Information processing device and information processing system

Abstract

The objective of the present technology is to provide an information processing device that prevents a user from becoming inattentive when the user is moving in a direction based on the arrival angle of a signal.　An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present technology is provided with: a first receiver (100) that is worn on the head of a user (U) and that receives an anchor signal transmitted from an anchor (20); and a second receiver (200) that is worn on the head of the user (U) in a position different from that of the first receiver, receives the anchor signal, and can communicate with the first receiver.　The second receiver (200) includes: a first calculating unit (203A) that calculates a propagation time (T) of a communication signal when communicating with the first receiver; a second calculating unit (203B) that calculates a time difference (Δt) between the times at which the anchor sign was received by the first receiver and the second receiver; and a third calculating unit (203C) that calculates an arrival angle (Δφ) of the anchor signal on the basis of the propagation time and the time difference.

Description

Information processing device and information processing system

[0001] The present technology relates to an information processing device and an information processing system that calculate an angle of arrival.

[0002] As a conventional method for estimating the angle of arrival of a signal transmitted from a transmitter, a method has been disclosed in which a receiver is provided with a plurality of antenna elements for determining the angle of arrival of a signal transmitted by the transmitter, and the angle of arrival is estimated by determining a phase difference of the signal using the plurality of antenna elements (Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-095589

[0004] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, a user holds a device serving as a receiver in their hand, stares at the device, and walks in the direction indicated by the device, which makes it difficult for the user to notice people or buildings ahead.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present technology is to provide an information processing device and an information processing system that prevent a driver from becoming inattentive to what is ahead when moving in a direction based on the arrival angle of a signal.

[0006] An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present technology includes a first receiver that is worn on a user's head and receives an anchor signal transmitted from an anchor, and a second receiver that is worn on the user's head at a position different from that of the first receiver and receives the anchor signal and is capable of communicating with the first receiver. The second receiver includes a first calculation unit that calculates a propagation time of a communication signal when communicating with the first receiver, a second calculation unit that calculates a time difference between times when the first receiver and the second receiver receive the anchor signal, and a third calculation unit that calculates an angle of arrival of the anchor signal based on the propagation time and the time difference.

[0007] The second receiver may further include a first correction unit that corrects the propagation time based on a shape of the user's head.

[0008] The anchor signal includes transmission time information at which the anchor signal is transmitted, and the second receiver is capable of communicating with the anchor and may further have a fourth calculation unit that calculates the distance to the anchor based on reception time information at which the anchor signal was received when one or more communications were made and the transmission time information of the anchor signal.

[0009] The first receiver may be worn at a first ear of the user, and the second receiver may be worn at a second ear of the user.

[0010] The first receiver may be located at a distance greater than the wavelength of the communication signal from the second receiver.

[0011] The first receiver and the second receiver may be in wireless communication.

[0012] The first receiver and the second receiver may perform UWB communication.

[0013] The second receiver may further include a notification unit that notifies the user of arrival angle information regarding the calculated arrival angle.

[0014] The notification unit may notify the user of the angle-of-arrival information by voice.

[0015] The first receiver may have a first internal clock, and the second receiver may further have a second internal clock and a second correction unit that corrects the time difference between the first internal clock and the second internal clock by communicating with the first receiver via the communication signal.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present technology, there is provided an information processing system including an anchor that transmits an anchor signal and an information processing device. The information processing device includes a first receiver that is worn on a user's head and receives the anchor signal transmitted from the anchor, and a second receiver that is worn on the user's head at a position different from that of the first receiver and receives the anchor signal and is capable of communicating with the first receiver. The second receiver includes a first calculation unit that calculates a propagation time of a communication signal when communicating with the first receiver, a second calculation unit that calculates a time difference between times when the first receiver and the second receiver receive the anchor signal, and a third calculation unit that calculates an angle of arrival of the anchor signal based on the propagation time and the time difference.

[0017] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an information processing system according to a first embodiment of the present technology. Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the information processing system according to the first embodiment of the present technology. Fig. 3 is a sequence diagram of the information processing system according to the first embodiment of the present technology. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an information processing system according to a second embodiment of the present technology. Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the information processing system according to the second embodiment of the present technology. Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram of the information processing system according to the second embodiment of the present technology.

