exceeds a predetermined threshold. By using such a superimposed signal as the drive signal S, it becomes possible for the output unit 2 to present a more realistic auditory and tactile sensation.

[0043] In this embodiment, the vibration signal Sb is a sine wave. By using the vibration signal Sb as a sine wave, it is possible to suppress the output as sound from being mixed with the output as vibration in a region below a predetermined frequency, compared to when the vibration signal Sb is a square wave or a sawtooth wave. In addition, in this embodiment, the vibration signal Sb has a plurality of frequency components. With this configuration, it is possible to present a more realistic auditory and tactile sensation by varying the strength of the vibration.

[0044] In this embodiment, the auditory-tactile sense presentation device 1 includes an amplifier section 23 that amplifies the drive signal S and outputs the amplified signal to the output section 2. This enables the output section 2 to present a clearer auditory-tactile sense.

[0045] [Second embodiment] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an auditory-tactile presentation device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 5, an auditory-tactile presentation device 1A according to the second embodiment is different from the auditory-tactile presentation device 1 according to the first embodiment in that the auditory-tactile presentation device 1A according to the second embodiment is configured to generate a drive signal S and transmit the generated drive signal S to an output section 2 located at a remote position.

[0046] Specifically, the auditory-tactile presentation device 1A includes a signal generating unit 5 and a converting unit 6 in addition to the output unit 2 and the control unit 3. Moreover, the control unit 3 includes a restoring unit 25 instead of the converting unit 22 of the first embodiment.

[0047] The signal generating section 5 is configured by a vibrator 31 including a piezoelectric element 33. In this embodiment, the vibrator 31 has the same configuration as the vibrator 11 configuring the output section 2. That is, the vibrator 31 is configured to include a vibration plate 32, a piezoelectric element 33 arranged on one surface side of the vibration plate 32, and a wiring member 34 electrically connected to the piezoelectric element 33. The configurations of the vibration plate 32, the piezoelectric element 33, and the wiring member 34 are the same as those of the vibration plate 12, the piezoelectric element 13, and the wiring member 14, and therefore will not be described.

[0048] The vibrator 31 generates a signal based on a generated voltage corresponding to the pressure applied to the piezoelectric element 33 as a drive signal S. The drive signal S here is an analog signal that represents the amplitude and frequency of the voltage generated in the piezoelectric element 33. In the example of FIG. 5, the vibrator 31 is fixed to the bottom surface Ca of a paper cup C. When an ice piece is rotated in the paper cup C, a drive signal S based on a generated voltage corresponding to the pressure applied to the piezoelectric element 33 at that time is generated by the signal generating unit 5. The signal generating unit 5 outputs the generated drive signal S to the converting unit 6.

[0049] The conversion unit 6 is a part that converts the signal from the signal generation unit 5 into a digital signal. Physically, like the control unit 3, the conversion unit 6 is a computer system that is configured with 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. The conversion unit 6 converts the analog signal received from the signal generation unit 5 into a digital audio signal compressed using an audio file format such as MP3. The conversion unit 6 transmits the returned digital signal to the control unit 3 via the network N.

[0050] The reception unit 21 receives the digital signal from the conversion unit 6 via the network N and outputs it to the restoration unit 25. The restoration unit 25 restores the digital signal received by the reception unit 21 via the network N to an analog signal before conversion and outputs it to the amplification unit 23. The amplification unit 23 amplifies the received analog signal by a predetermined factor and outputs it to the output unit 2. In the output unit 2, sound and vibration are output from the vibrator 11 based on the drive signal S, and similarly to the first embodiment, the sound and vibration produced when a piece of ice is spun in a paper cup are reproduced as if they were generated in the paper cup C to which the vibrator 11 is fixed.

[0051] Fig. 6 is a flow chart showing an auditory-tactile presentation method using the device of Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 6, this tactile presentation method includes a signal generation step S11, a conversion step S12, a transmission step S13, a reception step S14, a restoration step S15, an amplification step S16, and an output step S17.

[0052] The signal generating step S11 is a step in which a signal based on a generated voltage is generated as a drive signal S in the signal generating unit 5 constituted by the vibrator 31 including the piezoelectric element 33. In the signal generating step S11, a voltage corresponding to an applied pressing force is generated in the piezoelectric element 33 constituting the vibrator 31, and an analog signal based on the generated voltage is generated as the drive signal S.

[0053] In the conversion step S12, the conversion unit 6 converts the signal from the signal generation unit 5 into a digital signal. In the transmission step S13, the converted digital signal is transmitted to the reception unit 21 via the network N. In the reception step S14, the reception unit 21 receives an input of the drive signal S and outputs the input drive signal S to the restoration unit 25.

[0054] The restoration step S15 is a step of restoring the digital signal to the signal before conversion. In the restoration step S15, the restoration unit 25 restores the digital signal received by the reception unit 21 via the network N to an analog signal and outputs it to the amplification unit 23. In the amplification step S16, the amplification unit 23 amplifies the drive signal S received from the restoration unit 25 by a predetermined magnification using a signal amplifier and outputs it to the output unit 2. In the output step S17, the output unit 2 configured by the transducer 11 including the piezoelectric element 13 outputs signal components of the drive signal S that are higher than a predetermined frequency as sound, and outputs signal components that are lower than the predetermined frequency as vibration. As a result, the output unit 2 presents a sense of hearing that combines the sense of hearing due to sound and the sense of touch due to vibration.

