[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus with a vibration informing
function which provides information such as an alarm using a vibrating means such
as a vibration motor.
[0002] Conventional known electronic apparatus with a vibration alarm include electronic
apparatus with a vibration alarm which continuously vibrates to provide information
for an arbitrary period and electronic timepieces with a vibration alarm which has
one kind of intermittent vibration pattern and vibrates to provide alarm information
in accordance with the vibration pattern.
[0003] However, conventional electronic apparatus with a vibration alarm have had problems
as described below.
(1) A vibration alarm which continuously vibrates for an arbitrary period gives a
user only a monotonous stimulus. As a result, the user gradually gets used to the
stimulus and finally becomes insensitive to the stimulus.
(2) In a vibration alarm which vibrates continuously, a vibration motor is continuously
caused to vibrate. This results in extremely high power consumption while vibration
informing is being performed. Further, if a battery is used as a power supply to drive
the vibration motor, the continuous vibration of the vibration motor gives the battery
a very large load. This makes the life of the battery extremely short if information
is provided frequently.
(3) The feel of vibration depends on how the electronic apparatus is carried and the
carrier. Therefore, if an electronic apparatus has only one vibration motor driving
pattern, the vibration pattern may not be sensed by a user or may be uncomfortable
to the user. Further, it is very difficult to set vibration motor driving patterns
to accommodate any carrying state.
It is an object of the invention to provide an electronic apparatus with a vibration
informing function which gives a carrier noticeable stimulus, and yet is still advantageous
from the viewpoint of power consumption. It is another object of the present invention
to provide such an apparatus which also provides the optimum, vibration regardless
of the carrying state and the carrier.
[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus
with a vibration informing function, comprising a vibrator for providing information
using vibration; vibration informing control means for generating a vibration informing
signal indicative of when vibration informing is to be informed; vibrator control
means for generating an intermittent driving signal in response to a vibration informing
signal; and vibrator driving means for intermittently driving the vibrator in response
to an intermittent driving signal.
[0005] According to another aspect, the present invention employs a configuration of an
electronic apparatus with a vibration informing function including a vibrating means
for providing information using vibration; a reference signal generation circuit for
outputting a reference signal for producing an internal operation timing signal; a
vibration informing control means for storing conditions for providing information,
for judging whether to perform vibration informing from the conditions for providing
information, and for outputting a vibration alarm ON signal at timing in synchronism
with the reference signal output by the reference signal generation circuit if vibration
informing is to be provided; a vibrating means control circuit for storing an intermittent
driving pattern of the vibrating means and for outputting vibrating means ON/OFF signals
according to the intermittent driving pattern at timing in synchronism with the reference
signal output by the reference signal generation circuit when the vibration alarm
ON signal output by the vibration informing control circuit is input thereto; and
a vibrating means driving circuit for outputting a vibrating means driving signal
for vibrating the vibrating means intermittently in response to the vibrating means
ON/OFF signals output by the vibrating means control circuit.
[0006] Preferably the vibrating means control circuit stores at least two intermittent driving
patterns. In this event, the apparatus may further include an external setting means
for arbitrarily selecting an intermittent driving pattern to be used for vibration
from among the plurality of intermittent driving patterns stored in the vibrating
means control circuit. Alternatively, the apparatus may include a carrying state detecting
means for detecting the carrying state of the carrier, and wherein the vibrating means
control circuit selects the optimum intermittent driving pattern from among the plurality
of stored intermittent driving patterns in response to the output of the carrying
state detecting means.
[0007] The vibrating means may be a vibration motor. The vibration motor may be constituted
by an ultrasonic motor. Alternatively, it may be constituted by an electromagnetic
motor.
[0008] The basic operation of an electronic apparatus with an informing function having
the above-described configuration will now be described with reference to the block
diagram in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
[0009] In Figure 1, a reference signal generation circuit 101 outputs a reference signal
for producing timing for all operations of the apparatus such as timing for providing
information and timing for driving a vibrating means.
[0010] A vibration informing control circuit 102 stores conditions for providing information,
judges whether to perform vibration informing from the conditions for providing information,
and outputs a vibration informing ON signal to a vibrating means control circuit 103
at timing in synchronism with the reference signal output by the reference signal
generation circuit 101 if vibration informing is to be performed.
