Vibration device, method for driving vibration device, program, and recording medium

Abstract

To provide a vibration device, a driving method of the vibration device, a program, and a recording medium capable of providing a sound with high quality and presence.SOLUTION: An acoustic system 10 includes a control device including an acquiring unit that acquires an electric signal indicating a sound reproduced by a sound source device, and a seat 20, and the seat includes a first vibrating unit 41 that vibrates a first contact portion BP1 in contact with a first part 21S of a body of an object person OB, and a second vibrating unit 42 that vibrates a second contact portion BP2 in contact with a second part 22S of the body of the object person closer to a head HD of the object person than the first part. Each of the first vibration portion and the second vibration portion vibrates in response to an electrical signal, and the second contact portion vibrates with a delay from the first contact portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vibration device that generates vibrations corresponding to sound, a method for driving a vibration device, a program, and a recording medium. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been known sound systems configured to provide listeners with high-quality music (sound fields) by adjusting the characteristics of audio output from multiple speakers. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an in-vehicle audio playback device configured to adjust the frequency range of the sound output from each of multiple speakers. Patent Document 1 also discloses an in-vehicle audio playback device configured to allow a subject to experience music by imparting vibrations to the subject's body in addition to audio output. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4600948 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to provide high-quality, realistic music, it is preferable that an audio system that vibrates the body in time with the music not only vibrates the listener's body in sync with the music, but also vibrates the listener's body in a way that they perceive as part of the music.

[0005] Alternatively, for example, when the sound system is mounted on a moving object such as a vehicle, it is preferable that the sound system is configured to provide high-quality, realistic sound while also providing vibrations that provide various information to the occupants.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and one of its objectives is to provide a vibration device, a vibration device control method, a program, and a recording medium that are capable of providing high-quality, realistic sound. Alternatively, one of its objectives is to provide a vibration device, a vibration device control method, a program, and a recording medium that are capable of transmitting various types of information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The invention described in claim 1 comprises an acquisition unit that acquires an electrical signal indicating sound reproduced by a sound source device, a first vibration unit that vibrates to vibrate a first contact unit that contacts a first part of the subject's body, and a second vibration unit that vibrates to vibrate a second contact unit that contacts a second part of the subject's body that is closer to the subject's head than the first part, and is characterized in that each of the first and second vibration units vibrates in response to the electrical signal, and the second contact unit vibrates with a delay from the first contact unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an acoustic system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the sound system and a target person according to Example 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control unit of the audio system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4A] 4 is a timing chart showing a vibration control mode in the acoustic system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4B] 4 is a timing chart showing a vibration control mode in the acoustic system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 4 is a diagram showing vibration characteristics of each vibration unit in the acoustic system according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is a diagram showing vibration characteristics of each vibration unit in the acoustic system according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7A] FIG. 10 is a partial block diagram of an audio system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7B] 10 is a timing chart showing a vibration control mode in the acoustic system according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Examples of the present invention will be described in detail below. [Example]

[0010] Fig. 1 is a schematic layout diagram of an acoustic system 10 according to Example 1. The acoustic system 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The acoustic system 10 comprises a seat 20 on which a subject sits, a sound output device 30 that outputs sound, a vibration device 40 that transmits vibrations to the subject, and a control device 50 that controls these devices.

[0011] The acoustic system 10 receives an acoustic signal AS, which is an electrical signal representing sound, from a sound source SC. For example, the sound source SC may include a recording medium on which data for playing music is recorded and a device for reading the data from the recording medium. In response to the acoustic signal AS, the acoustic system 10 outputs sound using a sound output device 30 and vibrates a seat 20 using a vibration device 40. Furthermore, a control device 50 controls the sound output operation of the sound output device 30 and the vibration operation of the vibration device 40.

[0012] In this embodiment, the seat 20 includes a seat portion 21 configured to support the buttocks and thighs of the subject when the subject sits on the seat 20, a backrest portion (backrest, hereinafter referred to as the back portion) 22 configured to support the back and waist of the subject, and a headrest (headrest) 23 configured to support the head of the subject.

[0013] Seat 20 can support the subject in a variety of ways. For example, seat 20 can be used by being fixed to a fixed object, such as a movie theater seat, or by being fixed to a mobile object, such as a vehicle seat. Seat 20 can also be used as a detachable or portable chair.

[0014] In this embodiment, the sound output device 30 includes a center speaker (first sound output unit) 31 arranged in front of the seat 20 and a person sitting in the seat 20, and a headrest speaker (second sound output unit) 32 arranged near the head 23 of the seat 20. Each of the center speaker 31 and the headrest speaker 32 outputs sound.

