Interaction device

Abstract

An interactive device 1 includes: an outer shell body 110 formed of an elastic material; and at least one electrostatic capacitance sensor 12 disposed near the surface of the outer shell body 110. The electrostatic capacitance sensor 12 comprises: a substrate which is elastic; and at least one sensor electrode disposed on the substrate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an interaction device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an interaction device for controlling an information processing device such as a home game has generally been formed of a material that is relatively difficult to elastically deform, such as plastic.

[0003] However, in recent years, various interaction devices have been considered for the purpose of enriching the user experience in games and the like.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, a device like a stuffed animal equipped with an outer cover such as fur can be considered as an interaction device. However, in such an interaction device, although the user feels contact when touching the tip of the hair, if the contact sensor of the interaction device is arranged at a relatively deep position inside the interaction device, it may not be able to detect the contact of the degree of touching the tip of the hair.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and one of its purposes is to provide an interaction device that can improve the degree of freedom of the exterior.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention for solving the problems of the above conventional example is an interaction device including an outer housing formed of an elastic material and at least one capacitance sensor arranged near the surface of the outer housing, wherein the capacitance sensor includes an elastic substrate portion and at least one sensor electrode arranged on the substrate portion.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the degree of freedom in the exterior design of the interaction device can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the general configuration of an interaction device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] These are schematic cross-sectional and perspective views illustrating an example of a capacitive sensor included in an interaction device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a schematic plan view showing an example of a capacitance sensor included in an interaction device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit section included in an interaction device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the interaction device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the time change of information transmitted by the interaction device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The interaction device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in Figure 1, is composed of a device body 11, a capacitance sensor 12, and a circuit unit 13, and is connected to an information processing device 20 wirelessly or via a wire to enable communication. Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an overview of the interaction device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a part of the interaction device 1 is cut away to illustrate its cross-section.

[0010] In the following description of this embodiment, the shape and size of the interaction device 1, the proportions of its parts, etc. are examples only, and other shapes, sizes, and proportions of the sizes of its parts may differ from those exemplified.

[0011] In this embodiment, the main body of the device 11 comprises an outer shell 110 formed of a deformable material, such as an elastically deformable material. Furthermore, in this embodiment, it also comprises a skeletal body 111 disposed inside the outer shell 110.

[0012] The material of the outer shell 110 can be any material that is elastic, as described above. Suitable materials for the outer shell 110 include, for example, polymer gel materials such as silicon-based polymer gel materials and urethane-based gel materials, and various elastomer materials such as polystyrene-based elastomers, olefin-based elastomers, polyvinyl chloride-based elastomers, polyurethane-based elastomers, polyester-based elastomers, and polyamide-based elastomers—any material that is elastically deformable. Furthermore, it is preferable that the skeletal body 111 be formed from a material that is relatively less elastically deformable than the outer shell 110. Suitable materials for the skeletal body 111 include, for example, resin materials such as ABS resin or PLA resin.

[0013] In the example shown in Figure 1, the main body 11 of the device has a shape in which a head 11a and a body 11b are connected. In the example shown in Figure 1, both the head 11a and the body 11b are substantially spherical in shape. In this example, the outer shell 110 is formed in a shape corresponding to the connected head 11a and body 11b.

[0014] Furthermore, in one example of this embodiment, an outer covering 112 made of fabric is placed on the outside of the surface of the outer shell 110. This outer covering 112 is made of fabric such as fur, pile fabric, faux fur, or boa, and is attached to the outside of the surface of the outer shell 110. This outer covering 112 may be attached to the outer shell 110, or it may be detachably attached to the outer shell 110.

[0015] The outer shell 110 of the device body 11 may have a predetermined shape, such as a sphere or a rectangular parallelepiped, when no external force is applied. Furthermore, when an external force is applied by a user with their finger or the like, the outer shell 110 will elastically change its shape in response to that external force.

[0016] The capacitive sensor 12 is positioned near the outer shell 110 and at least outside the skeletal body 111. In this embodiment, the capacitive sensor 12 is attached to the inner surface 110b of the outer shell 110 (at least a portion of the inner circumference of the outer shell 110), as illustrated in Figure 1. However, this is just one example, and it may also be positioned on the outer surface of the outer shell 110, or between the outer shell 110 and the outer casing 112. By positioning sensors such as the capacitive sensor 12 inside the outer casing in this way, the texture of the sensor is not perceived by the user, and user operation can be detected without compromising the texture of the interaction device's outer casing 110.

