JP2009244603A - Electronic spectacles - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide electronic spectacles capable of surely turning on/off the power source of an electronic circuit regardless of conductivity of a wearer's skin surface. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic spectacles composed of a frame and variable focus lenses attached to the frame includes the electronic circuit part for driving the variable focus lenses, the power source for supplying power to the electronic circuit part, distortion sensors attached to the frame, and an attachment detection part for instructing power supply to the power source when an output from the distortion sensor is detected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic spectacle that electrically controls a function. The present invention relates to electronic glasses, and more particularly to control of a power switch.

  There are various eyeglass-type electronic devices such as electronic glasses that change the focal length electrically, head-mounted displays with built-in displays, electronic glasses with built-in music players, and electronic glasses with variable light transmittance. It has been devised. Among these, as an electronic spectacle that electrically varies the focal length, there is a method in which a dielectric material such as liquid crystal is enclosed in a lens, and a voltage is applied to the lens to change the dielectric constant to control the refractive index. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

In addition, as a power switch used for electronic glasses, a system that uses a contact sensor to turn on and off the power switch is known. FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of conventional electronic glasses using a contact sensor. As shown in FIG. 10, a contact sensor 21 that senses conductivity is attached to a portion of the electronic glasses 1 that contacts the skin when worn, such as the nose pad 19 or the modern 20. When a person wears the electronic glasses 1, the contact sensor 21 comes into contact with the skin, so that an increase in conductivity is detected and the power switch of the electronic circuit unit is turned on. When a person removes the electronic glasses, since the contact sensor has no contact object, a decrease in conductivity is detected, and the power switch of the electronic circuit unit is turned off (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-352445 JP 2004-45831 A

  However, in the above-described conventional configuration, the determination of wearing the electronic glasses is determined by the change in the conductivity of the contact sensor. For this reason, when the skin is wet or when applying makeup, the conductivity of the skin is not stable, and the contact sensor malfunctions. Therefore, the conventional configuration has a problem that the power supply of the electronic circuit unit cannot be reliably turned on / off.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide electronic glasses that can reliably turn on / off the power supply of an electronic circuit unit regardless of the conductivity of the skin surface of the wearer.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, an electronic spectacle of the present invention is an electronic spectacle comprising a frame and a variable focus lens attached to the frame, an electronic circuit unit for driving the variable focus lens, and the electronic A power source for supplying power to the circuit unit, a strain sensor attached to the frame, and a mounting detection unit for instructing the power supply to supply power when detecting an output from the strain sensor. It is what.

  According to the electronic glasses of the present invention, it is possible to significantly reduce the power ON / OFF switching malfunction of the electronic circuit unit and provide a highly reliable power switch with a simple configuration.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the electronic glasses of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of electronic glasses 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the variable focus lens 2 using a liquid crystal is used. As with normal glasses, the rim 3 that fixes the lens, the bridge 4 that connects the two rims, the wisdom 5 that connects the rim 3 and the temple 6 at different angles, and the electronic glasses are supported by the head. A frame 7 is composed of the temple 6. The variable focus lens 2 is held by a rim 3. The temple 6 on one side of the electronic glasses 1 is attached with a resistance type strain sensor 8 whose electric resistance changes depending on strain. The attachment place 9 of the resistance type strain sensor in the temple 6 is attached to a place having the smallest cross-sectional area in the temple.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the electronic glasses control unit 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The resistance strain sensor 8 is electrically connected to a mounting detection unit 11 that instructs the variable focus lens driving power supply to supply power when an output from the strain sensor 8 is detected. The mounting detection unit 11 is electrically connected to the variable focus lens 2 and electrically connected to the mounting detection unit 11 and the variable focus lens driving power source 12 which is an electronic circuit unit that drives the variable focus lens 2. It is housed in the electronic spectacles control unit 10 together with a mounting detection unit drive power source 13 for driving the camera.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the positional relationship between the head and the electronic glasses viewed from above. 3A shows a positional relationship when the head is not worn, and FIG. 3B shows a positional relationship when the head is worn. The minimum width 14 between the two temples of the electronic glasses 1 is usually made smaller than the head size 15 as shown in FIG. When the electronic spectacles 1 are mounted on the head 16, the temples and wisdom of the electronic spectacles 1 are bent in the elastic deformation region, and the minimum width 14 between the temples is adjusted to the head 16 as shown in FIG. And spread. By bending the electronic glasses 1 within the elastic deformation region, the head 16 is sandwiched between the temples with an appropriate pressure like a leaf spring, and the electronic glasses 1 are fixed to the head 16. Therefore, when the electronic glasses 1 are worn, the temples and wisdom are always bent in the elastic deformation region.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the strain sensor mounting location 9 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The strain sensor 8 is adhered to the outer side surface of the temple 6 with an adhesive 17 having elasticity such as epoxy / modified silicone resin. When the electronic spectacles according to the first embodiment are mounted on the head, the strain sensor mounting location 9 in the temple has the smallest cross-sectional area, and therefore bends best. When the temple strain sensor mounting location is bent, the strain sensor is also bent, and the electrical resistance value of the strain sensor changes. Since the strain sensor is attached at the position where the strain sensor is bent the most, the output difference between when the strain sensor is bent and when the strain sensor is not bent can be sufficiently obtained, and the reliability of the strain sensor can be improved. The attachment detection unit reads the electrical resistance value of the strain sensor to determine whether the electronic glasses are attached or not, and controls the variable focus lens drive power supply to be turned off when not attached and turned on when attached.

