Vibration device and control method

Abstract

To provide a vibration device capable of optimizing the effect of sensory sensitivity improvement for each user.SOLUTION: A vibration device 1 comprises: a housing 20 at least partially surrounding a region that allows a body part of a user to be inserted; and a vibration unit 14 attached to the housing 20 to apply vibration from a surface of the body part to the inside thereof. The vibration unit 14 applies vibration of a frequency based on a parameter related to the thickness of the body part to the inside of the body part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vibration devices and control methods. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known techniques for improving sensory sensitivity by utilizing the stochastic resonance phenomenon. Hereinafter, sensory sensitivity includes tactile sensitivity and somatosensory sensitivity. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for improving braking operation compared to conventional methods by attaching a vibration pad that generates weak vibrations to the upper surface of a brake pedal to improve the tactile sensitivity of the sole of the driver's foot when decelerating the car. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-138764 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is room for improvement in conventional technology. For example, it is difficult to optimize the effect of the sensory sensitivity improvement obtained by the stochastic resonance phenomenon for each user.

[0005] In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to optimize the effect of improving sensory sensitivity for each user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a vibration device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: A housing that encloses at least a portion of an area through which a body part of a user can be inserted; A vibration unit attached to the housing and configured to apply vibrations from a surface of the body part to an inside of the body part; Equipped with The vibration unit applies the vibration to the inside of the body part at a frequency based on a parameter related to the thickness of the body part.

[0007] Alternatively, a control method according to a second aspect includes: A control method executed by a vibration device, comprising: The method includes applying vibrations of a frequency based on a parameter related to a thickness of the user's body part from a surface of the body part to an interior of the body part. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the vibration device and control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to optimize the effect of improving sensory sensitivity for each user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a vibration device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram illustrating a portion of the configuration of the vibration device of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the vibration device of FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 4 is a graph for explaining an example of the operation of the vibration device of FIG. 3. [Figure 6] 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 of a vibration device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a graph for explaining an example of the operation of the vibration device of FIG. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Conventionally, a stochastic resonance phenomenon has been known in which, in a nonlinear system such as a bistable system or a threshold system, adding a weak noise below a threshold to a signal increases the probability that the signal will exceed the threshold and become stronger, thereby improving the ability to detect weak signals. As an example, it is known that adding a weak vibration that is not felt by the user improves the tactile sensitivity of body parts including fingers, hands, and feet.

[0011] For example, tactile sensitivity can be examined based on the two-point discrimination threshold, the minimum distance at which mechanical stimuli can be distinguished as being from separate stimuli when applied to two points on the skin. It is known that applying a weak vibration that the user cannot feel makes the two-point discrimination threshold smaller, i.e., makes the sense of touch more sensitive. This effect can also be obtained by placing a vibrator that generates a weak vibration on a tool that the user holds.

[0012] According to the method described in Patent Document 1, the driver's tactile sensitivity is improved by weak vibrations. This is a fact known as the stochastic resonance phenomenon. When the stochastic resonance phenomenon is applied to fingertips, it is necessary to efficiently transmit the weak vibrations that excite the stochastic resonance phenomenon to the sensory organs of the fingertips. In past reports, vibrators were attached to locations such as the side of the fingertip, the tip of the nail, near the fingertip, and the base of the finger.

[0013] According to the method described in Patent Document 1, the weak vibration used to improve the driver's tactile sensitivity is a single-frequency vibration in the range of 10 to 50 Hz. On the other hand, white noise of 0 to 300 Hz or 0 to 500 Hz may be used as a vibration to excite the stochastic resonance phenomenon. This is mainly due to the sensitivity range of three receptors involved in tactile sensation. For example, Merkel cells are said to have a sensitivity range of 0.4 to 100 Hz. Meissner's corpuscles are said to have a sensitivity range of 10 to 200 Hz. Pacinian corpuscles are said to have a sensitivity range of 70 to 1000 Hz. The above white noise is adopted with the aim of comprehensively expressing the effect of improving sensory sensitivity to all receptors.

[0014] Conventional technologies, including the technology described in Patent Document 1, have not given sufficient consideration to optimizing the effect of improved sensory sensitivity obtained by the stochastic resonance phenomenon for each user, for example by optimizing the frequency of weak vibrations.

[0015] The present disclosure relates to improving sensory sensitivity by utilizing the stochastic resonance phenomenon, and is for effectively improving sensory sensitivity by using stochastic resonance while maintaining the user's original sensory sensitivity. The present disclosure aims to optimize the effect of improving sensory sensitivity for each user. For example, the present disclosure aims to make the effect of improving sensory sensitivity by stochastic resonance more noticeable for each user. For example, the present disclosure aims to make it possible to accommodate variations in the conditions for manifesting the effect due to individual differences in sensory sensitivity.

[0016] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be mainly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vibration device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. An example of the configuration and functions of the vibration device 1 according to the first embodiment will be mainly described with reference to Fig. 1.

[0018] The vibration device 1 has a ring-shaped housing 20 which constitutes the entire external shape and surrounds a body part of the user. The housing 20 has a structure which surrounds at least a part of an area through which a finger, which is an example of a body part of the user, can be inserted. When the vibration device 1 is attached to the body part of the user via the housing 20, the vibration device 1 applies vibration, i.e., stimulation, to the body part of the user by a vibration unit 14 which will be described later.

[0019] In the present disclosure, the "body part" includes any one of the fingers, wrist, toes, and ankle. The fingers include the index finger and thumb of the hand. Without being limited thereto, the body part may include the palm, the back of the hand, the arm, the sole, and other parts of the foot. In the first embodiment, as an example, the body part includes the fingers. The "vibration" includes a weak vibration that does not exceed the threshold of the user's senses. The level that does not exceed the threshold of the user's senses means, for example, a level that the user cannot perceive. The weak vibration may have a frequency characteristic such that the frequency fluctuates within a predetermined fluctuation range around a predetermined center frequency.