[0015] In this embodiment, the vibration device 40 includes a seat vibration unit (first vibration unit) 41 embedded in the seat 21 of the seat 20, and a back vibration unit (second vibration unit) 42 embedded in the back 22 of the seat 20. The seat vibration unit 41 vibrates to vibrate the surface 21S of the seat 21 of the seat 20 that comes into contact with the subject. The back vibration unit 42 vibrates to vibrate the surface 22S of the back 22 of the seat 20 that comes into contact with the subject. Note that the seat vibration unit 41 and the back vibration unit 42 may each include a plurality of vibrators.

[0016] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control device 50 drives the center speaker 31 and the headrest speaker 32 of the sound output device 30 and the seat vibration unit 41 and the back vibration unit 42 of the vibration device 40 based on the acoustic signal AS. The control device 50 generates a drive signal for driving the sound output device 30 and a drive signal for driving the vibration device 40 based on the acoustic signal AS. The control device 50 supplies these drive signals to the sound output device 30 and the vibration device 40.

[0017] Fig. 2 is a side view of the seat 20 in the sound system 10. In Fig. 2, a subject OB sitting in the seat 20 is shown by a dashed line. The positional relationship between the sound system 10 and the subject OB will be described using Fig. 2.

[0018] In this embodiment, the buttocks and thighs of the subject OB come into contact with the surface 21S of the seat portion 21 of the seat 20. In addition, the back and waist of the subject OB come into contact with the surface 22S of the back portion 22 of the seat 20.

[0019] In this specification, the part BP1 of the body of the subject OB that comes into contact with the surface 21S of the seat portion 21 of the seat 20 may be referred to as the first part. Also, the surface 21S of the seat portion 21 of the seat 20 may be referred to as the first contact part, as it is the part that comes into contact with the first part BP1.

[0020] Furthermore, the part BP2 of the subject OB's body that comes into contact with the surface 22S of the back 22 of the seat 20 may be referred to as the second part. Furthermore, the surface 22S of the back 22 of the seat 20 may be referred to as the second contact part, being the part that comes into contact with the part BP2 secondly. In this embodiment, the second part BP2 is a part of the subject OB's body that is closer to the head HD of the subject OB than the first part BP1.

[0021] Note that when it is described that the first region BP1 of the subject OB and the first contact portion 21S of the seat 20 are in contact, this includes both direct and indirect contact between the two. Similarly, when it is described that the second region BP2 of the subject OB and the second contact portion 22S of the seat 20 are in contact, this includes both direct and indirect contact between the two. For example, when it is described that the first region BP1 and the first contact portion 21S are in contact with each other, this includes cases where the first region BP1 and the first contact portion 21S are in contact with each other through the clothing of the subject OB, and cases where the first region BP1 and the first contact portion 21S are in contact with each other through the cover of the seat 20.

[0022] On the other hand, the center speaker 31 and the headrest speaker 32 of the sound output device 30 are not in contact with the subject OB. The sound output device 30 is a device that generates sound waves that travel through space toward the subject OB (i.e., the ears of the subject OB), and can be said to be a device that provides hearing to the subject OB.

[0023] 3 is a block diagram of the control device 50 in the acoustic system 10. In this embodiment, the control device 50 has an acoustic signal acquisition unit 51 that acquires an acoustic signal AS from a sound source SC, and a storage unit 52 that stores the acoustic signal AS and various data.

[0024] In this embodiment, the control device 50 has a signal decomposition unit 53 that decomposes the acoustic signal AS. In this embodiment, the signal decomposition unit 53 has a low-frequency component extraction unit 53A that extracts low-frequency components corresponding to the low-frequency components in the acoustic signal AS, and a mid- to high-frequency component extraction unit 53B that extracts mid- to high-frequency components corresponding to frequency components in the acoustic signal AS that are at least higher than the low-frequency components.

[0025] For example, in this specification, low-frequency components refer to signal components in the frequency band below 200 Hz in the acoustic signal AS, high-frequency components refer to signal components in the frequency band above 1 kHz in the acoustic signal AS, and signal components in the frequency band between these two are called intermediate frequency components.

[0026] For example, the bass component extraction unit 53A includes a low-pass filter (LPF) that attenuates signal components above a predetermined frequency (e.g., 500 Hz or higher) and extracts components of the audio signal AS that include at least low-frequency components. The mid-to-high frequency component extraction unit 53B includes a high-pass filter (HPF) that attenuates signal components below a predetermined frequency (e.g., 200 Hz or lower) and extracts components of the audio signal AS that include at least high-frequency components.

[0027] In this embodiment, the control device 50 has a drive unit 54 that drives the sound output device 30 and the vibration device 40 in accordance with each component of the acoustic signal AS decomposed by the signal decomposition unit 53. The drive unit 54 has a characteristic adjustment unit 54A that adjusts the characteristics of each frequency component of the acoustic signal AS, and a timing adjustment unit 54B that adjusts the drive timing of the sound output device 30 and the vibration device 40.