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present technology will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an information processing system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present technology, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present technology.

[0020] The information processing system 1 includes an information processing device 10 and an anchor 20. Here, the information processing device 10 is described as a headset worn on the head of a user U, but is not limited to this. In this embodiment, for example, a case will be described in which the user U receives a signal transmitted from an anchor 20 installed at a different ticket gate for each line, and heads to the ticket gate that the user wants to go to.

[0021] (Anchor) In this embodiment, the anchor 20 is a transmitter provided near a ticket gate, and includes a signal generating unit 20A and a transmitting unit 20B (see FIGS. 1 and 2). In this embodiment, the anchor 20 is provided near a ticket gate, but of course, the anchor 20 is not limited to this location and may be provided at other destinations (commercial facilities, etc.).

[0022] The signal generating unit 20A generates an anchor signal that is transmitted to the surrounding area (user U) by the transmitting unit 20B. The anchor signal includes information about the location of the anchor 20 (for example, information about which ticket gate the anchor 20 is installed at). The anchor 20 also broadcasts the anchor signal to the surrounding area. In this embodiment, the anchor is described as a transmitter, but of course, the present invention is not limited to this and may be an electronic device such as a smartphone.

[0023] The transmitter 20B transmits the anchor signal described above. The transmitter 20B transmits the anchor signal via an antenna (not shown) provided in the anchor 20. In this embodiment, communication between the anchor 20 and the first receiver 100 and the second receiver 200 is realized by UWB (Ultra Wide Band), but of course this is not limited to this and wireless communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and Wi-Fi (registered trademark) may also be adopted.

[0024] (Information Processing Device) The information processing device 10 has a first receiver 100 and a second receiver 200. In this embodiment, the information processing device 10 is a headset worn on the head of the user U as described above. In this embodiment, a headset is described, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be headphones, earphones, or the like (see FIG. 1 ). Furthermore, the antennas (not shown) included in the first receiver 100 and the second receiver 200 are provided at positions farther apart than the wavelength (approximately 4 cm) of the signal transmitted from the anchor 20. The linear distance (separation distance) between the antennas is, for example, about 15 cm.

[0025] (First Receiver) The first receiver 100 is worn on the left ear (first ear) LY of the user U, and includes a first receiving unit 101, a first message generating unit 102, a signal information generating unit 103, a first transmitting unit 104, a first internal clock 105, and a first storage unit 106. In this embodiment, the first receiver 100 is worn on the left ear LY of the user U, but of course, the present invention is not limited to this and the first receiver 100 may be worn on the right ear RY.

[0026] The first receiving unit 101 receives the anchor signal transmitted from the anchor 20 and the second message signal (communication signal) transmitted from the second receiver 200. The first receiving unit 101 receives the signals via an antenna (not shown) provided in the first receiver 100.

[0027] The first message generator 102 generates a first message signal (communication signal) to be transmitted to the second receiver 200. The first message signal is transmitted in order to calculate a propagation time T required for communication (transmission and reception) of the communication signal between the first receiver 100 and the second receiver 200.

[0028] In other words, since the head of the user U is present between the first receiver 100 and the second receiver 200, it takes time for the communication signal to travel between the first receiver 100 and the second receiver 200, the time being equivalent to the length of time it takes for the communication signal to travel through the head of the user U. In order to calculate this time (the time from transmission from the first receiver 100 to reception by the second receiver 200), the first message generator 102 generates a first message signal.

[0029] Furthermore, when generating the first message signal, first message generator 102 sets the time at which the first message signal will be transmitted. The transmission time is set based on first internal clock 105, which will be described later. In other words, when generating the first message signal, first message generator 102 may set the first message signal to be transmitted, for example, several milliseconds after the current time. Furthermore, the first message signal includes information (first time information) regarding the time at which the first message signal will be transmitted.

[0030] The signal information generating unit 103 generates a reception completion signal to be transmitted to the second receiver 200. Here, the reception completion signal is information regarding the reception of the anchor signal transmitted from the anchor 20, and includes information regarding the reception of the anchor signal and time information at which the anchor signal was received.

