Seat

Abstract

Provided is a seat that allows a seated user to feel vibration. A seat (100) includes a seat surface portion (110) and a first vibration unit (120) that, during production of sound, generates vibration that is different from the vibration caused by a low-frequency region component of the sound. The first vibration unit (120) is provided to the seat surface portion (110).

Description

Seat

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vibration signal generation device that derives envelope information related to the envelope of an audio signal, and generates a vibration signal by performing frequency modulation and amplitude modulation based on the envelope information on a fundamental signal that is a wave with constant frequency and amplitude. By generating vibration based on the vibration signal generated by the vibration generation device disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible to generate vibration based on audio even for audio that does not have low frequency region components.

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 7538257

[0004] Vibration based on the vibration signal generated by the vibration generation device disclosed in Patent Document 1 (generated vibration) is different from the vibration of low frequency region components of audio. For this reason, the sound produced by this generated vibration may be perceived as noise.

[0005] An example of the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a seat that allows a seated user to perceive vibration.

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a seat having a seat portion, the seat further comprising a first vibration unit that generates vibration different from vibration caused by low frequency region components of audio during output of the audio, and the first vibration unit is disposed on the seat portion.

[0007] This figure shows a seat 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. This figure illustrates an example of the seat portion 110 and backrest portion 150 of the seat 100. This figure illustrates the envelope E(t) of an audio signal. This figure illustrates an example of the relationship between the level of the envelope derived by the envelope information derivation unit 230 and the frequency of the generated vibration signal generated by the vibration signal generation unit 220. This figure illustrates an example of the generated vibration signal generated by the vibration signal generation unit 220. This figure illustrates an example of the relationship between the level of the envelope derived by the envelope information derivation unit 230 and the frequency of the generated vibration signal generated by the vibration signal generation unit 220. This figure illustrates an example of the generated vibration signal generated by the vibration signal generation unit 220.

[0008] A seat according to one embodiment of the present invention is a seat having a seat surface, the seat further having a first vibration unit that generates vibrations different from those caused by the low-frequency components of sound during sound generation, and the first vibration unit is arranged on the seat surface. Therefore, in this embodiment, the seat can make the user feel vibrations different from those caused by the low-frequency components of sound due to the vibrations generated by the first vibration unit. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the vibrations generated by the first vibration unit are absorbed by the user sitting on the seat surface, making it possible to prevent noise generated around the seat due to the vibrations generated by the first vibration unit.

[0009] The seat may further include a seating sensor for detecting whether or not a person is seated on the seat, and the first vibration unit may be configured not to generate vibrations if no one is seated on the seat. In this way, the first vibration unit will only generate vibrations when a user is seated, and as a result, it will be possible to more reliably prevent noise from being generated around the seat due to vibrations generated by the first vibration unit.

[0010] The system further includes a seating sensor for detecting whether or not a person is seated on the seat, and the first vibration unit may generate vibrations due to the low-frequency components of the sound if no one is seated on the seat. In this way, vibrations different from those due to the low-frequency components of the sound are generated only when a user is seated, and vibrations due to the low-frequency components of the sound are generated when no user is seated. The sound generated by vibrations due to the low-frequency components of the sound is the same as the low-frequency components of the sound and does not become noise. Therefore, this also makes it possible to more reliably prevent noise from being generated around the seat by vibrations generated by the first vibration unit.

[0011] The vibrations that differ from the vibrations caused by the low-frequency components of the aforementioned sound may be vibrations that are generated based on the aforementioned sound. In this way, it becomes possible to make the user feel the sound with their body.

[0012] A vibration different from the vibration caused by the low-frequency components of the aforementioned sound may be generated by deriving envelope information relating to the envelope of the sound signal and performing amplitude modulation based on the envelope information onto a fundamental signal which is a wave with constant frequency and amplitude. In this way, it becomes possible to make the user feel the change in the level of the sound with their body.

[0013] Vibrations different from those caused by the low-frequency components of the aforementioned sound may be generated by deriving envelope information relating to the envelope of the sound signal and performing amplitude modulation and frequency modulation based on the envelope information on a fundamental signal which is a wave with constant frequency and amplitude. In this way, it becomes possible to make the user feel changes in the sound level through non-monotonous vibrations.

[0014] The frequency modulation may be performed such that the frequency decreases as the level of the envelope increases. In this way, lower frequency vibrations are emphasized more than higher frequency vibrations, and as a result, the user can feel the lower frequency vibrations more strongly, which can help the user relax.