[0020] In the present disclosure, the "predetermined center frequency" is, for example, within the range of 100 Hz to 500 Hz. The "predetermined fluctuation range" may be, for example, 20% or less of the value of the predetermined center frequency, preferably 15% or less, more preferably 10% or less, and further preferably 5% or less.

[0021] In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, as an example, the vibration device 1 is attached to the index finger of the hand. The vibration device 1 is located between a first joint located at the most distal end of the index finger of the hand and a second joint located next to the first joint on the back side of the hand from the first joint. The housing 20 has an annular structure surrounding at least a part of the finger. For example, when the housing 20 is attached to the finger, it surrounds only substantially the entire finger side and finger back between the finger pad and the finger back along the outer periphery of the finger, and exposes a part of the finger pad. The housing 20 does not surround the entire outer periphery of the finger, but exposes a part of the finger pad. As a result, when the user holds and uses a tool, the vibration device 1 does not prevent contact between the tool and the skin of the finger pad, making it easier for the user to operate the tool.

[0022] The housing 20 has an insertion section 21 formed of a space into which a finger is inserted. The housing 20 has a frame section 22 surrounding the insertion section 21. The housing 20 has a first portion 22a located at the apex of the frame section 22. The first portion 22a contacts or is close to the apex of the finger on the back side of the hand located at the back of the finger when the housing 20 is attached to the finger. The housing 20 has a second portion 22b formed at a position different from the first portion 22a in the frame section 22. The second portion 22b is formed at a position shifted from the apex of the frame section 22 to the side side along the contour of the frame section 22. The second portion 22b is located at the finger side when the housing 20 is attached to the finger.

[0023] The vibration device 1 is configured by attaching a vibration unit 14, which will be described later, to a ring-shaped housing 20. For example, the vibration unit 14 of the vibration device 1 is attached to a first portion 22a of the housing 20. When a user wears the vibration device 1 as a ring-shaped device on his / her index finger, a vibrator, which will be described later, included in the vibration unit 14 is arranged in contact with a predetermined portion of the back of the finger where the first portion 22a is located. In the present disclosure, the "predetermined portion" is, for example, a portion on the surface of a body part, and includes a portion on the surface of the skin where vibration is applied to the inside of the body part from the vibrator included in the vibration unit 14.

[0024] The vibrator of vibration unit 14 of vibration device 1 is placed between the first joint and the second joint of the finger of the hand. The vibrator is installed as part of vibration device 1 in ring-shaped housing 20. A user receives vibrations from the vibrator by wearing such ring-shaped vibration device 1. By wearing vibration device 1 between the first joint and the second joint, the user can touch an object with the fingertip without the vibration device 1 and the object interfering with each other.

[0025] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vibration device 1 taken along the line II-II of Fig. 1.

[0026] The first portion 22a is formed flat, unlike other components such as the second portion 22b located on the inner surface side of the housing 20. This allows the user to attach the housing 20 to the finger by aligning the flat first portion 22a with the back of the finger, and allows the user to easily wear the vibration device 1. The flat first portion 22a improves the accuracy of the user's positioning of the first portion 22a relative to the back of the finger. This positioning allows the vibrator included in the vibration device 1 to be positioned in more reliable contact with a predetermined portion of the back of the finger.

[0027] The vibration unit 14 having a vibrator is attached to the first portion 22a of the housing 20. Therefore, when the vibration device 1 is worn on a finger, the vibrator is placed in contact with a predetermined portion directly above the finger, that is, at the apex of the finger on the back side of the hand located at the back of the finger.

[0028] The housing 20 has a third portion 22c located on the opposite side of the second portion 22b with respect to the first portion 22a. On the cross section shown in Fig. 2, a pair of inner side surfaces inclined obliquely from both sides of the first portion 22a of the housing 20 have different angles of inclination with respect to the first portion 22a. For example, a gradient line L1 of the inner side surface of the third portion 22c inclined obliquely from the left side of the first portion 22a and a gradient line L2 of the inner side surface of the second portion 22b inclined obliquely from the right side of the first portion 22a are not line-symmetrical with each other but are asymmetrical.

[0029] The housing 20 further has a fourth portion 22d extending from each of the second portion 22b and the third portion 22c toward the finger pad side when the housing 20 is attached to the finger. The fourth portion 22d extends from an end of the second portion 22b located opposite the first portion 22a toward the inside of the insertion portion 21 while gently bending in an R shape. The fourth portion 22d extends from an end of the third portion 22c located opposite the first portion 22a toward the inside of the insertion portion 21 while gently bending in an R shape. The fourth portion 22d formed on the second portion 22b side and the fourth portion 22d formed on the third portion 22c side have mutually symmetrical shapes and arrangements.

[0030] The second portion 22b and the fourth portion 22d formed on the second portion 22b side have a lower rigidity than the first portion 22a. The third portion 22c and the fourth portion 22d formed on the third portion 22c side have a lower rigidity than the first portion 22a. The entire portion of the housing 20 formed at a position shifted from the first portion 22a to the side along the contour of the frame portion 22 has a lower rigidity than the first portion 22a, thereby realizing a spring structure in the portion. The second portion 22b, the third portion 22c, and the fourth portion 22d have a spring structure, which improves the fit when the housing 20 is fitted on a finger. The user can easily fit the housing 20 on his / her finger. In addition, even if the thickness of the finger differs from user to user, the housing 20 can change the width of the spatial area of ​​the insertion portion 21 according to the change in the thickness of the finger, and the fit can be maintained.