[0031] The first transmitter 104 transmits the first message signal and the reception completion signal described above. The first transmitter 104 also transmits via an antenna (not shown) provided in the first receiver 100. In this embodiment, communication between the first receiver 100 and the second receiver 200 is achieved using UWB (Ultra Wide Band), but this is not limiting and wireless communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and Wi-Fi (registered trademark) may also be employed. In this embodiment, communication using UWB can reduce power consumption compared to Bluetooth (registered trademark) and Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Furthermore, UWB uses pulses with a width of 2 ns, making it less susceptible to multipath interference.

[0032] The first internal clock 105 keeps internal time based on the output from a quartz oscillator (not shown). The internal time is used when generating the first message signal and the reception completion signal described above.

[0033] The first storage unit 106 is realized by a storage device such as a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The first storage unit 106 stores programs for various processes executed in the first message generation unit 102 and the signal information generation unit 103 described above.

[0034] (Second Receiver) The second receiver 200 includes a second receiving unit 201, a second message generating unit 202, a calculating unit 203, a correcting unit 204, a determining unit 205, a notification signal generating unit 206, a second transmitting unit 207, a second internal clock 208, and a second storage unit 209. In this embodiment, the second receiver 200 is worn on the right ear (second ear) RY of the user U, but of course, the present invention is not limited to this and the second receiver 200 may be worn on the left ear LY (the ear opposite to the first receiver 100).

[0035] The second receiving unit 201 receives the first message signal, the reception completion signal, and the anchor signal via an antenna (not shown) provided in the second receiver 200.

[0036] The second message generator 202 generates a second message signal (communication signal) to be transmitted to the first receiver 100. The second message signal is transmitted to calculate the propagation time required for communication (transmission and reception) of the communication signal between the first receiver 100 and the second receiver 200, as described above.

[0037] Furthermore, when generating the second message signal, second message generator 202 sets the time at which the second message signal will be transmitted. The transmission time is set based on second internal clock 207, which will be described later. In other words, when generating the second message signal, second message generator 202 may set the second message signal to be transmitted, for example, several milliseconds after the current time. Furthermore, the second message signal includes information (time information) regarding the time at which the second message signal will be transmitted.

[0038] The calculation unit 203 has a propagation time calculation unit (first calculation unit) 203A, a time difference calculation unit (second calculation unit) 203B, and an arrival angle calculation unit (third calculation unit) 204B.

[0039] The propagation time calculation unit 203A calculates the propagation time T of the communication signal when the first receiver 100 and the second receiver 200 communicate with each other based on the first message signal and the second message signal (see FIG. 1 ). In this embodiment, the propagation time calculation unit 203A calculates the propagation time T using the double-sided two-way ranging (DS-TWR) method, but of course the method is not limited to this and may also use the single-sided two-way ranging (SS-TWR) method or the time of arrival (TOA) method. Note that a method for calculating the propagation time using the DS-TWR method will be described later.

[0040] The time difference calculation unit 203B calculates the time difference Δt between the times when the first receiver 100 and the second receiver 200 receive the anchor signal (see FIG. 1). That is, the time difference calculation unit 203 calculates the difference between the time when the anchor signal is received by the second receiving unit 201 and the time when the anchor signal is received by the first receiver 100, which is included in the reception completion signal.

[0041] The arrival angle calculation unit 203C calculates the arrival angle Δφ of the anchor signal based on the propagation time T and the time difference Δt described above (see FIG. 1). That is, from FIG. 1, the arrival angle can be calculated by Δφ=Arc sin(Δt / T).

[0042] The correction unit 204 includes a propagation time correction unit (first correction unit) 204A and a time difference correction unit (second correction unit) 204B.

[0043] The propagation time correction unit 204A corrects the propagation time T based on the shape of the head of the user U. The propagation time T is calculated based on the time of transmission and reception of signals between the first receiver 100 and the second receiver 200.

[0044] The above-described method of calculating the propagation time T is based on the assumption that the signal travels along a straight line connecting the first receiver 100 and the second receiver 200. However, in reality, the information processing device 10 is worn on the head of the user U, and the path of the signal is affected by the head. In other words, since the head is covered by the skull and is considered to be 80% water, it is considered that the UWB signal has a larger component that travels around the head, i.e., a diffracted component, than that that travels from the first receiver 100 to the second receiver 200 through (penetrates) the head.

