Blower device, device, and program

Abstract

Provided is a device capable of changing the temperature of an air flow more quickly. This blower device is equipped with: an air flow generation mechanism (250) that generates an air flow; a heat part (240) that applies heat to the surroundings; and a drive unit (260) that changes the positional relationship between a flow path of the air flow and the heat part.

Description

Blower, device and program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a blower, a device, and a program.

[0002] In recent years, research has been conducted into technologies that present various sensations to users in order to enhance the sense of realism of images, sounds, and the like. For example, a known technology is to present the user with the sensation of being blown by a natural breeze by blowing air from a fan in a head-mounted display (HMD) worn by the user, and to present the user with a temperature sensation by controlling a Peltier element worn around the user's neck. Another known technology is a video presentation system called CAVE, in which a fan and heater are attached to the ceiling. However, in both technologies, the temperature of the air itself does not change, and the air and temperature are presented separately.

[0003] As a technique relating to the temperature of air, Patent Document 1 discloses a hair dryer that blows hot air and cold air simultaneously.

[0004] JP 2010-274050 A

[0005] Regarding the presentation of thermal sensations to users, a technology capable of quickly changing the temperature of the airflow directed toward the user is desirable. However, it takes time for the temperature of the heat source to actually rise after energy is input to the heat source. Therefore, there is a limit to how quickly the temperature of the airflow can be changed by controlling the temperature of the heat source alone. Furthermore, while the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 can simultaneously blow hot and cold air or blow only hot air, the blown airflow always passes through the heater. For this reason, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 has difficulty in quickly lowering the temperature of the airflow.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure proposes a technique that can more quickly change the temperature sensation presented to the user.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, there is provided a blower device comprising an airflow generating mechanism that generates an airflow, a heating unit that applies heat to the surrounding area, and a driving unit that changes the positional relationship between the flow path of the airflow and the heating unit.

[0008] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a functional configuration of an information processing device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a functional configuration of a blower device 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an external appearance of a blower device 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic internal configuration of a blower device 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a second positional relationship between an airflow flow path and a heating unit 240. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing another specific example of a positional relationship between an airflow flow path and a heating unit 240. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a change in the temperature of an airflow. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an application example of a wind diffusion and convergence technique. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an application example of a wind diffusion and convergence technique. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic internal configuration of a blower device 21 according to a first modified example. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic internal configuration of a blower device 21 according to the first modified example. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic internal configuration of a blower device 22 according to a second modified example. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic internal configuration of a blower device 22 according to the second modified example. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of a blower device 23 according to a third modified example. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of a blower device 23 according to a third modified example. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of a blower device 24 according to a fourth modified example. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration 90.

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0010] The "Mode for Carrying Out the Invention" will be described in the following order: 1. Configuration of Information Processing System 2. Configuration of Air Blower 3. Operation of Air Blower 4. Effects 5. Modifications 5-1. First Modification 5-2. Second Modification 5-3. Third Modification 5-4. Fourth Modification 6. Hardware Configuration 7. Supplementary Information

[0011] 1. Configuration of Information Processing System One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an information processing system for presenting a temperature sensation to a user when the user experiences content. The content may include video data and audio data. Examples of such content include television programs, movies, games, and internet videos. The content may also be haptic content expressed through vibrations or other modal content such as mist or flash. Furthermore, content is not limited to recorded data but may also include live performances, concerts, and plays that are performed in real time. Additionally, content may also include content that a user experiences while moving around (e.g., attractions at a theme park, exhibits at an art gallery or museum), and a temperature sensation may be presented according to the content the user experiences. The following description will be primarily based on an example in which an information processing system presents a temperature sensation to a user when video data is played. First, with reference to FIG. 1 , the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0012] Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, the information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an information processing device 10, a display device 12, a neck-mounted speaker 14, a plurality of connectors 16, and a plurality of air blowers 20. The information processing device 10, the display device 12, the neck-mounted speaker 14, and the air blowers 20 are connected to each other by wire or wirelessly.

[0013] (Display Device 12) The display device 12 displays video data. Specifically, the display device 12 can receive video data of content from the information processing device 10 and display the video data. Note that, although a stationary display is shown as an example of the display device 12 in FIG. 1 , the display device 12 may be an HMD or a video projection device that projects video data onto a projection surface and displays the video data on the projection surface.

[0014] (Neck-mounted speaker 14) The neck-mounted speaker 14 converts electrical sound data into air vibrations and outputs the converted sound data. Specifically, the neck-mounted speaker 14 receives sound data of content from the information processing device 10, converts the sound data into air vibrations, and outputs the sound data. The neck-mounted speaker 14 is a wearable device that is worn by the user by being hung around the user's neck as shown in FIG. 1 .

[0015] (Connector 16) The connector 16 connects the blower 20 and the neck-mounted speaker 14. The connector 16 may have a joint with a degree of freedom. In this case, the user can adjust the position and attitude of the blower 20 relative to the connector 16.

[0016] (Blower device 20) The blower device 20 is a device equipped with a mechanism for generating an airflow (airflow generating mechanism). Furthermore, the blower device 20 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is equipped with a heating unit that applies heat to the surrounding area. Therefore, the blower device 20 can provide the user with a temperature sensation by sending an airflow having a temperature adjusted by the heating unit toward the user as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1. The configuration and operation of such a blower device 20 will be described in detail in "2. Configuration of the blower device" and subsequent sections.

