Wearable device

Abstract

To provide a technique for changing a parameter according to an attachment place.SOLUTION: The wearable device 100 is attachable to a user. The imaging unit 140 acquires video information by imaging the surroundings. The voice acquisition unit 142 acquires a surrounding voice as voice information. The position acquisition unit 144 acquires position information that is information on a position at which the wearable device 100 is attached. The setting unit 160 sets a parameter of the imaging unit 140 or the sound acquisition unit 142 based on the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit 144.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wearable device, and more particularly to a wearable device capable of capturing images and audio. [Background technology]

[0002] Due to the miniaturization of cameras such as digital cameras, wearable cameras that can be worn on the body have been developed. These wearable cameras have two modes: a normal shooting mode in which the user takes a picture by pressing the shutter at will, and a wearable shooting mode in which the electronic camera is worn by the user and automatically takes pictures in response to a predetermined trigger (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-356970 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Wearable devices such as wearable cameras can be attached to various locations on the body, and the parameters to be set for the wearable device vary depending on where the device is attached.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a technique for changing parameters depending on the installation location. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the wearable device of the present invention is a wearable device that can be attached to a user and includes an imaging unit that acquires video information by capturing images of the surroundings, an audio acquisition unit that acquires surrounding audio as audio information, a position acquisition unit that acquires position information that is information regarding the location where the wearable device is attached, and a setting unit that sets parameters of the imaging unit or the audio acquisition unit based on the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit.

[0007] Any combination of the above components, and any transformation of the present invention into a method, device, system, recording medium, computer program, etc., are also valid aspects of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the parameters can be changed depending on the installation location. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1(a) to 1(c) are diagrams showing the appearance of a wearable device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of a clip in the wearable device of FIGS. [Figure 3] 3(a)-(b) are diagrams showing the appearance of glasses equipped with a wearable device. [Figure 4] 4(a)-(b) are diagrams showing the appearance of a necklace to which a wearable device is attached. [Figure 5] 5(a)-(b) are diagrams showing the appearance of headphones with a wearable device attached. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the wearable device of FIGS. [Figure 7] 7 is a diagram showing the data structure of a table stored in the storage unit of FIG. 6. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Before describing the present invention in detail, an overview will be provided. An embodiment of the present invention relates to a wearable device that can be worn like an accessory. The wearable device has an imaging function and an audio capture function. Here, parameters of the imaging function, such as the image frame rate and resolution, are changeable, and parameters of the audio capture function, such as the audio sampling frequency, are changeable.

[0011] On the other hand, wearable devices are small and can be attached to various locations, such as glasses, necklaces, and headphones. In other words, wearable devices can be attached to the user's body or to accessories worn by the user. The parameters required vary depending on the location where the wearable device is attached. For example, when a wearable device is attached to glasses, the image captured by the imaging function must be detailed. Also, when a wearable device is attached to headphones, a wide audio bandwidth is required for the audio information acquired by the audio capture function.

[0012] The wearable device according to this embodiment accepts information about the location where the wearable device is attached (hereinafter referred to as "location information") in order to change parameters according to the location where the wearable device is attached. The wearable device sets parameters based on the accepted location information.

[0013] 1(a)-(c) show the external appearance of the wearable device 100. FIG. 1(a) shows a front view of the wearable device 100, and FIG. 1(b) shows a side view of the wearable device 100. The wearable device 100 includes a main body 110 and a clip 122. The main body 110 has, for example, a box-like shape. The main body 110 is not limited to a box-like shape and may be cylindrical, for example. An imaging unit 140, particularly a lens of the imaging unit 140, is disposed on one surface of the main body 110. The clip 122 includes a first plate 120a and a second plate 120b, collectively referred to as plates 120, and can be attached to an object by sandwiching the object between the first plate 120a and the second plate 120b. By attaching the wearable device 100 to the object using the clip 122, the wearable device 100 can be attached to a user.

