Haptic Device

Abstract

A haptic device (10) comprises an enclosure (100) and a vibrating body (30) accommodated inside the enclosure (100). The haptic device (10) comprises a control device (40) that can present one or both of haptic feedback and force feedback to a user by controlling a vibration pattern of the vibrating body (30). The haptic device (10) also comprises a band (20) of which a first portion (20A) is secured to the outer surface of the enclosure (100). The haptic device (10) can be attached to the body of the user, between a contacting part (20C) of the band (20) that is different from the first portion (20A) and a contact surface (111) that is part of the outer surface of the enclosure (100).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to haptic devices. [Background technology]

[0002] The game machine described in Patent Document 1 includes a display that displays images and a controller for controlling objects in the game. The controller has operation units such as operation knobs and switching buttons that are operated by the user.

[0003] The haptic device described in Patent Document 2 includes a housing, a vibrating body, and a control device. The vibrating body is located inside the housing. The housing is used by being held, for example, by a user's hand. The control device presents a force sensation in a specific direction by controlling the vibration pattern of the vibrating body. This allows a user holding the housing to feel a force sensation as if the haptic device were moving in a specific direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-61136 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-190465 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a game console such as that described in Patent Document 1, it may be desirable to provide haptic feedback in accordance with the user's operation of the controller and the images displayed on the display. Similarly, it may be desirable to provide rough tactile feedback and uneven tactile feedback in accordance with the images displayed on the display. However, in order to provide such tactile and force feedback (hereinafter referred to as haptic feedback), the vibrating body of the haptic device described in Patent Document 2 must be built into the controller. Therefore, users who already own a game console have no choice but to purchase a new game console with a built-in vibrating body in order to provide haptic feedback. Note that while a game console is used as an example here, similar issues arise when providing haptic feedback via a controller, not just in game consoles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present disclosure is a haptic device comprising a housing, a vibrator housed within the housing, a control device capable of presenting at least one of a tactile sensation and a force sensation to a user by controlling the vibration pattern of the vibrator, and a band having a first portion fixed to the outer surface of the housing, wherein the user's body can be attached between an abutment point on the band that is different from the first portion and a contact surface that is part of the outer surface of the housing.

[0007] According to the above configuration, a user can insert their body, such as a finger, between the contact point of the band and the contact surface of the housing. When the user inserts their body, the contact surface of the housing comes into contact with the body. Therefore, the vibration of the vibrator can be transmitted to the body via the outer surface of the housing, providing a tactile or force sensation to the user. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the haptic device can be attached to the body by the band, allowing the user to receive a tactile or force sensation from the haptic device while holding a controller or the like. In other words, the haptic or force sensation feedback can be received when the haptic device is used in combination with a controller or the like that does not have a tactile or force sensation presentation function. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] To enable tactile or force feedback when used in combination with a controller or the like that does not have a function for presenting tactile or force. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a haptic device according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of a haptic device according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which a user wears the haptic device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which a user wears the haptic device according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a modified haptic device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view of a modified haptic device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a haptic device according to another modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view of a haptic device according to another modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a haptic device will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, components may be shown enlarged to facilitate understanding. The dimensional ratios of the components may differ from those in the actual drawings or from those in other drawings.

[0011] (Overall structure) As shown in FIG. 1, the haptic device 10 includes a housing 100 , a band 20 , and a vibrating body 30 .

[0012] The housing 100 has a main body 110, a protruding portion 120, and a wide portion 130. The main body 110 is cylindrical and has a cavity therein. Here, an axis parallel to the central axis of the cylindrical main body 110 is defined as the first axis X. One of the axes perpendicular to the first axis X is defined as the second axis Y. An axis perpendicular to both the first axis X and the second axis Y is defined as the third axis Z. One of the directions along the first axis X is defined as the first positive direction X1, and the direction along the first axis X opposite to the first positive direction X1 is defined as the first negative direction X2. One of the directions along the second axis Y is defined as the second positive direction Y1, and the direction along the second axis Y opposite to the second positive direction Y1 is defined as the second negative direction Y2. One of the directions along the third axis Z is defined as the third positive direction Z1, and the direction along the third axis Z opposite to the third positive direction Z1 is defined as the third negative direction Z2.