[0031] In addition to the above-mentioned spring structure in the housing 20, the vibration device 1 further has a spring mechanism 30 arranged inside the frame portion 22 of the housing 20. When the user puts the housing 20 on his / her finger and the housing 20 is deformed in the opening direction, the spring mechanism 30 biases the second portion 22b, the third portion 22c, and the fourth portion 22d in the closing direction of the housing 20. The spring mechanism 30 improves the fit when the user puts the housing 20 on his / her finger, similar to the spring structure in the housing 20. The user can more easily fit the housing 20 with the spring mechanism 30 arranged therein on his / her finger. In addition, the housing 20 with the spring mechanism 30 arranged therein can more easily change the width of the spatial area of ​​the insertion portion 21 in accordance with the change in the thickness of the finger, even if the thickness of the finger differs from user to user, and the fit can be more easily maintained.

[0032] The housing 20 has the second portion 22b and the third portion 22c extending from the first portion 22a so as to widen toward the outside of the insertion portion 21, so that the second portion 22b and the third portion 22c become wider toward the finger pad side. On the other hand, the housing 20 has the fourth portion 22d bent toward the inside of the insertion portion 21 so that the fourth portion 22d becomes narrower toward the finger pad side.

[0033] The housing 20 has an inner wall 221 that constitutes the inside of the frame portion 22. The inner wall 221 includes the above-mentioned first portion 22a that contacts or is close to the apex of the cut surface of the finger on the back side of the hand when the user's finger is inserted into the insertion portion 21, and a second portion 22b that is located at a position different from the first portion 22a. In addition to the first portion 22a and the second portion 22b, the inner wall 221 may further include the above-mentioned third portion 22c and fourth portion 22d.

[0034] The vibration device 1 further includes a sensor unit 15 disposed adjacent to the spring mechanism 30. The sensor unit 15 is attached along the housing 20. For example, a pair of sensor units 15 are attached along the inner wall 221 of the housing 20. One of the pair of sensor units 15 is attached to the inner wall 221 while bending along the first portion 22a and the second portion 22b. One of the pair of sensor units 15 is attached to a portion where the first portion 22a and the second portion 22b intersect with each other. The other of the pair of sensor units 15 is attached to the inner wall 221 while bending along the first portion 22a and the third portion 22c. The other of the pair of sensor units 15 is attached to a portion where the first portion 22a and the third portion 22c intersect with each other.

[0035] Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a part of the configuration of the vibration device 1 in Fig. 1. In Fig. 3, the housing 20 and the spring mechanism 30 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are omitted, and only other components of the vibration device 1 are illustrated. With reference to Fig. 3, an example of the configuration and function of the other components of the vibration device 1 according to the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0036] The vibration device 1 includes any device that applies vibration from the surface of a body part of a user to the inside of the body part. For example, the vibration device 1 generates a weak vibration that does not exceed the threshold of the user's senses as a stimulus and transmits it to the user's sensory organs. At this time, the user is in a state where he / she does not perceive the stimulus transmitted to the sensory organs at all or barely perceives it. In addition to the housing 20 and the spring mechanism 30, the vibration device 1 has a communication unit 11, a memory unit 12, a drive unit 13, a vibration unit 14, a sensor unit 15, a power supply unit 16, and a control unit 17. The communication unit 11, the memory unit 12, the drive unit 13, the power supply unit 16, and the control unit 17 are, for example, contained inside the housing 20.

[0037] The communication unit 11 includes a communication module that conforms to a communication standard based on any wireless communication or wired communication. The communication standard includes a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standard, a short-range wireless communication standard, a mobile communication standard such as 4G (4th Generation) and 5G (5th Generation), and an Internet standard. The vibration device 1 is connected to an information communication network or the like via the communication unit 11.

[0038] The storage unit 12 includes a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or any combination thereof. The storage unit 12 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores data used in the operation of the vibration device 1 and data obtained by the operation of the vibration device 1. For example, the storage unit 12 stores system programs, application programs, and various data received or transmitted by the communication unit 11.

[0039] The driving section 13 includes an arbitrary driving circuit for driving the vibration section 14. The driving circuit includes a vibrator driving circuit for driving the vibrator included in the vibration section 14, and the like.

[0040] The vibration unit 14 includes any vibrator that generates weak vibrations. The vibrator includes a piezoelectric element and a linear vibration actuator. The vibrator may be configured using at least one element of one type, or may be configured using a plurality of elements of different types. The vibration unit 14 is attached to the housing 20. When the vibration device 1 is attached to a body part of the user, the vibration unit 14 applies vibration from the surface of the body part to the inside of the body part. For example, the vibration unit 14 generates weak vibrations that do not exceed the threshold of the user's senses as a stimulus based on the control by the control unit 17, and transmits the vibrations to the sensory organs of the user. The vibration unit 14 is located in the first part 22a described above in the housing 20 of the vibration device 1, and applies a stimulus to the user's finger.

[0041] The sensor unit 15 outputs an output value according to the state when the housing 20 is attached to a body part of the user. The sensor unit 15 has a first sensor that changes the output value according to the bending state of the housing 20. In this disclosure, the "output value" includes, for example, a resistance value, a capacitance value, an inductance value, and the like. The "first sensor" includes a sensor such as a polymer thick film (PTF) that can measure the bending state of the housing 20. The first sensor changes the output value according to the bending state. The housing 20 changes its bending state according to the thickness of the user's finger. Accordingly, the bending state of the sensor unit 15 attached along the inner wall 221 of the housing 20 also changes. Therefore, the sensor unit 15 changes its output value according to the thickness of the user's finger.

[0042] The power supply unit 16 includes any power supply that supplies the power necessary to operate the vibration device 1. The power supply includes a primary battery, a secondary battery, and the like.