[0055] The above-described audiotactile presentation device 1A and audiotactile presentation method also have the same effect as the first embodiment, and can present a realistic audiotactile sensation by combining the auditory sensation caused by sound and the tactile sensation caused by vibration. In this embodiment, a signal generating unit 5 is provided that is composed of a vibrator 31 including a piezoelectric element 33, and a signal based on a generated voltage corresponding to a pressing force applied to the piezoelectric element 33 is generated as a drive signal S. This allows the audiotactile sensation generated by the signal generating unit 5 to be transmitted to a remote location.

[0056] In addition, in this embodiment, there are provided a conversion unit 6 that converts the signal from the signal generation unit 5 into a digital signal and transmits it to the reception unit via the network N, and a restoration unit 25 that restores the digital signal received by the reception unit 21 via the network N to the signal before conversion and outputs it to the output unit 2. With this configuration, the tactile and auditory sense generated by the signal generation unit 5 can be further transmitted to a remote location via the network N.

[0057] The gist of the present disclosure is as follows: [1] to

[10] [1] An auditory-tactile presentation device comprising: a receiving unit that receives input of a drive signal; and an output unit that performs output based on the drive signal, wherein the output unit is configured with a vibrator including a piezoelectric element, and the vibrator outputs signal components of the drive signal that are higher than a predetermined frequency as sound, and outputs signal components that are equal to or lower than the predetermined frequency as vibration. [2] The tactile presentation device according to [1], wherein the specified frequency is 200 Hz. [3] The auditory and tactile presentation device according to [1] or [2], wherein the drive signal is a digital signal. [4] An auditory-tactile presentation device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the drive signal is a signal obtained by superimposing an audio signal and a vibration signal that is set for a period during which the amplitude of the audio signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. [5] The auditory-tactile presentation device described in [4], wherein the vibration signal is a sine wave. [6] An auditory-tactile presentation device according to [4] or [5], wherein the vibration signal has multiple frequency components. [7] The auditory-tactile presentation device according to any one of [1] to [6], further comprising an amplifier section that amplifies the drive signal and outputs the signal to the output section. [8] An auditory-tactile presentation device described in any of [1] to [7], comprising a vibrator including a piezoelectric element, and comprising a signal generating unit that generates as the drive signal a signal based on a generated voltage corresponding to a pressure applied to the piezoelectric element. [9] An auditory-tactile presentation device as described in [8], comprising a conversion unit that converts the signal from the signal generation unit into a digital signal and transmits it to the reception unit via a network, and a restoration unit that restores the digital signal received by the reception unit via the network to the signal before conversion.

[10] A method for presenting an auditory and tactile sensation, comprising: a receiving step of receiving an input of a drive signal in a receiving unit; and an output step of performing an output based on the drive signal in an output unit constituted by a vibrator including a piezoelectric element, wherein in the output step, signal components of the drive signal that are higher than a predetermined frequency are output as sound, and signal components that are equal to or lower than the predetermined frequency are output as vibration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1, 1A...Auditory-tactile presentation device, 2...output section, 5...signal generation section, 6...conversion section, 11...vibrator, 13...piezoelectric element, 23...amplification section, 25...restoration section, 31...vibrator, 33...piezoelectric element, S...driving signal, Sa...audio signal, Sb...vibration signal, N...network.

Claims

1. A reception unit that receives an input of a drive signal; an output unit that outputs based on the drive signal, the output section is configured by a vibrator including a piezoelectric element, The vibrator outputs signal components of the drive signal that are higher than a predetermined frequency as sound, and outputs signal components that are equal to or lower than the predetermined frequency as vibration.

2. 2. The auditory and tactile presentation device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined frequency is 200 Hz.

3. The auditory and tactile presentation device according to claim 1 , wherein the drive signal is a digital signal.

4. 2. The auditory-tactile presentation device according to claim 1, wherein the drive signal is a signal obtained by superimposing an audio signal and a vibration signal that is set for a period during which the amplitude of the audio signal exceeds a predetermined threshold.

5. The auditory and tactile presentation device according to claim 4 , wherein the vibration signal is a sine wave.

6. The auditory and tactile presentation device according to claim 4 , wherein the vibration signal has a plurality of frequency components.

7. The auditory and tactile presentation device according to claim 1 , further comprising an amplifier section that amplifies the drive signal and outputs the amplified signal to the output section.

8. An auditory-tactile presentation device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a vibrator including a piezoelectric element, and a signal generating unit that generates as the drive signal a signal based on a generated voltage corresponding to a pressure applied to the piezoelectric element.

9. a conversion unit that converts the signal from the signal generation unit into a digital signal and transmits the digital signal to the reception unit via a network; 9. The auditory and tactile presentation device according to claim 8, further comprising: a restoration unit that restores the digital signal received by the reception unit via the network to a signal before conversion.

10. a receiving step of receiving an input of a drive signal in a receiving unit; an output step of performing an output based on the drive signal in an output section configured by a transducer including a piezoelectric element, In the output step, signal components of the drive signal that are higher than a predetermined frequency are output as sound, and signal components of the drive signal that are equal to or lower than the predetermined frequency are output as vibration.

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