[0015] The frequency modulation may be performed such that the frequency increases as the level of the envelope increases. In this way, higher frequency vibrations are emphasized more than lower frequency vibrations, and as a result, it becomes possible to make the user feel the higher frequency vibrations more strongly and awaken the user.

[0016] The first vibration unit may further include a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure applied to the seat surface, and may change the level of vibration it generates based on the pressure applied to the seat surface. In this way, even if the user sitting in the seat is a small child, it is possible to prevent noise from being generated around the seat due to the vibrations produced by the first vibration unit. In addition, this makes it possible to generate vibrations that are appropriate for the size of the user, and as a result, it is possible to make the user feel an appropriate level of vibration.

[0017] The device further comprises a backrest and a second vibration unit that generates vibrations while the sound is being generated, wherein the second vibration unit may be positioned on the backrest. This allows the user to feel the vibrations on their back and waist.

[0018] The second vibration unit may be configured to generate vibrations due to the low-frequency components of the sound. This makes it possible for the user to feel the sound on their back or waist.

[0019] The second vibration unit may further include a backrest sensor for detecting whether or not a person is leaning against the backrest, and if a person is leaning against the backrest, the second vibration unit may generate vibrations different from those caused by the low-frequency components of the sound. In this way, it becomes possible to make the user feel vibrations on their back and waist that are different from those caused by the low-frequency components of the sound.

[0020] The second vibration unit may be configured not to generate vibrations if no one is leaning against the backrest. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent noise from being generated around the seat 100 due to vibrations from the first vibration unit 120.

[0021] The second vibration unit may be configured to generate vibrations due to the low-frequency components of the sound if no one is leaning against the backrest. Doing so will more reliably prevent noise from being generated around the seat 100 due to vibrations generated by the first vibration unit 120.

[0022] <Seat 100> Figure 1 shows a seat system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The seat system includes a seat 100 and a vibration signal generating device 200. The number of seats 100 may be one or multiple.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, seat 100 is a seat on which a user sits. The vibration signal generator 200 generates a vibration signal (generated vibration signal) that is different from the vibrations caused by the low-frequency components of the sound generated at the location where seat 100 is installed, and inputs the generated vibration signal to seat 100. The sound generated at the location where seat 100 is installed is, for example, the sound generated by people or musical instruments in the location where seat 100 is installed (for example, a music hall), or the sound output from speakers.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the seat 100 has a seat surface portion 110 and a first vibration unit 120.

[0025] The seat portion 110 is the part on which the user sits directly, and as shown in Figure 2, the seat portion 110 is in contact with the thighs and buttocks of the user seated on the seat 100.

[0026] The first vibration unit 120 generates vibrations based on the generated vibration signal input from the vibration signal generation device 200. In other words, the first vibration unit 120 generates vibrations different from those caused by the low-frequency components of the sound generated at the location where the seat 100 is installed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first vibration unit 120 generates vibrations different from those caused by the low-frequency components of the sound while the sound is being generated.

[0027] In this embodiment, the first vibration unit 120 is placed in the seat portion 110. The first vibration unit 120 is embedded, for example, inside the seat portion 110. The first vibration unit 120 is embedded, for example, in the cushion portion inside the seat portion 110.

[0028] Therefore, the seat 100 according to this embodiment can cause the user to feel vibrations that are different from those caused by the low-frequency components of the sound, due to the vibrations generated by the first vibration unit 120. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the vibrations generated by the first vibration unit 120 are absorbed by the user sitting on the seat surface 110, making it possible to prevent noise from being generated around the seat 100 due to the vibrations generated by the first vibration unit 120.

[0029] The seat 100 may further include a seating sensor 130, as shown in Figure 1. The seating sensor 130 is a sensor for detecting whether or not a user is seated on the seat surface 110. The seating sensor 130 is, for example, placed on the seat surface 110. The first vibration unit 120 may generate vibrations different from those caused by the low-frequency components of the sound if a user is seated on the seat surface while sound is being generated, and may not generate vibrations if a user is not seated on the seat surface 110.

[0030] In this way, the first vibration unit 120 generates vibrations only when the user is seated, and as a result, it becomes possible to more reliably prevent noise caused by the vibrations generated by the first vibration unit 120 from occurring around the seat 100.