[0043] The control unit 17 includes a processor, a programmable circuit, a dedicated circuit, or any combination of these. The processor includes a general-purpose processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The programmable circuit includes a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), etc. The dedicated circuit includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. The control unit 17 is communicatively connected to each component of the vibration device 1, and executes processes related to the operation of the vibration device 1 while controlling each component.

[0044] Fig. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the vibration device 1 of Fig. 3. With reference to Fig. 4, an example of a control method executed by the vibration device 1 of Fig. 3 will be mainly described.

[0045] The control unit 17 of the vibration device 1 executes pre-processing before the control processing of applying vibration to a body part of the user using the vibration unit 14 of the vibration device 1. In the flowchart shown in Fig. 4, steps S101 and S102 correspond to the pre-processing. Steps S103 to S106 correspond to the control processing.

[0046] In step S101, the control unit 17 acquires in advance first actual measurement data in which the output value of the sensor unit 15 and a parameter related to the thickness of the user's body part are associated with each other. In the first embodiment, the "parameter" includes, for example, the thickness of the user's body part. For example, the parameter includes the thickness of the user's finger. The control unit 17 stores the acquired first actual measurement data in the storage unit 12. At this time, the control unit 17 may calculate an approximation formula indicating the relationship between the output value in the first actual measurement data and the parameter, and further store the approximation formula in the storage unit 12 as information in association with the first actual measurement data.

[0047] In step S102, the control unit 17 acquires in advance second actual measurement data in which the parameters and the frequency of the vibration applied by the vibration unit 14 are associated with each other. For example, in the second actual measurement data, the frequency at which the stochastic resonance effect is maximized for each user as a subject is associated with the parameters of the user. In the present disclosure, the "stochastic resonance effect" refers to the effect of improving the sensory sensitivity of the user obtained by the stochastic resonance phenomenon. The control unit 17 stores the acquired second actual measurement data in the storage unit 12. At this time, the control unit 17 may calculate an approximation formula indicating the relationship between the parameters and the frequency in the second actual measurement data, and further store the approximation formula in the storage unit 12 as information in association with the second actual measurement data.

[0048] In step S103, the control unit 17 acquires an output value from the sensor unit 15 when the user wears the vibration device 1 on a body part and the housing 20 is in a bent state.

[0049] In step S104, the control unit 17 calculates a corresponding parameter from the output value of the sensor unit 15 when the housing 20 is attached to a body part of the user in step S103, based on the past first actual measurement data acquired in step S101. For example, the control unit 17 calculates the corresponding parameter by substituting the output value of the sensor unit 15 into an approximation formula calculated in advance in step S101 based on the first actual measurement data.

[0050] In step S105, the control unit 17 calculates a corresponding frequency from the parameters calculated in step S104 based on the past second actual measurement data acquired in step S102. For example, the control unit 17 calculates the corresponding frequency by substituting the values ​​of the parameters calculated in step S104 into an approximation formula calculated in advance in step S102 based on the second actual measurement data.

[0051] In step S106, the control unit 17 controls the vibration unit 14 to impart vibrations of the frequency calculated in step S105 to the inside of the user's body part. Under the control of the control unit 17, the vibration unit 14 imparts vibrations of a frequency based on a parameter related to the thickness of the user's body part from the surface of the user's body part to the inside of the body part. For example, the vibration unit 14 may impart vibrations to the user at a frequency at which the stochastic resonance effect is maximized.

[0052] For example, the control unit 17 may continue to execute the control process in steps S103 to S106 while the user is wearing the vibration device 1 on a body part. In general, parameters change according to the movement of the user's body part. For example, the thickness of the user's finger changes according to the movement of the finger, such as stretching and bending. Therefore, the control unit 17 may change the frequency of the vibration applied from the vibration unit 14 in real time, following such changes in parameters. The control unit 17 may change the frequency of the vibration applied from the vibration unit 14 in real time so that the stochastic resonance effect on the user is continuously maximized. Thereby, the vibration unit 14 may change the frequency of the vibration under the control of the control unit 17 according to the change in the parameter accompanying the movement of the body part when the housing 20 is worn on the body part of the user.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a graph diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the vibration device 1 of FIG. 3. The graph diagram of FIG. 5 shows an example of the past second actual measurement data acquired in step S102 of FIG. 3. The vertical axis of the graph diagram of FIG. 5 corresponds to the thickness of the user's finger, which is an example of a parameter. The horizontal axis of the graph diagram of FIG. 5 corresponds to the frequency of vibration by the vibration unit 14 at which the stochastic resonance effect is maximized. The curve graph corresponds to an approximation formula indicating the relationship between the parameter and the frequency in the second actual measurement data, calculated, for example, in step S102 of FIG. 4.

[0054] As shown in Figure 5, the frequency at which the stochastic resonance effect is maximized changes monotonically according to the thickness of the finger. For example, the frequency at which the stochastic resonance effect is maximized is higher as the finger becomes thinner, and is lower as the finger becomes thicker. In the second measured data as shown in Figure 5, although there is variation between individual users, the frequency at which the stochastic resonance effect is maximized tends to be lower as the finger becomes thicker.

[0055] According to the vibration device 1 according to the first embodiment as described above, the effect of improving the sensory sensitivity can be optimized for each user. In the vibration device 1, the vibration unit 14 applies vibrations of a frequency based on parameters related to the thickness of the user's body part to the inside of the body part. Therefore, even if the parameters related to the thickness of the body part vary from user to user, the vibration device 1 can also apply vibrations from the vibration unit 14 at an optimal frequency based on the parameters for each user. As a result, vibrations that are likely to cause a stochastic resonance effect are generated automatically from the vibration unit 14 for each user. The vibration device 1 can effectively excite receptors for each user and can improve the stochastic resonance effect for each user. As a result, the vibration device 1 can more significantly express the stochastic resonance effect and can improve the sensory sensitivity for each user compared to the conventional technology. The vibration device 1 can accommodate variations in the conditions for expressing the stochastic resonance effect due to individual differences in sensory sensitivity.