[0017] 1 shows an example in which the airflow is directed toward the user's cheeks or ears, but the airflow may be directed toward other parts of the user, such as the user's neck, shoulders, chest, back, etc. Also, while FIG. 1 shows an example in which one blower device 20 is attached to each side of the neck-mounted speaker 14, the number of blowers 20 attached to the neck-mounted speaker 14 may be only one, or three or more.

[0018] 1 shows an example in which the neck-hanging speaker 14 and the blower 20 are configured separately, the functions of the neck-hanging speaker 14 and the blower 20 may be implemented as an integrated unit. Also, the sound output function of the neck-hanging speaker 14 may be implemented in the display device 12. In this case, the neck-hanging speaker 14 may not be used, and the function of the blower 20 may be realized in a neck-hanging configuration. Also, the blower 20 may be detachably attached to the display device 12, or the blower 20 and the display device 12 may be formed as an integrated unit.

[0019] (Information Processing Device 10) The information processing device 10 plays content in cooperation with the display device 12, the connector 16, and the air blower device 20. The content may be stored in the information processing device 10 in advance, or may be acquired by streaming or by receiving broadcast waves.

[0020] For example, information processing device 10 transmits video data included in the content to display device 12 and causes display device 12 to display the video data. Information processing device 10 also transmits audio data included in the content to neck-mounted speaker 14 and causes neck-mounted speaker 14 to output the audio data. However, the content does not have to include either video data or audio data. For example, the content may be audio data such as music, lectures, and radio programs, and may not include video data. In this case, neck-mounted speaker 14 outputs the audio data included in the content, and display device 12 does not have to be used to play the content.

[0021] Furthermore, the content according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes airflow control data. The airflow control data may be data indicating what type of airflow should be blown at each playback position of the content. For example, the airflow control data may be data in which data indicating the playback position, data indicating the speed of the airflow, and data indicating the temperature of the airflow are associated with each other. The temperature of the airflow may be a temperature calculated backward from a target temperature to be presented to the user. The information processing device 10 transmits a control signal to the air blower device 20 based on the airflow control data. This allows the presentation of a temperature sensation synchronized with the content (a change in the positional relationship, as described below). The functional configuration of such an information processing device 10 will be described below with reference to FIG. 2.

[0022] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the functional configuration of the information processing device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130.

[0023] The communication unit 110 is configured to perform various communications with other devices. For example, the communication unit 110 receives content from an external server. The communication unit 110 also transmits video data to the display device 12, audio data to the neck-mounted speaker 14, and control signals to the air blower 20.

[0024] The storage unit 120 stores various data used for the operation of the information processing device 10. For example, the storage unit 120 may store content to be played back in advance.

[0025] The control unit 130 controls the overall operation of the information processing device 10. For example, the control unit 130 controls the transmission of video data from the communication unit 110 to the display device 12, the transmission of sound data from the communication unit 110 to the neck-mounted speaker 14, and the transmission of control signals from the communication unit 110 to the blower device 20. In particular, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit 130 includes functions such as an air speed control unit 132, a heater temperature control unit 134, and a drive control unit 136 as shown in FIG.

[0026] The airflow speed control unit 132 generates a control signal for controlling the rotation speed of the fan of the air blower 20. For example, the airflow speed control unit 132 may identify the rotation speed of the fan that will achieve the airflow speed indicated by the airflow control data, and generate a control signal that indicates the identified rotation speed.

[0027] The heater temperature control unit 134 generates a control signal indicating a target temperature of a heater constituting a heating unit of the air blower 20. The heater temperature control unit 134 may generate a control signal to cause the heater to maintain a constant target temperature, or may specify the target temperature of the heater based on the temperature of the air flow indicated by the air blowing control data.

[0028] The drive control unit 136 generates a control signal for controlling the drive unit of the blower device 20. As will be described in detail later, the drive unit is configured to change the positional relationship between the airflow path and the heating unit in the blower device 20. The drive unit can change the positional relationship between the airflow path and the heating unit, for example, by moving or rotating the heating unit. A change in the positional relationship between the airflow path and the heating unit also changes the temperature of the airflow sent out from the blower device 20. Therefore, the drive control unit 136 specifies the positional relationship between the airflow path and the heating unit to achieve the airflow temperature indicated by the airflow control data, and generates a control signal for realizing the specified positional relationship. As another example, the above-mentioned positional relationship may be specified in the blower device 20.

[0029] 2. Configuration of the Blower Device The configuration of the information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. Next, the configuration of the blower device 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0030] 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the functional configuration of the air blower 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the air blower 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a communication unit 210, a control unit 230, a heater 246, a fan 250, and a drive unit 260.

[0031] The communication unit 210 is configured to perform various communications with other devices. For example, the communication unit 210 receives various control signals from the information processing device 10 and supplies the received control signals to the control unit 230.

[0032] The control unit 230 controls the overall operation of the blower device 20. For example, the control unit 230 controls the heat generation of the heater 246 in accordance with a control signal that indicates a target temperature for the heater 246 and that is received by the communication unit 210. The control unit 230 also controls the rotation of the fan 250 in accordance with a control signal that indicates a rotation speed of the fan 250 and that is received by the communication unit 210. Furthermore, the control unit 230 controls the operation of the drive unit 260 in accordance with a control signal that is received by the communication unit 210 and that is for realizing a specific positional relationship between the airflow path and the heating unit.

[0033] The heater 246 generates heat under control of the control unit 230. The heater 246 may be, for example, a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater that has the property of maintaining a certain temperature once it has risen to that temperature. The target temperature of the heater 246 may also be variable. Such a heater 246 may be a ceramic heater, or may use other mechanisms such as nichrome wire.