[0045] Therefore, the propagation time correction unit 204A corrects the propagation time T of the signal from the first receiver 100 to the second receiver 200. If the actual propagation time of the signal from the first receiver 100 to the second receiver 200 is T, the propagation time of the straight line connecting the first receiver 100 to the second receiver 200 is T', and the correction coefficient is k, then T' = k × T (0 < k < 1).

[0046] The time difference correction unit 204B corrects the time difference between the first internal clock 105 and the second internal clock 207, which will be described later. Because the first internal clock 105 and the second internal clock 207 are not synchronized, there may be a difference, for example, in the order of milliseconds. The time difference correction unit 204B corrects this difference. The method of correction will be described later.

[0047] The determination unit 205 determines the type of anchor signal received by the second receiving unit 201 (information on the location where the anchor 20 is installed). That is, the determination unit 205 determines from which location the signal was transmitted based on the received anchor signal. For example, the determination unit 205 can determine from the signal information of the received anchor signal that the information was transmitted from the north ticket gate of Line A. The signal information of the anchor signal and the location where the anchor 20 is installed are linked to the second storage unit 209 described below (that is, the determination unit 205 determines the location where the anchor 20 is installed from the anchor signal based on the second storage unit 209).

[0048] The notification signal generation unit 206 generates a notification signal that notifies the user U by voice of the arrival angle information regarding the calculated arrival angle Δφ and the position information of the anchor 20 determined by the determination unit 205. The notification signal generation unit 206 transmits the notification signal to a speaker (not shown) (notification unit), and the speaker (its diaphragm) vibrates based on the notification signal, thereby notifying the user U. The notification signal generation unit 206 generates a notification signal that notifies the user U of information such as, for example, that if the user U moves diagonally forward and to the left, there will be a north exit ticket gate for Line A.

[0049] In this embodiment, notification is made to the user U only from the second receiver 200, but of course, this is not limited to this and notification to the user U may also be made from the first receiver 100. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the speaker (second receiver 200) transmits sound by vibrating the eardrum, but of course, this is not limited to this and sound may also be transmitted to the user U by bone conduction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, sound includes not only human voices but also simple sounds (for example, beeps).

[0050] The second transmitter 206 transmits the second message signal described above via an antenna (not shown) provided in the second receiver 200.

[0051] The second internal clock 207 keeps internal time based on the output from a quartz oscillator (not shown). The internal time is used when generating the second message signal described above.

[0052] The second storage unit 208 is realized by a storage device such as a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). The second storage unit 208 stores programs for various processes executed by the second message generation unit 202, calculation unit 203, correction unit 204, and notification unit 205. The second storage unit 209 also stores information linking the anchor signal with the position information of the anchor 20, as described above.

[0053] (Arrival angle calculation method) Fig. 3 is a sequence diagram of the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present technology. Here, the arrival angle calculation method will be described with reference to Fig. 3. As a premise, the information processing device 10 is a headset that is already worn on the head of a user U. Furthermore, the user U is using this information processing system 1 to search for the north exit ticket gate for line A. Furthermore, the propagation time T is calculated using the DS-TWR method.

[0054] First, the second receiver 200 receives a first message signal (Poll signal) transmitted from the first receiver 100 (S101). When generating the first message signal, the first message generator 102 sets the time at which the first message signal is to be transmitted. Here, the first message signal is transmitted at time Tpt, and that time Tpt is stored in the first storage unit 106. Of course, this is not limiting, and the first message signal may be transmitted including time Tpt as first time information. In this case, the second storage unit 209 stores the transmission time Tpt in addition to the reception time Tpr when the second receiver 201 receives the first message signal.

[0055] Next, the first receiver 100 receives a second message signal (Response signal) transmitted from the second receiver 200 (S102). When generating the second message signal, the second message generation unit 202 sets the time to transmit the second message signal. Here, the second message signal is transmitted at time Trt. The second storage unit 209 stores the transmission time Trt when the second message signal is transmitted by the second transmission unit 201. The first storage unit 106 of the first receiver 100 stores the reception time Trr when the second message signal is received by the first reception unit 101.