[0017] As illustrated in Figure 2, which shows a cross-section (Figure 2(a)) and a perspective view (Figure 2(b)), the capacitance sensor 12 comprises a substrate portion 120, an electrode 121, a lead portion 122, and a wiring portion 123. Here, the substrate portion 120 is a thin film-like member formed using an elastic insulating material (such as insulating polyimide or liquid crystal polymer).

[0018] In one example of this embodiment, the substrate portion 120 is formed as a member having a shape like an unfolded drawing obtained by unfolding a three-dimensional shape that can be attached along the inner circumference of the outer shell 110, as shown in an example of its plan view in Figure 3. This substrate portion 120 may have at least one notch and may have at least one opening. The substrate portion 120 may have both a notch and an opening, or it may have only one of them. As shown in Figure 3, the substrate portion 120 is composed of, for example, a notch 120a, a portion 120b adjacent to the notch 120a that overlaps with other parts when it is formed into a three-dimensional shape (referred to as an overlapping portion), and a portion (main body) 120c that is attached to the inner circumference of the outer shell 110. An opening 120d may be formed in a part of the main body 120c. The shape of the opening 120d can be any shape depending on the shape of the outer shell 110, for example, it can be circular or rectangular. As described above, in this example of the embodiment, at least one opening or notch is formed in the capacitance sensor 12. Note that the lead portion 122 and the wiring portion 123 are not shown in Figure 3.

[0019] This opening or the like makes it easy to arrange the capacitance sensor 12 along the inner surface of the outer casing 110 having a three-dimensional shape. Further, this opening or the like enhances the flexibility of the capacitance sensor 12, and makes it easier to deform along with the elastic deformation of the exterior body 110 as compared with the case where no opening or the like is used.

[0020] When the opening 120d is formed, the electrodes 121 and the lead portions 122 are formed on the main body 120c of the substrate portion 120 while avoiding the opening 120d. In an example of the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the electrodes 121 are formed by disposing a conductive material at a plurality of locations on a part of the main body 120c of the substrate portion 120. This conductive material may also have elasticity, and in that case, for example, a conductive ink material or the like is used. In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the electrodes 121 are formed by disposing a conductive material within a range of a predetermined shape, and an opening (a portion where no conductive material is disposed) is formed in a part thereof.

[0021] In an example of the present embodiment, for example, the substrate portion 120 illustrated in FIG. 3 is disposed on the hemisphere of the head portion 11a. In this example, about 18 electrodes 121 per hemisphere of the head portion 11a are arranged so as not to overlap each other.

[0022] The lead portion 122 has an end portion 122a electrically connected to each electrode 121, and is formed in a linear shape having a predetermined width using an elastic conductive material on the main body 120c of the substrate portion 120. For the conductive material for forming the lead portion 122, similar to the electrode 121, for example, a conductive ink material or the like can be used.

[0023] The wiring part 123 is provided corresponding to the lead part 122 arranged corresponding to each electrode 121. One end of the wiring part 123 is electrically connected to the end 122b of the corresponding lead part 122, which is opposite to the end 122a connected to the electrode 121, and the other end is connected to the circuit part 13. This wiring part 123 is arranged so as not to be in electrical contact with the wiring part 123 corresponding to other lead parts 122 arranged on the same substrate part 120 or the wiring part 123 drawn out from other capacitance sensors 12.

[0024] Note that the capacitance sensor 12 in this example may be of the self-capacitance type or the mutual-capacitance type. Here, it is desirable that the Young's modulus of the substrate part 120 is less than or equal to the Young's modulus of the outer housing 110 of the apparatus main body 11 (that is, the substrate part 120 of the capacitance sensor 12 is more likely to expand and contract than the outer housing 110). Furthermore, it is preferable that the Young's modulus of the electrode 121 and the lead part 122 is less than or equal to the Young's modulus of the substrate part 120.