[0034] As described above, the fan 250 is an airflow generating mechanism that generates an airflow. The type of the fan 250 is not particularly limited, and the fan 250 may be, for example, an axial fan or a centrifugal fan. Furthermore, the airflow generating mechanism may be another mechanism such as an air cannon or a compressor.

[0035] The driving unit 260 is configured to change the positional relationship between the heating unit including the heater 246 and the flow path of the airflow generated by the fan 250. For example, the driving unit 260 may be a motor that generates a driving force for moving or rotating the heating unit.

[0036] Next, the external configuration of the blower device 20 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG.

[0037] 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the external appearance of a blower device 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, the blower device 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a fan 250 and a housing 270. The housing 270 includes a housing body 272 and a mesh cover 274. One or more openings are formed in the mesh cover 274. The size of each opening may be such that a user's fingers cannot fit through it.

[0038] Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating the internal configuration of blower device 20 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 5, a hollow region is formed by housing main body 272 and mesh cover 274, and heating section 240, heat insulating member 276, rotating shaft 277, etc. are provided in this hollow region. In Fig. 5, the arrows indicate the airflow generated by fan 250, and this airflow is sent out through opening 275 formed in mesh cover 274.

[0039] The heat unit 240 is configured to apply heat to the surroundings and includes a heater 246 and a heat dissipation unit 247. The heat dissipation unit 247 is an example of a heat dissipation unit that absorbs heat from the heater 246 and dissipates the absorbed heat into the air. From the viewpoint of thermal conductivity, the material of the heat dissipation unit 247 may be aluminum, copper, iron, or other materials. As shown in FIG. 5 , the heat dissipation unit 247 may have multiple rods or plates perpendicular to the heater 246.

[0040] The heat dissipation unit 247 is attached to one surface of the heater 246, and the other surface of the heater 246 is attached to a heat insulating member 276. The heat insulating member 276 serves to prevent heat from the heater 246 from being transmitted to the airflow direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5 . The heat insulating member 276 has a fan-side portion 276D, which is closer to the fan 250 than the rotation shaft 277, and an opening-side portion 276U, which is closer to the opening 275 than the rotation shaft 277. The opening-side portion 276U is larger than the fan-side portion 276D. In other words, the length from the rotation shaft 277 to the end of the opening-side portion 276U is longer than the length from the rotation shaft 277 to the end of the fan-side portion 276D, and the opening-side portion 276U is formed to reach the vicinity of the opening 275.

[0041] The rotating shaft 277 rotates based on the driving force generated by the driving unit 260. The driving force generated by the driving unit 260 is transmitted to the rotating shaft 277 via transmission means such as one or more gears, causing the rotating shaft 277 to rotate. Here, the rotating shaft 277 supports the heat insulating member 276. Therefore, as the rotating shaft 277 rotates, the heat insulating member 276 and the heating unit 240 also rotate around the rotating shaft 277. This operation will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0042] 3. Operation of the Blower Device The drive unit 260 generates a drive force that changes the positional relationship between the airflow path and the heating unit 240 between a first positional relationship between the airflow path and the heating unit 240 and a second positional relationship in which the heating unit 240 applies a greater amount of heat to the airflow than in the first positional relationship. In this example, the drive force is a drive force that changes the positional relationship by rotating the heating unit 240 around the rotation axis 277. Note that, hereinafter, it is assumed that the heater 246 generates heat to maintain a constant temperature under control of the control unit 230.

[0043] In the state shown in Fig. 5, the heating unit 240 is not in contact with the airflow path connecting the fan 250 and the opening 275. Therefore, in the state of the blower device 20 shown in Fig. 5, the amount of heat that the heating unit 240 applies to the airflow is lower than in the state shown in Fig. 6, which will be described later. In other words, the positional relationship between the airflow path and the heating unit 240 shown in Fig. 5 is an example of a first positional relationship.

[0044] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a second arrangement relationship between the airflow path and the heating unit 240. When the drive unit 260 rotates the heating unit 240 around the rotation axis 277 in the direction indicated by the arc arrow in FIG. 5 from the state shown in FIG. 5 , the arrangement relationship becomes the second arrangement relationship shown in FIG. 6 . In the state of the blower device 20 shown in FIG. 6 , the heating unit 240 is located in the airflow path connecting the fan 250 and the opening 275, and a wide area of ​​the heating unit 240 is in contact with the airflow. Therefore, in the state of the blower device 20 shown in FIG. 6 , the heating unit 240 adds a higher amount of heat to the airflow than in the state shown in FIG. 5 , and a higher-temperature airflow is discharged from the opening 275. When the drive unit 260 rotates the heating unit 240 around the rotation axis 277 in the direction indicated by the arc arrow in FIG. 6 from the state shown in FIG. 6 , the arrangement relationship returns to the first arrangement relationship shown in FIG. 5 . In the drawings accompanying this specification, the temperature of the air flow is expressed by the density of hatching, and more specifically, air flows with higher temperatures are expressed by darker hatching.

[0045] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing another specific example of the positional relationship between the airflow path and the heating unit 240. In the state of the blower device 20 shown in FIG. 7, the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 277 is between the rotation angle in the first positional relationship and the rotation angle in the second positional relationship. Therefore, in the state of the blower device 20 shown in FIG. 7, the area of ​​the heating unit 240 that comes into contact with the airflow is larger than in the state shown in FIG. 5 and smaller than in the state shown in FIG. 6. As a result, in the state of the blower device 20 shown in FIG. 7, an airflow that is higher in temperature than in the state shown in FIG. 5 and lower in temperature than in the state shown in FIG. 6 is discharged from the opening 275.