  In the first embodiment, a thin film resistance type strain sensor is used as the strain sensor. This is a sensor that utilizes the change in electrical resistance value depending on the amount of strain in the conductive film, and is characterized by good sensitivity with respect to displacement. The frame of the electronic glasses is often made of metal, but the strain sensor is completely covered with an insulating material in order to avoid contact with the wiring of the strain sensor. The strain sensor is attached to the outer surface of the temple with an adhesive when the electronic spectacles are not attached, but the temple when not attached is bent inward. Therefore, the output of the strain sensor has a high electrical resistance when the sensor is not attached because the strain sensor is extended, and the electrical resistance is low when the sensor is attached because the strain sensor is contracted. In addition, when a strain sensor is installed inside the temple, the resistance variation is reversed.

  When the electric resistance of the strain sensor is constantly measured and controlled, the power consumption becomes very large. Therefore, the strain sensor is not always measured, and the electrical resistance of the strain sensor is periodically measured at regular time intervals to control power consumption. Although the resistance type is used for the strain sensor this time, other types of strain sensors such as a semiconductor type and a capacitance type may be used.

  When using electronic glasses, an unintended external force such as hitting the temple may be applied during wearing or non-wearing, and the temple may be bent. The bending of the temple by an unintended external force is instantaneous in most cases if the bending is within the elastic deformation range of the temple. Accordingly, even when the resistance change of the strain sensor exceeds the on / off determination resistance value that is the reference resistance value for determining on / off, the variable focus lens driving power source is turned on / off after a certain time for determining on / off has elapsed. When controlled by the mounting detection unit, malfunctions are greatly reduced. Since the on / off judgment resistance value varies depending on the shape and mounting position of the electronic glasses, measure the resistance value of the strain sensor with and without the electronic glasses in advance, and use the intermediate value as the on / off judgment resistance value in advance. It is input to the detector drive power supply.

  A method for determining attachment / detachment of electronic glasses according to Embodiment 1 will be described. The resistance measurement of the strain sensor is intermittently performed, for example, once per second. When the resistance value of the strain sensor exceeds the on / off determination resistance value twice in succession, the variable focus lens driving power source is turned on. When the resistance value of the strain sensor is equal to or smaller than the on / off determination resistance value twice in succession, the variable focus lens driving power source is controlled to be turned off.

  With reference to FIG. 5, the method for determining whether to attach or detach the electronic glasses will be described in more detail. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the mounting detection unit in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A shows the change over time of the displacement amount of the strain sensor. The displacement amount of the strain sensor is set to a higher value as the strain sensor is bent. FIG. 5B shows the measurement timing of the resistance value of the strain sensor. The resistance value of the strain sensor is measured when V1 and is not measured when V0. FIG. 5C shows the change over time of the measured resistance value of the strain sensor. FIG. 5D shows the time change in the ON / OFF state of the variable focus lens driving power source.

  Before Ta, the electronic glasses are not yet worn. Since the resistance measurement value of the strain sensor is equal to or greater than the on / off determination resistance value, the variable focus lens driving power source is in the off state. Ta is the timing when the electronic glasses are started to be worn on the face. When Ta is exceeded, the displacement amount of the strain sensor decreases, and the measured resistance value of the strain sensor decreases. The timing at which the measured resistance value of the strain sensor becomes equal to or less than the on / off determination resistance value twice continuously is Tb. At Tb, the variable focus lens driving power is turned on. Tc is the timing at which the electronic glasses are started to be removed from the face. After Tc, the displacement amount of the strain sensor increases, and the measured resistance value of the strain sensor increases. The timing at which the measured resistance value of the strain sensor becomes equal to or higher than the on / off determination resistance value twice in succession is Td. At Td, the variable focus lens driving power is turned off. Te is the timing when an unintended external force is applied. In Te, the displacement amount of the strain sensor decreases, and the measured resistance value of the strain sensor decreases. However, unless an unintended external force continues, the electric resistance of the strain sensor increases at Tf, which is the next measurement timing of Te, and the variable focus lens driving power supply is not turned on.