[0011] The vibrating means control circuit 103 stores an intermittent driving pattern of
a vibrating means 105 and outputs vibrating means ON/OFF signals according to the
intermittent driving pattern at timing in synchronism with the reference signal output
by the reference signal generation circuit 101 when the vibration informing ON signal
output by the vibration informing control circuit 102 is input thereto.
[0012] A vibrating means driving circuit 104 vibrates the vibrating means 105 intermittently
in response to the vibrating means ON/OFF signals output by the vibrating means control
circuit 103, thereby providing predetermined information using the intermittent vibration.
[0013] With the above-described configuration, the present invention allows a carrier to
be always given a sharp stimulus and is advantageous from the viewpoint of power consumption.
Further, the optimum vibration can be always provided regardless of the carrying state
and the carrier by preparing a plurality of vibration patterns from which the optimum
vibration pattern can be selected.
[0014] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings, of which:
Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an apparatus according
to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 shows the relationship between a vibration pattern and a stimulus level obtained
when a vibration motor is continuously driven;
Figure 4 shows the relationship between a vibration pattern and a stimulus level obtained
when the vibration motor is intermittently driven according to the first embodiment
of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6 shows the relationship between a vibration pattern and a stimulus level obtained
when the vibration motor is intermittently driven at an ON time-OFF time ratio of
2:1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 7 shows the relationship between a vibration pattern and a stimulus level obtained
when the vibration motor is intermittently driven at an ON time-OFF time ratio = 1:2
according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 8 shows the relationship between an intermittent driving pattern having a period
T and the level of a stimulus received at the part of the body of a user in contact
with the electronic apparatus from vibration according to the second embodiment of
the present invention;
Fig. 9 shows the relationship between an intermittent driving pattern having a period
2T and the level of a stimulus received at the part of the body of a user in contact
with the electronic apparatus from vibration according to the second embodiment of
the present invention;
Fig. 10 shows the relationship between an intermittent driving pattern having a period
4T and the level of a stimulus received at the part of the body of a user in contact
with the electronic apparatus from vibration according to the second embodiment of
the present invention;
Fig. 11 shows the relationship between a driving waveform of an intermittent driving
pattern obtained by combining driving pulses having different intermittent driving
periods and motor drive ON/OFF duty and the level of a stimulus received by the part
of the body of a user in contact with the electronic apparatus for vibration according
to the second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 13 shows the relationship between a vibration motor driving pattern and the level
of a stimulus received at the part of the body of a user in contact with the electronic
apparatus from vibration when the level of the output signal of the sensor is "strong",
i.e., when the carrying state is very good according to the third embodiment of the
present invention;
Fig. 14 shows the relationship between a vibration motor driving pattern and the level
of a stimulus received at the part of the body of a user in contact with the electronic
apparatus from vibration when the level of the output signal of the sensor is "medium",
i.e., when the carrying state is normal according to the third embodiment of the present
invention; and
Fig. 15 shows the relationship between a vibration motor driving pattern and the level
of a stimulus received at the part of the body of a user in contact with the electronic
apparatus from vibration when the level of the output signal of the sensor is "weak",
i.e., when the carrying state is bad according to the third embodiment of the present
invention.
(1) First Embodiment
[0015] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
The present embodiment provides an example of an electronic apparatus with a vibration
alarm function which has an external switch for inputting alarm setting time and which
uses the vibration of an ultrasonic vibration motor as an informing means, wherein
the vibration motor is intermittently driven.
[0016] Firstly, the operation in the block diagram of Figure 2 will be described with reference
to the drawings. An oscillation circuit 201 outputs a frequency signal of 32768 Hz
which serves as a reference signal for time measurement, The reference signal output
by the oscillation circuit 201 is input to a frequency division circuit 202 which
provides a base for time counting and other measuring functions such as a stopwatch
and a timer. For example, frequency signals of 1 Hz, 8 Hz, 10 Hz etc. are generated.
A time measuring circuit 203 counts the frequency signal generated by the frequency
division circuit 202 and generates and stores time data such as seconds, minutes and
hours.
