Vibration device and vibration system

Abstract

This vibration device has a vibration unit. The vibration unit can apply vibrations to a specific part of a user. The vibration unit vibrates at a first frequency when muscles at the specific part undergo concentric contraction. The vibration unit vibrates at a second frequency when the muscles at the specific part undergo eccentric or isometric contraction. The first frequency is greater than or equal to the second frequency.

Description

Vibration Devices and Systems CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-012103, filed on January 30, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to vibration devices and vibration systems.

[0003] Conventionally, techniques for improving sensory sensitivity using the stochastic resonance phenomenon have been known. Hereinafter, sensory sensitivity includes tactile sensitivity and somatosensory sensitivity. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for improving braking operation compared to conventional methods by attaching a vibration pad that generates weak vibrations to the upper surface of a brake pedal to improve the tactile sensitivity of the sole of a driver's foot when decelerating a vehicle.

[0004] JP 2017-138764 A

[0005] A vibration device according to a first aspect is capable of applying vibration to a specific location of a user, and comprises a vibration unit that vibrates at a first frequency when the muscle at the specific location is undergoing concentric contraction, and vibrates at a second frequency when the muscle at the specific location is undergoing isometric contraction or eccentric contraction, wherein the first frequency is the same as or higher than the second frequency.

[0006] A vibration system according to a second aspect includes a vibration unit capable of applying vibration to a specific location of a user, and an information processing unit that causes the vibration unit to vibrate at a first frequency when the muscle at the specific location is undergoing concentric contraction, and vibrates at a second frequency when the muscle at the specific location is undergoing isometric contraction or eccentric contraction.

[0007] 5 is an external view of a vibration device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is an external view of a modified example of the vibration device of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the control device of FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining vibration processing performed by the information processing unit of FIG. 3. FIG. 9 is an external view of a vibration device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the control device of FIG. 5. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining vibration processing performed by the information processing unit of FIG. 6. FIG. 12 is an external view of a vibration device for experimentation. FIG. 13 is a graph showing a target line and an actual line in a motor function confirmation test. FIG. 14 is a graph showing a first relative error, a second relative error, and a third relative error for a specific frequency. FIG. 15 is a graph plotting the frequency at which the relative error is smallest in the first section and the third section for a plurality of subjects by age.

[0008] Stochastic resonance, a phenomenon known as stochastic resonance, is a nonlinear system, such as a bistable system or a threshold system, in which adding a weak noise below a threshold to a signal increases the probability that the signal will exceed the threshold and become stronger, thereby improving the ability to detect weak signals. For example, applying a weak vibration that is imperceptible to the user is known to improve the tactile sensitivity of parts of the human body, including fingers, hands, and feet. It is also known that improved tactile sensitivity can improve motor functions that use tactile information for feedback control.

[0009] According to the method described in Patent Document 1, the driver's tactile sensitivity is improved by weak vibrations. This is a phenomenon known as stochastic resonance. However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose a method for effectively manifesting stochastic resonance in accordance with the state of the muscles that perform motor functions. This disclosure relates to improving motor functions based on sensory sensitivity using stochastic resonance.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0011] 1 , a vibration device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure may be embodied as, for example, an instrument (hereinafter, also referred to as a “first instrument”) 11 that is gripped so that the degree of opening and closing can be adjusted. The first instrument 11 may be, for example, a pinching tool such as radio pliers, pliers, or nippers, scissors, or tweezers.

[0012] The vibration device 10 includes a vibration unit 12. The vibration device 10 may further include a detection unit 13 and a control unit 14.

[0013] The vibration unit 12 can impart vibration to a specific location on the user. In the first tool 11, the specific location on the user is, for example, the inner side of the thumb from the interphalangeal joint to the tip, or the inner side of the index finger from the proximal interphalangeal joint to the tip. The inner side may refer to the flexed side of the finger. For example, the vibration unit 12 may be provided near a location on the vibration device 10 that is expected to come into contact with the user, thereby being able to impart vibration. In the first tool 11, the vibration unit 12 may be provided on the inside or outside of the handle, such as near the center of the handle in the longitudinal direction.