[0046] 4. Effects and Benefits According to the embodiment of the present disclosure described above, various effects and benefits can be achieved. For example, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the relative position of the airflow path and the heating unit 240 changes based on the driving force generated by the driving unit 260. As the relative position changes, the amount of heat applied by the heating unit 240 to the airflow also changes, making it possible to change the temperature of the discharged airflow. Furthermore, the rate of change in the temperature of the airflow due to this change in the relative position is expected to be higher than the rate of change in the temperature of the airflow when the temperature of the heating unit 240 is changed within the airflow, making it possible to more quickly change the temperature sensation presented to the user.

[0047] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, regardless of the positional relationship between the airflow flow path and the heating unit 240, the airflow is delivered from the same opening 275. Therefore, even when the temperature of the airflow changes, the airflow can be directed at the same part of the user.

[0048] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the positional relationship between the airflow flow path and the heating unit 240 is changed by rotating the heating unit 240 around the rotation axis 277. As a result, in the first positional relationship, the heat insulating member 276 is located between the airflow and the heating unit 240, so that in the first positional relationship, the amount of heat applied to the airflow can be reduced, and a cooler airflow can be delivered.

[0049] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the opening-side portion 276U of the heat insulating member 276 is larger than the fan-side portion 276D. With this configuration, when the positional relationship between the airflow path and the heating unit 240 is the first positional relationship, it is possible to make it difficult for the air heated by the heating unit 240 to be transmitted to the airflow side. Furthermore, when the drive unit 260 rotates the heating unit 240 around the rotation axis 277 in the direction indicated by the arc arrow in FIG. 5 from the state shown in FIG. 5, the positional relationship becomes the second positional relationship shown in FIG. 6. With this configuration, the fan-side portion 276D, which is relatively small, enters the airflow side during the process of changing the positional relationship from the first positional relationship to the second positional relationship, so the degree to which the heat insulating member 276 obstructs the airflow can be reduced. Conversely, when changing from the second arrangement relationship to the first arrangement relationship, the heat part 240 rotates around the rotation axis 277 in the opposite direction, so that the fan side part 276D, which is relatively small, enters the air flow side, thereby reducing the degree to which the heat insulating member 276 obstructs the air flow.

[0050] Moreover, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the heat unit 240 has the heat dissipation unit 247 in addition to the heater 246. With this configuration, in the second arrangement relationship, it is possible to efficiently transfer heat to the airflow.

[0051] Note that an abrupt change in the arrangement from the first arrangement to the second arrangement may result in an overshoot. For example, as shown in FIG. 8 , if the arrangement changes abruptly from the first arrangement to the second arrangement at time t1, the temperature of the airflow may overshoot, peaking at time t2 immediately after time t1. After time t1, heat from the heater 246 is transferred to the airflow, gradually decreasing the surface temperature of the heater 246. The temperature of the airflow also gradually decreases after time t2 and approaches a constant value. This overshoot can accentuate the temperature change in the airflow. Another method for accentuating the temperature change may be to change the temperature in the direction opposite to the target temperature change and then change the arrangement so that the temperature changes to the target temperature. That is, the driving unit 260 may drive the heating unit 240 in the direction opposite to the driving direction before driving the heating unit 240 to change the temperature of the airflow to the target temperature. For example, if the temperature of the air flow is 25 degrees and the target temperature is 20 degrees, the blower device 20 may rotate the heat section 240 so that the temperature of the air flow increases, and then rotate the heat section 240 in the reverse direction so that the temperature of the air flow becomes 20 degrees.

[0052] On the other hand, it is also possible to perform control to prevent the above-mentioned overshoot and temperature drop. For example, during the heating period, the amount of heat applied to the airflow may be reduced to prevent the temperature from rising too much. Specifically, the drive unit 260 may rotate the heat unit 240 so that the area of ​​the heat unit 240 that comes into contact with the airflow is not maximized. Thereafter, during the maintenance period in which the temperature of the airflow is maintained, the drive unit 260 may rotate the heat unit 240 so that the area of ​​the heat unit 240 that comes into contact with the airflow increases gradually or sharply to prevent a temperature drop. On the other hand, to make the temperature change during the heating period more noticeable (to make the overshoot more noticeable), the drive unit 260 may increase the amount of heat applied to the airflow during the heating period. Specifically, the drive unit 260 may make the area of ​​the heat unit 240 that comes into contact with the airflow during the heating period larger than the area of ​​the heat unit 240 that comes into contact with the airflow during the maintenance period. That is, the second arrangement relationship may include multiple stages in which the heat unit 240 applies different amounts of heat to the airflow, and the drive unit 260 may change the arrangement relationship to different stages among the multiple stages during a heating period in which the temperature of the airflow is increased and a maintenance period in which the temperature of the airflow is maintained. The drive unit 260 may achieve a change to each of the multiple stages using different drive modes. For example, the drive unit 260 may change the arrangement relationship from the first arrangement relationship to a first stage among the multiple stages using the first drive mode, and then change the arrangement relationship to a second stage among the multiple stages using a second drive mode different from the first drive mode. Specifically, the first drive mode may be a drive mode that expands and contracts the heat dissipation unit 247 as in the example described below, and the second drive mode may be a drive mode that changes the posture of the heat dissipation unit 247 as in the embodiment described above. Furthermore, the drive unit 260 may apply different drive modes when changing the arrangement relationship multiple times among the multiple stages of the second arrangement relationship. For example, the drive unit 260 may change the arrangement relationship from the first stage of the second arrangement relationship to the second stage by a first drive mode, and may change the arrangement relationship from the second stage of the second arrangement relationship to a third stage by a second drive mode.