[0025] The circuit part 13 is arranged at the center part (a position as far as possible separated from the surface) of the apparatus main body 11 of the interaction apparatus 1. Specifically, this circuit part 13 is arranged inside the skeleton body 111. As illustrated in FIG. 4, for example, this circuit part 13 includes an oscillation circuit part 131, an analog multiplexer (MPX) 132, a capacitance detection circuit part 133, an A / D conversion part 134, a BPF part 135, and a control part 136. The control part 136 includes a DSP 1361, a CPU 1362, a storage part 1363, and a communication part 1364. The DSP 1361, the CPU 1362, the storage part 1363, and the communication part 1364 are connected to each other via a bus BUS. Furthermore, in an example of the present embodiment, this circuit part 13 includes an external force sensor 137 and is connected to the control part 136.

[0026] Here, the oscillation circuit part 131 is an oscillation circuit that oscillates a sine wave of a predetermined frequency f, and outputs the oscillated sine wave signal to the analog multiplexer 132, the A / D conversion part 134, the BPF part 135, and the control part 136.

[0027] When there are multiple electrodes 121 of the capacitance sensor 12 arranged on the surface of the device body 11, the analog multiplexer 132 sequentially switches and selects one of the multiple electrodes 121 at predetermined timings (a predetermined period T >> t that is sufficiently larger than the period t of the sine wave signal), and outputs the sine wave signal output by the oscillation circuit unit 131 to the selected electrode 121.

[0028] The capacitance detection circuit 133 is configured, for example, to include an LC resonant circuit and outputs a resonant signal with the sinusoidal signal output to the electrode 121 of the capacitance sensor 12 selected by the analog multiplexer 132. The frequency f' of this signal changes depending on the distance from the electrode 121 of the capacitance sensor 12 selected by the analog multiplexer 132 to the user's finger or hand, the force of the user's finger or hand pressing the electrode 121, and the contact area of ​​the user's finger with the electrode 121 (via the outer shell 110).

[0029] The A / D conversion unit 134 converts the signal with frequency f' output by the capacitance detection circuit unit 133 into a digital signal and outputs it. The BPF unit 135 is a digital bandpass filter that extracts a predetermined component of the digital signal (representing the signal with frequency f') output by the A / D conversion unit 134, which is near a predetermined frequency f0.

[0030] The DSP 1361 of the control unit 136 performs predetermined digital signal processing on the signal output by the BPF unit 135 and outputs it to the CPU 1362. The CPU 1362 operates according to the program stored in the memory unit 1363 and calculates the difference d between the signal output by the DSP 1361 and the frequency f signal output by the oscillation circuit unit 131. The CPU 1362 also calculates the difference Δ between this difference d and a preset output reference value B (initially set to "0", for example), and outputs this difference Δ as information on the output value related to the electrode 121 of the capacitance sensor 12 (called proximity contact information). This proximity contact information is used, for example, by the information processing device 20 to estimate the distance between the corresponding electrode 121 and the user's finger or hand, or to estimate the pressing force applied to the electrode 121 by the user's finger or hand.

[0031] The memory unit 1363 holds programs executed by the CPU 1362. These programs may be provided on a computer-readable, non-temporary storage medium and may be copied and stored in the memory unit 1363. The memory unit 1363 also functions as the work memory for the CPU 1362.

[0032] The communication unit 1364 is a wireless communication interface such as a wireless LAN interface or Bluetooth (registered trademark), and sends information to the information processing device 20 according to instructions input from the CPU 1362. The communication unit 1364 also outputs information received from the information processing device 20 to the CPU 1362.

[0033] In one example of this embodiment, the CPU 1362 of the interaction device 1 detects the capacitance of each electrode 121 of the capacitance sensor 12 sequentially selected by the analog multiplexer 132, and outputs (sends) proximity contact information obtained by estimating the distance to the user's finger or hand or the pressing force applied to the electrode 121 by the user's finger or hand to the information processing device 20.

[0034] For example, as illustrated in Figure 5, the CPU 1362 performs initialization processing such as setting an output reference value at a predetermined timing, such as when the power is turned on (S11), and then sequentially selects and executes the next process for each electrode 121 of each capacitance sensor 12 (that is, for each of all electrodes 121 built into the interaction device 1) (S12).

[0035] The CPU 1362 estimates the distance from the selected electrode 121 to the user's finger or hand, or the pressure applied to the selected electrode 121 by the user's finger or hand, and generates proximity contact information for the electrode 121 (S13).

