Force feedback device

Abstract

A force-sensation indication device 10 is worn around a user's neck. A communication unit 32 receives a control signal from an external device. Each of a first force-sensation presentation unit 34a and a second force-sensation presentation unit 34b includes an actuator and a moving part moved by the actuator. The first and second force-sensation presentation units 34a and 34b indicate a force-sensation to the user who wears the force-sensation indication device 10. A control unit 30 controls the actuators according to the received control signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device that is worn around a user's neck and presents a sense of force to the user.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a wearable device that is hung around a user's neck and includes a right speaker, a left speaker, and a connector that connects the right speaker and the left speaker. Each of the right speaker and the left speaker has an audio output unit and a tactile presentation unit, and the tactile presentation unit is composed of a vibration device that generates vibration and is driven by a tactile signal for tactile presentation.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Since the wearable device is worn on the user's body, it has the potential to provide various sensations to the user.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a wearable device that presents a sense of force to the user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a force sense presentation device according to an aspect of the present invention is a force sense presentation device worn around a user's neck, and includes a communication unit that receives a control signal from an external device, and a force sense presentation unit that presents a sense of force to a user wearing the force sense presentation device, the force sense presentation unit including an actuator and a movable part moved by the actuator, and a control unit that controls the actuator based on the received control signal.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a game system 1 in an embodiment. The game system 1 includes a game device 2, an output device 3 that outputs game images and game sounds, a game controller 5 that a user operates with fingers, and a force feedback device 10 that is worn around the user's neck (head). In the game system 1, the game device 2 is connected to the output device 3 by a cable and is wirelessly connected to the game controller 5 and the force feedback device 10. Note that the game device 2 may be wirelessly connected to the output device 3 and connected to the game controller 5 and the force feedback device 10 by a cable.

[0009] The game device 2 executes game software and performs arithmetic processing to move a player character in a virtual three-dimensional space based on operation information input to the game controller 5. The game device 2 generates a game image and a game sound representing the progress of the game and outputs the game image and the game sound from the output device 3. The output device 3 may be a television or may be a VR (virtual reality) device such as a head-mounted display. Note that an imaging device for photographing the user may be provided near the output device 3.

[0010] The force sensation presentation device 10 is worn around the user's neck and presents a force sense around the user's neck. In addition to the function of presenting a force sense to the user, the force sensation presentation device 10 of the embodiment has a function of presenting a touch sense (tactile sense) to the user and a function of outputting sound. In the embodiment, the touch sense is the cutaneous sensation that a person feels when touching the surface of an object, and mainly means the sensation perceived by the receptors of the skin. On the other hand, the force sense is the reaction force sensation that a person feels when contacting an object, and mainly means the sensation perceived by the receptors existing deeper than the skin.

[0011] In the game system 1, the game software generates a control signal for controlling the force sensation presentation device 10 according to the game progress. During the user's game play, the force sensation presentation device 10 presents a force sense corresponding to the game progress to the user based on the control signal, enhancing the user's immersion in the game. As described above, by equipping the force sensation presentation device 10 with a tactile presentation function and a sound output function in addition to the force sensation presentation function, it becomes possible to give the user various experiences during the game play.

[0012] FIG. 2 shows a state where the user wears the force sensation presentation device 10 around the neck. FIG. 3 is a view of the force sensation presentation device 10 seen obliquely, and FIG. 4 is a view of the force sensation presentation device 10 seen from above. The force sensation presentation device 10 includes a main body 11 that constitutes the housing of the force sensation presentation device 10. The main body 11 has a base 12, a first extension part 16a connected to the first end part 13a of the base 12, and a second extension part 16b connected to the second end part 13b of the base 12. When the first extension part 16a and the second extension part 16b are not particularly distinguished, they are called "extension part 16". Inside the housing of the extension part 16, a force sensation presentation part 34 for presenting a force sense to the user is provided.

[0013] The base 12 has a curved portion 14 that contacts the user's back neck, and a first protruding portion 15a and a second protruding portion 15b that protrude forward from both ends of the curved portion 14, respectively. The ends of the first protruding portion 15a and the second protruding portion 15b constitute the first end 13a and the second end 13b of the base 12, respectively. The first protruding portion 15a and the second protruding portion 15b are respectively provided with a first speaker 17a and a second speaker 17b that output sounds. During the user's game play, the first speaker 17a and the second speaker 17b may output game sounds different from the game sounds output by the output device 3. In this case, the game device 2 generates the game sounds output from the output device 3 and the game sounds output from the first speaker 17a and the second speaker 17b. The first speaker 17a and the second speaker 17b may output conversation voices with other users.