[0028] For example, the characteristic adjustment unit 54A includes a signal processing circuit that performs various processes to correct the sound field on the acoustic signal AS, and an equalizer circuit that performs equalization on the low-frequency components (bass components) of the acoustic signal AS. Also, for example, the timing adjustment unit 54B includes a delay circuit.

[0029] In addition, in this embodiment, the drive unit 54 has a drive signal generation unit 54C that generates drive signals to drive the sound output device 30 and the vibration device 40 so as to output sound and vibrate in accordance with the acoustic signal AS and each of its components that have been decomposed by the signal decomposition unit 53 and variously adjusted by the characteristic adjustment unit 54A.

[0030] In this embodiment, the drive signal generation unit 54C generates a first speaker drive signal S1 that drives the center speaker 31 to cause the center speaker 31 to output sound, and a second speaker drive signal S2 that drives the headrest speaker 32 to cause the headrest speaker 32 to output sound. The drive signal generation unit 54C includes, for example, a voltage generation circuit that generates a drive voltage for driving the sound output device 30, and an amplifier circuit.

[0031] In this embodiment, the drive signal generation unit 54C generates a first vibration drive signal V1 that drives the seat vibration unit 41 to vibrate the seat vibration unit 41, and a second vibration drive signal V2 that drives the back vibration unit 42 to vibrate the back vibration unit 42. The drive signal generation unit 54C generates, for example, a drive voltage that vibrates the vibration device 40.

[0032] The center speaker 31 outputs sound in response to the acoustic signal AS in response to the first speaker drive signal S1. For example, the center speaker 31 is disposed in front of the subject OB seated in the seat 20 and is a speaker that outputs high-frequency sounds that have a significant effect on sound image localization. For example, a narrow-directivity speaker such as a parametric speaker can be used as the center speaker 31 in order to reduce sound leakage to the surrounding area.

[0033] In this embodiment, the first speaker driving signal S1 is a driving signal that drives the center speaker 31 so as to output a sound corresponding to the high frequency components of the acoustic signal AS decomposed by the signal decomposing unit 53.

[0034] The headrest speaker 32 outputs sound corresponding to the acoustic signal AS in response to the second speaker drive signal S2. For example, the headrest speaker 32 is disposed near the head HD of the subject OB seated in the seat 20 and is a speaker that mainly outputs mid-range sounds. In this embodiment, the second speaker drive signal S2 is a drive signal that drives the headrest speaker 32 to output sound corresponding to the mid-frequency component of the acoustic signal AS.

[0035] Furthermore, the seat vibration unit 41 and the back vibration unit 42 vibrate in response to the acoustic signal AS by the first and second vibration drive signals V1 and V2. In this embodiment, the first and second vibration drive signals V1 and V2 are drive signals that drive the seat vibration unit 41 and the back vibration unit 42, respectively, to vibrate the first and second contact portions 21S and 22S in response to the low-frequency component of the acoustic signal AS.

[0036] The drive signal generation unit 54C may generate, as the first speaker drive signal S1, a drive signal that corresponds to both the intermediate frequency components and the high frequency components of the acoustic signal AS decomposed by the signal decomposition unit 53. The drive signal generation unit 54C may also generate, as the second speaker drive signal S2, a drive signal that corresponds to both the intermediate frequency components and the high frequency components of the acoustic signal AS decomposed by the signal decomposition unit 53. In this case, for example, each of the center speaker 31 and the headrest speaker 32 will output sounds in both the mid-range and the treble range.

[0037] As described above, in this embodiment, the driving unit 54 supplies the sound output device 30 and the vibration device 40 with the driving signals S1, S2, V1, and V2 whose various characteristics and timings have been adjusted based on the acoustic signal AS.

[0038] In the following, the first vibration drive signal V1 may be referred to as the first drive signal, the second vibration drive signal V2 may be referred to as the second drive signal, and the first and second speaker drive signals S1 and S2 may be collectively referred to as the third drive signal.

[0039] In this way, the control device 50 drives and controls the sound output device 30 and the vibration device 40 based on the acoustic signal AS. Note that the storage unit 52 of the control device 50 stores, in addition to the acoustic signal AS, the decomposition conditions of the acoustic signal AS by the signal decomposition unit 53, the signal components after decomposition, and the adjustment conditions of the acoustic signal AS by the characteristic adjustment unit 54A, the signal components after adjustment. Furthermore, the storage unit 52 can acquire and store signals and data for expressing various sounds, in addition to the acoustic signal AS, i.e., the acoustic signal acquired from the sound source SC.