[0036] Based on the proximity contact information generated in step S13 (for example, whether the value represented by the proximity contact information is below a predetermined threshold for determining whether the user's hand is in close proximity), the CPU 1362 determines whether the user's finger or hand is in close proximity to the selected electrode 121, and whether the selected electrode 121 is being pressed by the user (S14). If it is determined that the electrode is in close proximity or being pressed (S14: Yes), the CPU 1362 sends the generated proximity contact information and information identifying the selected electrode 121 (electrode identification information) to the information processing device 20 (S15). Here, the electrode identification information may be an identifier predetermined for each electrode 121.

[0037] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S14 that the user's finger or the like is not in close proximity and is not pressing down (S14: No), the CPU 1362 does not perform the process in step S15.

[0038] The CPU 1362 then selects the next electrode 121 and repeats the process from steps S13 to S15. After performing the process from steps S13 to S15 for all electrodes 121, the CPU 1362 returns to the process of step S12 and again executes the process from steps S13 to S15 for each electrode 121 of each capacitance sensor 12.

[0039] The CPU 1362 also receives a signal from the external force sensor 137 representing an external force acting on the interaction device 1. The CPU 1362 then sends this signal representing the external force to the information processing device 20. The CPU 1362 may also perform a predetermined external force response process based on this signal representing the external force. The details of this predetermined external force response process will be described later.

[0040] The external force sensor 137 includes an acceleration sensor, a potentiometer, etc., and detects the external force applied by the user to the interaction device 1. Here, the external force is, for example, a force that moves or rotates the interaction device 1, and refers to the force detected when the user is touching the interaction device 1.

[0041] In one example of this embodiment, the CPU 1362 may determine that the user is not touching the device when a predetermined time has elapsed since it last received a signal from the external force sensor 137 indicating an external force exceeding a predetermined threshold, and then execute a process to switch the interaction device 1 to a power-saving mode (a mode in which power supply to each part is stopped, etc.) as an external force response process.

[0042] The information processing device 20 is, for example, a home game console, a personal computer, or other computer device, and is connected to the interaction device 1 in a communicative manner. In this embodiment, the information processing device 20 receives proximity contact information from the interaction device 1, which represents the distance between each electrode 121 of the capacitive sensor 12 arranged on the inner surface of the outer shell 110 of the interaction device 1 and the user's finger or hand, or the pressing force applied to the electrode 121 by the user's finger or hand.

[0043] The information processing device 20 estimates the user's operation on the device body 11 based on proximity contact information related to each capacitance sensor 12.

[0044] [Operation] The interaction device 1 of this embodiment has the above configuration and operates as follows. In the following example, the device body 11 is assumed to have a shape in which a substantially spherical head 11a and a substantially spherical body 11b are connected, as illustrated in Figure 1. That is, the outer shell 110 is formed in a shape corresponding to the connected head 11a and body 11b. Furthermore, an outer covering 112 made of faux fur fabric or the like is attached to the outside of the outer shell 110.

[0045] Furthermore, components that constitute features such as a face, limbs, etc., such as eye buttons E, may be placed on the outside of the outer shell 110.

[0046] The user interacts with the interaction device 1 while the interaction device 1 is placed on a desk or the like. • The action of bringing one's hand closer to the outer body 112. • Touch the outer casing 112 to activate, - Action of stroking the surface of the outer body 112, - An action to press the outer shell 110 of the device body 11 via the outer casing 112. - An operation to press and deform the outer shell 110 of the device body 11 via the outer casing 112. - Action of striking the surface of the outer casing 112 - The action of releasing the hand from touching or pressing the surface of the outer casing 112. ... The user may also perform actions such as lifting and moving the interaction device 1.

[0047] For example, when a user brings their hand close to the surface of the outer casing 112, the capacitance sensor 12 located directly beneath the outer shell 110 comes into contact with an electrode 121 that is relatively close to the user's hand, causing the capacitance of the electrode 121 to change. The CPU 1362 of the circuit unit 13 then detects this change and generates proximity contact information for the electrode 121. This proximity contact information, along with electrode identification information for the electrode 121, is sent to the information processing device 20.

[0048] In this way, for example, if the outer casing 112 is made of fur, it is possible to detect the movement of bringing a hand close enough to just barely touch the tips of the fur, and by using the detection result, it becomes possible to reproduce the sensitive bodily sensations of animals such as dogs and cats.