[0013] The main body 110 has a contact surface 111 that is part of the outer surface of the housing 100, and a circumferential outer peripheral surface 112. The contact surface 111 is a surface that faces the first positive direction X1. The contact surface 111 is a curved surface that is convex toward the first positive direction X1. The contact surface 111 bulges most toward the first positive direction X1 at the center. The outer peripheral surface 112 is a peripheral surface that is adjacent to the contact surface 111.

[0014] The protrusion 120 is strip-shaped. The protrusion 120 protrudes from the main body 110. A base end 120A, which is the end of the protrusion 120 on the main body 110 side, is located at the end of the outer circumferential surface 112 of the main body 110 on the first positive direction X1 side. The base end 120A is located at the end of the outer circumferential surface 112 of the main body 110 on the second positive direction Y1 side. The protrusion 120 protrudes from the base end 120A toward the first positive direction X1. The protrusion 120 is curved so as to be convex toward the second positive direction Y1. Reflecting this, the inner circumferential surface 121 of the protrusion 120 facing the second negative direction Y2 is a curved surface that is convex toward the second positive direction Y1. The length of the protrusion 120 from the base end 120A to the tip 120B on the opposite side to the base end 120A is 1 cm or more and 3 cm or less.

[0015] The wide portion 130 is attached to the tip 120B of the protruding portion 120. The specific shape of the wide portion 130 will be described later. The housing 100 including the main body 110, the protruding portion 120, and the wide portion 130 is an integrally molded product. The material of the housing 100 is, for example, a thermosetting resin such as phenol resin, urea resin, melamine resin, or unsaturated polyester.

[0016] The band 20 is strip-shaped. The material of the band 20 is silicone rubber. Therefore, the band 20 is stretchable. The bending rigidity of the band 20 is smaller than the bending rigidity of the protrusion 120 of the housing 100. The bending rigidity of the band 20 and the protrusion 120 can be measured by the following three-point bending test. That is, both ends of the band 20 or protrusion 120 under test are supported from below. Then, in this state, a load is applied downward from above to the center of the test object. Then, the load is measured when a certain deformation occurs in the test object. The greater the load measured in this way, the greater the bending rigidity.

[0017] The first portion 20A of the band 20 is fixed to the outer surface of the housing 100 with an adhesive or the like. Specifically, the first portion 20A of the band 20 is fixed to the inner circumferential surface 121 of the protrusion 120. In other words, the first portion 20A of the band 20 is adjacent to the protrusion 120. The band 20 as a whole is located on the first positive direction X1 side with respect to the main body 110. In this embodiment, the first portion 20A of the band 20 is an end portion of the band 20.

[0018] The band 20 has a second portion 20B that is different from the first portion 20A. In this embodiment, the second portion 20B of the band 20 is the end opposite the first portion 20A of the band 20. The second portion 20B is fixed to a different location on the outer surface of the housing 100 from the first portion 20A. Specifically, the haptic device 10 includes a first hook-and-loop fastener 11 and a second hook-and-loop fastener 12. The first hook-and-loop fastener 11 is located at the end of the outer peripheral surface 112 of the main body 110 on the second negative direction Y2 side. Meanwhile, the second hook-and-loop fastener 12 is located at the second portion 20B of the band 20. The second hook-and-loop fastener 12 is located on the surface of the band 20 facing the main body 110. The second hook-and-loop fastener 12 is detachable from the first hook-and-loop fastener 11.

[0019] The band 20 has an abutment point 20C, which is a location different from the first portion 20A and the second portion 20B. The abutment point 20C is the portion of the band 20 between the first portion 20A and the second portion 20B. When the second portion 20B of the band 20 is fixed to the main body 110, the abutment point 20C faces the contact surface 111 of the main body 110. In other words, the contact surface 111 is convex toward the abutment point 20C.

