Glove-type device

Abstract

It prevents the operating device worn on the hand from slipping. [Solution] The glove-type device 1 includes a glove portion 10 that is worn on the user's hand, a first fixing portion 11 for fixing a first coupling portion 221 of a control unit 22 to which an operating device 21 that receives user input is connected, to the glove portion 10, and a second fixing portion 12 that is fixed on the glove portion 10 on the side opposite to the side on which the first fixing portion 11 is provided, while being coupled to a second coupling portion 222 of the control unit 22.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a glove-type device worn on a user's hand.

Background Art

[0002] There is known an operating device that detects the movement of a user's hand while being worn on the user's hand (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventional operating devices are assumed to be used while being worn on the back of a glove-shaped hand. The operating device described in Patent Document 1 is used while being fixed to a user's hand by a belt-shaped belt. There has been a problem that the position of the operating device is likely to shift only by being fixed by the belt.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to make it difficult for an operating device worn on a hand to shift.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The glove-type device according to the first aspect of the present invention is a glove-type device for detecting an operation performed by a user, and includes a glove part worn on the user's hand, and a first fixing part for fixing a first coupling part of a control unit to which an operation device for receiving the user's operation is connected, to the glove part, and a second fixing part fixed on the side of the glove part opposite to the side where the first fixing part is provided, in a state of being coupled to a second coupling part of the control unit.

[0007] The first fixing portion is provided on the back-of-hand side of the glove portion, and the second fixing portion may be fixed on the palm side of the glove portion.

[0008] The second fixing portion may include a strip-shaped member that penetrates the opening of the second connecting portion, and a fixing member for fixing at least a portion of the strip-shaped member to the user's hand or wrist while the strip-shaped member is penetrating the opening.

[0009] At least a portion of the strip-shaped member is fixed to the side of the glove portion opposite to the side on which the first fixing portion is provided, and the fixing member may fix at least a portion of the strip-shaped member to another portion of the strip-shaped member.

[0010] The fixing member may be configured to be able to fix the strip-shaped member in any of a plurality of states in which the length of contact with the user is different.

[0011] The control unit may include a first coupling portion connected to the first fixed portion, a second coupling portion connected to the second fixed portion, and a third coupling portion connected to the operating device.

[0012] The third coupling portion may be detachably connected to any of a plurality of operating devices of different types, and the control unit may further include a processor that performs processing in a mode corresponding to the type of operating device determined based on a signal received from the operating device coupled to the third coupling portion.

[0013] A glove-type device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a glove-type device for detecting operations performed by a user, comprising: a glove portion worn on the user's hand; a first fixing portion for fixing a first coupling portion of a control unit to which an operation device that receives user operations is connected to the glove portion; and a second fixing portion that, while coupled to a second coupling portion of the control unit, is fixed to a second surface of the glove opposite to the first surface on which the first fixing portion is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, the operating device worn on the hand is less likely to slip. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This figure shows the state in which the glove-type device 1 is being used. [Figure 2] This diagram schematically shows the configuration of the glove-type device 1. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the configuration of a modified glove-type device 1A. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] [Basic configuration of the glove-type device 1 and the operating unit 2] Figure 1 shows the glove-type device 1 in use. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the glove-type device 1. Figures 1(a) and 2(a) show the back of the hand when the user is wearing the glove-type device 1, while Figures 1(b) and 2(b) show the palm side. The glove-type device 1 is a glove-shaped device for detecting operations performed by the user. The glove-type device 1 is used when worn on the user's hand.

[0017] The glove-type device 1 is configured such that the operation unit 2 can be fixed. The operation unit 2 is a device for receiving operations performed by the user using their fingers.

[0018] The glove-type device 1 includes a glove part 10, a first fixing part 11, and a second fixing part 12. The second fixing part 12 includes a belt-like member 121, a first fixing member 122, and a second fixing member 123. Details of the configuration of the glove-type device 1 will be described later.

[0019] The operation unit 2 includes an operation device 21 and a control unit 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 22 includes a main body part 220, a first coupling part 221, a second coupling part 222, and a third coupling part 223.

[0020] The operation device 21 has buttons, a joystick, sensors, etc. for receiving the user's operations. The operation device 21 is used in a state of being coupled to the control unit 22 via the third coupling part 223. The operation device 21 may be detachably coupled to the control unit 22. The operation device 21 detects the user's operation and transmits data indicating the detected operation to the control unit 22.

