JP2018164618A - Fragrance providing device and game system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a user with a scent with higher responsiveness.
An aroma generator includes a cartridge, an air blower, and a control device that controls the air blower, and the cartridge includes an aroma chamber and an accommodating portion that accommodates an aroma source inside the aroma chamber; A discharge hole for discharging the fragrance inside the fragrance chamber, and the blower device does not allow wind to enter the fragrance chamber according to an instruction from the control device, and air pressure around the discharge hole Send the wind to lower.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an aroma providing device and a game system.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a technique for playing a VR (Virtual Reality) game using a so-called “head-mounted display” type display device worn by a user on the head like goggles is known.

  In addition, a technique is known that provides a user with a scent (fragrance) by sending air from a wind power source into a scent chamber that houses a scent source, and ejecting the air in the scent chamber from a discharge port (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 5126798

  However, in the prior art, since air from the wind power source is discharged to the user through the aroma chamber, there is a problem that the responsiveness from the start of air blowing until the user is provided with the scent may decrease.

  Then, it aims at providing the technique which can provide a scent to a user with higher responsiveness.

  The aroma generator has a cartridge, a blower, and a control device that controls the blower. The cartridge includes an aroma chamber, an accommodating portion that accommodates an aroma source inside the aroma chamber, and the aroma chamber. A discharge hole for discharging the fragrance inside, and the air blower is configured so that air does not enter the fragrance chamber and the air pressure around the discharge hole is lowered according to an instruction from the control device. To send wind.

  According to the disclosed technology, it is possible to provide a user with a scent with higher responsiveness.

It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the game system which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure explaining an example of the whole structure of an aroma providing apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the front view of the main-body part of an aroma provision apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the top view which looked at the main-body part of the fragrance providing apparatus from the bottom. It is a figure which shows an example of the perspective view of the main-body part of an aroma provision apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of arrangement | positioning of the main-body part of the fragrance providing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the game system which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows another example of the top view which looked at the main-body part of the fragrance providing apparatus from the top. It is sectional drawing which shows another example of arrangement | positioning of the main-body part of an aroma provision apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of arrangement | positioning of the main-body part of the fragrance providing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of arrangement | positioning of the main-body part of the fragrance providing apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement example of the game system 1 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 1, the game system 1 includes a head mounted display 101, a controller 102, a game device 103, and an aroma providing device 104.

  The head mounted display 101 is a display device mounted on the head, and displays a three-dimensional virtual reality (VR) image corresponding to a change in the viewpoint of the user.

  The controller 102 is a device that receives an operation in a game from a user. The controller 102 may be, for example, a known game controller or a simplified controller having a substantially rod shape. Further, the controller 102 may be capable of performing an operation by voice input, or may be a touch panel.

  The game apparatus 103 displays a game image such as a VR video on the head mounted display 101 in accordance with the game situation based on the operation received by the controller 102. Further, the game device 103 instructs the control device 1003 of the fragrance providing device 104 to provide a scent according to the game situation.

  The fragrance providing device 104 is provided at the lower part of the head mounted display 101 and provides the scent to the user according to the game situation on the game device 103.

<Configuration>
Next, the configuration of the aroma providing device 104 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the fragrance providing apparatus 104.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 104A of the fragrance providing device 104 is provided, for example, at the lower portion of the head mounted display 101, and the load on the main body 104A is reduced by the user by the arm 104B (an example of a “fixing portion”). Fixed at the head. The main body 104 </ b> A of the fragrance providing device 104 may be provided inside the housing of the head mounted display 101 or may be detachably attached to the lower part of the head mounted display 101. Or you may enable it to fix to the position of the lower part of the head mounted display 101 by the arm part 104B grade | etc.,.

  The arm part 104B fixes the main body part 104A of the fragrance providing apparatus 104 to the user's head so that the wind from the blower 1002 of the fragrance providing apparatus 104 is sent toward the user's nose.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a front view of the main body 104 </ b> A of the fragrance providing device 104. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a plan view of the main body 104A of the fragrance providing device 104 as viewed from below. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a perspective view of a main body portion of the fragrance providing device.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the main body 104A of the fragrance providing device 104 is provided with the cartridges 1001A, 1001B, 1001C, 1001D,... ), Blower devices 1002A, 1002B, 1002C, 1002D,... (Hereinafter referred to as “blower device 1002” when there is no need to distinguish each of them), and a control device 1003. .

  For example, the cartridge 1001 may be held so as to be detachable from the main body 104A so that the cartridge 1001 can be replaced during regular maintenance.

≪Cartridge≫
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the arrangement of the main body 104A of the fragrance providing apparatus 104 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the main body 104 </ b> A of the fragrance providing device 104, the cartridge 1001 includes an fragrance chamber 51, a fragrance source 52, a housing portion 53, a suction hole 54, and a discharge hole 55.