[0020] The length of band 20 from first portion 20A to second portion 20B is 7 cm. The length of band 20 from first portion 20A to second portion 20B is the shortest distance along band 20 from the position on first portion 20A closest to second portion 20B to second portion 20B. The length of band 20 from first portion 20A to second portion 20B is an appropriate length for wearing on approximately two to four fingers if it is 3 cm or more and 15 cm or less.

[0021] When the second part 20B of the band 20 is fixed to the main body 110, a ring-shaped part is formed by the band 20 including the contact surface 111 of the main body 110, a part of the protrusion 120 on the base end 120A side, and the abutment point 20C.

[0022] The vibrating body 30 is housed in a housing 100. Specifically, the vibrating body 30 is housed inside a main body 110. Although not shown, the vibrating body 30 includes voice coil motors, weights corresponding to the voice coil motors, and a cubic case that houses these. The weights vibrate due to a force generated when a current flows through the coils of the voice coil motors. When the weights vibrate, the case vibrates due to the vibration of the weights. Therefore, by controlling the current flowing through the coils of the voice coil motors, the vibrating body 30 vibrates in both directions along the second axis Y and the third axis Z. More specifically, the vibrating body 30 is a vibrating body as described, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-190465.

[0023] The haptic device 10 further includes a control unit 40 , a battery 50 , and a communication unit 60 . The control device 40 is housed in the housing 100. Specifically, the control device 40 is housed inside the main body 110. The control device 40 can generate a force sensation in the vibrating body 30 by controlling the vibration pattern of the vibrating body 30. In this embodiment, the direction of the force sensation generated from the vibrating body 30 can be selected from the second positive direction Y1, the second negative direction Y2, the third positive direction Z1, and the third negative direction Z2. Furthermore, the control device 40 controls the vibration pattern of such vibrations along one axis to generate a force sensation in one direction or the other direction of the axis. Note that the force sensation is the sensation of resistance from an object. Therefore, for example, when a force sensation in the second positive direction Y1 is generated in the vibrating body 30, the user feels as if the vibrating body 30 is moving in the second positive direction Y1, even though the vibrating body 30 is actually reciprocating in the same position.

[0024] The control device 40 may be configured as a circuit including one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program (software). The control device 40 may also be configured as a circuit including one or more dedicated hardware circuits, such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), that execute at least some of the various processes, or a combination thereof. The processor includes a CPU and memory such as RAM and ROM. The memory stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. The memory, i.e., computer-readable medium, includes any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0025] The battery 50 is a secondary battery that can be repeatedly charged. The battery 50 is housed in the housing 100. Specifically, the battery 50 is housed inside the main body 110. The battery 50 supplies power to the vibrating body 30. Furthermore, power can be supplied to the battery 50 by connecting a power cable (not shown).

[0026] The communication device 60 is housed in the housing 100. Specifically, the communication device 60 is housed inside the main body 110. The communication device 60 is capable of wireless communication with a communication device external to the haptic device 10. The communication device 60 is capable of communicating with a communication device mounted on, for example, a controller of a game machine. The communication device 60 is capable of receiving signals output in response to operation of an operation key or the like on the controller. When the communication device 60 receives the signal from the controller, it transmits a signal related to the operation of the controller to the control device 40. By receiving the signal from the communication device 60, the control device 40 determines the vibration pattern of the vibrating body 30, i.e., the direction and strength of the force sensation.