[0014] The vibration unit 12 may be capable of vibrating at different frequencies. For example, the vibration unit 12 vibrates at a first frequency and a second frequency. The vibration unit 12 may vibrate at the first frequency and the second frequency based on the control of the control device 14, as described below. The vibration intensity at the first frequency and the second frequency may be below the threshold of sensation of the human body. Therefore, the vibration unit 12 may impart vibrations to a specific location on the user that are not perceived by the user.

[0015] The vibrating unit 12 may be any vibrator that generates weak vibrations. The vibrator may be, for example, a piezoelectric element or a linear vibration actuator. The vibrator may be configured using at least one element of one type, or may be configured using multiple elements of different types.

[0016] The detection unit 13 may detect the contraction state of a muscle at a specific location of the user. The detection unit 13 may detect the contraction state of the muscle directly or indirectly. In the first embodiment, the detection unit 13 indirectly detects the contraction state of the muscle at the specific location.

[0017] In the first embodiment, the detection unit 13 may specifically be a bending sensor. The detection unit 13, which is a bending sensor, may be provided at the fulcrum of the first instrument 11. The detection unit 13, which is a bending sensor, may detect the opening and closing degree of the first instrument 11. As will be described later, the detection unit 13, which is a bending sensor, detects the contraction state of a muscle at a specific location of the user based on the detection results of the opening and closing degree that are continuous over time.

[0018] 2, the detection unit 13 may specifically be a pressure sensor. The detection unit 13, which is a pressure sensor, may be provided on the outside of the handle of the first tool 11. As will be described later, the detection unit 13, which is a pressure sensor, detects the contraction state of a specific muscle in a user's muscle, based on the results of detecting pressure that is continuous over time.

[0019] Alternatively, in the first embodiment, the detection unit 13 may specifically be a temperature sensor. The detection unit 13, which is a temperature sensor, may be provided on the outside of the handle of the first tool 11. As will be described later, the detection unit 13, which is a temperature sensor, detects the contraction state of a specific muscle location of the user based on the results of detecting temperatures that are continuous over time.

[0020] 3, the control device 14 may include, for example, a storage unit 15, a power supply 17, a power supply circuit 18, an input unit 19, and an information processing unit 20. The control device 14 may further include a display unit 16.

[0021] The storage unit 15 includes any storage device, such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The storage unit 15 may store various programs that cause the information processing unit 20 to function and various information that the information processing unit 20 uses.

[0022] The power supply 17 may supply power for driving the control device 14. The power supply 17 is, for example, a battery. The power supply circuit 18 may adjust the power supplied by the power supply 17 to a current value and a voltage value for driving the components of the control device 14 and output the adjusted power. Power may be supplied to the vibration unit 12 and the detection unit 13 via the power supply circuit 18.

[0023] The input unit 19 may detect an operation input by a user. The input unit 19 may include, for example, an input device such as a button. Alternatively, the input unit 19 may acquire an operation input by a user on an external device via communication.

[0024] The information processing unit 20 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing. The dedicated circuit may be, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or the like. The information processing unit 20 controls the operation of the vibration device 10.

[0025] The information processing unit 20 may acquire continuous detection results from the detection unit 13. The information processing unit 20 may estimate the contraction state of a muscle at a specific location of the user based on the continuous detection results.

[0026] In a configuration in which the detection unit 13 is a bending sensor, the information processing unit 20 may estimate that the muscle at the specific location is in an isometric contraction mode if the detection result of the bending sensor indicates that the opening degree is constant. Alternatively, the information processing unit 20 may estimate that the muscle at the specific location is in an eccentric contraction mode if the detection result of the bending sensor indicates that the opening degree is changing in the opening direction. Alternatively, the information processing unit 20 may estimate that the muscle at the specific location is in a systolic contraction mode if the detection result of the bending sensor indicates that the opening degree is changing in the closing direction.

[0027] In a configuration in which the detection unit 13 is a pressure sensor, the information processing unit 20 may estimate that the muscle at the specific location is in an isometric contraction mode when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor is substantially constant. Alternatively, the information processing unit 20 may estimate that the muscle at the specific location is in an eccentric contraction mode when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor is decreasing. Alternatively, the information processing unit 20 may estimate that the muscle at the specific location is in a systolic contraction mode when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor is increasing.