[0017] Alarm time is set in hours and minutes using an input switch 205, and the set alarm
time is stored in an alarm time storing circuit 206. When the set alarm time stored
in the alarm time storing circuit 206 agrees with the time data stored in the time
measuring circuit 203, a vibration informing control circuit 204 outputs a vibration
informing ON signal to an ultrasonic vibration motor control circuit 207.
[0018] A motor driving waveform storing circuit 208 stores operation timing for driving
and stopping vibration used for the intermittent vibration of an ultrasonic vibration
motor 210. When the vibration informing ON signal from the vibration informing control
circuit 204 is input, the ultrasonic vibration motor control circuit 207 drives and
stops the ultrasonic vibration motor 210 through an ultrasonic vibration motor driving
circuit 209 in accordance with a driving pattern for the ultrasonic vibration motor
210 stored in the motor driving waveform storing circuit 208 at timing in synchronism
with 8 Hz generated by the frequency division circuit 202. The ultrasonic vibration
motor 210 continuously rotates while the ultrasonic vibration motor driving circuit
209 keeps the driving ON.
[0019] The vibration pattern of the vibration motor can be arbitrarily set, and the vibration
timing can be synchronized with any frequency other than 8 Hz. Further, although the
vibration informing control circuit 204 outputs the vibration informing ON signal
when the time data stored in the time measuring circuit 203 agrees with the set alarm
time data stored in the alarm time storing circuit 206, i.e., when the alarm time
is met in the present embodiment, information can be provided using the intermittent
vibration of the ultrasonic vibration motor 210 by outputting the vibration informing
ON signal not only when the alarm time is met but also in any case where information
is to be provided such as when timer count-down remaining time of a timer function
becomes 0 (hour): 0 (minute): 0 (second), when the time data becomes the correct time,
and when a key input operation is performed on the input switch 205. The vibration
motor used for vibration informing is
[0020] not limited to an ultrasonic vibration motor and an electromagnetic motor may be
used. Through the above-described operations, this electronic apparatus carries out
vibration informing utilizing the intermittent driving of a vibration motor as an
informing means.
[0021] A description will now be made on the relationship between intermittent vibration
patterns and the levels of stimuli applied to the part of the body of a user in contact
with the electronic apparatus when the vibration motor vibrates. Fig. 3 shows the
relationship between a vibration pattern and a stimulus level obtained when the vibration
motor is continuously driven. Fig. 4 shows the relationship between a vibration pattern
and a stimulus level obtained when the vibration motor is intermittently driven at
ON time-OFF time ratio = 2:1. The following advantages can be expected from the intermittent
driving of the vibration motor when compared to rotating it continuously.
[0022] Firstly, even if the motor driving waveform is in the form of a pulse, the level
of a stimulus applied to the contact part by vibration is not attenuated instantaneously,
but the stimulus remains for some time like an after-image.
[0023] Therefore, a continuous stimulus level similar to that obtained by continuously driving
the motor can be approximated by causing the motor to vibrate intermittently. Further,
when the motor is continuously driven, since the contact part is continuously subjected
to a vibration of a constant rotational speed, the contact part gradually gets used
to the stimulus and the stimulus level received by the contact part is gradually attenuated.
On the other hand, when the motor is driven intermittently, since the rotational speed
of the motor varies intermittently to give a strong stimulus intermittently, the stimulus
level received by the contact portion can be kept higher than a stimulus continuously
received.
[0024] Secondly, the intermittent driving of the motor is better than continuous driving
in suppressing energy consumption. This is significantly advantageous in expanding
the life of a voltage source supplying a limited amount of energy such as a battery
used for driving the motor. Further, since a current as high as several tens mA flows
across the power supply when the motor is driven, a very large load is applied to
the voltage source if the motor is continuously driven. It is therefore very advantageous
to drive the motor intermittently also in reducing the load applied to the voltage
source. It is apparent from the above that the intermittent driving of a vibration
motor is significantly advantageous in maintaining a stimulus level obtained by vibration
and reducing energy consumption during the driving of the motor.
(2) Second Embodiment
[0025] Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. The
present embodiment provides an example of an electronic apparatus with a vibration
alarm function which has an external switch for inputting alarm setting time and which
uses the vibration of an ultrasonic vibration motor as an informing means, wherein
the vibration motor is intermittently driven and wherein the duty and the intermittent
period are variable.