[0027] (Regarding the wide part of the housing) As described above, the wide portion 130 is attached to the tip 120B of the protruding portion 120. The wide portion 130 is generally plate-shaped. Here, the surface of the wide portion 130 opposite the protruding portion 120 is referred to as the tip surface 131. Also, suppose that an imaginary line LC is drawn passing through the first portion 20A and the second portion 20B of the band 20. In this case, the maximum dimension L1 of the wide portion 130 in a direction parallel to the imaginary line LC is longer than the minimum dimension L2 of the protruding portion 120 in a direction parallel to the imaginary line LC. Note that the minimum dimension L2 of the protruding portion 120 is the thickness dimension of the protruding portion 120.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the wide portion 130 extends and curves toward the third negative direction Z2 and the first positive direction X1 relative to the tip 120B of the protrusion 120. When viewed in a direction along the imaginary straight line LC, the wide portion 130 is convex toward the third negative direction Z2 and the first negative direction X2. Therefore, when viewed in a direction along the imaginary straight line LC, the wide portion 130 has a tip surface 131 that is convex toward the main body 110. The curvature of the wide portion 130 gradually increases toward the third negative direction Z2. The end of the wide portion 130 on the third negative direction Z2 side generally faces the first positive direction X1.

[0029] The operation of this embodiment will be described. (About wearing haptic devices) As shown in FIG. 3 , the user inserts the fourth and fifth fingers of his left hand into a ring formed by the housing 100 and the band 20 of the haptic device 10. At this time, the user brings the bases of the fourth and fifth fingers on the back of the left hand into contact with the contact surface 111 of the main body 110. The user also brings the bases of the fourth and fifth fingers on the palm of the left hand into contact with the contact point 20C of the band 20. In other words, the haptic device 10 allows the user's body to be attached between the contact point 20C and the contact surface 111.

[0030] The user also pinches the protruding portion 120 between the third and fourth fingers. In this state, the wide portion 130 is located on the palm side. The wide portion 130 starts at the base of the fourth finger and extends toward the palm side. The wide portion 130 is also curved so that the palm side is convex. Then, the second portion 20B of the band 20 is attached to the main body 110 so that the band 20 is fastened around the fourth and fifth fingers.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 4, suppose a user wears the haptic device 10 on their fingers and grips a cylindrical part such as a controller. At this time, the tip surface 131 of the wide portion 130 comes into contact with the outer surface of the controller. When the vibrating body 30 vibrates in this state, the main body 110 vibrates with the point where the tip surface 131 of the wide portion 130 contacts the hand as a fulcrum. The vibration is transmitted to the fingers via the main body 110 located on the back of the hand.

[0032] (Effects of this embodiment) (1) According to the above embodiment, a finger can be placed between the contact point 20C and the contact surface 111. When the finger is placed, the contact surface 111 of the housing 100 comes into contact with the finger. Therefore, the vibration of the vibrating body 30 can be transmitted to the finger via the outer surface of the housing 100, and a force sense can be presented to the user. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the haptic device 10 can be attached to the finger by the band 20, and therefore, the force sense can be presented from the haptic device 10 while holding, for example, a controller or the like. In other words, force feedback can be received when the haptic device 10 is used in combination with a controller or the like that does not have a force sense presentation function.

[0033] (2) According to the above embodiment, the first portion 20A and the second portion 20B of the band 20 are fixed to different locations on the housing 100. The user's fingers or the like can be passed through the annular portion formed by the housing 100 and the band 20. By allowing the user's fingers or the like to be attached to the annular portion in this way, the haptic device 10 will not easily fall off even if the user moves their fingers.

[0034] (3) In the above embodiment, the length from the first portion 20A to the second portion 20B of the band 20 is 7 cm. This configuration is suitable for attaching the haptic device 10 to fingers that are sensitive to vibrations and the like.

[0035] (4) According to the above embodiment, the protrusion 120 can be supported by fingers and palms that are not inside the ring formed by the band 20 and the housing 100. Furthermore, by supporting the protrusion 120, which has a relatively high bending rigidity, the posture of the entire haptic device 10 is stabilized.

[0036] (5) In the above embodiment, first portion 20A of band 20 is adjacent to protrusion 120. With this configuration, protrusion 120 can be pinched and supported together with a portion of band 20 between a finger placed inside the ring formed by band 20 and housing 100 and a finger not placed inside the ring.