[0031] The vibration signal generator 200 may extract the low-frequency portion of the sound generated at the location where the seat 100 is installed, and in addition to the generated vibration signal, it may also input a vibration signal (extracted vibration signal) of the extracted low-frequency portion of the sound to the seat 100. The first vibration unit 120 may generate vibrations based on the generated vibration signal input from the vibration signal generator 200 if a user is seated on the seat portion 110, and generate vibrations based on the extracted vibration signal input from the vibration signal generator 200 if a user is not seated on the seat portion 110. In other words, the first vibration unit 120 may generate vibrations different from the vibrations caused by the low-frequency components of the sound if a user is seated on the seat portion 110 while sound is being generated, and generate vibrations caused by the low-frequency components of the sound if a user is not seated on the seat portion 110.

[0032] In this way, vibrations different from those caused by the low-frequency components of the sound are generated only when the user is seated, and vibrations caused by the low-frequency components of the sound are generated when the user is not seated. The sound generated by the vibrations caused by the low-frequency components of the sound is the same as the low-frequency components of the sound and does not become noise. Therefore, this method also makes it possible to more reliably prevent noise from being generated around the seat 100 due to vibrations generated by the first vibration unit 120.

[0033] If the user seated in seat 100 is a small child, the user may not be able to fully absorb the vibrations generated by the first vibration unit 120, potentially causing noise to be generated even though the user is seated. Therefore, seat 100 may further include a pressure sensor 140, as shown in Figure 1. The pressure sensor 140 is a sensor for measuring the pressure applied to the seat surface 110. The pressure sensor 140 is placed, for example, on the seat surface 110. The first vibration unit 120 may also change the level of vibration it generates based on the pressure applied to the seat surface 110. In this way, even if the user seated in seat 100 is a small child, it becomes possible to prevent noise from being generated around seat 100 due to vibrations generated by the first vibration unit 120. Furthermore, this makes it possible to generate vibrations appropriate to the user's size, and as a result, it becomes possible to make the user feel an appropriate level of vibration.

[0034] The vibration signal generator 200 may input a vibration signal (beat vibration signal) to the seat 100 that is synchronized with the beat of the audio signal generated at the location where the seat 100 is installed. The first vibration unit 120 may generate vibrations based on the beat vibration signal input from the vibration signal generator 200. In other words, the first vibration unit 120 may generate vibrations synchronized with the beat of the audio while the audio is being generated. In this way, it becomes possible to make the user feel vibrations that have the same rhythm as the audio.

[0035] The vibration signal generator 200 may input a vibration signal (peak vibration signal) to the seat 100 that matches the peak of the audio signal generated at the location where the seat 100 is installed. The first vibration unit 120 may generate vibrations based on the peak vibration signal input from the vibration signal generator 200. In other words, the first vibration unit 120 may generate vibrations that match the peak of the audio while the audio is being generated. In this way, it becomes possible to make the user feel vibrations that match the peaks of the audio.

[0036] <Vibration signal generation device 200> The vibration signal generation device 200 is composed of a computer having a CPU and the like, and has an audio signal acquisition unit 210 and a vibration signal generation unit 220.

[0037] The audio signal acquisition unit 210 acquires audio signals from sounds occurring at the location where the seat 100 is installed.

[0038] The vibration signal generation unit 220 generates a vibration signal and inputs the generated vibration signal to the seat 100. The vibration signal generation unit 220 may, for example, generate the above-mentioned generated vibration signal and input the generated generated vibration signal to the seat 100. The vibration signal generation unit 220 may also generate the above-mentioned extracted vibration signal, beat vibration signal, and rise vibration signal, and input the generated extracted vibration signal, beat vibration signal, and rise vibration signal to the seat 100.

[0039] The vibration signal generation unit 220 should, for example, generate the above-mentioned generated vibration signal based on the sound acquired by the sound signal acquisition unit 210. In other words, vibrations different from vibrations caused by the low-frequency components of the sound (vibrations based on the generated vibration signal) should, for example, be vibrations generated based on the sound. By doing so, it becomes possible to make the user feel the sound with their body.

[0040] The vibration signal generation device 200 may further include an envelope information derivation unit 230. The envelope information derivation unit 230 derives, for example, envelope information relating to the envelope of the audio signal acquired by the audio signal acquisition unit 210. The envelope information derivation unit 230 derives the envelope of the audio signal as a function of time E(t), for example, as shown in Figure 3. Methods for deriving the envelope of the signal include, for example, peak hold processing and absolute value averaging.