  The aroma chamber 51 is a space formed inside the cartridge 1001 and accommodates a gas (fragrance) containing a scent from the aroma source 52. The scent source 52 is a substance that emits a predetermined scent. For example, the scent source 52 may be formed by immersing aroma oil or the like in a sponge, or may be in a particulate or liquid state on a porous object such as ceramic. A fragrance material may be included. In addition, a powdery substance that emits a predetermined scent may be solidified into a tablet (a shape like a tablet).

  Note that the fragrance source 52 accommodated in each of the cartridges 1001A, 1001B, 1001C, 1001D,...

  The accommodating part 53 accommodates the fragrance source 52 in the fragrance chamber 51 by holding the fragrance source 52 by the holding member 53 </ b> A.

  The suction hole 54 is a hole for sucking air outside the cartridge 1001 into the fragrance chamber 51. For example, if the thickness of the inner wall of the aroma chamber 51 is 1 mm, the suction hole 54 may have a diameter of about 0.8 mm to 1 mm.

  The discharge hole 55 is a hole for discharging the gas in the fragrance chamber 51 to the outside of the cartridge 1001. The discharge hole 55 is formed with a nozzle 55A that is a tubular member having a predetermined length. For example, the nozzle 55 </ b> A may protrude from the outer wall of the cartridge 1001 by about 1 to 3 mm. The nozzle 55 </ b> A is provided such that its length direction is substantially orthogonal to the direction in which air is discharged from the blower 1002, for example.

  When the air from the blower 1002 is blown at the tip of the nozzle 55A at a high speed, a negative pressure (negative atmospheric pressure) is generated in the vicinity (periphery) of the tip of the nozzle 55A due to the venturi effect. The gas inside is sucked out. Then, the gas sucked out of the fragrance chamber 51 to the outside of the cartridge 1001 is released by, for example, air from the blower 1002 toward the user's nose.

≪Blower system≫
As shown in FIG. 6, the blower 1002 includes a piezoelectric element 61, a diaphragm 62, a pump chamber 63, a suction hole 64, and a discharge hole 65.

  The piezoelectric element 61 is, for example, a single plate piezoelectric ceramic having electrodes on the front and back surfaces. The diaphragm 62 is a metal plate or the like, and the piezoelectric element 61 is pasted thereon.

  When an alternating voltage (sine wave or rectangular wave) is applied to the piezoelectric element 61, the piezoelectric element 61 expands and contracts in the plane direction, whereas the diaphragm 62 does not expand and contract. Therefore, the piezoelectric element 61 and the diaphragm 62 bend in the vertical direction. Deform. For this reason, by applying an alternating voltage to the piezoelectric element 61, the diaphragm 62 can be ultrasonically vibrated in the vertical direction to generate an air flow.

  Here, when the diaphragm 62 is bent and deformed downward, the pump chamber 63 expands downward, and air from the suction hole 64 is taken into the pump chamber 63 through the vent hole 63A. When the diaphragm 62 is bent and deformed upward, the pump chamber 63 is contracted, and the air in the pump chamber 63 is discharged from the nozzle 65A of the discharge hole 65 disposed coaxially with the vent hole 63A via the vent hole 63A. It is. At this time, since a negative pressure is generated in the space between the vent hole 63A and the nozzle 65A due to the venturi effect, the air from the suction hole 64 is continuously sucked. Thereby, a continuous air flow from the suction hole 64 toward the nozzle 65A is realized.

  As the blower 1002, for example, a “micro blower” manufactured by Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. can be used. According to the air blower 1002, it is possible to reduce the size and power consumption as compared with the air blower using a fan or the like, and there is less noise and vibration, and air blowing is started after the start of air blowing is controlled. The response time is short. Therefore, for example, it is possible to immediately start blowing according to the game situation.

<Operation>
Next, the operation of the game system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the game system 1 according to the embodiment.

  First, in step S101, the game apparatus 103 receives a game operation by the controller 102 from the user.

  Subsequently, the control device 1003 of the fragrance providing device 104 determines the situation in the game (step S102). Here, the control device 1003 determines the situation in the game based on the information acquired from the game device 103.

  Subsequently, the control device 1003 of the aroma providing device 104 controls the blower device 1002 according to the determined in-game situation (step S103). Here, the control device 1003 applies each voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 61 of one or more of the blower devices 1002 among the blower devices 1002A, 1002B, 1002C, 1002D,... According to the determined situation in the game. And each timing to apply is determined, and each determined voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 61 of each blower 1002. Here, the higher the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 61, the greater the amount of air discharged from the blower 1002 and the pressure. The control device 1003 releases the scent from the cartridge 1001 by repeatedly applying a predetermined voltage to the piezoelectric element 61 for a predetermined time such as 2 ms at a predetermined interval such as 10 ms (milliseconds). .