[0037] (6) In the above embodiment, the maximum dimension L1 of the wide portion 130 in the direction parallel to the imaginary line LC is greater than the minimum dimension L2 of the protruding portion 120 in the direction parallel to the imaginary line LC. With this configuration, the wide portion 130 can be supported over a wide area by contacting the fingers, palm, or the like. This makes the posture of the haptic device 10 more stable.

[0038] (7) In the above embodiment, when viewed in a direction along the imaginary line LC, the wide portion 130 has a tip surface 131 that is convex toward the main body 110. With this configuration, when a cylindrical controller or the like is gripped with the hand to which the haptic device 10 is attached, the tip surface 131 of the wide portion 130 fits along the outer surface of the controller. Therefore, the wide portion 130 can be supported by being pinched between the fingers and the gripped controller.

[0039] (8) In the above embodiment, the contact surface 111 is a curved surface that is convex toward the contact point 20C. With this configuration, when a finger or the like is placed inside the ring formed by the housing 100 and the band 20, the contact surface 111 can be brought into close contact with the finger or the like. Therefore, the force sensation presented by the haptic device 10 can be efficiently conveyed to the user.

[0040] (Example of change) The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0041] In the above embodiment, the control device 40 may vibrate the vibrating body 30 with a vibration pattern that generates a tactile sensation such as a rough or uneven tactile sensation, in addition to or instead of the vibration pattern that can generate a force sensation. Note that the above-mentioned tactile sensation can be presented to the user by, for example, adjusting the strength distribution of the resistance force generated by the vibrating body 30.

[0042] In the above embodiment, the shape of the wide portion 130 may be changed as appropriate. For example, the tip surface 131 of the wide portion 130 may be flat. 5 and 6. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the wide portion 130 is attached to the tip 120B of the protruding portion 120. The wide portion 130 is generally plate-shaped. In the haptic device 10 shown in FIG. 5, as in the above embodiment, an imaginary line LC is drawn passing through the first portion 20A and the second portion 20B of the band 20. In this case, the maximum dimension L1 of the wide portion 130 in a direction parallel to the imaginary line LC is longer than the minimum dimension L2 of the protruding portion 120 in a direction parallel to the imaginary line LC.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 6 , the outer surface of the wide portion 130 opposite the protrusion 120 is referred to as the distal end surface 131. When viewed in a direction along the imaginary line LC, the distal end surface 131 is an arc-shaped curved surface that is convex toward the first negative direction X2. That is, when viewed in a direction along the imaginary line LC, the wide portion 130 has a distal end surface 131 that is convex toward the main body portion 110. When viewed in a direction along the imaginary line LC, the wide portion 130 protrudes in both directions perpendicular to the imaginary line LC, that is, toward the third positive direction Z1 and the third negative direction Z2, relative to the protrusion 120. In other words, the wide portion 130 protrudes on both sides relative to the protrusion 120 in a direction along the central axis of a ring formed by the contact surface 111 of the main body portion 110, a portion of the protrusion 120 on the base end 120A side, and the band 20.

[0044] 5 and 6, when the haptic device 10 is worn on the fingers as described above, the wide portion 130 extends from the base of the fourth finger toward both the palm side and the tip side of the fingers. In other words, the user can support the wide portion 130 with both the palm and the fingers. This stabilizes the posture of the haptic device 10.

[0045] Furthermore, when the haptic device 10 is worn on the fingers, the distal end surface 131 is convex toward the palm. Therefore, when a user wears the haptic device 10 and grips a tubular member, the curve of the distal end surface 131 easily fits the outer surface of the tubular member. Therefore, the posture of the haptic device 10 is likely to be stable even when the user grips the tubular member.

[0046] Furthermore, for example, the shape of the wide portion 130 may be as shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. As shown in Fig. 7, the wide portion 130 is attached to the tip 120B of the protrusion 120. The wide portion 130 is generally hemispherical. When viewed in a direction along the imaginary straight line LC, the wide portion 130 has a convex tip surface 131 on the side opposite to the main body 110. Specifically, the tip surface 131 is a curved surface that is convex generally toward the first positive direction X1.