[0014] The main body 110 and the plate 120 are connected by a first rotating member 130 and a second rotating member 132. The first rotating member 130 and the second rotating member 132 are connecting members that can rotate in different directions. The first rotating member 130 rotates the main body 110 around the direction in which the clip 122 extends as a rotation axis. In FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the rotation of the main body 110 by the first rotating member 130 is indicated as horizontal rotation 10. The second rotating member 132 rotates the main body 110 around a rotation axis that is perpendicular to the direction in which the clip 122 extends as a rotation axis. In FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the rotation of the main body 110 by the second rotating member 132 is indicated as vertical rotation 20. FIG. 1(c) is a front view of the wearable device 100 from the same direction as FIG. 1(a). Here, the state is shown in which the main body 110 has been rotated 10 in the horizontal direction by "90 degrees" from the state of FIG. 1(a) by the first rotating member 130.

[0015] FIG. 2 shows the appearance of clip 122 in wearable device 100. First plate 120a and second plate 120b have a plate-like shape, and an object (not shown) can be inserted between first plate 120a and second plate 120b. An IC reader 124 is provided on the surface of first plate 120a facing second plate 120b. When the object is clipped by clip 122, an IC tag 200 is disposed on the object at a position facing IC reader 124. IC tag 200 is, for example, a passive tag, and operates using radio waves from IC reader 124 as energy. Therefore, when clip 122 clips the object, IC reader 124 and IC tag 200 communicate with each other, and IC reader 124 receives information from IC tag 200. Here, IC tag 200 is an active tag, and may be equipped with a battery. Alternatively, the object may not have the IC tag 200 but may have an IC reader (not shown), and the wearable device 100 may not have the IC reader 124 but may have an IC tag (not shown).

[0016] The following describes the state in which the wearable device 100 is attached to a user, using FIGS. 3(a)-(b), 4(a)-(b), and 5(a)-(b). FIGS. 3(a)-(b) show the appearance of eyeglasses 210 to which the wearable device 100 is attached. The eyeglasses 210 include a first lens 212a and a second lens 212b, collectively referred to as lenses 212, a first rim 214a and a second rim 214b, collectively referred to as rims 214, a bridge 216, a first temple 218a and a second temple 218b, collectively referred to as temples 218, and a first tip cell 220a and a second tip cell 220b, collectively referred to as tip cells 220. The rim 214 has a frame-like shape and holds the lens 212. The bridge 216 connects the first rim 214a and the second rim 214b. The temples 218 are connected to the rims 214 and are placed over the user's ears. The tip cells 220 are the distal ends of the temples 218.

[0017] The wearable device 100 is attached to the first temple 218a. The image capturing unit 140 of the wearable device 100 is attached, for example, facing forward. At this time, the wearable device 100 is in a state in which the main body 110 is rotated horizontally 10 from the state of FIG. 1(a), as shown in FIG. 1(c). By attaching the wearable device 100 in this manner, the image capturing direction of the image capturing unit 140 becomes substantially the same as the user's line of sight. The wearable device 100 may be attached to the second temple 218b. Furthermore, two wearable devices 100 may be attached to each of the first temple 218a and the second temple 218b. FIG. 3(b) is an enlarged view of a portion of the first temple 218a. An IC tag 200 is attached to the first temple 218a. In the state of FIG. 3(a), the IC tag 200 faces the IC reader 124 (not shown) attached to the clip 122. The IC tag 200 stores information indicating the "eyes" as information on the position where the eyeglasses 210 are attached to the user (hereinafter referred to as "position information"). The IC reader 124 receives the position information from the IC tag 200 by communicating with the IC tag 200. The information stored in the IC tag 200 of the eyeglasses 210 is not limited to this, and may be information indicating whether the eyeglasses 210 are attached to the right eye or the left eye, for example.

[0018] 4(a)-(b) show the appearance of a necklace 230 to which a wearable device 100 is attached. The necklace 230 includes a chain 232 and a plate member 234. The chain 232 is ring-shaped and is worn around the neck. A plate-shaped plate member 234 is disposed on the front portion of the chain 232. The wearable device 100 is attached to the plate member 234. The image capturing unit 140 of the wearable device 100 is attached, for example, facing forward. At this time, the wearable device 100 is in the same state as that shown in FIG. 1(a). With the wearable device 100 attached in this manner, the image capturing direction of the image capturing unit 140 is substantially the same as the forward direction of the user's body. FIG. 4(b) is an enlarged view of the plate member 234. An IC tag 200 is disposed on the plate member 234. 4(a), the IC tag 200 faces the IC reader 124 (not shown) disposed on the clip 122. The IC tag 200 stores information indicating "neck" as information on the position where the necklace 230 is attached to the user (hereinafter referred to as "position information"). The IC reader 124 receives the position information from the IC tag 200 by communicating with the IC tag 200.