[0040] 4A is a timing chart showing how the drive unit 54 supplies drive signals to the sound output device 30 and the vibration device 40. As shown in FIG. 4A, in this embodiment, after acquiring an acoustic signal AS (timing t0), the drive unit 54 supplies, at timing t11, a first vibration drive signal V1 corresponding to the acoustic signal AS acquired at timing t0 to the seat vibration unit 41. Next, at timing t12, the drive unit 54 supplies, to the back vibration unit 42, a second vibration drive signal V2 corresponding to the acoustic signal AS acquired at timing t0.

[0041] In other words, in this embodiment, when the drive unit 54 supplies the first and second vibration drive signals V1 and V2 corresponding to the same acoustic signal AS acquired at timing t0 to the seat vibration unit 41 and the back vibration unit 42, respectively, the drive unit 54 delays the second vibration drive signal V2 from the first vibration drive signal V1.

[0042] In this embodiment, a bass component extraction unit 53A of a signal decomposition unit 53 of a control device 50 extracts a low-frequency component from an acoustic signal AS and duplicates it into two. A timing adjustment unit 54B of a drive unit 54 adjusts the acoustic signal AS so that one of the two low-frequency components is delayed relative to the other. A drive signal generation unit 54C generates first and second vibration drive signals V1 and V2 corresponding to the two low-frequency components of the acoustic signal AS whose timing has been adjusted, and supplies these signals to the seat vibration unit 41 and the back vibration unit 42.

[0043] The driver 54 is not limited to adjusting the timing of generation of the first and second vibration drive signals V1 and V2 when they are generated. The driver 54 may adjust the timing when the drive signal generator 54C separately generates the first and second vibration drive signals V1 and V2 and then supplies the signals to the seat vibration unit 41 and the back vibration unit 42.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, at timing t13, which is the timing after the driver 54 supplies the second vibration drive signal V2 to the back vibration unit 42 (timing t12), the driver 54 supplies the first speaker drive signal S1 corresponding to the acoustic signal AS acquired at timing t0 to the center speaker 31. Subsequently, at timing t14, the driver 54 supplies the second speaker drive signal S2 corresponding to the acoustic signal AS acquired at timing t0 to the headrest speaker 32.

[0045] In other words, in this embodiment, when the drive unit 54 supplies the first and second speaker drive signals S1 and S2 corresponding to the same acoustic signal AS acquired at timing t0 to the center speaker 31 and the headrest speaker 32, respectively, the drive unit 54 delays the first speaker drive signal S1 from the second vibration drive signal V2 and delays the second speaker drive signal S2 from the first speaker drive signal S1.

[0046] In this way, the drive unit 54 sequentially delays the first vibration drive signal V1, the second vibration drive signal V2, the first speaker drive signal S1 and the second speaker drive signal S2 in this order and supplies them to the center speaker 31, the headrest speaker 32, the seat vibration unit 41 and the back vibration unit 42, respectively.

[0047] 4B is a timing chart showing the state of the sound output operation by the sound output device 30 and the state of the vibration transmission operation by the vibration device 40. As shown in FIG. 4B, in this embodiment, first, the seat vibration unit 41 starts vibrating upon receiving the first vibration drive signal V1 from the drive section 54. Therefore, first, the surface (first contact portion) 21S of the seat 21 in the seat 20 vibrates in response to the low-frequency component of the acoustic signal AS (timing t21).

[0048] Subsequently, the back vibration unit 42 receives the second vibration drive signal V2 and vibrates, causing the surface of the back 22 of the seat 20 (second contact portion 22S) to vibrate in response to the low frequency component of the acoustic signal AS (timing t22).

[0049] Next, the center speaker 31 outputs a sound corresponding to the high frequency component of the acoustic signal AS (timing t23), and then the headrest speaker 32 outputs a sound corresponding to the intermediate frequency component of the acoustic signal AS (timing t24).

[0050] In other words, when the acoustic system 10 reproduces the acoustic signal AS (i.e., music, for example), vibration of the seat bottom 21 of the seat 20, vibration of the back 22 of the seat 20, sound output from the center speaker 31, and sound output from the headrest speaker 32 are performed in this order, so that the subject OB seated in the seat 20 can perceive these four actions simultaneously at timing t3.

[0051] Specifically, both the sound output from the sound output device 30 and the vibrations generated by the vibration device 40 reach the brain (i.e., the head HD of the subject OB, see FIG. 2), where they are perceived as hearing and touch, respectively. The sound (sound waves) output from the sound output device 30 propagate through the air to the ears of the head HD, and then reach the brain as a stimulus received by the eardrum. On the other hand, the vibrations generated by the vibration device 40 are transmitted via nerves within the body to reach the brain as a stimulus felt by the part of the body that received the vibrations.