[0026] Firstly, the operation in the block diagram of Fig. 5 will be described with reference
to the drawings. An oscillation circuit 501 outputs a frequency signal of 32768 Hz
which serves as a reference signal for time measurement. The reference signal output
by the oscillation circuit 501 is input to a frequency division circuit 502 which
provides a base for time counting and other measuring functions such as a stopwatch
and a timer. For example, frequency signals of 1 Hz, 8 Hz, 10 Hz, etc. are generated.
A time measuring circuit 503 counts the frequency signal generated by the frequency
division circuit 502 and generates and stores time data such as seconds, minutes and
hours.
[0027] Alarm time is set in hours and minutes using an input switch 505, and the set alarm
time is stored in an alarm time storing circuit 506. When the set alarm time stored
in the alarm time storing circuit 506 agrees with the time data stored in the time
measuring circuit 503, a vibration informing control circuit 504 outputs a vibration
informing ON signal to an ultrasonic vibration motor control circuit 507.
[0028] A motor driving duty storing circuit 508 stores a drive ON/OFF duty ratio used for
the intermittent driving of an ultrasonic vibration motor 510 while a motor driving
period storing circuit 511 stores an intermittent vibration period between a drive
ON of the ultrasonic vibration motor 510 and the next drive ON of the same. When the
vibration informing ON signal from the vibration informing control circuit 504 is
input, the ultrasonic vibration motor control circuit 507 generates a vibration motor
driving pattern in accordance with the ON/OFF duty ratio of a driving waveform stored
in the motor driving duty storing circuit 508 and the intermittent driving period
of the driving waveform stored in the motor driving period storing circuit 511 at
timing in synchronism with 8 Hz generated by the frequency division circuit 502. It
drives and stops the ultrasonic vibration motor 510 through an ultrasonic vibration
motor driving circuit 509 in accordance with the vibration motor driving pattern.
The ultrasonic vibration motor 510 continuously rotates while the ultrasonic vibration
motor driving circuit 509 keeps the driving ON.
[0029] For the driving pattern of the vibration motor, a plurality of ON/OFF duty ratios
and intermittent driving periods are arbitrarily prepared in advance, and a user can
freely select them using an input switch 505. Further, the synchronization timing
is not limited to 8 Hz, and vibration can be performed in synchronism with any frequency.
[0030] Further, although the vibration informing control circuit 504 outputs the vibration
informing ON signal when the time data stored in the time measuring circuit 503 agrees
with the set alarm time data stored in the alarm time storing circuit 506, i.e., when
the alarm time is met in the present embodiment, information can be provided using
the intermittent vibration of the ultrasonic vibration motor 510 by outputting the
vibration informing ON signal not only when the alarm time is met but also in any
case where information is to be provided such as when timer count-down remaining time
of a timer function becomes 0 (hour): 0 (minute): 0 (second), when the time data becomes
the correct time, and when a key input operation is performed on the input switch
505.
[0031] Furthermore, the vibration motor used for vibration informing is not limited to an
ultrasonic vibration motor, and an electromagnetic motor may be used. The above-described
operations allow this electronic apparatus to be provided as an electronic apparatus
which carries out vibration informing utilizing the intermittent driving of a vibration
motor as an informing means and in which the ON/OFF duty ratio of the intermittent
driving pattern and the intermittent driving period can be varied as needed by the
user.
[0032] A description will now be made on the relationship between drive ON/OFF duty ratios
for intermittent vibration patterns and the levels of stimuli received at the part
of the body of a user in contact with the electronic apparatus from vibration. Fig.
6 shows the relationship between a vibration pattern and a stimulus level obtained
when the vibration motor is intermittently driven at an ON time-OFF time ratio = 2:1.
Fig. 7 shows the relationship between a vibration pattern and a stimulus level obtained
when the vibration motor is intermittently driven at an ON time-OFF time ratio = 1:2.
[0033] The capability of varying the drive ON/OFF duty ratio provides the following advantages.