[0053] Furthermore, an embodiment of the present disclosure may be combined with a wind diffusion and convergence technique, which will be explained with reference to Figures 9 and 10 .

[0054] 9 and 10 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of application of the wind diffusion and convergence technique. As shown in FIG. 9 , the fan 250 may have a blade portion 252 that generates an airflow and a shielding portion 254. In the state shown in FIG. 9 , the shielding portion 254 is located in a position that covers a portion of the blade portion 252 on the heat portion 240 side. On the other hand, in the state shown in FIG. 10 , the shielding portion 254 is located in a position that avoids the heat portion 240 side of the blade portion 252. Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 10 , the fan 250 can generate a larger airflow. When applying the wind diffusion and convergence technique, the control unit 130 of the information processing device 10 may generate a control signal that indicates the size of the airflow (diffusion range) based on the airflow control data, and the control unit 230 of the air blower 20 may control the position of the shielding portion 254 of the fan 250 in accordance with the control signal.

[0055] 5. Modifications An embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. Below, several modifications of the above-described embodiment will be described. Note that each modification described below may be applied alone to the above-described embodiment, or may be applied in combination with the above-described embodiment. Furthermore, each modification may be applied in place of the configuration described in the above-described embodiment, or may be applied in addition to the configuration described in the above-described embodiment.

[0056] (5-1. First Modification) The first modification is an example in which the translational movement of the heating unit 240 changes the positional relationship between the airflow path and the heating unit 240. The blower device 21 according to the first modification will be described with reference to Figs. 11 and 12 .

[0057] 11 and 12 are explanatory diagrams schematically illustrating the internal configuration of blower 21 according to the first modified example. As shown in Fig. 11 and 12, blower 21 according to the first modified example has a heating section 240, a driving section 260, a heat insulating member 276, a pinion gear 282, and a rack 284.

[0058] The drive unit 260 is fixed inside the housing body 272. The pinion gear 282 and the rack 284 form a rack and pinion that converts the rotational drive force generated by the drive unit 260 into linear movement. The rack 284 may move linearly along a rail (not shown).

[0059] In the first modified example, the heat insulating member 276 is supported at one end of the rack 284. Therefore, the heat insulating member 276 and the heating section 240 attached to the heat insulating member 276 move translationally in accordance with the linear movement of the rack 284.

[0060] For example, the heating element 240 moves translationally between the position shown in Fig. 11 and the position shown in Fig. 12. In the state of the blower 21 shown in Fig. 12, the heating element 240 is in contact with a wider area of ​​the airflow than in the state shown in Fig. 11, and therefore the amount of heat that the heating element 240 applies to the airflow is greater. As a result, in the state of the blower 21 shown in Fig. 12, a higher temperature airflow is discharged from the opening 275 than in the state shown in Fig. 11.

[0061] In this way, in the first variant in which the heating section 240 moves in a translational manner, it is possible to more quickly change the temperature of the air flow and the temperature sensation presented to the user, as in the above-described embodiment.

[0062] (5-2. Second Modification) Next, a second modification will be described. In the second modification, the positional relationship between the airflow path and the heating section 242 changes due to a change in the shape of the heating section 242. The blower device 22 according to the second modification will be described with reference to Figs. 13 and 14 .

[0063] 13 and 14 are explanatory diagrams schematically illustrating the internal configuration of the blower 22 according to the second modified example. As shown in Fig. 13 and 14, the blower 22 according to the second modified example has a heating section 242, a driving section 260, a heat insulating member 276, a pinion gear 286, and a rack 288.

[0064] The heat section 242 has a heater 246 and a heat dissipation section 248. The heater 246 and the heat insulating member 276 are fixed inside the housing main body 272.

[0065] The heat dissipation unit 248 has a bellows shape. The drive unit 260 is fixed inside the housing main body 272. The pinion gear 286 and the rack 288 form a rack and pinion, which converts the rotational drive force generated by the drive unit 260 into linear movement. The rack 288 may move linearly along a rail (not shown).

[0066] In the second modified example, one side of the heat dissipation unit 248 is attached to the heater 246, and the rack 288 is attached to the other end surface of the heat dissipation unit 248. Therefore, the heat dissipation unit 248 expands and contracts while changing its shape in accordance with the linear movement of the rack 288.

[0067] For example, the shape of the heat dissipation portion 248 changes between the shape shown in Fig. 13 and the shape shown in Fig. 14. In the state of the blower device 22 shown in Fig. 14, the heat dissipation portion 248 is in contact with a wider area of ​​the airflow than in the state shown in Fig. 13, and therefore the amount of heat that the heat dissipation portion 248 adds to the airflow is greater. As a result, in the state of the blower device 22 shown in Fig. 14, a higher temperature airflow is discharged from the opening 275 than in the state shown in Fig. 13.

[0068] In this way, in the second variant in which the shape of the heat dissipation section 248 changes, it is possible to more quickly change the temperature of the air flow and the temperature sensation presented to the user, as in the above-described embodiment.