  Thereby, according to the situation of a game, a predetermined | prescribed fragrance is discharge | released toward a user's nose for a predetermined amount and predetermined time.

<Modification 1>
Next, a modified example of the arrangement of the cartridges 1001 and the blower devices 1002 of the main body 104A of the fragrance providing device 104 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of a plan view of the main body 104A of the fragrance providing apparatus 104 as viewed from above.

  The main body 104 </ b> A of the fragrance providing device 104 may be disposed on a circular arc 502 centered on the position 501 of the user's nose, as shown in FIG. 8. Thereby, the fragrance from each cartridge 1001 of the fragrance providing device 104 can be released toward the user's nose.

<Modification 2>
Next, a modified example of the arrangement of each cartridge 1001 and each blower 1002 of the main body 104A of the fragrance providing device 104 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another example of the arrangement of the main body portion 104A of the fragrance providing apparatus 104.

  In the example of FIG. 9, the nozzle 55 </ b> A is provided in a direction substantially parallel to the discharge direction of air from the blower 1002.

  In the example of FIG. 9, pipe walls 81 and 82 for preventing the wind from the blower 1002 from leaking to the outside are formed between the nozzles 55 </ b> A. Thereby, based on the same principle as that of the air brush, when the air from the blower 1002 is blown at a high speed onto the tip of the nozzle 55A as in the example of FIG. 6 described above, a negative pressure is applied to the tip of the nozzle 55A due to the venturi effect. Is generated, and the gas in the fragrance chamber 51 is sucked out from the nozzle 55A. Then, the gas sucked out of the fragrance chamber 51 to the outside of the cartridge 1001 is released by, for example, air from the blower 1002 toward the user's nose.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, an example in which the nozzle 55A is provided in each cartridge 1001 has been described. In the second embodiment, an example in which a nozzle for each cartridge 1001 is provided in a holding portion that holds each cartridge 1001 in the main body portion 104A will be described. According to the second embodiment, manufacture of the cartridge 1001 is relatively easy, and each cartridge 1001 can be held on the main body 104A by the nozzle for each cartridge 1001.

  Note that the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for a part thereof, and thus description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Below, description is abbreviate | omitted about the part which is common in 1st Embodiment, and only a different part is demonstrated.

<Configuration>
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the arrangement of the main body 104A of the fragrance providing apparatus 104 according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the main body 104 </ b> A of the fragrance providing apparatus 104 according to the second embodiment has a holding part 71 that holds each cartridge 1001. The holding part 71 includes a nozzle 71A, a fixing plate 71B, and a contact part 71C. Note that the holding unit 71 is provided for each cartridge 1001.

  The nozzle 71 </ b> A is a tubular member that holds the cartridge 1001 in a predetermined position and sucks the gas discharged from the discharge hole 55 of the cartridge 1001 from one end and discharges it from the other end.

  For example, the nozzle 71 </ b> A may protrude from the outer wall of the holding portion 71 by about 3 mm. The nozzle 71 </ b> A is provided so as to be substantially orthogonal to the air discharge direction from the blower 1002, for example. One end of the nozzle 71 </ b> A is provided at a position where air from the blower 1002 is blown, and the other end of the nozzle 71 </ b> A is provided so as to communicate with the aroma chamber 51 from the discharge hole 55 of the cartridge 1001. Here, the outer diameter of the other end of the nozzle 71A and the inner diameter of the discharge hole 55 of the cartridge 1001 are in contact with each other by about 0.5 mm, for example, so that the positioning when the cartridge 1001 is mounted on the holding portion 71 can be performed. Also good.

  The fixed plate 71B is a member that forms a surface to which the nozzle 71A and the contact portion 71BC are attached.

  The contact portion 71 </ b> C contacts the air blower 1002 side surface of the cartridge 1001 and holds the cartridge 1001. The contact portion 71C is made of, for example, rubber or urethane.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the discharge hole 55 of each cartridge 1001 according to the second embodiment does not have the nozzle 55A. Thereby, manufacture of the cartridge 1001 becomes comparatively easy.

[Third Embodiment]
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the example in which the discharge direction of the air from the blower 1002 and the discharge hole 55 of the cartridge 1001 are provided so as to be substantially orthogonal to each other has been described.

  In the third embodiment, an example in which the gas in the fragrance chamber 51 of the cartridge 1001 is sucked from the suction hole 64 of the blower 1002 and the air containing the gas is discharged from the discharge hole 65 of the blower 1002 will be described. .