[0056] The vibration device 1 further includes a sensor unit 15 that outputs an output value according to the state of the housing 20 when it is attached to a body part of the user. Thus, the vibration device 1 can easily determine the state of the housing 20 when it is attached to the body part of the user by acquiring the output value from the sensor unit 15. The state of the housing 20 when it is attached to the body part of the user depends on a parameter related to the thickness of the body part of the user. Therefore, the vibration device 1 can easily calculate the parameter related to the thickness of the body part of the user by acquiring the output value from the sensor unit 15. The vibration device 1 can easily acquire information on the parameters required to determine the frequency of the vibration applied from the vibration unit 14 by using the sensor unit 15.

[0057] The sensor unit 15 of the vibration device 1 has a first sensor that is attached along the housing 20 and changes an output value according to the bending state of the housing 20. As a result, the vibration device 1 can easily determine the bending state of the housing 20 when worn on a body part of the user by acquiring an output value from the first sensor of the sensor unit 15. The bending state of the housing 20 when worn on a body part of the user depends on a parameter related to the thickness of the body part of the user. Therefore, the vibration device 1 can easily calculate the parameter related to the thickness of the body part of the user by acquiring an output value from the first sensor of the sensor unit 15. The vibration device 1 can easily acquire information on the parameter required to determine the frequency of the vibration applied from the vibration unit 14 using the first sensor of the sensor unit 15.

[0058] The control unit 17 of the vibration device 1 calculates the corresponding parameters from the output value of the sensor unit 15 when the housing 20 is attached to the body part, based on the past first actual measurement data in which the output value of the sensor unit 15 and the parameters are associated with each other. This allows the vibration device 1 to accurately calculate the parameters related to the thickness of the user's body part based on a statistical method based on the past statistical data. Therefore, the vibration device 1 can accurately obtain information on the parameters required to determine the frequency of the vibration applied from the vibration unit 14, using the past first actual measurement data stored in the storage unit 12.

[0059] The control unit 17 of the vibration device 1 calculates a corresponding frequency from the parameters of the body part to which the housing 20 is attached, based on the past second actual measurement data in which the parameters and the frequencies are associated with each other. This allows the vibration device 1 to accurately calculate the frequency of the vibration applied to the inside of the body part by the vibration unit 14, based on a statistical method based on the past statistical data. Therefore, the vibration device 1 can accurately determine the frequency of the vibration applied from the vibration unit 14, using the past second actual measurement data stored in the memory unit 12.

[0060] The vibration unit 14 of the vibration device 1 changes the frequency according to a change in a parameter accompanying the movement of a body part when the housing 20 is attached to the body part. This allows the vibration device 1 to change the frequency of the vibration applied from the vibration unit 14 in real time, following the change in the parameter when the housing 20 is attached to the body part. The vibration device 1 can also change the frequency of the vibration applied from the vibration unit 14 in real time so that the stochastic resonance effect on the user is continuously maximized.

[0061] By including the fingers as the body parts, the vibration device 1 can transmit weak vibrations from the surfaces of the fingers to the sensory organs at the tips of the fingers using the vibrators of the vibration unit 14. This allows the vibration device 1 to effectively improve the sensory sensitivity of the fingertips by using the stochastic resonance phenomenon.

[0062] By including the wrist as a body part, the vibration device 1 can transmit weak vibrations from the surface of the wrist to the sensory organs of the hand using the vibrator of the vibration unit 14. This allows the vibration device 1 to effectively improve the sensory sensitivity of the hand by using the stochastic resonance phenomenon. By transmitting weak vibrations to the sensory organs of the hand, the vibration device 1 can improve the sensory sensitivity of the hand of a user who wears the vibration device 1 on their wrist, for example.

[0063] By including the ankle as a body part, the vibration device 1 can transmit weak vibrations from the surface of the ankle to the sensory organs of the foot using the vibrator of the vibration unit 14. This allows the vibration device 1 to effectively improve the sensory sensitivity of the foot by using the stochastic resonance phenomenon. By transmitting weak vibrations to the sensory organs of the foot, the vibration device 1 can stabilize the movement of the center of gravity of a user wearing the vibration device 1 on the ankle, for example, and reduce shaking when walking.

[0064] By configuring the vibration device 1 as a ring-shaped device, the user can easily wear the vibration device 1 by simply placing it on the finger, thereby improving the convenience of the vibration device 1.

[0065] By including the thickness of the user's body part in the parameters, the vibration device 1 can impart vibrations of a frequency based on the thickness of the user's body part to the inside of the body part. Therefore, even if the thickness of the body part varies from user to user, the vibration device 1 can impart vibrations from the vibration unit 14 at an optimal frequency based on the thickness of the body part for each user. As a result, vibrations that are likely to cause a stochastic resonance effect are automatically generated from the vibration unit 14 for each user.

[0066] In the above first embodiment, the vibration device 1 is described as further including the sensor unit 15 that outputs an output value according to the state when the housing 20 is attached to a body part of the user, but is not limited to this. Instead of or in addition to the sensor unit 15, the vibration device 1 may include an input unit that accepts input from the user.

[0067] The input unit may include one or more input interfaces that detect user input and obtain input information based on a user operation. The input interfaces may include physical keys, capacitive keys, a touch screen integrated with a display, an imaging module such as a camera, and a microphone that accepts voice input.