[0056] Next, the second receiver 200 receives the first message signal (Final signal) transmitted from the first receiver 100 (S103). The first message generator 102 sets the time to transmit the first message signal when generating the first message signal. Here, the first message signal is transmitted at time Tft, and the first message signal includes a transmission time Tft, a reception time Trr, and a transmission time Tpt. The second storage unit 209 stores the reception time Tfr when the second receiver 201 receives the first message signal, as well as the above-mentioned transmission time Tft, reception time Trr, and transmission time Tpt. As described above, if the first message signal includes the transmission time Tpt and is transmitted to the second receiver 200, the Final signal only needs to include the reception time Trr and the transmission time Tft.

[0057] Next, the propagation time calculation unit 203A calculates the propagation time T. Here, a method for calculating the propagation time T will be described.

[0058] The propagation time T is calculated by T=(Tround1×Tround2−Treply1×Treply2) / (Tround1+Tround2+Treply1+Treply2).

[0059] The above-mentioned Tround1, Tround2, Treply1, and Treply2 are calculated as follows: Tround1=Trr-Tpt, Tround2=Tfr-Trt, Treply1=Trt-Tpr, and Treply2=Tft-Trr.

[0060] Next, the time difference correction unit 204B calculates the time difference ΔT between the first internal clock 105 and the second internal clock 207. ＬＲ (S105). The time difference correction unit 204B corrects ΔT ＬＲ = (Tft + T) - Tfr.

[0061] Next, the first receiver 100 and the second receiver 200 receive the anchor signal transmitted from the anchor 20 and store their respective reception times (S106). As shown in FIG. 3, the first receiver 100 receives the anchor signal at time T ＬThe second receiver 200 receives the signal at time T Ｒ The first receiver 100 and the second receiver 200 then store these times in the first storage unit 106 and the second storage unit 209, respectively.

[0062] Next, the second receiver 200 receives a reception completion signal (S107). The signal information generating unit 103 of the first receiver 100 generates a reception completion signal, and the first transmitting unit 104 transmits the reception completion signal to the second receiver 200. The reception completion signal includes the time T when the first receiver 100 received the anchor signal. Ｌ Contains information about:

[0063] Next, the time difference calculation unit 203B and the arrival angle calculation unit 203C calculate the arrival angle Δφ (S108). First, the time difference calculation unit 203B calculates the time difference Δt (see FIG. 1). The time difference Δt is calculated as follows: Δt=T Ｒ -(T Ｌ -ΔT ＬＲ Next, arrival angle calculation section 203C calculates arrival angle Δφ by Δφ=Arc sin(Δt / T) as described above (see FIG. 1).

[0064] Next, the notification signal generation unit 206 notifies the user U of the arrival angle Δφ (S109). As described above, the notification signal generation unit 206 notifies the user U of the arrival angle information regarding the calculated arrival angle Δφ and the position information of the anchor 20 determined by the determination unit 205 by voice.

[0065] As described above, in this embodiment, the information processing device 10 is worn on the head of the user U and notifies the user U of the angle of arrival by voice, eliminating the need to search for the direction of the anchor 20 while holding a smartphone or the like in one's hand. This allows the user U to detect the angle of arrival while walking without looking down, reducing the likelihood of the user U becoming inattentive to what is ahead when moving in the direction of the anchor 20 and improving safety.

[0066] Furthermore, since there is no longer a need to hold a smartphone in one's hand as in the past, one can carry belongings in both hands, improving convenience.

[0067] Furthermore, the first receiver 100 and the second receiver 200 are worn on the head of the user U. That is, the first receiver 100 and the second receiver 200 are placed roughly horizontally due to the structure of the body, and there is no need to be conscious of posture when detecting the angle of arrival. Therefore, there is no need to try to keep the first receiver 100 and the second receiver 200 that receive the anchor signal horizontal, and the angle of arrival can be detected without stress.