[0049] Furthermore, for example, when a user strokes the surface of the outer casing 112, the user's hand approaches an electrode 121 located relatively close to the stroked position among the capacitance sensors 12 positioned directly beneath the outer shell 110, causing a change in the capacitance of the electrode 121. The CPU 1362 of the circuit unit 13 then detects this change and generates proximity contact information regarding the electrode 121, which is then sent to the information processing device 20 along with electrode identification information for the electrode 121.

[0050] In this embodiment, when a user's hand touches the surface of the outer casing 112, the electrode 121 of the capacitance sensor 12 located directly beneath the outer shell 110 that is in close proximity to the user's hand detects that the user's hand is in close proximity.

[0051] In this embodiment, the substrate portion 120 illustrated in Figure 3 is placed on each hemisphere of the head 11a, so that about a dozen electrodes 121 (18 in the example in Figure 3) are arranged on each hemisphere of the head 11a without overlapping each other. In this case, when the user performs the stroking motion described above, the user's hand moves back and forth between multiple different electrodes 121, so the CPU 1362 of the circuit portion 13 detects that the user's fingers are alternately approaching the multiple electrodes 121. Accordingly, proximity contact information regarding the multiple electrodes 121 is alternately sent to the information processing device 20 along with corresponding electrode identification information.

[0052] Furthermore, when a user pushes the outer casing 112 and presses the outer shell 110 of the device body 11, the outer shell 110 deforms, and while the user is pressing the outer shell 110, the electrode 121 located near the pressed position is also pressed via the outer shell 110. The CPU 1362 of the circuit unit 13 then detects that the area near the electrode 121 is being pressed and generates proximity contact information for the electrode 121. The generated proximity contact information, along with electrode identification information for the electrode 121, is then sent to the information processing device 20.

[0053] Furthermore, when the user strikes the main body 11 of the device, the outer shell 110 deforms immediately after the strike, and the electrode 121 located near the strike point is pressed through the outer shell 110. The CPU 1362 of the circuit unit 13 then detects that the area near the electrode 121 is being pressed and generates proximity contact information for that electrode 121. The generated proximity contact information, along with electrode identification information for the electrode 121, is then sent to the information processing device 20.

[0054] Subsequently, the outer shell 110 deforms again due to elastic force and returns to its original shape. At this time, the electrode 121 located near the struck position is no longer pressed. As a result, the CPU 1362 of the circuit unit 13 does not generate proximity contact information regarding the electrode 121 because the vicinity of the electrode 121 is not pressed. Therefore, the proximity contact information is not sent to the information processing device 20.

[0055] When the information processing device 20 receives electrode identification information along with proximity contact information from the interaction device 1, it records the received electrode identification information and proximity contact information in the order they were received, and estimates the content of the operation performed by the user on the interaction device 1 from their contents or their chronological changes.

[0056] In one example of this embodiment, the information processing device 20 is pre-associated with electrode identification information and records information indicating the location of the electrode 121 identified by the electrode identification information on the interaction device 1.

[0057] Then, when the information processing device 20 receives proximity contact information relating to, for example, an electrode 121a and an electrode 121b adjacent to that electrode 121a, as illustrated in Figure 6, it estimates the user's operation as follows.

[0058] In this context, regarding the proximity contact information (a one-dimensional value representing the change in capacitance) for each electrode 121a and 121b as illustrated in Figure 6, it is assumed that multiple thresholds P1 and P2 are pre-set in ascending order, and that when the user's fingers are not in close proximity (when proximity contact information is not received from the interaction device 1), the value represented by the proximity contact information will be "0".

[0059] The information processing device 20 determines that, when the proximity contact information for a certain electrode 121 is not "0" but falls below the threshold P1, the user's hand is close to the outer casing 112 near the electrode 121 but is not in contact with it.

[0060] Furthermore, when proximity contact information relating to a certain electrode 121 exceeds threshold P1 and falls below threshold P2, the information processing device 20 determines that the user's hand is in contact with the outer casing 112 near the electrode 121, but is not touching the outer shell 110.

[0061] The information processing device 20 then determines that when proximity contact information relating to a certain electrode 121 exceeds a threshold P2, the user is pressing the part of the outer shell 110 near that electrode 121 with a pressing force corresponding to the magnitude of that value.

[0062] Such thresholds P1 and P2 may be predetermined experimentally, for example, or they may be dynamically determined using proximity contact information obtained from the electrodes during operation. Furthermore, these thresholds P1 and P2 may be set differently for each electrode 121. In that case, the information processing device 20 shall make the above determination for the proximity contact information related to each electrode 121 using the thresholds P1 and P2 set for the corresponding electrode 121.