[0052] That is, the transmission time of the vibration and the transmission time of the sound to the head HD differ depending on the transmission medium, distance, etc. In the acoustic system 10, the sound output timing of the sound output device 30 and the vibration timing of the vibration device 40 are adjusted so that the sound and vibration reach the head HD of the subject OB simultaneously.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 4B, in the acoustic system 10, the sound output operation by the sound output device 30 is configured to be delayed from the vibration operation by the vibration device 40, so that the vibration by the vibration device 40 reaches the head HD of the subject OB at the same time as the sound by the sound output device 30 and is perceived.

[0054] In this embodiment, the sounds output from the center speaker 31 and the headrest 32 are perceived as mid- to high-frequency components of music at timing t3. Also, the vibrations caused by the vibration device 40 can be perceived as low-frequency components of music at timing t3. That is, the vibration device 40, together with the sound output device 30, serves as a part of a music playback device.

[0055] Furthermore, the back vibration unit 42 of the vibration device 40 transmits vibrations to a second part BP2 that is closer to the head HD than the first part BP1 of the subject OB to which the seat vibration unit 41 transmits vibrations. Therefore, by delaying the vibration action of the back vibration unit 42 from the vibration action of the seat vibration unit 41 as shown in Fig. 4B, the vibrations transmitted from both can be perceived by the subject OB simultaneously at timing t3.

[0056] The same applies to the sound output timing of the center speaker 31 and the headrest speaker 32 of the sound output device 30. Therefore, high-quality and realistic sound can be provided by the sound and vibration.

[0057] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing how the first and second vibration drive signals V1 and V2 are adjusted by the driver 54 of the control device 50. Specifically, Fig. 5 shows the vibration levels of the surface 21S of the seat 21 and the surface 22S of the back 22 when the acoustic signal acquirer 51 acquires an acoustic signal AS whose frequency is changed while keeping the amplitude constant. In this embodiment, the driver 54 is configured to adjust the vibration characteristics of each of the seat vibration unit 41 and the back vibration unit 42 in order to achieve the vibration-frequency characteristics shown in Fig. 5.

[0058] In this embodiment, the characteristic adjustment section 54A of the driver 54 is configured to be able to adjust the frequency characteristics of the low-frequency components of the two acoustic signals AS that become the first and second vibration drive signals V1 and V2, respectively. In other words, the driver 54 is configured to be able to adjust the frequency characteristics individually for each of the first and second vibration drive signals V1 and V2.

[0059] In this embodiment, the driver 54 is configured to give the first and second vibration drive signals V1 and V2 different frequency characteristics. First, the driver 54 adjusts the frequency characteristics of the first and second vibration drive signals V1 and V2 so that the surface 21S of the seat portion 21 and the surface 22S of the back portion 22 of the seat 20 vibrate with the characteristics shown in Fig. 5, for example.

[0060] For example, in this embodiment, the maximum vibration level of the surface 21S of the seat 21 is adjusted to be smaller than the maximum vibration level of the surface 22S of the back 22. This allows the vibration of the seat 21 to effectively impart a feeling of being pushed up or attacked to the buttocks of the subject OB, and the vibration of the back 22 to effectively impart a feeling of being embraced by the back of the subject OB. Furthermore, the vibration level of the back 22 is adjusted to be smaller than the vibration levels of the frequency bands on either side of the 100 to 200 Hz range. This prevents the subject OB from feeling itchy on the back.

[0061] 5, the manner in which the frequency characteristics of the first and second vibration drive signals V1 and V2 are adjusted and the manner in which the vibration characteristics of the vibration device 40 are adjusted based on this are merely examples. For example, the drive unit 54 may be configured to be able to adjust the frequency characteristics of each of the first and second vibration drive signals V1 and V2.

[0062] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a preferred configuration of the seat vibration unit 41 and the back vibration unit 42. As shown in Fig. 6, in this embodiment, the seat vibration unit 41 vibrates so as to transmit vibrations in a direction D1 from the surface (first contact portion) 21S of the seat 21 of the seat 20 toward the first part BP1 of the subject OB to the surface 21A of the seat 21. In addition, in this embodiment, the back vibration unit 42 vibrates so as to transmit vibrations in a direction D2 along the surface (second contact portion) 22S of the back 22 of the seat 20 to the surface 22S of the back 22.

[0063] This improves the dramatic effect of the vibrations of the seat 21 and the back 22. Specifically, the seat vibration unit 41 applies vibrations that push against the buttocks of the subject OB, thereby giving the subject OB a feeling of being pushed up or attacked. Furthermore, the back vibration unit 42 applies vibrations along the surface of the back of the subject OB, thereby giving the subject OB a feeling of being embraced.