[0019] 5(a)-(b) show the appearance of headphones 240 attached to wearable device 100. Headphones 240 include ear pads 242 and a headband 244. Two ear pads 242 cover the left and right ears, respectively. Headband 244 is connected to the two ear pads 242 to form lateral pressure.

[0020] The wearable device 100 is attached to the left side of the headband 244, for example. The image capturing unit 140 of the wearable device 100 is attached facing, for example, to the left. At this time, the wearable device 100 is in the same state as that shown in FIG. 1(a), for example. Therefore, the image capturing unit 140 captures an image of the left side of the user. By attaching the wearable device 100 in this manner, the image capturing direction of the image capturing unit 140 is substantially the same as the left side as seen from the user's body. The wearable device 100 may also be attached to the right side of the headband 244. In this case, the image capturing unit 140 of the wearable device 100 is attached facing, for example, to the right, and captures an image of the right side of the user. In other words, the image capturing direction of the image capturing unit 140 is substantially the same as the right side as seen from the user's body. Furthermore, two wearable devices 100 may be attached to the left and right sides of the headband 244, respectively. FIG. 5(b) is an enlarged view of a portion of the headband 244. An IC tag 200 is placed on the headband 244. In the state shown in FIG. 5(a), the IC tag 200 faces an IC reader 124 (not shown) placed on the clip 122. The IC tag 200 stores information indicating the "ear" as information on the position where the headphones 240 are attached to the user (hereinafter referred to as "position information"). The IC reader 124 receives the position information from the IC tag 200 by communicating with the IC tag 200. The information stored in the IC tag 200 of the headphones 240 is not limited to this, and may be information indicating whether the headphones are attached near the left or right ear, such as "right ear" or "left ear."

[0021] The wearable device 100 may be attached to earphones, earrings, or pierced earrings instead of the headphones 240. In this case, information indicating the "ear" is also stored as position information in the IC tag 200 placed on the earphones, earrings, or pierced earrings.

[0022] 6 shows the configuration of the wearable device 100. The wearable device 100 includes an imaging unit 140, an audio acquisition unit 142, a position acquisition unit 144, a control unit 146, a storage unit 148, and an output unit 150. The control unit 146 includes a setting unit 160.

[0023] The position acquisition unit 144 acquires position information of the user wearing the wearable device 100. Specifically, for example, the position acquisition unit 144 is connected to the above-mentioned IC reader 124. When the wearable device 100 is attached to eyeglasses 210 or the like, the IC reader 124 receives the position information from the IC tag 200, and the position acquisition unit 144 accepts the position information from the IC reader 124. The position acquisition unit 144 outputs the position information to the control unit 146.

[0024] Setting unit 160 of control unit 146 receives the position information from position acquisition unit 144. Setting unit 160 refers to a table stored in storage unit 148 and determines parameters to be set in imaging unit 140 (hereinafter referred to as "first parameters") and parameters to be set in audio acquisition unit 142 (hereinafter referred to as "second parameters") based on the position information.

[0025] FIG. 7 shows the data structure of the table stored in the storage unit 148. A first parameter and a second parameter are associated with position information. For example, the position information "eye" is associated with the "first value" of the first parameter and the "second value" of the second parameter. The position information "ear" is associated with the "third value" of the first parameter and the "fourth value" of the second parameter. Furthermore, the position information "neck" is associated with the "fifth value" of the first parameter and the "sixth value" of the second parameter. The position information is not limited to these.

[0026] The first parameter indicates, for example, the frame rate and resolution of the video, so the first, third, and fifth values ​​can be said to indicate the amount of video information. The second parameter indicates, for example, the sampling frequency of the audio, so the second, fourth, and sixth values ​​can be said to indicate the amount of audio information.