[0063] According to the information processing device 20 that makes such a judgment, when proximity contact information relating to electrodes 121a and 121b as exemplified in Figure 6 is recorded, it is determined that in period T1 the user's hand is approaching electrodes 121a and 121b, and in period T2 the information processing device 20 determines that the user is alternately touching the outer casing 112 adjacent to electrodes 121a and 121b, respectively, and therefore estimates that the user is stroking the vicinity of the area where electrodes 121a and 121b are located.

[0064] Furthermore, during period T3, since the proximity contact information related to electrode 121a exceeds the threshold P2 for a relatively long period, it is presumed that the user is pressing on the area near where electrode 121a is located.

[0065] During period T4, the proximity contact information related to electrode 121b exceeds the threshold P2 only for a relatively short period, leading to the inference that the user tapped the area near where electrode 121b is located.

[0066] [Deviation of reference values ​​due to static electricity on the exterior] Furthermore, in the interaction device 1 of this embodiment, since the outer casing 112 is arranged on the surface of the outer casing 110, depending on the material of the outer casing 112, it is conceivable that it may become charged when the user touches or releases their hand, affecting the detection result of the capacitance sensor 12.

[0067] Therefore, in one example of this embodiment, the CPU 1362, as one of the external force response processes already described, may determine that the user is not touching the device when a predetermined time (for example, about 5 to 10 seconds) has elapsed since it last received a signal from the external force sensor 137 indicating an external force exceeding a predetermined threshold. At that point, the detection result of each electrode 121 of the capacitance sensor 12 (for example, the difference d between the signal output by the DSP 1361 and the frequency f signal output by the oscillation circuit unit 131) is considered to be the value corresponding to when the user is not touching the device, and the output reference value may be reset (for example, the value d may be reset as the output reference value B).

[0068] To make it resettable, the CPU 1362 may immediately reset the output reference value to a value it determines to be the corresponding value when the user is not touching it, or, after the resettable state is established, when other predetermined conditions are met (for example, when there is some instruction from the information processing device 20), the CPU 1362 may reset the output reference value (for example, resetting the value d to output reference value B) by assuming that the detection result of each electrode 121 of the capacitance sensor 12 at that time (for example, the difference d between the signal output by the DSP 1361 and the frequency f signal output by the oscillation circuit unit 131) is the corresponding value when the user is not touching it.

[0069] [Examples of using proximity contact information by information processing devices] The information processing device 20 may use the results of the above estimation to send the content of the operation performed by the user on the interaction device 1 to another information processing device 20, which may then control the stimuli applied to the user's hands or other body parts when using that other information processing device 20.

[0070] Furthermore, the information processing device 20 may use the content of the operations performed by the user on the interaction device 1 in the game processing to control parameters related to the virtual character (information representing mood, etc.).

[0071] Furthermore, the information processing device 20 may perform a process that simulates an attack against a virtual character in response to an operation such as the user hitting the interaction device 1. In this case, the information processing device 20 may control the type and strength of the attack based on the part of the interaction device 1 that the user hit and the force with which the hit was made.

[0072] [Effects of the Embodiment] According to an embodiment of the present invention, even in an interaction device covered with, for example, fur, it is possible to arrange a capacitive sensor along the inner surface of an outer shell placed directly beneath the fur. This makes it possible to detect the proximity of a user's hand to the fur and use the sensor to estimate the degree of contact with the fur, as well as the strength and location of the contact. This improves the freedom of design for the exterior of the interaction device. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 1 Interaction device, 11 Main unit, 12 Capacitive sensor, 13 Circuit section, 20 Information processing unit, 110 Outer shell, 111 Skeleton, 112 Fur, 120 Substrate section, 121 Electrode, 122 Lead section, 123 Wiring section, 131 Oscillator circuit section, 132 Analog multiplexer, 133 Capacitance detection circuit section, 134 A / D conversion section, 135 BPF section, 136 Control section, 137 External force sensor, 1361 DSP, 1362 CPU, 1363 Memory section, 1364 Communication section.