  The electronic glasses of Embodiment 1 were repeatedly attached and detached while the skin was wet, but no malfunction was observed. In addition, the skin part in contact with the electronic glasses was thickly applied and repeatedly attached and detached, but no malfunction was observed.

  As described above, it was possible to realize an electronic spectacle that can be turned on and off satisfactorily only by attaching and detaching the electronic spectacles regardless of the surface resistance state of the skin. In the present embodiment, the strain sensor is attached to the temple, but the same control is possible even if a portion having a small cross-sectional area is provided in the portion that elastically deforms when attached and the strain sensor is attached to that portion.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the electronic glasses according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, except that both the left and right temples 6 are provided with two strain sensors, a first strain sensor 8a and a second strain sensor 8b. .

  If the strain sensor 8 is attached to only one side of the temple 6 when the face leans sideways on a pillow or the like with the electronic glasses on, the temple 6 on one side is displaced in the same manner as when the electronic glasses are not worn and is variable. It may lead to malfunction of turning on and off the focus lens drive power supply. Therefore, when the first strain sensor 8a and the second strain sensor 8b are attached to the temples 6 on both sides, and the resistance value of one of the strain sensors 8 is continuously equal to or less than the on / off determination resistance value, The variable focus lens driving power supply is turned on. The variable focus lens drive power supply is turned off when the resistance values of both strain sensors 6 are equal to or higher than the on / off determination resistance value twice in succession. Each measurement by the strain sensor 6 was performed intermittently, for example, once per second.

  With reference to FIG. 7, the method for determining attachment / detachment of electronic glasses will be described in more detail. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the mounting detection unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A shows the change over time of the displacement amount of the first strain sensor, and FIG. 7B shows the change over time of the displacement amount of the second strain sensor. The displacement amount of the strain sensor is set to a higher value as the strain sensor is bent. FIG. 7C shows the measurement timing of the resistance values of the first strain sensor and the second strain sensor. The resistance value of the strain sensor is measured when V1 and is not measured when V0. FIG. 7D shows the change over time of the measured resistance value of the first strain sensor, and FIG. 7E shows the change over time of the measured resistance value of the second strain sensor. FIG. 7F shows the time change of the variable focus lens driving power source in the on / off state.

  Before Tg, the electronic glasses are not yet worn. Since the resistance measurement values of the first strain sensor and the second strain sensor are equal to or greater than the on / off determination resistance value, the variable focus lens driving power source is in the off state. Tg is the timing when the electronic glasses are started to be worn on the face. When Tg is exceeded, the displacement amounts of the first strain sensor and the second strain sensor decrease, and the measured resistance value of the strain sensor decreases. Th is the timing at which the measured resistance value of the first strain sensor or the second strain sensor is continuously equal to or less than the on / off determination resistance value twice. At Th, the variable focus lens driving power is turned on. Ti indicates the timing at which the face leans sideways on a pillow or the like with the electronic glasses on. If Ti is exceeded, the displacement amount of the first strain sensor increases, and therefore the resistance value of the first strain sensor rises and exceeds the on / off determination resistance value. However, since the displacement amount of the second strain sensor further decreases, the measured resistance value of the second strain sensor does not increase. In this state, only the strain sensor on one side exceeds the on / off determination resistance value, so the variable focus lens driving power source remains on. Tj is the timing at which the electronic glasses are started to be removed from the face. After Tj, the displacement amount of the second strain sensor increases and the measured resistance value of the second strain sensor increases, so that the measured resistance values of both strain sensors exceed the on / off determination resistance value. The timing at which the measured resistance values of the first strain sensor and the second strain sensor are equal to or higher than the on / off determination resistance value twice in succession is Tk. At Tk, the variable focus lens driving power is turned off.

  The electronic glasses of the second embodiment were repeatedly attached and detached while the skin was wet, but no malfunction was observed. In addition, the skin part in contact with the electronic glasses was thickly applied and repeatedly attached and detached, but no malfunction was observed. Furthermore, when the electronic glasses were worn, the face was pressed sideways on the pillow, but no malfunction was observed.

  In this embodiment, the strain sensor is attached to the left and right temples, but the same control can be performed even if a portion with a small cross-sectional area is provided in the left and right ends that are elastically deformed when attached, and the strain sensor is attached to that portion. Is possible.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of the electronic glasses according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In FIG. 8, the basic configuration is the same as that of the second embodiment, but only the strain sensor mounting location 9 of the temple 6 is different in material from other temples, and a material having a higher elastic modulus is used. Is different.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the position of the temple strain sensor is easily bent by reducing the cross-sectional area. However, since fashionability is important for eyeglasses, the cross-sectional area of the temple may not be partially reduced depending on the design. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the temple is partially made of a material having a high elastic modulus so that the displacement can be detected even if the strain sensor is attached regardless of the cross-sectional area of the temple, and the strain sensor is attached thereto.

