Command input device and command input method

Abstract

To provide a command input device that enables non-contact command input.SOLUTION: An atmospheric pressure sensor 4b is provided in a housing. An operation content determination unit 43 determines the content of operation on the basis of the change in atmospheric pressure detected in the atmospheric pressure sensor 4b. When the atmospheric pressure sensor 4b detects instantaneous change in pressure of the air around the housing made by a predetermined method in which the housing is not touched, the operation content determination unit 43 is configured to determine the content of operation on the basis of the detected content.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a command input device and a command input method. [Background technology]

[0002] With the development of wearable computing, ear-mounted devices called earable devices are attracting attention. These earable devices can be used for listening to music, which is a traditional purpose of earphones, as well as for using voice assistants by linking with smartphones, and can recognize the user's biometric information and behavior using various sensors installed.

[0003] However, many of these earlable devices are designed to be used in conjunction with a smartphone, and when operating the earlable device, the user must focus on the smartphone screen and operate it with their hands.

[0004] There are also known earable devices that are equipped with sensors and allow commands to be given by touching the earable device directly with a human hand. For example, there is the earable device described in Non-Patent Document 1, which uses a pressure sensor, or the earable device described in Non-Patent Document 2, which uses a capacitance sensor. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] "AirPodsPro", [online], Apple Inc., [searched July 25, 2023], Internet (https: / / www.apple.com / jp / airpods-pro / ) [Non-Patent Document 2] "Google Pixel Buds", [online], Google Inc., [searched July 25, 2023], Internet (https: / / store.google.com / jp / category / earbuds?hl=ja) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the technology described in Non-Patent Document 1 uses a pressure sensor, which does not react unless touched by a human hand, which causes a problem of restrictions on the shape design of the earlable device. Also, the technology described in Non-Patent Document 2 uses an electrostatic sensor, which not only has the problem of being activated by unintentional contact, but also the problem of not reacting when wearing gloves.

[0007] Furthermore, both of the technologies described in Non-Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 2 above require a person to touch the earable device directly with their hands, which can cause the device to slip out of place when worn on the ear or cause ear pain.

[0008] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a command input device and a command input method that allow for contactless command input. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The above object of the present invention can be achieved by the following means. Note that the parentheses indicate reference symbols of the embodiments described below, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0010] The command input device according to claim 1 comprises an air pressure sensor (4b) provided in a housing (for example, the housing 2 shown in FIG. 1); and a determination means (for example, an operation content determination unit 43 shown in FIG. 3) that determines an operation content based on a change in atmospheric pressure detected by the atmospheric pressure sensor (4b), When the air pressure sensor detects an instantaneous change in the air pressure around the housing by a predetermined method that does not involve touching the housing, the decision means decides the operation content based on the detected content.

[0011] The command input device according to claim 2 is characterized in that in the command input device according to claim 1, the determination means (e.g., operation content determination unit 43 shown in FIG. 3) determines the operation content based on a preset threshold value and period.

[0012] The command input device of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the command input device of claim 1 or 2, the specified method is a method of moving a hand (e.g., hand Hb shown in FIG. 4) of a person (e.g., user H shown in FIG. 4) closer to or farther away from the housing (e.g., housing 2 shown in FIG. 4).

[0013] The command input device according to claim 4 is the command input device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an acceleration sensor provided in the case (for example, the housing 2 shown in FIG. 4 ); The acceleration sensor detects vibration of the housing.

[0014] A command input method according to claim 5 includes a step (step S1) of detecting an instantaneous change in air pressure around a case (e.g., the housing 2 shown in FIG. 4) by a predetermined method that does not involve touching the case, the change being detected by an air pressure sensor (4b) provided on the case; When the air pressure sensor detects the air pressure, a predetermined device (for example, command input content detection device 4 shown in FIG. 2) determines the operation content based on the detected content (step S2). Effect of the Invention

[0015] Next, the effects of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the reference symbols in the parentheses are those of the embodiments described below, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0016] According to the inventions of claims 1 and 5, when the air pressure sensor (4b) detects an instantaneous change in the air pressure around the case (for example, the housing 2 shown in FIG. 1) by a predetermined method that does not touch the case, the operation content is determined based on the detected content. This enables command input without contact.

[0017] According to the invention of claim 2, noise and the like can be ignored, and the operation content can be determined accurately.

[0018] According to the invention as defined in claim 3, there is no need to take the trouble of preparing any machines or the like, and operation can be performed simply and easily.