[0034] Firstly, the strength of the stimuli can be defined as the magnitude of the areas
of the parts indicated by oblique lines in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. If driving is performed
with a constant intermittent driving period, the greater the ratio of the ON time
of the drive ON/OFF duty is, the stronger the stimulus becomes. That is, the strength
of vibration can be adjusted by varying the drive ON/OFF duty. A stronger stimulus
does not necessarily provides a better result. A stimulus given by vibration feels
differently depending on the user and how the electronic apparatus is carried. A strong
stimulus can be uncomfortable for some people. More comfortable vibration can be provided
by preparing a plurality of vibrations having different drive ON/OFF duty ratios in
advance to allow a user to select a drive ON/OFF duty ratio, i.e., the strength of
vibration which fits him or her depending on time and situation, as in the present
embodiment.
[0035] Secondly, the capability of varying the drive ON/OFF duty ratio means the capability
of varying the drive ON time. From the viewpoint of energy consumption during the
driving of a motor, the longer the drive ON time is, the more energy consumed during
the driving of the motor. Therefore, energy consumption can be reduced by driving
the motor with a drive ON time as short as possible. However, a short drive ON time
can result in a risk that the stimulus is too weak to be sensed depending on time
and situation. Taking this into consideration, an arrangement is made wherein a drive
ON/OFF duty ratio suitable for a normal carrying state is normally set and, when the
vibration is difficult to sense, a user can select a drive ON/OFF duty ratio, i.e.,
the strength of vibration which fits him or her accordingly. This allows a user to
obtain vibration more suitable for the environment in which the apparatus is carried
and, at the same time, contributes to the reduction of power consumption. As described
above, the capability of varying the drive ON/OFF duty ratio of the vibration motor
allows a user to obtain more comfortable informing vibration regardless of the environment
in which the apparatus is carried and contributes to the reduction of the power consumption
of the electronic apparatus.
[0036] A description will now be made on the relationship between intermittent drive periods
for intermittent vibration patterns and the levels of stimuli received at the part
of the body of a user in contact with the electronic apparatus from vibration with
reference to Fig. 8, Fig. 9, and Fig. 10. Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 show the relationship
between intermittent driving periods which are respectively twice and four times that
of the motor driving waveform in Fig. 8 with the drive ON time left unchanged and
respective stimulus levels. The capability of varying the intermittent driving period
provides the following advantages.
[0037] Firstly, the strength of the stimuli can be defined as the magnitude of the areas
of the parts indicated by oblique lines in Fig. 8, Fig. 9, and Fig. 10. If the drive
ON time of a motor driving waveform is constant, the shorter the intermittent driving
time is, the stronger the stimulus per unit time is. That is, if the period of information
using vibration is constant, the strength of the vibration can be adjusted by varying
the intermittent driving period. Further, although the level of a stimulus is approximated
by a continuous stimulus if the intermittent driving period is short, the longer the
intermittent driving period is, the clearer the stimulus is. Thus, a more intermittent
stimulus is provided. That is, intervals between stimuli can be adjusted by varying
the intermittent driving period. A stimulus given by vibration feels differently depending
on the user and how the electronic apparatus is carried. An intermittent stimulus
can be more comfortable than a continuous stimulus for some people. More comfortable
vibration can be provided by preparing a plurality of vibration patterns having different
intermittent driving periods in advance to allow a user to select an intermittent
driving period for driving, i.e., the strength of vibration which fits him or her
depending on time and situation, as in the present embodiment.
[0038] Secondly, by making the intermittent driving period somewhat long, intervals are
provided between stimuli to allow a user to sensuously count the number of the driving
pulses of the motor. This allows a user to feel the communication of information instead
of mere information with the skin from the numbers of the output motor driving pulses
such as one output pulse meaning "one (1)" and two output pulses meaning "two (2)".
Unlike the communication of information using characters and sounds, this allows information
to be properly communicated without being hindered by environmental factors such as
ambient noises and lightness even to people who are visually and/or aurally handicapped.