[0047] 7, as in the above embodiment, suppose that an imaginary straight line LC is drawn passing through the first portion 20A and the second portion 20B of the band 20. In this case, the maximum dimension L1 of the wide portion 130 in a direction parallel to the imaginary straight line LC is longer than the minimum dimension L2 of the protruding portion 120 in a direction parallel to the imaginary straight line LC.

[0048] 7 and 8, when the haptic device 10 is worn on the fingers as described above, the tip surface 131 of the wide portion 130 is in roughly point contact or line contact with the palm of the hand and the outer surface of an object gripped by the fingers. Therefore, when the vibrating body 30 vibrates, the vibrating body 30 tends to vibrate with the contact point between the tip surface 131 of the wide portion 130 and the palm of the hand as a fulcrum.

[0049] The shape of the main body 110 is not limited to the example in the above embodiment. The shape of the main body 110 may be, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped or a spherical shape. It is sufficient that there is space inside the main body 110 to accommodate the vibrating body 30 and the like. Also, in the above embodiment, the contact surface 111 of the main body 110 does not have to be a curved surface that is convex toward the band 20 side.

[0050] The shape of the protrusion 120 is not limited to the example in the above embodiment. The protrusion 120 may be a flat plate that is not curved. In the above embodiment, the length of the protrusion 120 from the base end 120A to the tip end 120B may be less than 1 cm or greater than 3 cm.

[0051] The position of the protrusion 120 is not limited to the example in the above embodiment. That is, the base end 120A of the protrusion 120 may be connected to the main body 110 at a position different from that in the above embodiment. For example, the base end 120A may be connected to the center of the contact surface 111. Even in this case, the haptic device 10 can be worn by pinching the protrusion 120 between the fingers. Furthermore, the protrusion 120 may be adjacent to the second portion 20B of the band 20.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the main body 110, the protruding portion 120, and the wide portion 130 do not have to be integrally formed with one another. Also, the main body 110, the protruding portion 120, and the wide portion 130 may be made of different materials.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the flexural rigidity of the protrusion 120 may be the same as or smaller than the flexural rigidity of the band 20. However, from the viewpoint of stabilizing the wearing posture of the haptic device 10 by using the protrusion 120, it is preferable that the protrusion 120 has a flexural rigidity that is not bent or curved under its own weight.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the housing 100 may not have the wide portion 130. Also, the housing 100 may not have the protruding portion 120 and the wide portion 130. Even in a haptic device 10 in which the housing 100 is composed of only the main body portion 110, at least the effect of (1) above can be achieved.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the shape of the band 20 may be changed as appropriate. The shape of the band 20 may be any shape that allows it to be worn on an object such as a finger. For example, the band 20 may be string-like. The positions of the first portion 20A and the second portion 20B of the band 20 relative to the housing 100 are not limited to the examples in the above embodiment. For example, the first portion 20A and the second portion 20B of the band 20 may be attached to the contact surface 111 of the main body 110.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the first portion 20A of the band 20 may be removably attached to the housing 100, similar to the second portion 20B. In the above embodiment, the first portion 20A of the band 20 may be detachably attached to the housing 100. For example, the first portion 20A of the band 20 may be attached to the housing 100 with a hook-and-loop fastener.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the band 20 may be fixed to the housing 100 only at the first portion 20A. In this case, it is sufficient that the band 20 has a certain degree of rigidity and that a gap through which a finger or the like can pass is secured between the contact point 20C and the contact surface 111. In this modified example, the haptic device 10 can be attached to the user's body by pinching a finger or the like between the housing 100 and the band 20.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the second portion 20B of the band 20 may be fixed to the housing 100 rather than being detachable. For example, the second portion 20B of the band 20 may be fixed to the housing 100 with an adhesive. Also, in the above embodiment, the second portion 20B of the band 20 may be detachably attached using an adhesive method other than a hook-and-loop fastener.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the first portion 20A and the second portion 20B do not have to be the ends of the band 20. In the above embodiment, the length of the band 20 from the first portion 20A to the second portion 20B may be changed as appropriate. As described above, from the viewpoint of wearing the haptic device 10 on two to four fingers, it is preferable that the length of the band 20 from the first portion 20A to the second portion 20B be 3 cm or more and 15 cm or less. Even when the band 20 is in the form of a retractable string or the like, and the length of the band 20 is variable, it is preferable that the length of the band 20 from the first portion 20A to the second portion 20B relative to the housing 100 be 3 cm or more and 15 cm or less. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of wearing the haptic device 10 on a part of the hand that is thicker than four fingers, the length of the band 20 from the first portion 20A to the second portion 20B may be longer than 15 cm. The length of the band 20 may be changed according to the part where the user wears it.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the vibrating body 30 may vibrate only in the direction along the second axis Y, or only in the direction along the third axis Z. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the vibrating body 30 may also vibrate in the direction along the first axis X. Accordingly, the control device 40 is capable of controlling the vibration pattern that vibrates the vibrating body 30 in the direction along the vibrable axis.