[0021] The control unit 22 has a processor and a communication interface for transmitting operation data indicating the operation content to an external device that the user is operating based on the data received from the operation device 21. Electronic circuits such as the processor and the communication interface are housed in the main body part 220. The external device is, for example, a game machine, a computer, a smartphone, a headset, or a robot. The control unit 22 may have a wireless communication function such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or a wired communication function for transmitting operation data to the external device.

[0022] The first coupling portion 221 is a portion that is coupled to the first fixing portion 11 of the glove-type device 1. As an example, the first coupling portion 221 is configured to protrude from the main body portion 220 on the lower surface side (the side in contact with the first fixing portion 11) of the main body portion 220. The control unit 22 has a plurality of first coupling portions 221. In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, four first coupling portions 221 are provided near the four corners of the main body portion 220, but the number of the first coupling portions 221 is arbitrary.

[0023] The first coupling portion 221 may be fixed to the first fixing portion 11 by a fixing member such as a screw or an adhesive, or may have a snap button or a hook-and-loop fastener for detachably fixing to the first fixing portion 11. The first coupling portion 221 has an opening, and the screw for fixing to the first fixing portion 11 may be configured to penetrate the opening. Note that the entire bottom surface of the main body portion 220 may function as the first coupling portion 221.

[0024] The second coupling portion 222 is a portion that is coupled to the second fixing portion 12 of the glove-type device 1. The control unit 22 has, for example, a second coupling portion 222a provided on the thumb side and a second coupling portion 222b provided on the little finger side in the main body portion 220. The second coupling portion 222 has an opening, and the second coupling portion 222 is coupled to the second fixing portion 12 by the strip-shaped member 121 penetrating the opening. The openings shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are rectangular, but the shape of the opening is arbitrary.

[0025] The second coupling portion 222 is integrally formed with the main body portion 220 so as to extend from a corner different from the corner where at least one of the first coupling portions 221 is provided among the four corners of the main body portion 220. Thus, since the second coupling portion 222 is provided at a position away from the position where at least one of the first coupling portions 221 is provided, the second coupling portion 222 can restrict the movement of the operation portion 2 in a direction different from the direction in which the movement of the operation portion 2 is restricted by the first coupling portion 221, so that it becomes difficult for the operation portion 2 to move.

[0026] The third coupling portion 223 is a connector for detachably connecting the operating device 21. The third coupling portion 223 has a power terminal for supplying power from the control unit 22 to operate the operating device 21, and a data terminal for receiving data indicating operations detected by the operating device 21. The operating device 21 may be integrated with the control unit 22. In this case, the third coupling portion 223 may not be provided.

[0027] The configuration of the glove-type device 1 is described in detail below. The glove portion 10 is the part that is worn on the user's hand. The glove portion 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 has an opening at the tip of the finger portion so that the fingertips are exposed, but the shape of the glove portion 10 is arbitrary.

[0028] The first fixing part 11 is a part for fixing the operating part 2, with one end connected to the glove part 10 and the other end connected to the first connecting part 221 of the control unit 22. The first fixing part 11 is provided on the back of the hand side surface (first surface) of the glove part 10. The glove-type device 1 has multiple first fixing parts 11 at positions corresponding to the positions of multiple first connecting parts 221. In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, four first fixing parts 11 are provided near the four corners of the rectangle formed by projecting the main body part 220, but the positions where the first fixing parts 11 are provided and the number of first fixing parts 11 are arbitrary.

[0029] The second fixing portion 12 is fixed to the glove portion 10 on the opposite side (e.g., palm side) from the side (e.g., back of hand side) where the first fixing portion 11 is provided, while being coupled to the second connecting portion 222 of the operating portion 2. In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the second fixing portion 12 is fixed to the palm side surface of the glove portion 10.

[0030] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 2. The second fixing portion 12 has a strip-shaped member 121a and a strip-shaped member 121b, and at least a portion of the strip-shaped member 121a and at least a portion of the strip-shaped member 121b are fixed to the second surface (e.g., palm side) opposite to the first surface (e.g., back of hand side) of the glove portion 10 where the first fixing portion 11 is provided. Specifically, the strip-shaped member 121a is fixed to the palm side surface of the glove portion 10 in a region F1 near one end. The strip-shaped member 121b is fixed to the palm side surface of the glove portion 10 in a region F2 near one end. The strip-shaped members 121a and 121b are fixed, for example, by sewing them to the palm side surface of the glove portion 10.