[0028] In a configuration in which the detection unit 13 is a temperature sensor, the information processing unit 20 may estimate that the muscle at the specific location is in an isometric contraction mode if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is substantially constant. Alternatively, the information processing unit 20 may estimate that the muscle at the specific location is in an eccentric contraction mode if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is decreasing. Alternatively, the information processing unit 20 may estimate that the muscle at the specific location is in a systolic contraction mode if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is increasing.

[0029] When it is estimated that the muscle at the specific location of the user is undergoing concentric contraction, the information processing unit 20 vibrates the vibration unit 12 at a first frequency. When it is estimated that the muscle at the specific location of the user is undergoing isometric contraction or eccentric contraction, the information processing unit 20 vibrates the vibration unit 12 at a second frequency. The information processing unit 20 may vibrate at different frequencies depending on whether the estimated muscle state is isometric contraction or eccentric contraction.

[0030] The first frequency is a frequency suitable for causing a stochastic resonance effect in a muscle undergoing concentric contraction. The first frequency is, for example, a frequency arbitrarily selected from the range of 300 to 500 Hz. The first frequency is preferably selected from the range of 350 to 450 Hz, more preferably from the range of 380 to 420 Hz, and most preferably 400 Hz. The second frequency is a frequency suitable for causing a stochastic resonance effect in a muscle undergoing isometric contraction or eccentric contraction. The second frequency may be the same as or different from the first frequency. The frequency suitable for causing a stochastic resonance effect in a muscle undergoing isometric contraction or eccentric contraction varies based on characteristic information such as the user's age. Therefore, the information processing unit 20 may determine the second frequency based on the user's characteristic information. The characteristic information is not limited to age, and may be any factor that influences the occurrence of the stochastic resonance effect, such as height, weight, gender, body fat percentage, blood type, etc.

[0031] The information processing unit 20 may acquire characteristic information of the user based on an operation input detected by the input unit 19. The information processing unit 20 may read out a second frequency corresponding to the characteristic information of the user from the storage unit 15. Alternatively, the information processing unit 20 may read out a second frequency that is predetermined based on the target age for use of the first appliance 11 from the storage unit 15.

[0032] Next, the vibration process executed by the information processing unit 20 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 4. The vibration process starts periodically, for example.

[0033] In step S100, the information processing unit 20 acquires the detection result of the detection unit 13. After acquisition, the process proceeds to step S101.

[0034] In step S101, the information processing unit 20 determines whether the muscle is undergoing concentric contraction based on the detection result acquired in step S100 and previously acquired detection results. If the muscle is undergoing concentric contraction, the process proceeds to step S102. If the muscle is not undergoing concentric contraction, the process proceeds to step S103.

[0035] In step S102, the information processing unit 20 determines to vibrate at the first frequency. After the determination, the process proceeds to step S105.

[0036] In step S103, the information processing unit 20 determines whether the muscle is undergoing isometric contraction or eccentric contraction based on the detection result acquired in step S100 and previously acquired detection results. If the muscle is undergoing isometric contraction or eccentric contraction, the process proceeds to step S104. If the muscle is not undergoing isometric contraction or eccentric contraction, the vibration process ends.

[0037] In step S104, the information processing unit 20 determines to vibrate at the second frequency. After the determination, the process proceeds to step S105.

[0038] In step S105, the information processing unit 20 controls the vibration unit 12 to vibrate at the frequency determined in step S102 or step S104. After the vibration, the vibration process ends.

[0039] The vibration device 10 of the first embodiment configured as described above is capable of applying vibration to a specific location on the user and includes a vibration unit 12 that vibrates at a first frequency when the muscle at the specific location is estimated to be undergoing concentric contraction and vibrates at a second frequency when the muscle at the specific location is estimated to be undergoing isometric or eccentric contraction. With this configuration, the vibration device 10 can effectively induce stochastic resonance in response to the state of the muscles that perform motor functions. Therefore, the vibration device 10 can improve motor functions based on the user's sensory sensitivity.