[0061] The configuration of the vibrating body 30 is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the vibrating body 30 may be one that uses vibration by a motor, or one that has a piezoelectric element. In the above embodiment, the control device 40 may be located outside the housing 100.

[0062] The haptic device 10 of the above embodiment is not limited to being worn on the fourth and fifth fingers of the left hand. For example, the haptic device 10 of the above embodiment may be worn on the second and third fingers of the left hand. Furthermore, the haptic device 10 of the above embodiment may be worn on the right hand with the inner circumferential surface 121 of the protrusion 120 aligned with the fifth finger of the right hand. The method of wearing the haptic device 10 described in the above embodiment is merely an example.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the battery 50 may be provided outside the housing 100 . In the above embodiment, the communication device 60 is not limited to one capable of wireless communication. In other words, the communication device 60 may be one capable of wired communication. In this case, the communication device 60 may be connected to, for example, a controller or a game console by a cable. Furthermore, the communication device 60 may be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] L1...Maximum dimension L2: Minimum dimension LC...imaginary line 10...Haptic device 20...Band 20A…1st part 20B…Second part 30...Vibration body 40...Control device 100…Case 110...Main body 111…Contact surface 112...Outer surface 120...Protrusion 120A…Proximal end 120B...tip 130...Wide section 131…Tip surface

Claims

1. a housing having a main body, a protruding portion protruding from an outer surface of the main body, and a wide portion located at a tip end of the protruding portion opposite to a base end that is an end of the protruding portion on the main body side; a vibrator housed within the main body; a control device capable of presenting at least one of a tactile sense and a force sense to a user by controlling the vibration pattern of the vibrator; a band having a first portion fixed to an outer surface of the housing; Equipped with a second portion of the band, different from the first portion, fixed to a location on the outer surface of the housing that is different from the first portion; the length of the band from the first portion to the second portion is not less than 3 cm and not more than 15 cm; The user's body can be attached between an abutment portion, which is a portion of the band from the first portion to the second portion, and a contact surface, which is a part of the outer surface of the housing; The bending rigidity of the protrusion is greater than the bending rigidity of the band, When an imaginary line is drawn that passes through the first portion and the second portion of the band, The maximum dimension of the wide portion in a direction parallel to the imaginary straight line is greater than the minimum dimension of the protruding portion in a direction parallel to the imaginary straight line. Haptic devices.

2. The first portion of the band is adjacent to the protrusion. The haptic device of claim 1 .

3. The wide portion has a curved surface that is convex toward the main body portion when viewed in a direction along the imaginary straight line. The haptic device of claim 1 .

4. When viewed in a direction along the imaginary straight line, the wide portion has a convex curved surface on the side opposite to the main body portion side. The haptic device of claim 1 .

5. A part of the outer surface of the main body is the contact surface, and the contact surface is a curved surface that is convex toward the contact point. The haptic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images