[0014] When viewed from above, the main body 11 has a substantially U-shaped configuration. When the user wears the force feedback device 10, the curved portion 14 of the base 12 contacts the user's back neck, and the first protruding portion 15a and the second protruding portion 15b respectively contact the side necks near the user's shoulders. The first extending portion 16a extends from the right side of the user's neck to near the chest, and the second extending portion 16b extends from the left side of the user's neck to near the chest, and respectively contact the upper body including the user's front neck. The tips of the first extending portion 16a and the second extending portion 16b are preferably arranged at positions beyond the collarbone (positions below the collarbone). The worn force feedback device 10 stably fits around the neck by contacting the user's back neck, both side necks, and front neck, thereby realizing good wearability.

[0015] The force feedback device 10 includes an adjustment mechanism 18 that enables adjustment of the length of the main body 11. The adjustment mechanism 18 of the embodiment has a first adjustment unit 18a that can change the relative position of the first extending portion 16a with respect to the base 12, and a second adjustment unit 18b that can change the relative position of the second extending portion 16b with respect to the base 12.

[0016] FIG. 5 shows an example of the structure of the first adjustment unit 18a. The first adjustment unit 18a has an arm 20 fixed to the base of the first extension unit 16a, and the arm 20 is inserted into a cylindrical body portion 22 formed in the first overhanging portion 15a. On one surface of the arm 20, a plurality of recesses 21a to 21f are continuously formed at equal intervals, and on the surface of the cylindrical body portion 22 facing the surface of the arm 20, a plurality of engaging protrusions 19a to 19c are continuously formed at equal intervals. When the cylindrical body portion 22 elastically deforms, the arm 20 can slide within the cylindrical body portion 22, and by engaging the recess 21 and the engaging protrusion 19 at an arbitrary position, the length between the first extension portion 16a and the first overhanging portion 15a can be changed. In the structural example shown in FIG. 5, the elasticity of the cylindrical body portion 22 is utilized, but the engaging protrusion 19 may be formed as a spring member so that the arm 20 can slide within the cylindrical body portion 22.

[0017] The second adjustment unit 18b may have the same structure as the first adjustment unit 18a. Note that the structure of the first adjustment unit 18a shown in FIG. 5 is an example, and the arm 20 may be fixed to the first overhanging portion 15a and inserted into a cylindrical body portion formed in the first extension portion 16a. In any case, the first adjustment unit 18a may adopt any other structure for changing the length between the first extension portion 16a and the first overhanging portion 15a.

[0018] FIG. 6 shows the functional blocks of the force feedback device 10. The force feedback device 10 includes a control unit 30, a communication unit 32, a first speaker 17a, a second speaker 17b (hereinafter, simply referred to as "speaker 17" when not particularly distinguished), a first force feedback unit 34a, a second force feedback unit 34b (hereinafter, referred to as "force feedback unit 34" when not particularly distinguished), a first tactile feedback unit 36a, and a second tactile feedback unit 36b (hereinafter, referred to as "tactile feedback unit 36" when not particularly distinguished). In an embodiment, the first force feedback unit 34a and the first tactile feedback unit 36a are provided inside the housing of the first extension unit 16a, and the second force feedback unit 34b and the second tactile feedback unit 36b are provided inside the housing of the second extension unit 16b. Power is supplied to each component from a battery (not shown).

[0019] The communication unit 32 receives a control signal from the game device 2 which is an external device, and the control unit 30 controls the operations of the respective components of the force feedback device 10 based on the control signal. The control signal received by the communication unit 32 includes a sound reproduction signal for outputting sound from the speaker 17, a force feedback control signal for driving the force feedback unit 34, and a tactile feedback control signal for driving the tactile feedback unit 36. The force feedback control signal may include a control signal for independently driving the first force feedback unit 34a and the second force feedback unit 34b, and the tactile feedback control signal may include a control signal for independently driving the first tactile feedback unit 36a and the second tactile feedback unit 36b. The control unit 30 controls the operations of the respective components according to the control signal.