[0019] According to the invention of claim 4, since it is possible to detect a command input by contact, it is possible to combine a command input by contact with a command input by non-contact, thereby increasing the variation of command input. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic overall view showing a state in which a command input device according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a mobile terminal; [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram of a command input content detection device according to the embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a functional configuration diagram of a command input content detection device according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the command input device according to the embodiment is worn on an ear and operated with a hand. FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing the process of the command input device according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6](a) shows the waveform of the change in air pressure when the hand is immediately removed from the ear, (b) shows the waveform of the change in air pressure when the hand is kept covering the ear, and (c) shows the waveform of the change in air pressure when the hand is removed after a certain period of time has elapsed since covering the ear. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a command input device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, when directions such as up, down, left, and right are indicated, they refer to up, down, left, and right when viewed from the front of the figure.

[0022] <Outline of command input device> The command input device according to this embodiment is capable of inputting commands in a non-contact manner. In this embodiment, a wireless in-ear earphone as shown in FIG. 1 will be described as an example of such a command input device.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 1, the command input device 1 according to this embodiment is a wireless in-ear earphone, and has the same external appearance as a conventional one, and is composed of a housing 2 and an earpiece 3. As shown in Fig. 1, a command input content detection device 4, which is a characteristic feature of this embodiment, is provided inside this housing 2. The command input content detection device 4 will be described in detail below. Note that, as shown in Fig. 1, this command input device 1 is capable of exchanging data with a mobile terminal SP, such as a smartphone, via wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0024] <Explanation of the command input content detection device> 2, the command input content detection device 4 is composed of a CPU 4a that executes and controls each function of the command input content detection device 4, an air pressure sensor 4b that detects the air pressure of the surrounding air outside the housing 2, an input / output unit 4c that can input predetermined data into the command input content detection device 4 or output predetermined data to the outside of the command input content detection device 4, a ROM 4d consisting of a writable flash ROM or the like that stores predetermined programs and the like, and a RAM 4e that functions as a working area, buffer memory, etc. The functions and processing of the command input content detection device 4, which will be described later, are realized by the CPU 4a reading out a program stored in the ROM 4d and executing this program.

[0025] <Explanation of the functional configuration of the command input content detection device> Next, the functional configuration of the command input content detection device 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 3, the functional configuration of the command input content detection device 4 includes a determination unit 40, a storage unit 41, an air pressure data acquisition unit 42, and an operation content determination unit 43. Each component will be described below.

[0026] The determination unit 40 exchanges information between the functional blocks based on the state held by the determination unit 40 or the state held by each functional block.

[0027] The storage unit 41 stores data necessary for processing.

[0028] The air pressure data acquiring unit 42 acquires air pressure data detected by the air pressure sensor 4b shown in Fig. 3. Specifically, when the air pressure of the surrounding air outside the housing 2 shown in Fig. 1 is detected by the air pressure sensor 4b shown in Fig. 3, the air pressure data acquiring unit 42 acquires data having a waveform as shown in Fig. 6 as air pressure data.

[0029] The operation content determination unit 43 determines the operation content based on the atmospheric pressure data acquired by the atmospheric pressure data acquisition unit 42. This point will be described below using a specific example.

[0030] As a specific example, as shown in Fig. 4, a state in which a user H inserts an earpiece 3 into an ear canal Ha and wears a command input device 1 on his / her ear is taken as a specific example. In this case, as shown in Fig. 4, the user H moves his / her hand Hb from the position shown by the dashed line in the direction of the arrow Y1 instantaneously (less than one second) and covers his / her ear with the hand Hb as shown by the solid line without touching the command input device 1. As a result, the air in the hand Hb moves toward the command input device 1 faster than it can escape from the hand Hb, so that the air pressure of the surrounding air outside the housing 2 shown in Fig. 4 rises for an instant (for example, up to about 100 Pascals). Note that the air pressure of the surrounding air outside the housing 2 shown in Fig. 4 rises for an instant and then returns to normal.

[0031] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 4, if you cover your ears with your hands Hb as shown by solid lines without touching the command input device 1, and then move your hand Hb in the direction of arrow Y2 instantaneously (less than one second) to the location shown by dashed lines, in other words, if you release your hand Hb, the air in your hand Hb will instantly leave the command input device 1, creating a vacuum for an instant, which causes the air pressure of the surrounding air outside the housing 2 shown in Fig. 4 to drop for an instant (for example, by up to about -40 Pascals). Note that the air pressure of the surrounding air outside the housing 2 shown in Fig. 4 only drops for an instant and then returns to normal.

[0032] Thus, such a change in atmospheric pressure is detected by the atmospheric pressure sensor 4b shown in Fig. 3 and acquired by the atmospheric pressure data acquisition unit 42, as shown in Fig. 6. That is, the waveform shown in Fig. 6(a) shows a state in which, as shown by the solid line in Fig. 4, the hand Hb is moved to the position shown by the dashed line in Fig. 4 immediately after covering the ears with the hand Hb, that is, the hand Hb is released. The waveform shown in Fig. 6(b) shows a state in which the hand Hb is kept covering the ears, as shown by the solid line in Fig. 4. Furthermore, the waveform shown in Fig. 6(c) shows a state in which, as shown by the solid line in Fig. 4, the hand Hb is moved to the position shown by the dashed line in Fig. 4 after a certain period of time has elapsed after covering the ears with the hand Hb, that is, the hand Hb is released.