[0027] When wearable device 100 is attached to eyeglasses 210, higher quality video information related to the user's vision is required than when wearable device 100 is attached to necklace 230 or headphones 240. On the other hand, when wearable device 100 is attached to necklace 230 or headphones 240, higher quality audio information related to ambient audio is required than when wearable device 100 is attached to eyeglasses 210. Taking these factors into consideration, the first value is set larger than the third and fifth values, and the fourth and sixth values ​​are set larger than the second value. In other words, when the position information acquired by position acquisition unit 144 indicates "eyes," setting unit 160 increases the value of the first parameter to increase the amount of video information compared to when the position information indicates "neck" or "ears." Furthermore, when the position information of wearable device 100 indicates "ears" or "neck," setting unit 160 increases the amount of audio information compared to when the position information indicates "eyes."

[0028] Furthermore, when wearable device 100 is attached to necklace 230, it is more important to acquire the user's own voice than to acquire ambient environmental sounds, compared to when wearable device 100 is attached to headphones 240. On the other hand, when wearable device 100 is attached to headphones 240, it is more important to acquire ambient environmental sounds than to acquire the user's voice, compared to when wearable device 100 is attached to necklace 230. Taking these factors into consideration, the sixth value shortens the sound collection distance compared to the second and fourth values. In other words, when the position information acquired by position acquisition unit 144 indicates "neck," setting unit 160 shortens the sound collection distance by setting a smaller value indicating the sound collection distance in sound acquisition unit 142 than when the position information acquired by position acquisition unit 144 indicates a position other than "neck." Return to FIG. 6.

[0029] The setting unit 160 sets the determined first parameters in the imaging unit 140, and sets the determined second parameters in the voice acquisition unit 142. In other words, the performance of the imaging unit 140 and the voice acquisition unit 142 can be changed depending on where the wearable device 100 is attached.

[0030] The imaging unit 140 captures an image of the surroundings using the first parameters set by the setting unit 160. Parameters such as the frame rate and resolution of the image are set for the imaging unit 140 by the control unit 146. The imaging unit 140 acquires an image (hereinafter referred to as "image information") captured in accordance with the set parameters. The imaging unit 140 outputs the image information to the control unit 146.

[0031] The audio acquisition unit 142 acquires ambient audio using second parameters set by the setting unit 160. Parameters such as the audio sampling frequency and the distance at which audio can be collected are set for the audio acquisition unit 142 by the control unit 146. The audio acquisition unit 142 acquires the acquired audio (hereinafter referred to as "audio information") according to the set parameters. The audio acquisition unit 142 outputs the audio information to the control unit 146. Here, the audio acquisition unit 142 may not have directionality, that is, may be omnidirectional, or may have directionality. If the audio acquisition unit 142 has directionality, for example, the direction of the direction of the direction of the direction of imaging by the imaging unit 140.

[0032] The control unit 146 stores the video information received from the imaging unit 140 and the audio information received from the audio acquisition unit 142 in the storage unit 148. The storage unit 148 may be detachable from the wearable device 100, such as an SD card. In this case, the storage unit 148 removed from the wearable device 100 is attached to and read from an electronic device (not shown), such as a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet terminal, whereby the video information and audio information stored in the storage unit 148 are played back in the electronic device.

[0033] The output unit 150 is, for example, an interface having a communication function. In this case, the output unit 150 transmits the video information and audio information stored in the storage unit 148 to a server (not shown). A user can check the video information and audio information by accessing the server using an electronic device. The output unit 150 may be omitted.

[0034] This configuration can be realized in hardware terms by the CPU, memory, and other LSIs of any computer, and in software terms by programs loaded into memory, but here we depict functional blocks realized by the cooperation of these. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms using only hardware, only software, or a combination of both.

[0035] According to this embodiment, the parameters of the imaging unit or audio capture unit are set based on the location information of the user wearing the wearable device, so the parameters can be changed depending on the location where the device is worn. Also, since the parameters of the imaging unit or audio capture unit are set based on the location information of the user wearing the wearable device, parameters suitable for the location where the device is worn can be used. Also, since the parameters of the imaging unit or audio capture unit are set based on the location information of the user wearing the wearable device, video information and audio information suitable for the location where the device is worn can be acquired.