[0064] 6 is merely an example. For example, the vibration directions of the seat vibration unit 41 and the back vibration unit 42 may be set appropriately.

[0065] As described above, the sound system 10 outputs sound and vibrates while taking into consideration the difference in perception path and perception timing between sound and vibration to the subject OB and optimizing these, thereby providing high-quality, realistic sound.

[0066] 4A, the first and second vibration drive signals V1 and V2 are supplied to the seat vibration unit 41 and the back vibration unit 42, respectively, with the second vibration drive signal V2 being delayed from the first vibration drive signal V1. However, the supply timing of the first and second vibration drive signals V1 and V2 is not limited to this.

[0067] For example, the seat 21 and the back 22 of the seat 20 may be made of different materials (e.g., a cushion material and a cover material). In this case, the time from when the seat vibration unit 41 starts vibrating until the surface 21S of the seat 21 of the seat 20 starts vibrating may differ from the time from when the back vibration unit 42 starts vibrating until the surface 22S of the back 22 of the seat 20 starts vibrating.

[0068] Therefore, in this case, for example, the first and second vibration drive signals V1 and V2 may be simultaneously supplied to the seat vibration unit 41 and the back vibration unit 42. In other words, the seat vibration unit 41 and the back vibration unit 42 may vibrate such that the surface 22S of the back 22 of the seat 20 vibrates with a delay from the surface 21S of the seat bottom 21 of the seat 20.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the case where the sound system 10 is configured to provide sound to the subject OB seated in the seat 20 has been described. However, the sound system 10 can provide high-quality sound to various subjects OB. For example, the same effect can be obtained by embedding the vibration device 40 in a bed instead of the seat 20 and arranging the sound output device 30 around the bed.

[0070] Furthermore, the sound output device 30 may be a portable sound output device such as headphones instead of the center speaker 31 and the headrest speaker 32. In this case, for example, the vibration device 40 may have a portable configuration together with the headphones, and may be configured so as to be able to be placed in various places on various chairs or beds.

[0071] In addition, in this embodiment, the vibration device 40 has been described as including a seat vibration unit 41 that transmits vibrations to the buttocks or thighs of the subject OB, and a back vibration unit 42 that transmits vibrations to the back or lower back, which is located closer to the head HD than the buttocks or thighs. That is, the first part BP1 is the buttocks or thighs of the subject OB, and the second part BP2 is the back or lower back of the subject OB. However, the vibration device 40 may have multiple vibration units, and each of the vibration units may be configured to transmit vibrations to a different part of the subject OB's body.

[0072] In other words, the vibration device 40 may have a first vibration unit (e.g., seat vibration unit 41) that vibrates to vibrate a first contact portion 21S that contacts a first part BP1 of the subject OB's body and a second contact portion 22S that contacts a second part BP2 different from the first part BP1 of the subject OB's body, and a second vibration unit (e.g., back vibration unit 42) that vibrates to vibrate the first contact portion 21S and the second contact portion 22S, for an object (e.g., seat 20).

[0073] For example, even if the distances from the head HD to the two target parts to which vibration is applied are approximately the same, the transmission distance and transmission path to the head HD may be different. Therefore, for example, by delaying the vibration of the vibrating unit that applies vibration to the part of the two body parts that has a short vibration transmission time to the head HD, the subject OB can perceive high-quality sounds (for example, low-frequency parts).

[0074] In the present embodiment, the acoustic system 10 is configured to express the bass portion of the sound by the vibration device 40 and the mid- and treble portions by the sound output device 30. However, the acoustic system 10 does not necessarily have to include the sound output device 30. For example, the acoustic system 10 may include the vibration device 40.

[0075] In this case, for example, the vibration device 40 and the control device 50 may constitute a vibration system that produces sound expression and may have a configuration that is connectable to the sound output device 30. In this case, for example, the vibration device 40 may express the low frequency range (low frequency components of the sound signal AS) and supply a drive signal for driving an external sound output device (such as a speaker system or headphones) that expresses another range of sound.

[0076] In this case, for example, the drive unit 54 generates a third drive signal (e.g., first and second speaker drive signals S1 and S2) that drives a sound output device that outputs sound corresponding to at least a frequency component higher than the low frequency component, such as the sound output device 30, and supplies the third drive signal to the sound output device while delaying the third drive signal from the second vibration drive signal V2.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the case where the operations of the sound output device 30 and the vibration device 40 are controlled by the control device 50 has been described. However, each function of the control device 50 may be possessed by each of the sound output device 30 and the vibration device 40. That is, for example, the vibration device 40 may be configured to acquire the acoustic signal AS, adjust the characteristics and the timing, and transmit vibrations to the subject OB by the seat vibration unit 41 (first vibration unit) and the back vibration unit 42 (second vibration unit).