[0031] The second fixing portion 12 has a first fixing member 122 and a second fixing member 123 for fixing at least a portion of the strip-shaped member 121 to the user's hand or wrist, with the strip-shaped member 121 passing through the opening of the second connecting portion 222. The first fixing member 122 and the second fixing member 123 are members for fixing at least a portion of the strip-shaped member 121 to another portion of the strip-shaped member 121.

[0032] The second fixing part 12 is fixed on the palm side of the glove part 10 by connecting the first fixing member 122 and the second fixing member 123 with the strip-shaped member 121 passing through the opening of the second connecting part 222. The user can fix the operating part 2 so that it does not move by connecting the first fixing member 122 and the second fixing member 123 with the other end of the strip-shaped member 121 passing through the opening of the second connecting part 222.

[0033] The first fixing member 122 and the second fixing member 123 are configured to be able to fix the band-shaped member 121 in any of several states in which the length of contact with the user differs. For example, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the second fixing part 12 may be provided with a plurality of second fixing members 123 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the band-shaped member 121. This allows the user to tighten and fix the band-shaped member 121 to fit the size of their hand or wrist, so that the operating part 2 can be fixed to the glove-type device 1 in a state where it is difficult to move.

[0034] [Expandability of the control unit 2] As described above, the third coupling unit 223 is configured to allow the operation device 21 to be attached and detached. Therefore, any of several operation devices 21 of different types can be attached and detached from the third coupling unit 223. The control unit 22 may have a processor that performs processing in a mode corresponding to the type of operation device 21 determined based on the signal received from the operation device 21 coupled to the third coupling unit 223, so that it can perform appropriate operations according to the type of operation device 21 connected.

[0035] [First variation] In the above description, two second coupling portions 222 were provided on both sides of the control unit 22, but more second coupling portions 222 and strip-shaped members 121 may be provided. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a modified glove-type device 1A. Figure 4(a) shows the back of the hand when the user is wearing the glove-type device 1A, and Figure 4(b) shows the palm side.

[0036] In the example shown in Figure 4, four first connecting parts 221 (first connecting parts 221a to first connecting parts 221d) and four second connecting parts 222 (second connecting parts 222a to second connecting parts 222d) are provided near the four corners of the main body part 220. Strip-shaped members 121a to 121d are connected to the second connecting parts 222a to 222d.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4(b), the strip-shaped members 121a and 121b are fixed to the glove portion 10 at a position close to the wrist on the palm side. The strip-shaped members 121c and 121d are fixed at a position close to the fingers on the palm side. In this way, the strip-shaped members 121 are connected to each of the second connecting portions 222 provided at the four corners of the main body portion 220, and because they are fixed at different positions on the palm side, the main body portion 220 becomes even more difficult to move.

[0038] In Figure 2, an example is shown in which the strip-shaped member 121 is fixed to the glove portion 10 in a region near one end of the strip-shaped member 121. However, the strip-shaped member 121 does not have to be fixed to the glove portion 10. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4(b) with strip-shaped members 121c and 121d, the strip-shaped members 121c and 121d are configured to be joined in an overlapping state, and the strip-shaped members 121c and 121d do not have to be fixed to the glove portion 10. In the glove-type device 1 shown in Figure 2, the strip-shaped members 121a and 121b are configured to be joined in an overlapping state, and the strip-shaped members 121a and 121b do not have to be fixed to the glove portion 10.

[0039] In this case, the strip-shaped members 121a and 121b may be wrapped around the user's wrist and fixed to the user's wrist. In this case, fixing the operating unit 2 to the user's wrist also makes it less likely for the operating unit 2 to shift position.

[0040] [Second variation] In the above description, an example was shown in which the operating unit 2 is fixed to the back of the user's hand. However, the operating unit 2 may be fixed to the palm side of the user's hand, and the band-shaped member 121 may be fixed to the back of the hand.

[0041] [Third variation] In the above description, an example in which the operating unit 2 can be separated into an operating device 21 and a control unit 22 has been mainly shown. However, the operating device 21 and the control unit 22 may not be separable, and the operating unit 2, which is inseparably connected to the control unit 22, may be configured to be fixed to the glove-type device 1. In this case, the integrated operating unit 2 will serve as both the operating device 21 and the control unit 22, and will have both a first coupling part 221 and a second coupling part 222. Furthermore, the operating unit 2 may be configured so that multiple types of operating devices 21 can be connected to the control unit 22 simultaneously.