[0033] Therefore, when such a waveform is detected by the air pressure sensor 4b shown in Fig. 3 and acquired by the air pressure data acquisition unit 42, the operation content determination unit 43 determines what operation has been performed with the hand Hb from this waveform. Specifically, the operation content determination unit 43 first detects whether or not there is a section in the air pressure data acquired by the air pressure data acquisition unit 42 that continuously satisfies a period exceeding a preset threshold value Pth [Pa]. Next, if the length of the detected section is equal to or less than a predetermined value (Tth [s]), the operation content determination unit 43 determines that the air pressure of the surrounding air outside the housing 2 shown in Fig. 4 has risen for an instant, and determines that the operation is an operation of covering the ears with the hand Hb, as shown by the solid line in Fig. 4.

[0034] On the other hand, the operation content determination unit 43 also detects whether or not there is a section in which the atmospheric pressure data acquired by the atmospheric pressure data acquisition unit 42 continuously falls below a preset threshold value Pth [Pa]. Next, if the length of the detected section is equal to or less than a predetermined value (Tth [s]), the operation content determination unit 43 determines that the atmospheric pressure of the surrounding air outside the housing 2 shown in Fig. 4 momentarily drops, and determines that the operation is to move the hand Hb from a state in which the ear is covered with the hand Hb shown by the solid line in Fig. 4 to the position shown by the dashed line in Fig. 4.

[0035] If none of the above-described conditions are met, the operation content determination unit 43 determines that even if the waveform has changed, the change is noise or the like, and determines that no operation has been performed with the hand Hb shown in FIG. 4.

[0036] In this manner, the operation content determination unit 43 determines what operation has been performed with the hand Hb based on the atmospheric pressure data acquired by the atmospheric pressure data acquisition unit 42. As a result, for example, in the case of an operation as shown in FIG. 6(a), the volume is increased. In the case of an operation as shown in FIG. 6(b), the sound is stopped. In the case of an operation as shown in FIG. 6(c), the music is changed to the next music. If the command content to be transmitted to the portable terminal SP shown in FIG. 1 is determined in advance according to the waveform content, the operation content determination unit 43 determines what operation has been performed with the hand Hb and transmits a command according to the determined content to the portable terminal SP shown in FIG. 1. In response to this, the portable terminal SP adjusts the sound according to the transmitted command and transmits the adjusted sound to the command input device 1.

[0037] This makes it possible to input commands without contact.

[0038] <Explanation of an example of using a command input device> Next, a usage example of the command input device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0039] First, as shown in Fig. 4, the user H inserts the earpiece 3 into the ear canal Ha and wears the command input device 1 on his / her ear. At this time, the command input device 1 and the mobile terminal SP shown in Fig. 1 are connected by wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), and sound data transmitted from the mobile terminal SP is received by the determination unit 40 shown in Fig. 3 and transmitted into the ear canal Ha of the user H via the input / output unit 4c shown in Fig. 2. This allows the user H to hear a specific sound.

[0040] When the user H moves his / her hand Hb as shown in Fig. 4 to adjust the sound, the air pressure sensor 4b shown in Fig. 3 detects a change in the air pressure of the surrounding air outside the housing 2 shown in Fig. 4. The air pressure data detected by the air pressure sensor 4b is received by the determination unit 40 shown in Fig. 3, which outputs the received air pressure data to the air pressure data acquisition unit 42. In response to this, the air pressure data acquisition unit 42 acquires data consisting of a waveform as shown in Fig. 6 as air pressure data (step S1).

[0041] Next, the determination unit 40 receives the atmospheric pressure data acquired by the atmospheric pressure data acquisition unit 42 shown in Fig. 3 from the atmospheric pressure data acquisition unit 42, and outputs it to the operation content determination unit 43 shown in Fig. 3. In response to this, the operation content determination unit 43 determines what operation has been performed with the hand Hb shown in Fig. 4 based on the atmospheric pressure data acquired by the atmospheric pressure data acquisition unit 42, as described above (step S2).

[0042] Next, the determination unit 40 checks whether the operation content determination unit 43 shown in Fig. 3 has determined that some operation has been performed with the hand Hb shown in Fig. 4 (step S3). If the operation content determination unit 43 has determined that no operation has been performed with the hand Hb shown in Fig. 4 (step S3: No), the determination unit 40 performs processing to return to step S1.