Claims

1. An outer shell formed of an elastic material, wherein a fabric is arranged on the outer surface of the outer shell, At least one capacitance sensor is positioned near the surface of this outer shell, Processor and Communications Department and, An interaction device including, The at least one capacitance sensor comprises an elastic substrate portion, At least one sensor electrode is disposed on the substrate portion, Equipped with, The processor is configured to detect the output of the capacitance sensor and output proximity contact information representing the result of the detection. The aforementioned proximity contact information includes a first proximity contact information, a second proximity contact information, and a third proximity contact information, each being different. The aforementioned processor, When the user's hand is not in contact with the outer shell and is not in contact with the fabric, but is at or below a predetermined distance from the outer shell, the first proximity contact information is output. If the user's hand is not in contact with the outer shell but is in contact with the fabric, a second proximity contact information is output. When the user's hand is pressing against the outer shell, a third proximity contact information is output. The communication unit is configured to wirelessly transmit the first proximity contact information, the second proximity contact information, and the third proximity contact information to an external information processing device, which is different from the interaction device, so that the external information processing device performs different processing based on the first proximity contact information, the second proximity contact information, and the third proximity contact information, respectively. Interaction device.

2. An interaction device according to claim 1, The capacitance sensor is an interaction device having at least one opening and / or notch.

3. An interaction device according to claim 1 or 2, Furthermore, it includes an external force sensor disposed inside the outer shell, If the external force sensor fails to detect an external force for a predetermined period of time, the processor is an interaction device capable of resetting the output reference value of the capacitance sensor.

4. An outer shell formed of an elastic material, wherein a fabric is arranged on the outer surface of the outer shell, At least one capacitance sensor disposed near the surface of this outer shell, comprising an elastic substrate portion and at least one sensor electrode disposed on the substrate portion, Processor and Communications Department and, An interaction device including a method for outputting proximity contact information to the interaction device, wherein the method is The processor detects the output of the capacitance sensor and outputs proximity contact information representing the result of the detection, wherein the proximity contact information includes a first proximity contact piece, a second proximity contact piece, and a third proximity contact piece, each being different. The aforementioned processor, When the user's hand is not in contact with the outer shell and is not in contact with the fabric, but is at or below a predetermined distance from the outer shell, the first proximity contact information is output. If the user's hand is not in contact with the outer shell but is in contact with the fabric, a second proximity contact information is output. When the user's hand is pressing against the outer shell, a third proximity contact information is output. That thing, The communication unit transmits the first proximity contact information, the second proximity contact information, and the third proximity contact information wirelessly to an external information processing device different from the interaction device, causing the external information processing device to perform different processing based on the first proximity contact information, the second proximity contact information, and the third proximity contact information, respectively. Methods that include...

5. The method according to claim 4, The method wherein the capacitance sensor has at least one opening and / or notch.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, Furthermore, it includes an external force sensor disposed inside the outer shell, A method comprising the processor resetting the output reference value of the capacitance sensor if the external force sensor fails to detect an external force for a predetermined period of time.

7. An outer shell formed of an elastic material, wherein a fabric is arranged on the outer surface of the outer shell, At least one capacitance sensor disposed near the surface of this outer shell, comprising an elastic substrate portion and at least one sensor electrode disposed on the substrate portion, Processor and Communications Department and, A program for outputting proximity contact information to an interaction device, including the interaction device, A function to cause the processor to detect the output of the capacitance sensor and output proximity contact information representing the result of the detection, wherein the proximity contact information includes a first proximity contact piece, a second proximity contact piece, and a third proximity contact piece, each being different. The aforementioned processor, When the user's hand is not in contact with the outer shell and is not in contact with the fabric, but is at or below a predetermined distance from the outer shell, the first proximity contact information is output. If the user's hand is not in contact with the outer shell but is in contact with the fabric, a second proximity contact information is output. A function that outputs third proximity contact information when the user's hand is pressing against the outer shell, The communication unit has a function to cause an external information processing device, different from the interaction device, to perform different processing based on the first proximity contact information, the second proximity contact information, and the third proximity contact information, respectively, and to transmit the first proximity contact information, the second proximity contact information, and the third proximity contact information wirelessly to the external information processing device. A program to execute.

8. The program according to claim 7, The capacitive sensor has at least one aperture and / or notch, programmed.

9. A program according to claim 7 or 8, Furthermore, it includes an external force sensor disposed inside the outer shell, A program for causing the processor to execute a function to reset the output reference value of the capacitance sensor when the external force sensor fails to detect an external force for a predetermined period of time.

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