[0040] Furthermore, in the vibration device 10 of the first embodiment, the first frequency and the second frequency are below the threshold of sensation of the human body. With this configuration, the vibration device 10 can improve motor function based on sensory sensitivity without causing discomfort to the user.

[0041] In the vibration device 10 of the first embodiment, the first frequency is 400 Hz. With this configuration, when a muscle is undergoing concentric contraction, the vibration device 10 can vibrate the vibration unit 12 at a frequency suitable for causing the stochastic resonance effect in the muscle undergoing concentric contraction.

[0042] Furthermore, in the vibration device 10 of the first embodiment, the second frequency is determined based on the characteristic information of the user. With this configuration, when the vibration device 10 is in an isometric contraction or eccentric contraction state, the vibration device 10 can vibrate the vibration unit 12 at a frequency suitable for causing the stochastic resonance effect in the muscle in that contracted state.

[0043] Next, a vibration device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the second embodiment, the vibration device is embodied in a different target than in the first embodiment. The second embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that parts having the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals.

[0044] 5, the vibration device 100 according to the second embodiment may be realized as, for example, a wearing tool 210 that is worn near a joint of a user. The wearing tool 210 may be intended to be worn on, for example, one of the fingers.

[0045] As in the first embodiment, the vibration device 100 includes a vibration unit 120. Similar to the first embodiment, the vibration device 100 may further include a detection unit 130 and a control unit 140.

[0046] In the second embodiment, the configuration of the vibration unit 120 other than the installation position is similar to that of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the vibration unit 120, similar to the first embodiment, is capable of applying vibration to a specific location on the user. In the wearing device 210, the specific location on the user is, for example, a region on the inner side of one of the fingers from the metacarpophalangeal joint to the tip. Vibration to the specific location may be indirectly applied from the vicinity of the specific location. Therefore, for example, the vibration unit 120 may be provided on the outer surface of the finger when the wearing device 210 is worn on the finger, and may apply vibration from the outer surface toward the inner surface. Alternatively, the vibration unit 120 may be provided on the inner surface of the finger when the wearing device 210 is worn on the finger, and may apply vibration directly to the specific location.

[0047] As in the first embodiment, the detection unit 130 may detect the contraction state of a muscle at a specific location of the user. In the second embodiment, the detection unit 130 may directly detect the contraction state of the muscle.

[0048] In the second embodiment, the detection unit 130 may specifically include a bending sensor 220 and an electromyography measurement terminal 230 .

[0049] The bending sensor 220 may be provided so as to be located near the interphalangeal joint and deform along the joint when the wearing device 210 is attached to the finger. In the example of Fig. 5, bending sensors 220 are provided separately for both the distal interphalangeal joint and the proximal interphalangeal joint of the index finger. The bending sensor 220 detects the contraction state of a specific muscle of the user based on the detection results of the flexion state of the joint that are continuous over time.

[0050] The myoelectric potential measuring terminal 230 may be provided so as to come into contact with the vicinity of a specific location of the user when the wearing device 210 is attached to the finger. The myoelectric potential measuring terminal 230 detects whether the specific location is contracting based on the detection result of the myoelectric potential at the contact location.

[0051] 6 , the control device 140 may include, for example, a storage unit 15, a display unit 16, a power supply 17, a power supply circuit 18, an input unit 19, and an information processing unit 200. In the second embodiment, the structures and functions of the storage unit 15, the display unit 16, the power supply 17, the power supply circuit 18, and the input unit 19 are the same as those in the first embodiment. The structure of the information processing unit 200 is the same as that in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, functions other than the method of estimating the contraction state of a muscle at a specific location by the information processing unit 200 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0052] The information processing unit 200 may acquire the myoelectric potential at the contact point of the myoelectric measurement terminal 230. The information processing unit 200 may determine whether the myoelectric potential exceeds a threshold. If the myoelectric potential exceeds the threshold, the information processing unit 200 may determine that the muscle at the specific location is in a contracted state. If the myoelectric potential is equal to or less than the threshold, the information processing unit 200 may determine that the muscle at the specific location is in a relaxed state.