[0068] At this time, the vibration unit 14 may apply vibrations to the inside of the user's body part at a frequency according to parameters input by the user as input information using the input unit. The vibration device 1 can also directly obtain information on parameters required to determine the frequency of vibration applied from the vibration unit 14 using the input unit, rather than indirectly obtaining the information using the sensor unit 15.

[0069] In the above first embodiment, the sensor unit 15 of the vibration device 1 has been described as having a first sensor that changes an output value depending on the bending state of the housing 20, but is not limited thereto. The sensor unit 15 may have any other sensor that can directly obtain a parameter related to the thickness of a body part of the user.

[0070] In the above first embodiment, the control unit 17 of the vibration device 1 calculates the corresponding parameter from the output value of the sensor unit 15 when the housing 20 is attached to a body part based on the past first actual measurement data in which the output value of the sensor unit 15 and the parameter are associated with each other, but this is not limited to the above. The control unit 17 may calculate the parameter without using such first actual measurement data. For example, the control unit 17 may obtain in advance a theoretical formula indicating the relationship between the output value of the sensor unit 15 and the parameter, and calculate the parameter from the output value of the sensor unit 15 when the housing 20 is attached to a body part based on the obtained theoretical formula.

[0071] Alternatively, the control unit 17 of the vibration device 1 may use the past first measured data as teacher data and construct, by machine learning, an estimation model capable of estimating parameters from the output value of the sensor unit 15. The control unit 17 may estimate parameters from the output value of the sensor unit 15 when the housing 20 is attached to a body part based on the constructed estimation model.

[0072] In the above first embodiment, the control unit 17 of the vibration device 1 calculates the corresponding frequency from the parameters of the body part to which the housing 20 is attached based on the past second actual measurement data in which the parameters and the frequency are associated with each other, but this is not limited to the above. The control unit 17 may calculate the frequency without using such second actual measurement data. For example, the control unit 17 may obtain a theoretical formula indicating the relationship between the parameters and the frequency in advance, and calculate the frequency from the parameters of the body part to which the housing 20 is attached based on the obtained theoretical formula.

[0073] Alternatively, the control unit 17 of the vibration device 1 may use the past second measured data as teacher data to construct an estimation model capable of estimating the frequency from the parameters by machine learning. The control unit 17 may estimate the frequency from the parameters of the body part to which the housing 20 is attached based on the constructed estimation model.

[0074] In the first embodiment, the frequency at which the stochastic resonance effect is maximized for each user as a subject in the second measured data is associated with the parameters of each user, but this is not limited to the above. In the second measured data, the frequency at which the stochastic resonance effect is not maximized for each user as a subject may be associated with the parameters of each user. Accordingly, the vibration unit 14 of the vibration device 1 may apply vibration to the user at a frequency at which the stochastic resonance effect is not maximized.

[0075] In the above-described first embodiment, the vibration unit 14 of the vibration device 1 changes the frequency in response to a change in a parameter accompanying the movement of a body part when the housing 20 is attached to the body part, but the present invention is not limited to this. The vibration unit 14 does not need to perform an operation related to such a real-time change of the frequency.

[0076] In the above first embodiment, the control unit 17 of the vibration device 1 changes the frequency of the vibration applied from the vibration unit 14 in real time so that the stochastic resonance effect on the user is continuously maximized. However, this is not limited to this. The control unit 17 may also cause the vibration unit 14 to apply a vibration of a frequency that does not maximize the stochastic resonance effect on the user. The control unit 17 does not need to execute such real-time control processing in the first place.

[0077] In the above first embodiment, the parameters include the thickness of the body part, but are not limited to this. The parameters may include the perimeter of the body part as in the second embodiment described later. In addition, the parameters may include the major axis and minor axis when the cross section of the body part is an ellipse, shape parameters indicating the outline shape of the body part, attribute information, and ring size. The "attribute information" includes information of the user such as gender, age, and race.

[0078] For example, if the vibration device 1 has the above-mentioned input unit, the user may input his / her own attribute information or the size of the ring as information through the input unit. The vibration unit 14 may impart vibrations of a frequency corresponding to the attribute information or the size of the ring input by the user using the input unit to the inside of the user's body part. At this time, the vibration device 1 may store table information summarizing frequencies corresponding to the attribute information or the size of the ring in the storage unit 12, and may determine the corresponding frequency by comparing the input information from the input unit with the table information.

[0079] In the above first embodiment, the vibration device 1 has been described as having the spring mechanism 30 inside the housing 20, but is not limited to this. The vibration device 1 does not necessarily have to have such a spring mechanism 30.

[0080] In the first embodiment, the vibration device 1 has been described as including the communication unit 11, the storage unit 12, the drive unit 13, the power supply unit 16, and the control unit 17 inside the housing 20 to function as one device, but is not limited thereto. The vibration device 1 may be electrically connected to another control device, such as a smart watch, a smartphone, or a PC (Personal Computer), for example, by wire or wirelessly. For example, the above-mentioned various processes executed by the control unit 17 of the vibration device 1 may be executed by the other control device while the other control device is communicatively connected to the vibration device 1.

[0081] In the above first embodiment, the vibration device 1 is described as being located between the first joint located at the tip end of the index finger of the hand and the second joint located next to the first joint on the back side of the hand from the first joint, but is not limited thereto. The vibration device 1 may be located further on the back side of the hand from the second joint, or further on the tip side of the hand from the first joint.

[0082] In the above first embodiment, the first portion 22a of the housing 20 is described as being formed flat, but is not limited thereto. The first portion 22a does not have to be formed flat. The first portion 22a may have any structure that can be arranged to match the back of the user's finger.