[0068] Furthermore, this embodiment allows the first receiver 100 and the second receiver 200 to be used even if they are housed in separate housings, making it applicable to a variety of devices. Conventionally, when detecting the angle of arrival, receiving antennas were spaced apart by approximately half the wavelength of the transmitted signal (to prevent the calculated phase value from exceeding 360 degrees). In this case, multiple antennas were required in one device, making it difficult to apply to devices that require balance, such as headsets (i.e., having an antenna on one side would result in an imbalance in weight, making it difficult for the user to use). However, this embodiment detects the angle of arrival based on propagation time, so the angle of arrival can be detected even if the distance between receiving antennas is longer than half the wavelength of the transmitted signal. Note that the wavelength of UWB in this embodiment is approximately 4 cm. Therefore, when worn on a person's head, such as a headset, the distance between receiving antennas is sufficiently longer than half the wavelength of the UWB signal.

[0069] Furthermore, since the first receiver 100 and the second receiver 200 are housed in separate housings, electrical coupling can be prevented, ensuring sufficient isolation (if the antennas are located farther apart than the length of the wavelength being transmitted, electrical coupling can be prevented).

[0070] Furthermore, since the first receiver 100 and the second receiver 200 are housed in separate housings and are located at positions sufficiently separated spatially, a spatial diversity effect can be obtained. Here, the spatial diversity effect will be explained. In wireless communication, signals are propagated due to multipath propagation, which can cause multiple signals to overlap, resulting in a drop in the signal reception level. Therefore, by locating the antennas at positions sufficiently separated from each other, the correlation between the received signal levels is reduced. This can reduce the probability that the signal levels of the signals received by each antenna are both low.

[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the propagation time T is affected by the shape of the head as described above, so correcting the propagation time using the propagation time correcting unit 204A makes it possible to detect the arrival angle more accurately.

[0072] Second Embodiment As described above, in the present technology, only the angle of arrival between the anchor and the information processing device is calculated, but of course, this is not limited to this, and the distance between the anchor and the information processing device may also be calculated. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an information processing system 1A according to a second embodiment of the present technology, and Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the information processing system according to the second embodiment of the present technology. Below, configurations different from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and configurations similar to those in the first embodiment will be assigned similar reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted or simplified.

[0073] In this embodiment, the information processing system 1A includes an information processing device 10' and an anchor 20'. The anchor 20' further includes a communication unit 20B', an anchor internal clock 20C, and an anchor storage unit 20D.

[0074] The communication unit 20B' enables communication (transmission and reception) of signals with the information processing device 10' (second receiver 200').

[0075] The anchor internal clock 20C keeps internal time based on the output from a quartz oscillator (not shown). The internal time is used when generating the anchor signal.

[0076] When generating an anchor signal, the signal generating unit 20A sets the time to transmit the anchor signal. The transmission time is set based on the anchor internal clock 20C described above. In other words, when generating an anchor signal, the signal generating unit 20A may set the signal to be transmitted, for example, several milliseconds after the current time. Furthermore, the anchor signal includes information (time information) regarding the time to transmit the anchor signal.

[0077] The anchor storage unit 20D is realized by a storage device such as a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). The second storage unit 208 stores programs for various processes executed in the signal generation unit 20A described above.

[0078] The second receiver 200′ includes a calculation unit 203′, which further includes a distance calculation unit (fourth calculation unit) 203D. The distance calculation unit 203D calculates the distance D between the anchor 20′ and the information processing device 10′ based on the anchor signal (see FIG. 4). More specifically, the distance calculation unit 203D calculates the distance D between the anchor 20′ and the information processing device 10′ (second receiver 200′) based on reception time information and transmission time information of each anchor signal when one or more communications (signal transmission and reception between the anchor 20′ and the second receiver 200′) are performed. Here, one or more communications means that the anchor 20′ and the second receiver 200′ transmit and receive signals one or more times. Communication between the anchor 20′ and the second receiver 200′ using the DS-TWR method illustrated as an example is counted as two communications. Note that in the case of the SS-TWR method, it is counted as one communications.

[0079] (Distance Calculation Method) Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram of the information processing system 1A according to the second embodiment of the present technology. Here, a distance calculation method will be described with reference to Fig. 6 .

[0080] First, the second receiver 200' receives an anchor signal (Poll signal) transmitted from the anchor 20' (S201). When generating an anchor signal, the signal generating unit 20A sets the time to transmit the anchor signal. Here, the anchor signal is transmitted at time Tpt', and this time Tpt' is stored in the anchor storage unit 20D. Of course, this is not limitative, and the anchor signal may be transmitted including the transmission time Tpt'. In this case, the second storage unit 209 stores the transmission time Tpt' in addition to the reception time Tpr', which is reception time information when the anchor signal is received by the second receiving unit 201.