[0041] Furthermore, the vibration signal generation unit 220 may generate a vibration signal by applying amplitude modulation to a fundamental signal, which is a wave with constant frequency and amplitude, based on the envelope information acquired by the envelope information derivation unit 230, and input the generated vibration signal to the seat 100 as a generated vibration signal. In other words, vibrations different from vibrations caused by the low-frequency components of the sound (vibrations based on the generated vibration signal) may be generated by deriving envelope information relating to the envelope of the sound signal of the sound, and applying amplitude modulation to a fundamental signal, which is a wave with constant frequency and amplitude, based on said envelope information. In this way, it becomes possible to make the user feel the change in the level of the sound with their body.

[0042] In this case, the fundamental vibration is, for example, a sine wave (A sin(ωt)) with constant frequency ω and amplitude A, and the frequency ω of the fundamental signal is, for example, a value in the low-frequency region (e.g., 20-100 Hz). The vibration signal generation unit 220 generates the vibration signal (E(t) sin(ωt)) by, for example, changing the amplitude A to match the envelope (amplitude modulation based on envelope information: A = E(t)).

[0043] Furthermore, the vibration signal generation unit 220 may generate a vibration signal by performing frequency modulation and amplitude modulation on a basic signal, which is a wave with constant frequency and amplitude, based on the envelope information acquired by the envelope information derivation unit 230, and input the generated vibration signal to the seat 100. In other words, vibrations different from vibrations caused by the low-frequency components of the sound (vibrations based on the generated vibration signal) may be generated by deriving envelope information relating to the envelope of the sound signal of the sound, and performing amplitude modulation and frequency modulation on a basic signal, which is a wave with constant frequency and amplitude, based on the said envelope information. In this way, it becomes possible to make the user feel changes in the sound level with their body through non-monotonous vibrations.

[0044] At this time, the vibration signal generating unit 220 performs frequency modulation such that, for example, the frequency of the generated vibration signal falls within a low-frequency region (e.g., 20 to 100 Hz). For example, the vibration signal generating unit 220 changes the frequency ω of the fundamental vibration based on the level of the envelope (E(t)) (frequency modulation based on envelope information: ω = Ω(E(t))), and changes the amplitude A to match the envelope (amplitude modulation based on envelope information: A = E(t)), thereby generating the vibration signal (E(t)sin(Ω(E(t))t)).

[0045] At this time, the frequency modulation is preferably performed such that the frequency decreases as the envelope level increases. In other words, as shown in FIG. 4, the vibration signal generating unit 220 preferably performs frequency modulation such that the frequency decreases as the envelope level increases (that is, dω / dE < 0). At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the generated vibration signal generated by the vibration signal generating device 200 is a sparse signal where the envelope level is high, and a dense signal where the envelope level is low. With this configuration, low-frequency vibrations are emphasized more than high-frequency vibrations, and as a result, it is possible to make a user more perceive low-frequency vibrations and allow the user to relax. In FIG. 4, the relationship between the envelope level and the frequency is linear, but the relationship between the envelope level and the frequency is not limited to being linear.

[0046] Furthermore, the frequency modulation may be performed such that the frequency increases as the envelope level increases. In other words, as shown in FIG. 6, the vibration signal generating unit 220 may perform frequency modulation such that the frequency increases as the envelope level increases (that is, dω / dE > 0). At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, the generated vibration signal generated by the vibration signal generating device 200 is a dense signal where the envelope level is high, and a sparse signal where the envelope level is low. With this configuration, high-frequency vibrations are emphasized more than low-frequency vibrations, and as a result, it is possible to make a user more perceive high-frequency vibrations and arouse the user. In FIG. 6, the relationship between the envelope level and the frequency is linear, but the relationship between the envelope level and the frequency is not limited to being linear.

[0047] <Second vibration unit 160> As shown in FIG. 1, the seat 100 may further comprise a backrest portion 150 and a second vibration unit 160.

[0048] The backrest portion 150 is a portion against which a user leans. As shown in FIG. 2, the backrest portion 150 is in contact with the back and waist of the user seated on the seat 100.