[0042] [Fourth variation] In the above description, the operating device 21 is exemplified as a single object having an operating button, but the form of the operating device 21 is arbitrary. For example, the operating device 21 may be a sensor or image sensor provided on the glove portion 10 that detects the movement of the user's finger or hand. In this case, the sensor or image sensor as the operating device 21 is connected to the control unit 22 by a signal line or wireless link and transmits a detection signal or image data to the control unit 22 via the signal line or wireless link. The control unit 22 transmits data based on the received detection signal or image data to an external device.

[0043] [Fifth variation] In the above description, an example was given in which the first coupling portion 221 and the second coupling portion 222 of the control unit 22 are provided in different positions. However, the first coupling portion 221 and the second coupling portion 222 may be provided in the same position. That is, the second coupling portion 222 may also function as the first coupling portion 221, and the second coupling portion 222 may be coupled to the strip-shaped member 121 and also to the first fixing portion 11.

[0044] [Effects of the Glove-Type Device 1 and Operating Unit 2] As described above, the glove-type device 1 has a first fixing part 11 for fixing the first coupling part 221 of the operating part 2 that receives user input, and a second fixing part 12 that is fixed on the glove part 10 on the opposite side from the side where the first fixing part 11 is provided, while coupled to the second coupling part 222 of the operating part 2. With the glove-type device 1 configured in this way, the operating part 2 is fixed on both sides of the user's hand, making it less likely for the position of the operating part 2 to shift.

[0045] Furthermore, since the operating device 21 is configured to be detachable from the control unit 22, the user can replace the operating device 21 with one suitable for the object they are operating while the control unit 22 is held securely in their hand.

[0046] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist. For example, all or part of the apparatus can be configured by functionally or physically distributing and integrating in any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combinations are combined with the effects of the original embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0047] 1. Glove-type device 2 Control section 10. Glove section 11 1st fixed part 12 Second fixed part 21 Operating Devices 22 Control Unit 121 Strip-shaped member 122 First fixing member 123 Second fixing member 123 Fixing member 220 Main body 221 1st joint 222 Second joint 223 Third joint

Claims

1. A glove-type device for detecting user actions, The glove portion is worn on the user's hand, A first fixing part for fixing the first coupling part of the control unit to which the operating device that accepts user input is connected to the glove part, With the control unit connected to the second coupling portion, the second fixing portion is fixed on the side of the glove portion opposite to the side on which the first fixing portion is provided, A glove-type device having a glove.

2. The first fixing part is provided on the back-of-hand side of the glove portion, The second fixing part is fixed on the palm side of the glove portion. The glove-type device according to claim 1.

3. The second fixing part is, A strip-shaped member that penetrates the opening of the second joint, A fixing member for securing at least a portion of the strip-shaped member to the user's hand or wrist while the strip-shaped member is passing through the opening, Having, The glove-type device according to claim 1.

4. At least a portion of the strip-shaped member is fixed to the side of the glove portion opposite to the side where the first fixing portion is provided. The fixing member fixes at least a portion of the strip-shaped member to another portion of the strip-shaped member. The glove-type device according to claim 3.

5. The fixing member is configured to be able to be fixed in any of a plurality of states in which the strip-shaped member has a different length in contact with the user. The glove-type device according to claim 3.

6. The control unit is The first joint portion to which the first fixed portion is attached, A second connecting portion connected to the second fixing portion, A third coupling portion coupled to the aforementioned operating device, Having, The glove-type device according to claim 1.

7. One of the multiple operating devices of different types can be attached to the third coupling portion. The control unit further includes a processor that performs processing in a mode corresponding to the type of operating device determined based on the signal received from the operating device coupled to the third coupling portion. The glove-type device according to claim 6.

8. A glove-type device for detecting user actions, The glove portion is worn on the user's hand, A first fixing part for fixing the first coupling part of the control unit to which the operating device that accepts user input is connected to the glove part, The second fixing portion is fixed to the second surface of the glove portion opposite to the first surface on which the first fixing portion is provided, while being coupled to the second coupling portion of the control unit, A glove-type device having a glove.

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