[0078] As described above, the vibration device 40 includes a first vibration unit 41 and a second vibration unit 42 that vibrate a first contact portion 21S and a second contact portion 22S, respectively, of the object (20) having the first contact portion 21S in contact with a first part BP1 of the subject OB's body and the second contact portion 22S in contact with a second part BP2 different from the first part BP1 of the subject OB's body. The first and second vibration units 41 and 42 vibrate such that the first and second contact portions 21S and 22S respectively vibrate in response to the acoustic signal AS, and the second contact portion 22S vibrates with a delay relative to the first contact portion 21S. Therefore, the vibration device 40 can provide high-quality, realistic sound.

[0079] The present invention can also be implemented as, for example, a method for driving a vibration device 40. In this case, for example, the requirements of the method include the functions of a control device 50. For example, the method may be a method for driving a vibration device 40 having a first vibration unit 41 that vibrates a first contact portion 21S that contacts a first part BP1 of the subject OB's body and a second contact portion 22S that contacts a second part BP2 different from the first part BP1 of the subject OB's body. The method may include a step of driving the first and second vibration units 41 and 42 so that the first and second contact portions 21S and 22S vibrate in response to an acoustic signal AS, and the second contact portion 22S vibrates with a delay from the first contact portion 21S. Therefore, a control method for a vibration device 40 capable of providing high-quality, realistic sound can be provided.

[0080] The present invention can also be implemented as a program that causes a computer to function as a driver 54 of the vibration device 40. In this case, for example, the operating requirements of the program include the functions of the control device 50. For example, the program may be configured to cause the computer to function as a driver 54 that drives a first vibration unit 41 that vibrates a first contact portion 21S and a second vibration unit 42 that vibrates a second contact portion 22S of an object (20) having a first contact portion 21S that contacts a first part BP1 of the body of the subject OB and a second contact portion 22S that contacts a second part BP2 different from the first part BP1 of the body of the subject OB, so that each of the first and second contact portions 21S and 22S vibrates in response to an acoustic signal AS and the second contact portion 22S vibrates with a delay from the first contact portion 21S.

[0081] The present invention can also be implemented as a recording medium on which the program is recorded, thereby providing a control program for vibration device 40 that can provide high-quality, realistic sound, and a recording medium on which the program is recorded. [Example]

[0082] Fig. 7A is a block diagram showing a partial configuration of an acoustic system 10A according to Example 2. Fig. 7A shows only blocks in the acoustic system 10A that are added to the acoustic system 10. Fig. 7A also shows a block diagram showing the configuration of a moving object VE in which the acoustic system 10 is mounted.

[0083] First, in this embodiment, the acoustic system 10A is mounted on a moving body VE and outputs sound to passengers of the moving body VE. That is, in this embodiment, the seat 20 in the acoustic system 10A is configured as a seat for the moving body VE. Also, the subject OB is a passenger of the moving body VE. Also, in this embodiment, for example, the moving body VE is provided with a plurality of seats 20, and the acoustic system 10A outputs sound independently to passengers seated in each of the plurality of seats 20.

[0084] In this embodiment, the acoustic system 10A has the same configuration as the acoustic system 10A, except for the configuration of the control device 50. The control device 50A is configured to change the vibration mode of the vibration device 40 depending on the state of the moving body VE, etc.

[0085] Specifically, for example, the moving body VE has a moving body state detection unit SE1 that detects various states of the moving body VE (e.g., movement speed and changes therein, movement direction and changes therein, surrounding environment of the moving body VE, etc.), and an occupant state detection unit SE2 that detects various states of an occupant of the moving body VE (e.g., change in line of sight, change in body position, change in heart rate or brain wave, etc.). The moving body state detection unit SE1 and the occupant state detection unit SE2 may be provided outside the moving body VE, or may be provided in the acoustic system 10A.

[0086] Next, the control device 50A of the acoustic system 10A has a status information acquisition unit 55 that acquires status information, which is information indicating the status of the moving body VE and the occupant (target person OB) of the moving body VE, and a vibration status switching unit 56 that switches the vibration mode of the vibration device 40 based on the status information.

[0087] 7B is a diagram showing how the vibration state of the vibration device 40 is switched when abnormality information is acquired, which is information indicating that the moving body VE or its occupant is in an abnormal state (for example, that the moving body VE is driving abnormally, that the driver is dozing off while driving, etc.). FIG. 7B is a timing chart showing the operation of the acoustic system 10A after acquiring the abnormality information.