[0036] Furthermore, when the position information indicates the eyes, parameters are set in the imaging unit such that the amount of information is greater than when the position information indicates the ears, so that highly accurate video information can be acquired. Furthermore, when the position information indicates the ears, parameters are set in the audio acquisition unit such that the amount of information is greater than when the position information indicates the eyes, so that highly accurate audio information can be acquired. Furthermore, when the position information indicates the neck, the distance at which sound can be collected is shorter than when the position information indicates a position other than the neck, so that audio information that primarily includes the user's own voice can be acquired.

[0037] In addition, since the wearable device records your movements while you are wearing it at home, you can find things by checking the video if you have left something behind. Furthermore, since the wearable device can be worn like an accessory, you can wear it without worrying about its presence. Furthermore, since the wearable device does not put pressure on you to be photographed or to be photographed, wearing it as an accessory allows you to take photos from a position other than eye level.

[0038] The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. These embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of the components and treatment processes, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0039] As a modified example, when the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit 144 indicates an "ear," the control unit 146 may determine whether or not a person is included in the video information by performing image recognition processing on the video information received from the imaging unit 140. If the control unit 146 determines that a person is included in the video information, the setting unit 160 increases the fourth value. On the other hand, if the control unit 146 determines that a person is not included in the video information, the setting unit 160 decreases the fourth value. In other words, the setting unit 160 adjusts the fourth value based on the content of the video information acquired by the imaging unit 140. According to this modified example, by attaching wearable devices 100 that perform such processing to both the left and right sides, it is possible to acquire high-quality audio information from the side where a person is present and low-quality audio information from the side where no person is present.

[0040] As a modified example, the position acquisition unit 144 may not receive position information from the IC reader 124. In other words, the wearable device 100 may not include the IC reader 124. For example, the wearable device 100 may include a communication unit that communicates with an electronic device (not shown), such as a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet terminal, and the position acquisition unit 144 receives position information from the electronic device. In this case, the user manually inputs the position where the wearable device 100 is attached to the control device. In other words, the wearable device 100 can obtain position information without the IC tag 200, so the clip 122 can be attached directly to the user's body, such as on the earlobe, for example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 10 Horizontal rotation, 20 Vertical rotation, 100 Wearable device, 110 Main body, 120 Plate, 122 Clip, 124 IC reader, 130 First rotating member, 132 Second rotating member, 140 Imaging unit, 142 Voice acquisition unit, 144 Position acquisition unit, 146 Control unit, 148 Memory unit, 150 Output unit, 160 Setting unit, 200 IC tag, 210 Glasses, 212 Lens, 214 Rim, 216 Bridge, 218 Temple, 220 Tip cell, 230 Necklace, 232 Chain, 234 Plate member, 240 Headphones, 242 Ear pads, 244 Headband.

Claims

1. A wearable device attachable to a user, an imaging unit that captures images of the surroundings to obtain video information; a voice acquisition unit that acquires surrounding voice as voice information; a location acquisition unit that acquires location information that is information about a location where the wearable device is attached; a setting unit that sets parameters of the imaging unit or the audio acquisition unit based on the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit; A wearable device comprising:

2. when the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit indicates an eye, the setting unit sets an amount of video information to be acquired by the imaging unit to a first value and sets an amount of audio information to be acquired by the audio acquisition unit to a second value; when the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit indicates an ear, the setting unit sets an amount of video information to be acquired by the imaging unit to a third value and sets an amount of audio information to be acquired by the audio acquisition unit to a fourth value; The wearable device of claim 1 , wherein the first value is greater than the third value and the fourth value is greater than the second value.

3. The wearable device of claim 2, wherein the setting unit adjusts the fourth value based on the content of the video information acquired by the imaging unit when the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit indicates an ear.

4. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets the sound collection distance of the voice acquisition unit to be shorter when the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit indicates the neck than when the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit indicates a position other than the neck.

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