[0020] FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of the force feedback unit 34. The force feedback unit 34 is provided inside the housing of the extension part 16 and includes an actuator 40 and a movable part 42 moved by the actuator 40. In this example, the actuator 40 is configured to have an electric motor and a speed reducer, and the control unit 30 controls the actuator 40 based on the force feedback control signal received by the communication unit 32.

[0021] The control unit 30 rotationally drives the actuator 40 to apply a rotational force to the movable part 42. The movable part 42 is a plate-like member having a first end 44a and a second end 44b, and the first end 44a is disposed on the front end (open end) side of the extension part 16, and the second end 44b is disposed on the rear end side of the extension part 16.

[0022] In the force sensation presentation unit 34 of the embodiment, the actuator 40 applies a rotational force to the movable part 42, and either the first end 44a or the second end 44b is brought into indirect or direct contact with the user's body to apply a force, thereby presenting a force sensation to the user. Specifically, the force sensation presentation unit 34 applies a rotational force to the movable part 42 and brings either the first end 44a or the second end 44b into contact with the inner surface of the housing, thereby transmitting a strong impact force or pressing force to the user's body through the housing and generating a reaction force on the user's bones and muscles. In this way, the force sensation presentation unit 34 of the embodiment causes the user to feel the reaction force when the first end 44a or the second end 44b is in indirect or direct contact with the user's body, and the force sensation presented by the force sensation presentation unit 34 is different from the vibration stimulus presented by the tactile presentation unit 36.

[0023] The housing on the lower side of the extension part 16 (the side in contact with the body surface) is configured to efficiently transmit the force applied by the movable part 42 to the user body surface. For example, in the housing of the extension part 16, at least the portion where the first end 44a or the second end 44b contacts, that is, the portion where the first end 44a and the second end 44b apply an impact force and / or a pressing force, is formed of a hard material with excellent force transmission characteristics such as aluminum, so that the rotational force applied to the movable part 42 is efficiently transmitted to the user body surface. It should be noted that the region of the housing where the first end 44a and the second end 44b do not contact may be formed of a resin material, and only the portion where the first end 44a or the second end 44b contacts may be formed of a material that is easy to transmit force. It should be noted that an opening may be provided in the housing so that the first end 44a and / or the second end 44b is configured to directly contact the user body surface without passing through the housing.

[0024] In the usage mode of the force sensation presentation device 10, it is preferable that the length of the main body 11 is adjusted so that the first end portion 44a disposed on the distal end side of the extending portion 16 is disposed at the position of the user's collarbone. In the force sensation presentation device 10, the length between the first extending portion 16a and the first protruding portion 15a is adjusted by the first adjusting portion 18a so that the first end portion 44a of the movable part 42 provided on the first extending portion 16a applies a force to the right collarbone of the user. Similarly, the length between the second extending portion 16b and the second protruding portion 15b is adjusted by the second adjusting portion 18b so that the first end portion 44a of the movable part 42 provided on the second extending portion 16b applies a force to the left collarbone of the user. By providing the first adjusting portion 18a and the second adjusting portion 18b on the left and right, it becomes possible to easily align each of the first end portions 44a of the left and right movable parts 42 with the position of the collarbone.

[0025] The inventor hit various parts of the body and examined their sensitivity. As a result, it was found that when hitting the collarbone rather than hitting the muscles in the upper body, the user can most easily feel the impact force. Therefore, it is preferable that the adjustment mechanism 18 of the embodiment can adjust the length of the main body 11 so that the first end portion 44a of the movable part 42 can be disposed at the position of the user's collarbone. The control unit 30 drives the actuator 40 to hit the user's collarbone with the first end portion 44a, thereby providing a physical sensation in which the user receives a strong impact in synchronization with the behavior of the player character in the game.

[0026] The second end portion 44b disposed on the rear end side of the extending portion 16 may be disposed at the position of the shoulder and controlled by the control unit 30 to apply pressure to the muscles of the shoulder. For example, in a game, the control of the force feedback unit 34 when the user's player character fires a gun will be described. When the player character starts to pull the trigger of the gun, the control unit 30 controls the actuator 40 to gradually increase the torque in the rotational direction A. As a result, the second end portion 44b applies pressure to the user's shoulder, and the pressure is controlled to gradually increase until just before firing. When the player character finishes pulling the trigger and the bullet is fired, the control unit 30 controls the actuator 40 to rotate the movable part 42 at high speed in the rotational direction B. As a result, the first end portion 44a of the movable part 42 strikes the user's collarbone. By this series of force feedback, the user can be provided with an experience synchronized with the behavior of the player character and can obtain a sense of immersion in the game. The force feedback unit 34 of the embodiment can use one movable part 42 to provide the user with different types of experiences by presenting force feedback at two action points.