[0083] Second embodiment Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a vibration device 1 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, corresponding to Fig. 2. An example of the configuration and functions of the vibration device 1 according to the second embodiment will be mainly described with reference to Fig. 6.

[0084] In the vibration device 1 according to the second embodiment, the configuration of the sensor unit 15 and the types of parameters are different from those in the first embodiment. Other configurations, functions, effects, and modified examples are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the corresponding explanations apply to the vibration device 1 according to the second embodiment. In the following, the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the explanations thereof will be omitted. The differences from the first embodiment will be mainly explained.

[0085] The housing 20 has an insertion section 21, a base section 23, and a sensor section 15 connected to both ends of the base section 23. In the second embodiment, the sensor section 15 constitutes a part of the housing 20. The insertion section 21 is constituted by a space into which a finger is inserted. Unlike the first embodiment, the insertion section 21 is surrounded by the base section 23 and the sensor section 15, not the frame section 22. The housing 20 has a ring-shaped structure that surrounds the entire periphery of a finger. For example, when the housing 20 is attached to a finger, the housing 20 surrounds the entire finger pad, the finger side between the finger pad and the finger dorsal, and the finger dorsal along the outer periphery of the finger.

[0086] The base 23 is made of metal, plastic, or the like. The base 23 is located at the apex of the housing 20. The housing 20 has a first portion 22a located at the base 23, similar to the first embodiment. The first portion 22a contacts or is close to the apex of the finger on the back side of the hand located at the back of the finger when the housing 20 is attached to the finger.

[0087] The vibration unit 14 of the vibration device 1 is attached to a ring-shaped housing 20. For example, the vibration unit 14 is attached to a first portion 22a of the housing 20. When a user wears the vibration device 1 as a ring-shaped device on his or her index finger, the vibrator included in the vibration unit 14 is placed in contact with a predetermined portion of the back of the finger where the first portion 22a is located.

[0088] The sensor unit 15 is disposed continuously from one end to the other end of the base 23 in the housing 20 so as to surround the insertion portion 21. The sensor unit 15 outputs an output value according to the state when the housing 20 is attached to a body part of the user. The sensor unit 15 has a second sensor including a material that changes the output value according to expansion and contraction. The "second sensor" includes a sensor such as a CNT (Carbon NanoTube) urethane composite rubber that expands and contracts and changes the output value. The second sensor changes the output value according to the expansion and contraction state.

[0089] When the user wears the housing 20 on the body part, the user stretches the material of the second sensor of the sensor unit 15 and places it in close contact with the periphery of the body part. This changes the stretched state of the sensor unit 15. The sensor unit 15 changes its output value depending on the stretched state according to the periphery of the user's finger, for example.

[0090] In the second embodiment, the vibration device 1 also has the same components as those shown in Fig. 3. Pre-processing and control processing according to the flowchart shown in Fig. 4 are executed by the control unit 17. In the second embodiment, the parameters related to the thickness of the user's body part include, for example, the perimeter of the user's body part. For example, the parameters include the perimeter of the user's finger.

[0091] FIG. 7 is a graph diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the vibration device 1 of FIG. 6. The graph diagram of FIG. 7 shows an example of the past second measured data acquired in step S102 of FIG. 3. The vertical axis of the graph diagram of FIG. 7 corresponds to the circumferential length of the user's finger, which is an example of a parameter. The horizontal axis of the graph diagram of FIG. 7 corresponds to the frequency of vibration by the vibration unit 14 at which the stochastic resonance effect is maximized. The curve graph corresponds to an approximation formula indicating the relationship between the parameter and the frequency in the second measured data, calculated, for example, in step S102 of FIG. 4.

[0092] As shown in Figure 7, the frequency at which the stochastic resonance effect is maximized changes monotonically depending on the finger circumference. For example, the frequency at which the stochastic resonance effect is maximized is higher as the finger circumference becomes shorter, and is lower as the finger circumference becomes longer. In the second measured data as shown in Figure 7, although there is variation between individual users, the frequency at which the stochastic resonance effect is maximized tends to be lower as the finger circumference becomes longer.

[0093] The sensor unit 15 of the vibration device 1 has a second sensor that constitutes a part of the housing 20 and includes a material that changes an output value according to expansion and contraction. As a result, the vibration device 1 can easily determine the expansion state of the sensor unit 15 of the housing 20 when worn on a body part of the user by acquiring an output value from the second sensor of the sensor unit 15. The expansion state of the sensor unit 15 when worn on a body part of the user depends on a parameter related to the thickness of the body part of the user. Therefore, the vibration device 1 can easily calculate the parameter related to the thickness of the body part of the user by acquiring an output value from the second sensor of the sensor unit 15. The vibration device 1 can easily acquire information on the parameter required to determine the frequency of the vibration applied from the vibration unit 14 using the second sensor of the sensor unit 15.

[0094] Since the parameters include the perimeter of the user's body part, the vibration device 1 can impart vibrations of a frequency based on the perimeter of the user's body part to the inside of the body part. Therefore, even if the perimeter of the body part varies from user to user, the vibration device 1 can impart vibrations from the vibration unit 14 at an optimal frequency based on the perimeter of the body part for each user. As a result, vibrations that are likely to cause a stochastic resonance effect are automatically generated from the vibration unit 14 for each user.

[0095] In the above second embodiment, the parameters include the perimeter of the body part, but are not limited thereto. The parameters may include the thickness of the body part as in the above first embodiment. In addition, the parameters may include the major axis and minor axis when the cross section of the body part is an ellipse, a shape parameter indicating the outline shape of the body part, attribute information, and a ring size.

[0096] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be realized in other specific forms other than the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, the above description is illustrative and not limiting. The scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims, not by the above description. Any modifications within the scope of the equivalents of all modifications are intended to be included therein.