[0039] Thirdly, the capability of varying the intermittent driving period for driving a
motor means the capability of varying the drive ON time. From the viewpoint of energy
consumption during the driving of a motor, the longer the drive ON time is, the more
energy consumed during the driving of the motor. Therefore, energy consumption can
be reduced by driving the motor with a drive ON time as short as possible. However,
a short drive ON time can result in a risk that the stimulus is too weak to be sensed
depending on time and situation. Taking this into consideration, an arrangement is
made wherein an intermittent driving period for driving a motor suitable for a normal
carrying state is normally set and, when the vibration is difficult to sense, a user
can select an intermittent driving period for driving the motor, i.e., the strength
of vibration which fits him or her accordingly. This allows a user to obtain informing
vibration more suitable for the environment in which the apparatus is carried and,
at the same time, contributes to the reduction of power consumption. In addition,
this allows information to be communicated by means of the vibration of a motor.
[0040] Fig. 11 shows the relationship between a driving waveform of an intermittent driving
pattern obtained by combining driving pulses having different intermittent driving
periods and motor drive ON/OFF duty and the level of a stimulus received by the part
of the body of a user in contact by the electronic apparatus from vibration. By combining
driving pulses having different intermittent driving periods and motor drive ON/OFF
duty in driving a vibration motor intermittently, any motor driving pattern can be
produced such as a motor driving pattern wherein the stimulus is gradually strengthened
as shown in Fig. 11 and a motor driving pattern wherein vibration producing a strong
stimulus and vibration producing a weak stimulus are alternately provided. Furthermore,
by preparing a plurality of such motor driving patterns in advance so that a user
can select vibration by his or her preference or in adaptation to the environment
in which the apparatus is carried, an electronic apparatus having more comfortable
informing vibration can be provided.
(3) Third Embodiment
[0041] Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention. The
present embodiment provides an example of an electronic apparatus with a vibration
alarm function which has an external switch for inputting alarm setting time and which
uses the vibration of an ultrasonic vibration motor 1210 as an informing means, wherein
the carrying state of the electronic apparatus is judged by a sensor to produce and
output the optimum vibration motor driving waveform depending on the state.
[0042] Firstly, the operation in the block diagram of Fig. 12 will be described with reference
to the drawings. An oscillation circuit 1201 outputs a frequency signal of 32768 Hz
which serves as a reference signal for time measurement.
[0043] The reference signal output by the oscillation circuit 1201 is input to a frequency
division circuit 1202 which provides a base for time counting and other measuring
functions such as a stopwatch and a timer. For example, frequency signals of 1 Hz,
8 Hz, 10 Hz, etc. are generated. A time measuring circuit 1203 counts the frequency
signal generated by the frequency division circuit 1202 and generates and stores time
data such as seconds, minutes and hours.
[0044] Alarm time is set in hours and minutes using an input switch 1205, and the set alarm
time is stored in an alarm time storing circuit 1206. When the set alarm time stored
in the alarm time storing circuit 1206 agrees with the time data stored in the time
measuring circuit 1203, a vibration informing control circuit 1204 outputs a vibration
informing ON signal to an ultrasonic vibration motor control circuit 1207.
[0045] A motor driving waveform storing circuit 1208 stores three kinds of combination of
vibration motor driving patterns having different intermittent driving periods and
drive ON/OFF duty ratios of a vibration motor. A sensor 1212 is a pressure sensor
which outputs the level of contact between the electronic apparatus and the body of
a user in three levels of strength, i.e., "strong", "medium", and "weak". The output
signal of the sensor 1212 is input to a motor driving waveform selection circuit 1211
which selects and decides the vibration motor driving pattern corresponding to the
level of the contact of the electronic apparatus with the body of the user, i.e.,
"strong", "medium", or "weak". The sensor 1212 is not limited to a pressure sensor,
and other sensors may be used as long as they output information for judging the carrying
state of the electronic apparatus. The number of the sensor 1212 is not limited to
one, and a combination of a plurality of sensors may be provided. The output level
output by the sensor 1212 is not limited to three levels, but the output may be in
any number of levels. In addition, a plurality of vibration motor driving patterns
may be provided accordingly.