[0053] When determining that a muscle at a specific location is in a contraction state, the information processing unit 200 may determine whether the muscle is in a concentric contraction, isometric contraction, or eccentric contraction based on the detection result of the bending sensor 220. If the detection result of the bending sensor 220 indicates that the degree of opening and closing is constant, the information processing unit 200 may estimate that the muscle at the specific location is in an isometric contraction mode. Alternatively, if the detection result of the bending sensor 220 indicates that the degree of opening and closing is changing in the opening direction, the information processing unit 200 may estimate that the muscle at the specific location is in an eccentric contraction mode. Alternatively, if the detection result of the bending sensor 220 indicates that the degree of opening and closing is changing in the closing direction, the information processing unit 200 may estimate that the muscle at the specific location is in a eccentric contraction mode.

[0054] In the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, when it is estimated that the muscle at a specific location of the user is undergoing concentric contraction, the information processing unit 200 causes the vibration unit 12 to vibrate at a first frequency. When it is estimated that the muscle at a specific location of the user is undergoing isometric contraction or eccentric contraction, the information processing unit 20 causes the vibration unit 12 to vibrate at a second frequency.

[0055] Next, the vibration processing executed by the information processing unit 200 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 7. The vibration processing starts periodically, for example.

[0056] In step S200, the information processing unit 200 determines whether the potential at the contact point of the myoelectric measurement terminal 230 exceeds a threshold value. If the potential exceeds the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S201. If the potential does not exceed the threshold value, the vibration process ends.

[0057] In steps S201 to S206, the information processing unit 200 performs the same control as in steps S100 to S105 of the vibration processing in embodiment 1. After vibration in step S206, the process proceeds to step S207.

[0058] In step S207, the information processing unit 200 determines whether the potential at the contact point of the myoelectric potential measuring terminal 230 exceeds a threshold value. If the potential exceeds the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S201. If the potential does not exceed the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S208.

[0059] In step S208, the information processing unit 200 stops the vibration of the vibration unit 120. After the vibration is stopped, the vibration process ends.

[0060] The vibration device 100 of the second embodiment configured as described above is also capable of applying vibration to a specific location of the user, and includes a vibration unit 120 that vibrates at a first frequency when the muscle at the specific location is estimated to be undergoing concentric contraction, and vibrates at a second frequency when the muscle at the specific location is estimated to be undergoing isometric contraction or eccentric contraction. Therefore, the vibration device 100 can also improve the motor function based on the sensory sensitivity of the user.

[0061] Furthermore, in the vibration device 100 of the second embodiment, the first frequency and the second frequency are also below the threshold of sensation of the human body. With this configuration, the vibration device 100 can also improve motor function based on sensory sensitivity without causing discomfort to the user.

[0062] Furthermore, in the vibration device 100 of the second embodiment, the first frequency is also 400 Hz. With this configuration, the vibration device 100 can also vibrate the vibration unit 120 at a frequency suitable for causing the stochastic resonance effect in the muscle undergoing concentric contraction when the muscle is undergoing concentric contraction.

[0063] Furthermore, in the vibration device 100 of the second embodiment, the second frequency is determined based on the characteristic information of the user. With this configuration, the vibration device 100 can also vibrate the vibration unit 120 at a frequency suitable for causing the stochastic resonance effect in the muscle in an isometric contraction or eccentric contraction state when the muscle is in that contraction state.

[0064] In order to show the frequency at which the stochastic resonance phenomenon is effectively generated depending on the contraction state of the muscle, a vibration experiment was conducted using an experimental vibration device 101 as shown in FIG.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 8 , the experimental vibration device 101 includes two circular plates 241, a load cell 251, and a vibrator 121. The two circular plates 241 have gripping areas defined on the opposite surfaces of their opposing faces. The two circular plates 241 are configured to be expandable and contractible between their respective gripping areas. Specifically, the two circular plates 241 are connected via a leaf spring bonded to a strain gauge of the load cell 251, allowing them to expand and contract. The load cell 251 detects the clamping force when the two circular plates 241 are gripped. The vibrator 261 vibrates at a specific frequency that is arbitrarily adjusted.