[0027] The tactile feedback unit 36 includes a vibration device that generates tactile vibrations, such as a voice coil motor (VCM) or an eccentric motor, and presents tactile sensations to the user. For example, the tactile feedback unit 36 may be provided near the first end portion 44a of the movable part 42 to transmit tactile vibrations to the collarbone. According to the force feedback device 10 of the embodiment, by being able to present both force feedback and tactile sensations to the user, a rich gaming experience can be provided to the user.

[0028] As described above, the present invention has been explained based on a plurality of embodiments. It is understood by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments are illustrative, and various modifications are possible for each component and the combination of each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. In the embodiment, the game system 1 includes the game device 2 that executes game software, but the game software may be executed by a cloud server connected via the Internet. When the game software is executed by the cloud server, the force feedback device 10 may receive a control signal from the cloud server, which is an external device, and control the operation of each component based on the control signal.

[0029] In the embodiment, the adjustment mechanism 18 has a first adjustment part 18a that can change the relative position of the first extension part 16a with respect to the base part 12, and a second adjustment part 18b that can change the relative position of the second extension part 16b with respect to the base part 12, and the relative positions of the first extension part 16a and the second extension part 16b can be adjusted independently. In a modification, the adjustment mechanism 18 may be provided at the curved part 14 of the base part 12 to adjust the length of the curved part 14.

[0030] The lengths of the two ends of the movable part 42 from the rotation axis may be the same, but they may also be different. For example, in order to increase the pressing force applied to the shoulder muscles by the second end part 44b, the length from the rotation axis to the second end part 44b may be made longer than the length from the rotation axis to the first end part 44a.

Industrial Applicability

[0031] The present invention can be used for a device that is worn around the user's neck and presents a sense of force to the user.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0032] 10... Force feedback device, 11... Main body, 12... Base, 13a... First end, 13b... Second end, 14... Curved portion, 15a... First protruding portion, 15b... Second protruding portion, 16a... First extending portion, 16b... Second extending portion, 17a... First speaker, 17b... Second speaker, 18... Adjustment mechanism, 18a... First adjustment portion, 18b... Second adjustment portion, 19... Engaging convex portion, 20... Arm, 21... Concave portion, 22... Cylindrical body portion, 30... Control unit, 32... Communication unit, 34... Force feedback portion, 34a... First force feedback portion, 34b... Second force feedback portion, 36... Tactile feedback portion, 36a... First tactile feedback portion, 36b... Second tactile feedback portion, 40... Actuator, 42... Movable part, 44a... First end, 44b... Second end.

Claims

1. A force feedback device to be worn around a user's neck, comprising: a communication unit that receives a control signal from an external device; a force feedback unit that provides a force feedback to the user wearing the force feedback device, the force feedback unit including an actuator and a movable part that is rotated by the actuator to be moved; a control unit that controls the actuator based on the received control signal; wherein the movable part is a plate-shaped member having a first end and a second end, and a force feedback is provided to the user when the first end or the second end contacts the user; a force feedback device characterized by the above.

2. A main body having a base portion with a curved portion that contacts the user's posterior neck, a first extension portion connected to the first end of the base portion, and a second extension portion connected to the second end of the base portion; an adjustment mechanism that enables adjustment of the length of the main body; The force feedback device according to claim 1, characterized by comprising the above.

3. The adjustment mechanism includes a first adjustment portion that enables changing the relative position of the first extension portion with respect to the base portion, and a second adjustment portion that enables changing the relative position of the second extension portion with respect to the base portion; The force feedback device according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. The force feedback unit is provided on each of the first extension portion and the second extension portion; The adjustment mechanism enables adjustment of the length of the main body such that the force feedback unit applies a force to the user's collarbone; The force feedback device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by the above.

5. a tactile feedback unit that provides a tactile feedback to the user; a speaker; The force feedback device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by comprising the above.

6. The communication unit receives a control signal generated by game software; The force feedback device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the above.

Images