[0046] When the vibration informing ON signal from the vibration informing control circuit
1204 is input, the ultrasonic vibration motor control circuit 1207 reads the motor
driving pattern selected by the motor driving waveform selection circuit 1211 from
the motor driving waveform storing circuit 1208 at timing in synchronism with 8 Hz
produced by the frequency division circuit 1202 and drives and stops the ultrasonic
vibration motor 1210 through an ultrasonic vibration motor driving circuit 1209 in
accordance with the driving pattern. The ultrasonic vibration motor 1210 continuously
rotates while the ultrasonic vibration motor driving circuit 1209 keeps the driving
ON.
[0047] A plurality of driving waveform ON/OFF duty ratios and intermittent driving periods
are arbitrarily prepared in advance for a driving pattern of a vibration motor, and
a user can select them using an input switch 1205. Further, the synchronization timing
is not limited to 8 Hz, and vibration can be performed in synchronism with any frequency.
[0048] Further, although the vibration informing control circuit 1204 outputs the vibration
informing ON signal when the time data stored in the time measuring circuit 1203 agrees
with the set alarm time data stored in the alarm time storing circuit 1206, i.e.,
when the alarm time is met in the present embodiment, information can be provided
using the intermittent vibration of the ultrasonic vibration motor 1210 by outputting
the vibration informing ON signal not only when the alarm time is met but also in
any case where information is to be provided such as when timer count-down remaining
time of a timer function becomes 0 (hour): 0 (minute): 0 (second), when the time data
becomes the correct time, and when a key input operation is performed on the input
switch 1205. The vibration motor used for vibration informing is not limited to an
ultrasonic vibration motor, and an electromagnetic motor may be used. The above-described
operations allow this electronic apparatus to be provided as an electronic apparatus
which carries out vibration informing utilizing the intermittent driving of a vibration
motor as an informing means and in which the vibration motor is driven using a vibration
driving pattern suitable for the carrying state.
[0049] Fig. 13 shows the relationship between a vibration motor driving pattern and the
level of a stimulus received at the part of the body of a user in contact with the
electronic apparatus from vibration when the level of the output signal of the sensor
1212 is "strong", i.e., when the carrying state is very good. The level of the stimulus
is set slightly lower than the level for normal carrying conditions. Fig. 14 shows
the relationship between a vibration motor driving pattern and the level of a stimulus
received at the part of the body of a user in contact with the electronic apparatus
from vibration when the level of the output signal of the sensor 1212 is "medium",
i.e., when the carrying state is normal. The level of the stimulus is set on an assumption
that the carrying conditions are normal. Fig. 15 shows the relationship between a
vibration motor driving pattern and the level of a stimulus received at the part of
the body of a user in contact with the electronic apparatus from vibration when the
level of the output signal of the sensor 1212 is "weak", i.e., when the carrying state
is bad. The level of the stimulus is set slightly higher than the level for normal
carrying conditions. The areas of the parts indicated by oblique lines in Fig. 13,
Fig. 14, and Fig. 15 represent the strength of the stimuli. The intermittent driving
period and drive ON/OFF duty of the motor driving waveform are varied depending of
the conditions under which the electronic apparatus is carried to obtain a motor driving
pattern which provides a stronger stimulus as the carrying conditions of the electronic
apparatus get worse. This results in advantages as described below.
[0050] Firstly, alarm vibration can be reliably transmitted regardless of the carrying conditions
of an electronic apparatus.
[0051] Secondly, the motor is driven using a motor driving pattern suitable for the carrying
conditions of the electronic apparatus, and a motor driving pattern resulting in low
power consumption is used if normal carrying conditions are good. Therefore, the highest
efficiency can be achieved in terms of power consumption.
[0052] Thirdly, the optimum motor driving pattern can be obtained without a user's operations.
[0053] As described above, the carrying conditions of an electronic apparatus are measured
by a sensor; a motor driving pattern suitable for the carrying conditions is automatically
selected in the electronic apparatus; and the motor is driven in accordance with the
selected motor driving pattern. It is therefore possible to provide an electronic
apparatus with a vibration informing function which always performs the optimum vibration
informing regardless of the carrying conditions of the user and which is most efficient
in terms of power consumption.