[0069] (5-3. Third Modification) Next, a third modification will be described. In the third modification, the positional relationship between the airflow path and the heating section 242 is changed by changing the shape of the heat dissipation section 249 in a manner different from that of the second modification. The blower device 23 according to the third modification will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16 .

[0070] 15 and 16 are explanatory diagrams schematically illustrating the internal configuration of blower 23 according to the third modified example. As shown in Fig. 15 and 16, blower 23 according to the third modified example has heating section 243, heat insulating member 276, and rotating shaft 289.

[0071] The heating unit 243 has a heater 246 and a heat dissipation unit 249. The heater 246 and the heat insulating member 276 are fixed inside the housing main body 272. The rotation shaft 289 rotates based on the driving force generated by the driving unit 260.

[0072] The heat dissipation unit 249 has a bellows shape. One side of the heat dissipation unit 249 is attached to the heater 246, and the other end of the heat dissipation unit 249 is attached to the rotating shaft 289. Therefore, the shape of the heat dissipation unit 249 changes as the rotating shaft 289 rotates.

[0073] For example, the heat dissipation section 249 changes between a folded shape as shown in Fig. 15 and a fan-shaped open shape as shown in Fig. 16. In the state of the blower 23 shown in Fig. 16, the heat dissipation section 249 is in contact with a wider area of ​​the airflow than in the state shown in Fig. 15, and therefore the amount of heat that the heat dissipation section 249 adds to the airflow is greater. As a result, in the state of the blower 23 shown in Fig. 16, a higher temperature airflow is sent out from the opening 275 than in the state shown in Fig. 15.

[0074] In this manner, various structures relating to the shape change of the heat dissipation portion 249 can be applied to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0075] (5-4. Fourth Modification) Next, a fourth modification will be described. In the fourth modification, the air flow path is changed, thereby changing the positional relationship between the air flow path and the heating unit 240. The blower device 24 according to the fourth modification will be described with reference to Figs. 17 and 18 .

[0076] 17 and 18 are explanatory diagrams schematically illustrating the internal configuration of blower 24 according to the fourth modified example. As shown in Fig. 17 and 18, blower 24 according to the fourth modified example has heating section 240, heat insulating member 276, movable member 296, and rotating shaft 297 in a hollow region formed by housing main body 292 and mesh cover 294.

[0077] In the fourth modified example, the heating section 240 is fixed within the housing body 292, and the position, attitude, shape and range of the heating section 240 do not change.

[0078] The movable member 296 is supported by a rotating shaft 297. The rotating shaft 297 rotates due to the driving force generated by the driving unit 260. Therefore, the movable member 296 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating shaft 297.

[0079] For example, the movable member 296 rotates around the rotation axis 297 between a rotation position that does not block the straight flow path connecting the fan 250 and the opening 295 as shown in FIG. 17 and a rotation position that blocks the flow path as shown in FIG. 18.

[0080] In the state of blower 24 shown in Fig. 17 , the airflow does not come into contact with heat section 240. On the other hand, in the state of blower 24 shown in Fig. 18 , the flow path of the airflow changes, causing the airflow to pass through heat section 240. As a result, in the state of blower 24 shown in Fig. 18 , the amount of heat added to the airflow by heat dissipation section 247 is greater than in the state of blower 24 shown in Fig. 17 , and a higher-temperature airflow is sent out from opening 295.

[0081] In this way, by changing the airflow path, it is possible to change the positional relationship between the airflow path and the heating unit 240 and the temperature of the airflow.

[0082] Although an example in which the movable member 296 rotates is described in Figures 17 and 18, the movable member 296 may be designed and controlled to move translationally between a position in which it does not block the straight flow path connecting the fan 250 and the opening 295 and a position in which it blocks the flow path.

[0083] 6. Hardware Configuration An embodiment and a modification of the present disclosure have been described above. Information processing, such as drive control of the drive unit 260, is realized by cooperation between software and hardware. Below, an example of a hardware configuration that can be applied to the information processing device 10, the air blower device 20, and the like will be described.

[0084] 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration 90. As shown in Fig. 19, the hardware configuration 90 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 901, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 902, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 903, an input device 908, an output device 910, a storage device 911, a drive 912, an imaging device 913, and a communication device 915.

[0085] The CPU 901 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls overall operations in accordance with various programs. The CPU 901 may also be a microprocessor. The ROM 902 stores programs and calculation parameters used by the CPU 901. The RAM 903 temporarily stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 901 and parameters that change as appropriate during the execution. These are interconnected by a host bus that is made up of a CPU bus and the like. The CPU 901 can realize the functions of the control unit 130, the control unit 230, and the like.

[0086] The input device 908 is composed of input means such as a mouse, keyboard, touch panel, buttons, microphone, switches, and levers that allow the user to input information, and an input control circuit that generates an input signal based on the user's input and outputs it to the CPU 901. By operating the input device 908, the user can input various data and instruct processing operations.

[0087] The output device 910 includes, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, an OLED (organic light emitting diode) device, and a lamp. Furthermore, the output device 910 includes an audio output device such as a speaker and a headphone. For example, the display device displays captured images, generated images, etc. Meanwhile, the audio output device converts audio data, etc., into audio and outputs the audio.

[0088] The storage device 911 is a data storage device configured as an example of a storage unit according to this embodiment. The storage device 911 may include a storage medium, a recording device that records data on the storage medium, a reading device that reads data from the storage medium, and a deletion device that deletes data recorded on the storage medium. The storage device 911 stores the programs executed by the CPU 901 and various data.