[0043] On the other hand, if the operation content determination unit 43 has determined that some operation has been performed with the hand Hb shown in Fig. 4 (step S3: Yes), the determination unit 40 prompts the operation content determination unit 43 to perform the process of step S4. In response to this, the operation content determination unit 43 generates a command according to the determined operation content of the hand Hb and outputs it to the determination unit 40. As a result, the determination unit 40 transmits the command to the mobile terminal SP shown in Fig. 1 via the input / output unit 4c shown in Fig. 2 (step S4). In response to this, the mobile terminal SP adjusts the sound according to the transmitted command and transmits the adjusted sound to the command input device 1.

[0044] Therefore, according to the present embodiment described above, it is possible to input commands in a non-contact manner.

[0045] In this embodiment, the operation content determination unit 43 detects whether there is a section that continuously satisfies a period exceeding a preset threshold Pth [Pa], and if the length of the detected section is equal to or less than a predetermined value (Tth [s]), it determines that the operation is an operation of covering the ear with the hand Hb, and further detects whether there is a section that continuously satisfies a period below the preset threshold Pth [Pa], and if the length of the detected section is equal to or less than a predetermined value (Tth [s]), it determines that the operation is an operation of moving the hand Hb from a state in which the hand Hb covers the ear. Therefore, in this way, noise and the like can be ignored and the operation content can be accurately determined.

[0046] <Description of Modifications> The shapes and the like shown in this embodiment are merely examples, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. For example, in this embodiment, a wireless canal-type earphone is used as an example of the command input device 1, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a wired canal-type earphone, and is applicable not only to canal-type earphones but also to earlable devices in general. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to earlable devices, and can also be applied to non-contact switches and the like. In other words, if the air pressure sensor 4b is provided in a closed space such as the housing 2, or if the air pressure sensor 4b is provided in a space that is partially open, it is possible to detect changes in air pressure outside the space, so the present invention is applicable to anything in which the air pressure sensor 4b is provided in such a space.

[0047] In addition, in this embodiment, an example has been shown in which the operation content is determined based on a preset threshold value and period, but the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, a formal waveform may be stored in advance in the command input content detection device 4, and the waveform may be compared with the atmospheric pressure data detected by the atmospheric pressure sensor 4b. In this way, the operation content can be determined more accurately.

[0048] In addition, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which the hand Hb of the user H is moved closer to or farther away from the command input device 1, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be performed by a machine, or any method may be used as long as it can instantaneously change the air pressure in the surrounding air outside the housing 2. However, it is preferable to perform the operation with the hand Hb of the user H. This is because it is possible to operate the command input device 1 simply and easily without having to take the trouble of preparing a machine or the like.

[0049] In addition, in this embodiment, an example in which only the air pressure sensor 4b is provided has been shown, but an acceleration sensor may also be provided. In this way, the vibration of the command input device 1 can be obtained by the acceleration sensor, so that a command input by contact can be detected. Therefore, a combination of a non-contact command input and a contact command input is possible, so that the variety of command inputs increases.

[0050] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example in which the command input device 1 is worn on one ear has been shown, but it may of course be worn on both ears. In this way, for example, the command input device 1 worn on the right ear adjusts the volume, and the command input device 1 worn on the left ear selects music, etc., so that different operations can be assigned to the command input device 1 worn on the right ear and the command input device 1 worn on the left ear, thereby increasing the variety of command inputs.

[0051] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example has been shown in which the command processed by the command input content detection device 4 is sent to the portable terminal SP, but the present invention is not limited to this. The air pressure sensor 4b may be provided inside the housing 2, and other processing may be performed by the portable terminal SP. In addition, a part of the processing may be performed by the portable terminal SP.

[0052] Further, in this embodiment, a mobile terminal SP such as a smartphone is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to any device equipped with a speaker, such as a tablet, a car, or a television.

[0053] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example has been shown in which data is exchanged between the command input device 1 and the portable terminal SP, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the command input device 1 and the portable terminal SP may be integrated. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1. Command input device 2 Housing 43 Operation content determination section (determination means) H User (person) Hb hand

Claims

1. An air pressure sensor provided in the housing; a determination means for determining an operation content based on a change in atmospheric pressure detected by the atmospheric pressure sensor, When the air pressure sensor detects an instantaneous change in the air pressure around the housing by a predetermined method that does not involve touching the housing, the decision means decides the operation content based on the detected content.

2. 2. The command input device according to claim 1, wherein the determining means determines the operation content according to a preset threshold and period.

3. The command input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined method is a method of moving a person's hand closer to or farther from the housing.

4. An acceleration sensor is further provided within the housing; 3. The command input device according to claim 1, wherein the acceleration sensor detects vibration of the casing.

5. a step of detecting an instantaneous change in air pressure around the housing by a predetermined method that does not touch the housing, using an air pressure sensor provided on the housing; and when the pressure sensor detects the pressure, a predetermined device determines an operation content based on the detected pressure.

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