[0081] Next, the anchor 20' receives a second message signal (Response signal) transmitted from the second receiver 200 (S202). When generating the second message signal, the second message generation unit 202 sets the time at which the second message signal is to be transmitted. Here, the second message signal is transmitted at time Trt'. The second storage unit 209 stores the transmission time Trt' when the second transmission unit 201 transmits the second message signal. The anchor storage unit 20D of the anchor 20' also stores the reception time Trr', which is reception time information when the anchor reception unit 20D receives the second message signal.

[0082] Next, the second receiver 200 receives the anchor signal (Final signal) transmitted from the anchor 20′ (S203). The signal generating unit 20A sets the time to transmit the anchor signal when generating the anchor signal. Here, the anchor signal is transmitted at time Tft′, and the anchor signal includes transmission time Tft′, reception time Trr′, and transmission time Tpt′. The second storage unit 209 stores reception time Tfr′, which is reception time information when the anchor signal is received by the second receiving unit 201, as well as the above-mentioned transmission time Tft′, reception time Trr′, and transmission time Tpt′. As described above, when the anchor signal is transmitted to the second receiver 200 including the transmission time Tpt′, only the reception time Trr′ and transmission time Tft′ need to be included when transmitting the Final signal.

[0083] Next, the propagation time calculation unit 203A calculates the propagation time T (S204). Here, the method of calculating the propagation time T is as described above, and therefore the explanation will be omitted. Of course, the method of calculating the propagation time T is not limited to the DS-TWR method, and may be the SS-TWR method.

[0084] Next, the distance calculation unit 203D calculates the distance between the anchor 20 and the information processing device 10′ (S205). The distance calculation unit 203D calculates the distance D by the equation: distance D=speed of light c×propagation time T.

[0085] This allows user U to know not only the direction of anchor 20' but also the distance, making it possible to estimate the arrival time to the location where anchor 20' is located, thereby improving convenience for user U when traveling to the location where anchor 20' is located.

[0086] In addition, in this embodiment, the distance D is calculated between the anchor 20′ and the second receiver 200′, but of course, this is not limiting, and the distance may be calculated between the anchor 20′ and the first receiver 100.

[0087] As described above, in the present technology, the first receiver 100 and the second receiver 200 communicate wirelessly, but of course, the present technology is not limited to this and may communicate via a wired connection.

[0088] In this embodiment, the first receiver 100 and the second receiver 200 are in separate housings, but of course this is not limiting and they may be in a single housing, such as a band-type headset. Even in the case of a band-type headset, it is possible to calculate the propagation time between the first receiver 100 and the second receiver 200 while wearing the headset, and therefore the angle of arrival can be calculated accurately.

[0089] In addition, in this embodiment, the angle of arrival is calculated using the difference between the propagation time and the reception time, but of course this is not limited to this, and the angle of arrival may be calculated based on the distance between the first receiver 100 and the second receiver 200 and the phase difference between the signals received by the first receiver 100 and the second receiver 200.

[0090] The configurations of the information processing system described with reference to the drawings are merely examples, and can be modified as desired without departing from the spirit of the present technology. In other words, any other configuration for implementing the present technology may be adopted.