[0089] The drive 912 is a reader / writer for a storage medium, and is built into or externally attached to the hardware configuration 90. The drive 912 reads information recorded on a removable storage medium 26, such as an attached magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or semiconductor memory, and outputs the information to the RAM 903. The drive 912 can also write information to the removable storage medium 26.

[0090] The imaging device 913 includes an imaging optical system such as a photographing lens and a zoom lens that collect light, and a signal conversion element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). The imaging optical system collects light emitted from a subject and forms a subject image on a signal conversion section, and the signal conversion element converts the formed subject image into an electrical image signal.

[0091] The communication device 915 is, for example, a communication interface configured with a communication device for connecting to a network, etc. The communication device 915 may be a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) compatible communication device, an LTE (Long Term Evolution) compatible communication device, or a wired communication device that performs wired communication.

[0092] <7. Supplementary Information> Although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains can conceive of various modified or altered examples within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0093] For example, the air blower 20 may control the temperature of the heater 246 in addition to controlling the driving of the drive unit 260. With this configuration, the temperature sensation presented to the user can be adjusted more precisely.

[0094] Alternatively, the blower device 20 may be designed so that radiant heat from the heat unit 240 reaches the user even when no airflow is generated. With such a configuration, it is possible to present a temperature sensation to the user using radiant heat or convection. In this case, for example, the opening 275 functions as a presentation unit for presenting a temperature sensation to the user, and the drive unit 260 can change the temperature sensation presented to the user by changing the position of the heat unit 240 or by changing the position of a shield between the opening 275 and the heat unit 240. When presenting a temperature sensation to the user using radiant heat or convection in this manner, a device without a fan 250 may be designed.

[0095] In addition, the driving unit 260 can change the above-mentioned positional relationship in conjunction with at least one of vibration, scent, video, and sound content, thereby further enhancing the sense of realism.

[0096] Furthermore, another device that presents a temperature sensation may be used in addition to the air blower 20. For example, a contact-type device may be used as the other device, and in this case, the air blower 20 and the contact-type device may simultaneously present a temperature sensation, thereby enhancing the temperature sensation presented to the user.

[0097] Furthermore, the blower device 20 may deliver an airflow with a temperature elevated in its base state, as shown in FIG. 6 . That is, the heating element 240 may be constantly heated when the blower device 20 is operating. Typically, room temperature is lower than human body temperature, and if unheated or uncooled air is blown into the user in that state, the user loses body surface temperature, causing the airflow to feel cold. Therefore, by blowing airflow heated to a temperature close to body temperature as described above, the user can be made to feel that the airflow is neither warm nor cold. If the heated state of the airflow is taken as the reference temperature, when the blower device 20 is brought into the state shown in FIG. 5 due to the rotation of the heating element 240, the temperature of the airflow drops from the reference temperature, giving the user a feeling of relative coolness. Similarly, by further heating the airflow, the temperature of the airflow can be raised from the reference temperature, giving the user a feeling of relative hotness.

[0098] Furthermore, the change in the positional relationship between the airflow flow path and the heating unit 240 that has been described so far can also be expressed from another perspective.

[0099] For example, another way of expressing this is to change the area of ​​the heat unit 240 that comes into contact with the airflow. As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the rotation of the heat unit 240 increases the area of ​​the heat unit that comes into contact with the airflow, which increases the heat transfer from the heat unit 240 to the airflow and makes it possible to quickly increase the temperature of the airflow. However, in the drawings, only the main airflow is indicated by arrows, and in reality, other airflows that include at least some turbulence may occur throughout the blower device 20. Considering this, it is more appropriate to say that the area of ​​the heat unit that comes into contact with the main airflow is changed. The main airflow may be, for example, an airflow whose rate of change in distance from the fan is equal to or exceeds a predetermined standard.

[0100] In addition, whether the air flow is only the main flow indicated by the arrow in the drawing or other air flows are present, changing the relative position, posture, shape or range of the heating section 240 with respect to the air flow path, as shown in Figures 5 to 18, falls within the scope of the expression of changing the positional relationship between the air flow path and the heating section 240.

[0101] It is also possible to create a computer program that causes hardware such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM built into the information processing device 10 and the air blower device 20 to perform functions equivalent to those of the above-described components of the information processing device 10 and the air blower device 20. A non-transitory storage medium on which the computer program is stored is also provided.

[0102] Furthermore, the effects described herein are merely descriptive or exemplary and are not limiting. In other words, the technology according to the present disclosure may achieve other effects that will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of this specification, in addition to or in place of the above-described effects.