[0097] For example, the shape, pattern, size, arrangement, orientation, type, number, etc. of each of the above-mentioned components are not limited to the above description and the contents illustrated in the drawings. The shape, pattern, size, arrangement, orientation, type, number, etc. of each component may be configured arbitrarily as long as the function can be realized. Each component of the illustrated vibration device 1 is a functional concept, and the specific form of each component is not limited to that illustrated.

[0098] For example, the functions included in each configuration or step can be rearranged so as not to cause logical inconsistencies, and multiple configurations or steps can be combined into one or divided. Other modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0099] For example, a general-purpose electronic device such as a smartphone or a computer can be configured to function as the vibration device 1 according to the embodiment described above. Specifically, a program describing the processing contents for realizing each function of the vibration device 1 according to the embodiment is stored in a memory of the electronic device, and the program is read and executed by a processor of the electronic device. Therefore, the present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor.

[0100] Alternatively, the present disclosure may be realized as a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program executable by one or more processors to cause the vibration device 1 according to one embodiment to execute each function. It should be understood that these are also included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0101] Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below as examples. However, it should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these examples. [Appendix 1] A housing that encloses at least a portion of an area through which a body part of a user can be inserted; A vibration unit attached to the housing and configured to apply vibrations from a surface of the body part to an inside of the body part; Equipped with The vibration unit applies the vibration to the inside of the body part at a frequency based on a parameter related to the thickness of the body part. Vibration device. [Appendix 2] 2. The vibration device according to claim 1, The housing further includes a sensor unit that outputs an output value according to a state when the housing is attached to the body part. Vibration device. [Appendix 3] 3. The vibration device according to claim 2, The sensor unit has a first sensor attached along the housing and changing the output value according to a bending state of the housing. Vibration device. [Appendix 4] 4. The vibration device according to claim 2 or 3, The sensor unit includes a second sensor that constitutes a part of the housing and includes a material that changes the output value in response to expansion and contraction. Vibration device. [Appendix 5] A vibration device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, A control unit is provided, the control unit calculates the corresponding parameter from the output value of the sensor unit when the housing is attached to the body part, based on past first actual measurement data in which the output value of the sensor unit and the parameter are associated with each other. Vibration device. [Appendix 6] 6. The vibration device according to claim 5, the control unit calculates the frequency corresponding to the parameter of the body part to which the housing is attached, based on past second actual measurement data in which the parameter and the frequency are associated with each other. Vibration device. [Appendix 7] 7. A vibration device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, an input unit for receiving an input from the user, The vibration unit applies the vibration of the frequency corresponding to the parameter input by the user as input information using the input unit to the inside of the body part. Vibration device. [Appendix 8] 8. A vibration device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the vibration unit changes the frequency in response to a change in the parameter that accompanies a movement of the body part when the housing is attached to the body part; Vibration device. [Appendix 9] 9. A vibration device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The body part includes any one of a finger, a wrist, a toe, and an ankle. Vibration device. [Appendix 10] 10. A vibration device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The parameters include a thickness or circumference of the body part. Vibration device. [Appendix 11] A control method executed by a vibration device, comprising: applying vibrations having a frequency based on a parameter related to a thickness of the user's body part from a surface of the body part to an interior of the body part; Control methods. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1 Vibration device 11 Communications Department 12 Storage section 13 Drive unit 14 Vibration section 15 Sensor section 16 Power supply section 17 Control Unit 20. Cabinet 21 Insertion section 22 Frame 221 Interior wall 22a Part 1 22b Part 2 22c Part 3 22d 4th part 23 Base 30 Spring mechanism L1 slope line L2 slope line

Claims

1. A housing that encloses at least a portion of an area through which a body part of a user can be inserted; A vibration unit attached to the housing and configured to apply vibrations from a surface of the body part to an inside of the body part; Equipped with The vibration unit applies the vibration to the inside of the body part at a frequency based on a parameter related to the thickness of the body part. Vibration device.

2. 2. The vibration device according to claim 1, The housing further includes a sensor unit that outputs an output value according to a state when the housing is attached to the body part. Vibration device.

3. 3. The vibration device according to claim 2, The sensor unit has a first sensor attached along the housing and changing the output value according to a bending state of the housing. Vibration device.

4. 4. The vibration device according to claim 2 or 3, The sensor unit includes a second sensor that constitutes a part of the housing and includes a material that changes the output value in response to expansion and contraction. Vibration device.

5. 4. The vibration device according to claim 2 or 3, A control unit is provided, the control unit calculates the corresponding parameter from the output value of the sensor unit when the housing is attached to the body part, based on past first actual measurement data in which the output value of the sensor unit and the parameter are associated with each other. Vibration device.

6. 6. The vibration device according to claim 5, the control unit calculates the frequency corresponding to the parameter of the body part to which the housing is attached, based on past second actual measurement data in which the parameter and the frequency are associated with each other; Vibration device.

7. 4. The vibration device according to claim 1, an input unit for receiving an input from the user, The vibration unit applies the vibration of the frequency corresponding to the parameter input by the user as input information using the input unit to the inside of the body part. Vibration device.

8. 4. The vibration device according to claim 1, the vibration unit changes the frequency in response to a change in the parameter that accompanies a movement of the body part when the housing is attached to the body part; Vibration device.

9. 4. The vibration device according to claim 1, The body part includes any one of a finger, a wrist, a toe, and an ankle. Vibration device.

10. 4. The vibration device according to claim 1, The parameters include a thickness or circumference of the body part. Vibration device.

11. A control method executed by a vibration device, comprising: applying vibrations having a frequency based on a parameter related to a thickness of the user's body part from a surface of the body part to an interior of the body part; Control methods.

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