[0091] Note that the present technology can also be configured as follows: (1) An information processing device comprising: a first receiver worn on a user's head and receiving an anchor signal transmitted from an anchor; and a second receiver worn on the user's head at a position different from that of the first receiver and receiving the anchor signal and capable of communicating with the first receiver, wherein the second receiver has: a first calculation unit that calculates a propagation time of a communication signal when communicating with the first receiver; a second calculation unit that calculates a time difference between times at which the first receiver and the second receiver receive the anchor signal; and a third calculation unit that calculates an angle of arrival of the anchor signal based on the propagation time and the time difference. (2) The information processing device described in (1) above, wherein the second receiver further has a first correction unit that corrects the propagation time based on a shape of the user's head. (3) The information processing device according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the anchor signal includes transmission time information when the anchor signal is transmitted, and the second receiver is capable of communicating with the anchor, and further comprises a fourth calculation unit that calculates a distance to the anchor based on reception time information when the anchor signal is received and the transmission time information of the anchor signal when one or more communications are performed. (4) The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the first receiver is worn on a first ear of the user, and the second receiver is worn on a second ear of the user. (5) The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the first receiver is provided at a position farther away from the second receiver than the wavelength of the communication signal. (6) The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the first receiver and the second receiver communicate wirelessly. (7) The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (6) above, wherein the first receiver and the second receiver perform UWB communication.(8) The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the second receiver further has a notification unit that notifies the user of angle-of-arrival information regarding the calculated angle of arrival. (9) The information processing device according to any one of (8), wherein the notification unit notifies the user of the angle-of-arrival information by voice. (10) The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the first receiver has a first internal clock, and the second receiver further has a second internal clock and a second correction unit that corrects a time difference between the first internal clock and the second internal clock by communicating with the first receiver by the communication signal. (10) An information processing system comprising: an anchor that transmits an anchor signal; a first receiver that is worn on a user's head and receives the anchor signal transmitted from the anchor; and a second receiver that is worn on the user's head at a position different from that of the first receiver and receives the anchor signal and is capable of communicating with the first headset, wherein the second receiver has an information processing device having a first calculation unit that calculates a propagation time of a communication signal when communicating with the first receiver, a second calculation unit that calculates a time difference between the times at which the first receiver and the second receiver receive the anchor signal, and a third calculation unit that calculates an angle of arrival of the anchor signal based on the propagation time and the time difference.

[0092] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1... Information processing system 10... Information processing device 20... Anchor 100... First receiver 101... First receiving unit 102... First message generating unit 103... Signal information generating unit 104... First transmitting unit 105... First internal clock 106... First storage unit 200... Second receiver 201... Second receiving unit 202... Second message generating unit 203... Calculation unit 204... Second transmitting unit 205... Second internal clock 206... Second storage unit

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising: a first receiver worn on a user's head for receiving an anchor signal transmitted from an anchor; and a second receiver worn on the user's head at a position different from that of the first receiver for receiving the anchor signal and capable of communicating with the first receiver, wherein the second receiver has a first calculation unit for calculating the propagation time of a communication signal when communicating with the first receiver, a second calculation unit for calculating the time difference between the times at which the first receiver and the second receiver receive the anchor signal, and a third calculation unit for calculating the angle of arrival of the anchor signal based on the propagation time and the time difference.

2. An information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the second receiver further comprises a first correction unit that corrects the propagation time based on the shape of the user's head.

3. An information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the anchor signal includes transmission time information when the anchor signal is transmitted, and the second receiver is capable of communicating with the anchor, and further comprises a fourth calculation unit that calculates the distance to the anchor based on reception time information when the anchor signal is received and the transmission time information of the anchor signal when one or more communications are conducted.

4. An information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the first receiver is worn on a first ear of the user, and the second receiver is worn on a second ear of the user.

5. An information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the first receiver is provided at a position farther away from the second receiver than the length of the wavelength of the communication signal.

6. An information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the first receiver and the second receiver communicate wirelessly.

7. An information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the first receiver and the second receiver perform UWB communication.

8. An information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the second receiver further comprises a notification unit that notifies the user of arrival angle information relating to the calculated arrival angle.

9. An information processing device according to claim 8, wherein the notification unit notifies the user of the angle of arrival information by voice.

10. An information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the first receiver has a first internal clock, and the second receiver further has a second internal clock and a second correction unit that corrects the time difference between the first internal clock and the second internal clock by communicating with the first receiver via the communication signal.

11. An information processing system comprising: an anchor that transmits an anchor signal; a first receiver that is worn on a user's head and receives the anchor signal transmitted from the anchor; and a second receiver that is worn on the user's head at a position different from that of the first receiver and receives the anchor signal and is capable of communicating with the first headset, wherein the second receiver has an information processing device having a first calculation unit that calculates the propagation time of a communication signal when communicating with the first receiver, a second calculation unit that calculates the time difference between the times at which the first receiver and the second receiver receive the anchor signal, and a third calculation unit that calculates the angle of arrival of the anchor signal based on the propagation time and the time difference.

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