[0103] The following configurations also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. (1) A blower comprising: an airflow generating mechanism that generates an airflow; a heating unit that applies heat to the surroundings; and a drive unit that changes the positional relationship between the airflow flow path and the heating unit. (2) The blower according to (1), wherein the drive unit changes the positional relationship between the airflow flow path and the heating unit between a first positional relationship and a second positional relationship in which the heating unit applies a greater amount of heat to the airflow than in the first positional relationship. (3) The blower according to (2), further comprising: a housing having an opening; and the airflow flows out from the same opening in both the first positional relationship and the second positional relationship. (4) The blower according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the drive unit changes the positional relationship by rotating or moving the heating unit. (5) The air blower according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the drive unit changes the positional relationship by changing the shape of the heat unit. (6) The air blower according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the air blower further includes a movable member, and the drive unit changes the flow path of the air flow by rotating or moving the movable member. (7) The air blower according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the heat unit has a heat source that generates heat and a heat dissipation unit that dissipates the heat generated by the heat source into the air. (8) The air blower according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the air flow generation mechanism is one of a fan, an air cannon, or a compressor. (9) The air blower according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the heat unit is constantly heated when the air blower is operating. (10) The air blower according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein a target temperature of the heating unit is variable. (11) The air blower according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein the drive unit drives the heating unit in a direction opposite to a direction of the drive unit before driving the heating unit to change the temperature of the air flow. (12) The air blower according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the heating unit has a bellows structure or a spring structure and expands and contracts and bends due to the drive unit.(13) The air blower device according to (2), wherein the second arrangement relationship includes a plurality of stages in which the amount of heat applied by the heating unit to the airflow varies. (14) The air blower device according to (13), wherein the drive unit changes the arrangement relationship from the first arrangement relationship to a first stage among the plurality of stages by a first drive mode, and changes the arrangement relationship to a second stage among the plurality of stages by a second drive mode different from the first drive mode. (15) The air blower device according to (1), wherein the airflow generation mechanism is capable of controlling the diffusion range of the airflow. (16) The air blower device according to any one of (1) to (15), wherein the drive unit changes the arrangement relationship in conjunction with at least one of vibration, fragrance, video, and sound content. (17) The air blower device according to any one of (1) to (16), wherein a control signal is supplied to the drive unit, and the drive unit changes the arrangement relationship based on the control signal. (18) A device comprising: a heat unit that applies heat to the surroundings; a presentation unit that presents a temperature sensation to a user; and a drive unit that changes the position of the heat unit or changes the position of a shield between the presentation unit and the heat unit. (19) A program that causes a computer to function as a drive unit that changes the positional relationship between a flow path of the airflow generated by an airflow generating mechanism that generates airflow and the heat unit that applies heat to the surroundings. (20) The program according to (19), in which a control signal is supplied to the drive unit, and the drive unit changes the positional relationship based on the control signal.

[0104] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Information processing device 110 Communication unit 120 Memory unit 130 Control unit 132 Wind speed control unit 134 Heater temperature control unit 136 Drive control unit 12 Display device 14 Neck-mounted speaker 16 Connector 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 Air blower 210 Communication unit 230 Control unit 240, 242, 243 Heating unit 246 Heater 247, 248, 249 Heat dissipation unit 250 Fan 252 Blade unit 254 Shielding unit 260 Drive unit 270 Housing 272, 292 Housing body 274, 294 Mesh cover 275, 295 Opening 276 Heat insulating member 277 Rotating shaft 282, 286 Pinion gear 284, 288 Rack 289 Rotating shaft 296 Movable member 297 Rotating shaft

Claims

1. A blower comprising: an airflow generating mechanism that generates an airflow; a heating unit that applies heat to the surrounding area; and a drive unit that changes the relative position of the airflow flow path and the heating unit.

2. The blower device of claim 1, wherein the drive unit changes the arrangement between a first arrangement between the air flow path and the heating unit and a second arrangement in which the heating unit applies a greater amount of heat to the air flow than in the first arrangement.

3. The blower device according to claim 2, further comprising a housing having an opening, wherein the airflow flows out from the same opening in both the first arrangement relationship and the second arrangement relationship.

4. The blower device according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit changes the positional relationship by rotating or moving the heating unit.

5. The blower device according to claim 1, wherein the drive section changes the positional relationship by changing the shape of the heating section.

6. The blower according to claim 1, further comprising a movable member, and the drive unit changes the flow path of the air flow by rotating or moving the movable member.

7. The air blower according to claim 1, wherein the heat unit has a heat source that generates heat and a heat dissipation unit that dissipates the heat generated by the heat source into the air.

8. The blower device according to claim 1, wherein the airflow generating mechanism is one of a fan, an air cannon, or a compressor.

9. The air blower according to claim 1, wherein the heating section is constantly heated when the air blower is in operation.

10. The blower device according to claim 1, wherein the target temperature of the heating section is variable.

11. The air blower device according to claim 1, wherein the driving section drives the heating section in a direction opposite to the driving direction before driving the heating section to change the temperature of the air flow.

12. The air blower according to claim 1, wherein the heating section has a bellows structure or a spring structure and is expanded, contracted, and bent by the driving section.

13. The air blower device according to claim 2, wherein the second arrangement includes a plurality of stages in which the amount of heat applied to the airflow by the heating section is different.

14. A blower device as described in claim 13, wherein the drive unit changes the arrangement relationship from the first arrangement relationship to a first stage among the plurality of stages by a first drive mode, and changes the arrangement relationship to a second stage among the plurality of stages by a second drive mode different from the first drive mode.

15. The blower device according to claim 1, wherein the airflow generating mechanism is capable of controlling the diffusion range of the airflow.

16. The air blower device according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit changes the positional relationship in conjunction with at least one of vibration, scent, video, and sound content.

17. The blower device according to claim 1, wherein a control signal is supplied to the drive unit, and the drive unit changes the positional relationship based on the control signal.

18. A device comprising: a heat unit that applies heat to the surroundings; a presentation unit that presents a temperature sensation to a user; and a drive unit that changes the position of the heat unit or changes the position of a shield between the presentation unit and the heat unit.

19. A program for causing a computer to function as a driving unit that changes the relative position of the flow path of the airflow generated by an airflow generating mechanism and a heating unit that applies heat to the surrounding area.

20. The program according to claim 19, wherein a control signal is supplied to the drive unit, and the drive unit changes the positional relationship based on the control signal.

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