[0088] 7B, after the state information acquisition unit 55 of the control device 50A acquires abnormality information (timing t4), the vibration state switching unit 56 causes the vibration device 40 to start vibrating in response to the abnormal sound, which is a sound indicating the abnormality information. The drive unit 54 generates first and second vibration drive signals V1 and V2 from the storage unit 52 to perform vibration corresponding to the abnormal sound. The drive unit 54 also supplies the first and second vibration drive signals V1 and V2 to the seat vibration unit 41 and the back vibration unit 42, respectively, while delaying the second vibration drive signal V2 from the first vibration drive signal V1.

[0089] The abnormal sound may differ depending on the type of abnormality information. For example, data relating to a plurality of abnormal sounds may be stored in the storage unit 52. The vibration state switching unit 56 may then operate the drive unit 54 to vibrate the vibration device 40 in response to different abnormal sounds depending on the type of abnormality information.

[0090] As a result, the seat vibration unit 41 starts vibration corresponding to the abnormal sound at timing t51. Subsequently, the back vibration unit 42 starts vibration corresponding to the abnormal sound at timing t52. As a result, at timing t6, the occupant of the moving body VE, who is the object OB, perceives the abnormal sound and perceives that the moving body VE or the occupant is in an abnormal state.

[0091] In this way, in this embodiment, the control device 50A is configured so that when the vehicle VE or the occupant is in an abnormal state, the vibration device 40 generates a vibration corresponding to a sound indicating the abnormality. Therefore, for example, the seat vibration unit 41 and the back vibration unit 42 can be used to reliably notify the occupant of the abnormality information.

[0092] Furthermore, when a vibration device 40 is installed in each of a plurality of seats, such as in a vehicle, the abnormality information can be notified only to specific passengers. For example, an abnormality in the moving body VE can be notified only to the driver, or an abnormality in the driver can be notified to the passenger in the front seat. This can be useful, for example, in avoiding the risk of an accident.

[0093] In addition, when the acoustic system 10A is outputting sound, such as music, the vibration state switching unit 56 may cause the vibration device 40 to stop or reduce vibration corresponding to the acoustic signal AS and start vibration corresponding to the abnormal sound.

[0094] In this case, the drive unit 54 may cause the sound output device 30 to continue outputting sound such as music, while causing the vibration device 40 to vibrate in response to the abnormal sound. Therefore, for example, it is possible to notify the driver and passengers in the front seat of abnormality information while continuing to play music for passengers in the rear seats. In this way, the control device 50A can provide the vibration device 40 that can output sound and provide information safely and with a high degree of freedom.

[0095] In this embodiment as well, the function of the control device 50A may be provided in the vibration device 40. For example, the vibration device 40 may have a status information acquisition unit 55 that acquires status information that is information indicating the status of the moving body VE and the occupant of the moving body VE. Furthermore, the first vibration unit (seat vibration unit 41) or the second vibration unit (back vibration unit 42) may be configured to vibrate the first or second contact portion (surface 21S of the seat 21 or surface 22S of the back 22) in response to a sound associated with the acquired information when the status information acquisition unit 55 acquires information indicating that the moving body VE is in an abnormal moving state or information indicating that the occupant is in an abnormal state as the status information.

[0096] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the case where the acoustic system 10A switches the vibration state of the vibration device 40 depending on the state of the moving body VE or the passenger has been described. However, the configuration of the acoustic system 10A is not limited to this. For example, the vibration device 40 may be configured so that the seat 20 is mounted on the moving body VE and the passenger of the moving body VE is seated as the subject OB. This makes it possible to provide sound that is optimized for each passenger in a closed space such as a moving body VE (e.g., an automobile).

[0097] As described above, in this embodiment, the seat 20 is mounted on a moving body VE, and is configured so that a passenger of the moving body VE sits there as the subject OB. Therefore, the vibration device 40 can provide the subject OB with a high-quality and realistic acoustic space even in a space with a complex shape, such as the interior of a vehicle. Furthermore, by switching the vibration state based on the state of the moving body VE and the passenger, the vibration device 40 can effectively transmit various information to the subject OB. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 10, 10A sound system 20 sheets 21 Seat area 22 Back 40 Vibration device 41 Seat vibration unit 42 Back vibration unit

Claims

[Claim 1] an acquisition unit that acquires an electrical signal representing the sound reproduced by the sound source device; a first vibration unit that vibrates to vibrate a first contact unit that contacts a first part of the subject's body; a second vibration unit that vibrates to vibrate a second contact unit that contacts a second part of the subject's body that is closer to the subject's head than the first part, A vibrating device, characterized in that each of the first and second vibrating portions vibrates in response to the electrical signal, and the second contact portion vibrates with a delay from the first contact portion.

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