  Since the third embodiment is the same as the first embodiment or the second embodiment except for a part thereof, the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Below, description is abbreviate | omitted about the part which is common in 1st Embodiment or 2nd Embodiment, and only a different part is demonstrated.

<Configuration>
Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the arrangement of each cartridge 1001 and each blower 1002 of the main body 104 </ b> A of the fragrance providing apparatus 104 according to the third embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the arrangement of the main body 104A of the fragrance providing apparatus 104 according to the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 11, between the cartridge 1001 and the blower 1002, the space between the discharge hole 55 of the cartridge 1001 and the suction hole 64 of the blower 1002 is sealed so as to prevent the inflow of air from the outside. A joining portion 91 is provided. The joining portion 91 is in contact with the surface on the air blower 1002 side of the cartridge 1001 and holds the cartridge 1001. The joining portion 91 is made of, for example, rubber or urethane.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the discharge hole 55 of each cartridge 1001 according to the third embodiment does not have the nozzle 55A. Thereby, manufacture of the cartridge 1001 becomes comparatively easy.

  As a result, when the blower 1002 starts blowing, negative pressure is generated in the discharge hole 55 of the cartridge 1001, and the gas in the fragrance chamber 51 of the cartridge 1001 is sucked from the suction hole 64 of the blower 1002, and the blower 1002. The air containing the gas is discharged from the discharge hole 65.

<Summary>
According to the above-described embodiment, the fragrance providing device 104 does not enter the inside of the fragrance chamber 51 of the cartridge 1001 and the air pressure in the discharge hole 55 of the cartridge 1001 decreases according to the instruction from the control device. Air is blown from the blower. Thereby, a scent can be provided to a user with higher responsiveness.

  In addition, the game system 1 according to the embodiment changes the image of the head mounted display 101 according to the user's operation, and causes the user to experience the scent by the scent providing device 104. The situation in the game changes depending on the user's own selection or action, and by giving a scent to the user as a result, an effect of enhancing the sense of presence and immersion can be obtained.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to such specific embodiment, In the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim, various deformation | transformation・ Change is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game system 101 Head mounted display 102 Controller 103 Game device (an example of a "game machine")
104 Aroma providing device (an example of “aroma generating device”)
104A body portion 71 holding portion 71A nozzle 71B fixing plate 71BC contact portion 71C contact portion 81 wall 91 joint portion 104B arm portion 1001 cartridge 51 aroma chamber 52 aroma source 53 housing portion 53A holding member 54 suction hole 55 discharge hole 55A nozzle 1002 blower 61 Piezoelectric element 62 Diaphragm 63 Pump chamber 63A Vent hole 64 Suction hole 65 Discharge hole 65A Nozzle 1003 Controller

Claims (9)

An aroma generating device having a cartridge, a blower, and a controller for controlling the blower,
The cartridge is
An aroma chamber,
An accommodating portion for accommodating an aroma source in the aroma chamber;
A discharge hole for discharging the fragrance inside the fragrance chamber;
Have
The blower is
According to the instruction from the control device, the wind does not enter the inside of the fragrance chamber, and the wind is sent so that the atmospheric pressure around the discharge hole is reduced.
Aroma generator. The blowing device sends wind by ultrasonic vibration of a piezoelectric element,
The aroma generator according to claim 1. The cartridge is
The discharge hole has a tubular member having a predetermined length.
The aroma generator according to claim 1 or 2. The blowing device sends wind in a direction substantially orthogonal to the length direction of the tubular member,
The aroma generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The fragrance generator is
The holding unit further includes a tubular member that holds the cartridge in a predetermined position, and has a tubular member that sucks in the fragrance discharged from the discharge hole of the cartridge from one end and discharges the fragrance from the other end.
The aroma generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The fragrance generator is
A fixing unit for fixing the fragrance generating device to the user's head so that the wind from the blower is sent toward the user's nose;
The aroma generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The control device acquires data indicating a game situation from an external game machine, and controls the blowing of the blower according to the game situation.
The aroma generator according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   The aroma generating device according to claim 7, wherein the control device changes a voltage applied to the blower according to a situation of the game. A game system having a head mounted display, an aroma generating device provided at a lower portion of the head mounted display, and a game device,
The fragrance generator is
A cartridge, a blower, and a controller for controlling the blower;
The cartridge is
An aroma chamber,
An accommodating portion for accommodating an aroma source in the aroma chamber;
A discharge hole for discharging the fragrance inside the fragrance chamber;
Have
According to the instruction from the control device, the air blower does not enter the inside of the fragrance chamber, and sends the air so that the air pressure around the discharge hole is reduced,
The game device displays a game image on the head-mounted display according to a game situation, and instructs the control device to provide an aroma.
Game system.

Images