[0066] A motor function confirmation test was conducted using the experimental vibration device 101. In the motor function confirmation test, the subject grasped the gripping area of ​​the vibration device 101. As shown in FIG. 9 , a target line tc was displayed on the display, which indicated a target value for the force to grip the vibration device 101 (hereinafter also referred to as "grip force") changing over time. The target line tc included a first section f1 in which the grip force was constant, a second section up in which the grip force monotonically increased, and a third section dn in which the grip force monotonically decreased. The display also displayed an actual line pc, which depicted the change in the actual value of the grip force detected by the load cell 251 over time.

[0067] With the vibrator 121 vibrating at a specific frequency, the subject was shown the target line tc and the actual line pc, and an adjustment operation was performed in which the subject adjusted the grip force with the goal of matching the actual line pc with the target line tc. The adjustment operation was performed for multiple specific frequencies. The specific frequencies measured were 0 Hz, white noise from 0 to 500 Hz, 100 Hz, 200 Hz, 250 Hz, 300 Hz, and 400 Hz. Note that a specific frequency of 0 Hz means no vibration.

[0068] During each adjustment operation, the average of |actual value - target value| (| represents an absolute value) was calculated every 100 msec as the absolute error. The average value of the absolute errors calculated in the first interval (fl) during each adjustment operation was calculated as the first average value, the average value of the absolute errors calculated in the second interval (up) was calculated as the second average value, and the average value of the absolute errors calculated in the third interval (dn) was calculated as the third average value.

[0069] The first average value, second average value, and third average value when the specific frequency was 0 Hz were used as reference values, and the average values ​​for the other frequencies were divided by them to calculate the relative error for each frequency. For example, when the specific frequency was 100 Hz, the first relative error was calculated by dividing the first average value at 100 Hz by the first average value at 0 Hz. Similarly, when the specific frequency was 100 Hz, the second relative error was calculated by dividing the second average value at 100 Hz by the second average value at 0 Hz. Similarly, when the specific frequency was 100 Hz, the third relative error was calculated by dividing the third average value at 100 Hz by the third average value at 0 Hz. The calculations for the other frequencies were similar to those for the 100 Hz frequency.

[0070] A plurality of subjects were asked to perform the above adjustment operation, and the first relative error, second relative error, and third relative error were calculated for each specific frequency. The plurality of subjects included 14 subjects ranging in age from their 20s to their 40s. The average value of the relative errors for the plurality of subjects was calculated for each specific frequency. The calculation results are shown in FIG. 10. In addition, for each of the plurality of subjects, the frequencies at which the relative errors were minimum in the first section f1 and the third section dn were plotted by age, and an approximate curve was obtained. A graph plotting the frequencies together with the approximate curve is shown in FIG. 11.

[0071] In one embodiment, (1) the vibration device includes a vibration unit that can impart vibration to a specific location on the user, vibrating at a first frequency when the muscle at the specific location is undergoing concentric contraction, and vibrating at a second frequency when the muscle at the specific location is undergoing isometric contraction or eccentric contraction.

[0072] (2) In the vibration device of (1) above, the vibration intensity at the first frequency and the second frequency is less than the threshold of sensation of the human body.

[0073] (3) In the vibration device of (1) or (2) above, the first frequency is 400 Hz.

[0074] (4) In the vibration device according to any one of (1) to (3), the second frequency is determined based on characteristic information of the user.

[0075] (5) In the vibration device of (4), the characteristic information is the age of the user.

[0076] (6) The vibration device according to any one of (1) to (5) above further includes a detection unit that detects the contraction state of the muscle at the specific location.

[0077] (7) In the vibration device according to (6), the detection unit includes a bending sensor.

[0078] (8) In the vibration device of (7) above, the bending sensor is provided at a fulcrum of the tool that is gripped so that the degree of opening and closing can be adjusted, and detects the degree of opening and closing.

[0079] (9) In the vibration device according to (7) above, the bending sensor is configured to deform along the joint of the user adjacent to the specific location.

[0080] (10) In the vibration device of (9), the detection unit further includes a myoelectric potential measurement terminal for detecting a myoelectric potential in the vicinity of the specific location.

[0081] In one embodiment, (11) the vibration system includes: a vibration unit capable of applying vibration to a specific location of a user; and an information processing unit that vibrates the vibration unit at a first frequency when the muscle at the specific location is undergoing concentric contraction, and vibrates at a second frequency when the muscle at the specific location is undergoing isometric contraction or eccentric contraction.