[0054] As described above, firstly, the present invention makes it possible to provide a
vibration motor driving pattern which always gives a carrier a sharp stimulus and
which is advantageous in terms of power consumption by driving a vibration motor using
an intermittent driving pattern. Further, a plurality of such motor driving patterns
for a vibration motor having different intermittent driving periods and drive ON/OFF
duty are prepared to allow the optimum vibration pattern to be selected. As a result,
there is provided an electronic apparatus with a vibration informing function which
always provides the optimum vibration regardless of the carrying state and the carrier
and in which vibration can be used not only as a means for informing but also as a
means for communicating information.
[0055] The aforegoing description has been given by way of example only and it will be appreciated
by a person skilled in the art that modifications can be made without departing from
the scope of the present invention.
1. An apparatus with a vibration informing function, comprising:
a vibrator (105;210;510;1210) for providing information using vibration;
vibration informing control means (102; 204;504;1204) for generating a vibration informing
signal indicative of when vibration informing is to be informed;
vibrator control means (103;207,208; 507,508,511; 1207,1208) for generating an intermittent
driving signal in response to a vibration informing signal; and
vibrator driving means (104;209;509;1209) for intermittently driving the vibrator
(105;210;510;1210) in response to an intermittent driving signal.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vibrator control means (207,208; 507,508,511;
1207,1208) comprises vibrator driving waveform means (208;508,511; 1208) for storing
at least one driving pattern for output as an intermittent driving signal.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the vibrator driving waveform means comprises
driving duty storing means (508) for storing at least one duty ratio of a driving
signal to no driving signal.
4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the vibrator driving waveform means
comprises vibrator period storing means (511) for storing at least one period between
driving signals.
5. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4, when the vibrator driving waveform
means (1208) stores a plurality of driving patterns, further comprising:
a sensor (1212) for determining the carrying state of the apparatus; and
vibrator waveform selection means (1211) for selecting the optimum driving pattern
from the plurality stored in the vibrator driving waveform means on the basis of the
determined carrier state.
6. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4, when the vibrator driving waveform
means stores a plurality of driving patterns, further comprising external setting
means for arbitrarily selecting a driving pattern from the plurality stored in the
vibrator driving waveform means.
7. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising reference signal
generation means (101; 201-203; 501-503; 1201-1203) for outputting a reference signal
for timing purposes, and wherein the vibrator control means (103; 207,208; 507,508,511;
1207,1208) is arranged to generate an intermittent driving signal in synchronism with
a reference signal.
8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the reference signal generation means
(201-203; 501-503, 1201-1203) comprises:
an oscillation circuit (201;501;1201) for outputting a reference signal for time measurement;
a frequency division circuit (202;502; 1202) for dividing the signal to provide frequency
signals which form a base for time counting; and
a time measuring circuit (203;503;1203) for generating time data on the basis of frequency
signals from the frequency division circuit (202;502;1202).
9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, further comprising means (205,206; 505,506; 1205,1206)
for setting and storing a time for vibration informing, and wherein the vibration
informing control means (204;504;1204) generates a vibration informing signal when
the time stored in the time storing means is the same as that generated by the time
measuring circuit (203;503;1203).
10. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the vibrator (105;210; 510;1210)
is a vibration motor, such as an ultrasonic motor or an electromagnetic motor.
11. An electronic apparatus with a vibration informing function having:
a vibrating means (105) for providing information using vibration; and
a reference signal generation circuit (101) for outputting a reference signal for
producing an internal operation timing signal;
characterized in that the electronic apparatus further includes:
a vibration informing control means (102) for storing conditions for providing information,
for judging whether to perform vibration informing from the conditions for providing
information, and for outputting a vibration alarm ON signal at timing in synchronism
with the reference signal output by the reference signal generation circuit (101)
if vibration informing is to be performed:
a vibrating means control circuit (103) for storing an intermittent driving pattern
of the vibrating means (105) and for outputting vibrating means ON/OFF signals according
to the intermittent driving pattern at timing in synchronism with the reference signal
output by the reference signal generation circuit (101) when the vibration alarm ON
signal output by the vibration informing control circuit (102) is input thereto; and
a vibrating means driving circuit (104) for outputting a vibrating means driving signal
for vibrating the vibrating means (105) intermittently in response to the vibrating
means ON/OFF signals output by the vibrating means control circuit (103).
12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the vibrating means (105) vibrates intermittently
to provide an arbitrarily set information by a pattern of the intermittent vibration.