[0049] The second vibration unit 160 generates vibration. The second vibration unit 160 may generate vibration based on, for example, an extracted vibration signal input from a vibration signal generation device 200. In other words, it is preferable that the second vibration unit generates vibration caused by low-frequency region components of audio while the audio is being output. This enables the user to feel the audio through their body.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, the seat 100 may further comprise a backrest sensor 170. The backrest sensor 170 is a sensor for detecting whether or not a user is leaning against the backrest portion 150. The backrest sensor 170 is disposed, for example, on the backrest portion 150. Further, the second vibration unit 160 may be configured to: if a user is leaning against the backrest portion 150, generate vibration based on a generated vibration signal input from the vibration signal generation device 200; and if no user is leaning against the backrest portion 150, generate vibration based on the extracted vibration signal input from the vibration signal generation device 200. In other words, the second vibration unit 160 may be configured to: if a user is leaning against the backrest portion 150 while audio is being output, generate vibration different from that caused by low-frequency region components of the audio; and if no user is leaning against the backrest portion 150, generate vibration caused by low-frequency region components of the audio. This makes it possible to allow the user to feel vibration different from that caused by low-frequency region components of the audio, and more reliably prevent noise caused by vibration generated by the first vibration unit 120 from occurring around the seat 100.

[0051] Furthermore, the second vibration unit 160 may generate vibrations based on the generated vibration signal input from the vibration signal generator 200 if the user is leaning against the backrest portion 150, and may not generate vibrations if the user is not leaning against the backrest portion 150. In other words, the second vibration unit 160 may generate vibrations different from those caused by the low-frequency components of the sound if the user is leaning against the backrest portion 150 while sound is being generated, and may not generate vibrations if the user is not leaning against the backrest portion 150. Doing so also makes it possible to make the user feel vibrations different from those caused by the low-frequency components of the sound, and makes it possible to more reliably prevent noise from being generated around the seat 100 due to vibrations generated by the first vibration unit 120.

[0052] The present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments. Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific examples, various modifications and changes can be made to these examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the claims.

[0053] 100 Seat 110 Seat surface 120 First vibration unit 130 Seating sensor 140 Pressure sensor 150 Backrest 160 Second vibration unit 170 Backrest sensor 200 Vibration signal generator 210 Audio signal acquisition unit 220 Vibration signal generation unit 230 Envelope information derivation unit

Claims

1. A seat having a seat surface, wherein the seat further comprises a first vibration unit that generates vibrations different from those caused by the low-frequency components of sound during sound generation, and the first vibration unit is positioned on the seat surface.

2. The seat according to claim 1, further comprising a seating sensor for detecting whether or not a person is seated on the seat surface, wherein the first vibration unit does not generate vibration if no person is seated on the seat surface.

3. The seat according to claim 1, further comprising a seating sensor for detecting whether or not a person is seated on the seat surface, wherein the first vibration unit generates vibrations due to the low-frequency components of the sound if no person is seated on the seat surface.

4. The seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein vibrations different from vibrations caused by low-frequency components of the sound are vibrations generated based on the sound.

5. The seat according to claim 4, wherein vibrations different from vibrations due to the low-frequency components of the sound are generated by deriving envelope information relating to the envelope of the sound signal of the sound, and performing amplitude modulation based on the envelope information on a fundamental signal which is a wave with constant frequency and amplitude.

6. The seat according to claim 4, wherein vibrations different from vibrations due to the low-frequency components of the sound are generated by deriving envelope information relating to the envelope of the sound signal of the sound, and performing amplitude modulation and frequency modulation based on the envelope information on a fundamental signal which is a wave with constant frequency and amplitude.

7. The seat according to claim 6, wherein the frequency modulation is performed such that the frequency decreases as the level of the envelope increases.

8. The seat according to claim 6, wherein the frequency modulation is performed such that the frequency increases as the level of the envelope increases.

9. The seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure applied to the seat surface, wherein the first vibration unit changes the level of vibration generated based on the pressure applied to the seat surface.

10. The seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a backrest portion and a second vibration unit that generates vibrations during the generation of sound, wherein the second vibration unit is disposed on the backrest portion.

11. The seat according to claim 10, wherein the second vibration unit generates vibrations due to the low-frequency components of the sound.

12. The seat according to claim 10, further comprising a backrest sensor for detecting whether or not a person is leaning against the backrest, wherein the second vibration unit generates vibrations different from those caused by the low-frequency components of the sound if a person is leaning against the backrest.

13. The seat according to claim 12, wherein the second vibration unit does not generate vibration if no person is leaning against the backrest.

14. The seat according to claim 12, wherein the second vibration unit generates vibrations due to the low-frequency components of the sound if no person is leaning against the backrest.

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