[0082] The above has described embodiments of the vibration devices 10 and 100, but embodiments of the present disclosure can also be embodied as a method or program for implementing the device, as well as a storage medium on which a program is recorded (for example, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a magnetic tape, a hard disk, or a memory card).

[0083] Furthermore, the implementation form of the program is not limited to application programs such as object code compiled by a compiler or program code executed by an interpreter, but may also be in the form of a program module incorporated into an operating system. Furthermore, the program may or may not be configured so that all processing is performed solely by the CPU on the control board. The program may also be configured so that part or all of it is executed by another processing unit mounted on an expansion board or expansion unit added to the board as needed.

[0084] The drawings illustrating the embodiments of the present disclosure are schematic, and the dimensional ratios and the like in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to the actual ones.

[0085] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art could make various modifications or alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications or alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component can be rearranged so as not to cause logical inconsistencies, and multiple components can be combined or divided into one.

[0086] All of the features described in this disclosure and / or all steps of all of the disclosed methods or processes may be combined in any combination except combinations in which these features are mutually exclusive. Furthermore, each feature described in this disclosure may be replaced by an alternative feature serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose, unless expressly denied. Thus, unless expressly denied, each disclosed feature is only one example of a generic series of identical or equivalent features.

[0087] Furthermore, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the specific configurations of any of the above-described embodiments, but rather extend to any novel feature or combination thereof described herein, or any novel method or process step or combination thereof described herein.

[0088] In this disclosure, descriptions such as "first" and "second" are identifiers for distinguishing the configuration. In this disclosure, configurations distinguished by descriptions such as "first" and "second" can have their numbers exchanged. For example, the first section can exchange the identifiers "first" and "second" with the second section. The exchange of identifiers is performed simultaneously. The configurations remain distinguished even after the identifier exchange. Identifiers may be deleted. A configuration from which an identifier has been deleted is distinguished by a symbol. The descriptions of identifiers such as "first" and "second" in this disclosure should not be used solely to interpret the order of the configurations or to justify the existence of an identifier with a smaller number.

[0089] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10, 100, 101 Vibration device 11 First instrument 12, 120 Vibration unit 13, 130 Detection unit 14, 140 Control device 15 Memory unit 16 Display unit 17 Power supply 18 Power supply circuit 19 Input unit 20, 200 Information processing unit 210 Wearing tool 220 Bending sensor 230 EMG measurement terminal 241 Circular plate 251 Load cell 261 Vibrator dn Third section fl First section up Second section

Claims

1. A vibration device that can impart vibration to a specific location on a user, and that has a vibration unit that vibrates at a first frequency when the muscle at the specific location is undergoing concentric contraction, and vibrates at a second frequency when the muscle at the specific location is undergoing isometric contraction or eccentric contraction, wherein the first frequency is the same as or higher than the second frequency.

2. A vibration device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration intensity at the first frequency and the second frequency is less than the threshold of sensation of the human body.

3. A vibration device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first frequency is 400 Hz.

4. A vibration device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second frequency is determined based on characteristic information of the user.

5. A vibration device according to claim 4, wherein the characteristic information is the age of the user.

6. A vibration device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a detection unit that detects the contraction state of the muscle at the specific location.

7. A vibration device according to claim 6, wherein the detection unit includes a bending sensor.

8. A vibration device according to claim 7, wherein the bending sensor is provided at the fulcrum of an instrument that is held so that the degree of opening and closing can be adjusted, and detects the degree of opening and closing.

9. A vibration device according to claim 7, wherein the bending sensor is configured to deform along the joint of the user adjacent to the specific location.

10. A vibration device according to claim 9, wherein the detection unit further includes a myoelectric potential measurement terminal for detecting myoelectric potential in the vicinity of the specific location.

11. A vibration system comprising: a vibration unit capable of applying vibration to a specific location on a user; and an information processing unit that causes the vibration unit to vibrate at a first frequency when the muscle at the specific location is undergoing concentric contraction, and vibrates at a second frequency when the muscle at the specific location is undergoing isometric contraction or eccentric contraction.

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