  As the material of the temple, a stainless steel system was used, and a Ti—Ni alloy that is a superelastic material was used only for the temple material where the strain sensor was attached. An epoxy adhesive was used to join the stainless steel material and the Ti—Ni alloy. The strain sensor was bonded to the strain sensor mounting location with an elastic epoxy / modified silicone resin adhesive having elasticity.

  FIG. 9 shows an enlarged view of the strain sensor mounting location 9 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The joint portion 18 of the elastic material, which is the place where the temple 6 and the strain sensor 8 are attached, is processed into a concavo-convex shape so that the two fit together and is joined via an adhesive. The convex ridge line is formed perpendicular to the direction in which the temple 6 is bent, and mechanically assists the adhesive strength of the joint 18 when the temple 6 is bent.

  When the electronic glasses of Embodiment 3 were attached to the face, the strain sensor was most easily bent in the temple, and the strain sensor operated normally. In addition, the electronic glasses of Embodiment 3 were repeatedly attached and detached while the skin was wet, but no malfunction was observed. In addition, the skin part in contact with the electronic glasses was thickly applied and repeatedly attached and detached, but no malfunction was observed.

  In the third embodiment, the strain sensor is attached to the left and right temples. However, a portion made of a material having a high elastic modulus is provided in the right and left ends that are elastically deformed when attached, and the strain sensor is attached thereto. However, the same control is possible.

  Since the electronic spectacles according to the present invention are provided with a strain sensor on the temple and used as a power switch, it is possible to turn on / off the power of the electronic circuit unit only by attaching / detaching the electronic spectacles without being influenced by the surface resistance of the skin. In addition to being convenient and comfortable in operation, it has the effect of more accurately preventing the user from forgetting to turn off the power, which is useful for electronic glasses that electrically change the focal length.

Schematic diagram of electronic glasses in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Configuration diagram of electronic glasses control unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Schematic view of the relationship between the position of the head and electronic glasses from above The enlarged view of the attachment place of the strain sensor in Embodiment 1 of this invention Explanatory drawing of operation | movement of the mounting | wearing detection part in Embodiment 1 of this invention. Schematic of electronic glasses in Embodiment 2 of the present invention Explanatory drawing of operation | movement of the mounting | wearing detection part in Embodiment 2 of this invention. Schematic diagram of electronic glasses in Embodiment 3 of the present invention The enlarged view of the attachment place of the strain sensor in Embodiment 3 of this invention Schematic diagram of conventional electronic glasses

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic glasses 2 Variable focus lens 3 Rim 4 Bridge 5 Satoshi 6 Temple 7 Frame 8 Strain sensor 8a First strain sensor 8b Second strain sensor 9 Strain sensor attachment place 10 Electronic glasses control unit 11 Mounting detection unit 12 Variable focus Lens drive power supply 13 Mounting detection unit drive power supply 14 Minimum width between two temples 15 Head size 16 Head 17 Adhesive 18 Joint 19 Nose pad 20 Modern 21 Contact sensor

Claims (10)

In electronic glasses consisting of a frame and a variable focus lens attached to the frame,
An electronic circuit unit for driving the variable focus lens;
A power source for supplying power to the electronic circuit unit;
A strain sensor attached to the frame;
Electronic glasses comprising a wearing detection unit that instructs the power supply to supply power when an output from the strain sensor is detected. 2. The electronic spectacles according to claim 1, wherein the strain sensor is attached to a strain detection member made of a temple or wisdom of the frame. The electronic spectacles according to claim 2, wherein the thickness of the strain detection member is such that the thickness is reduced only at a location where the strain sensor is attached. The electronic spectacles according to claim 2, wherein the strain detection member includes a rigid member and an elastic member, and the strain sensor is formed only on the elastic member. The mounting detection unit is a strain detection block that detects the presence or absence of strain output at predetermined time intervals from the strain sensor, and
A distortion storage block for storing a detection result of the distortion detection block;
The electronic glasses according to claim 4, further comprising: a power supply determination block that instructs the power supply to supply power when distortion output is continuously input with reference to the content of the distortion storage block. In electronic glasses consisting of a frame and a variable focus lens attached to the frame,
An electronic circuit unit for driving the variable focus lens;
A power source for supplying power to the electronic circuit unit;
First and second strain sensors attached to the frame;
Electronic glasses comprising an attachment detection unit that instructs the power supply to supply power when an output from the first or second strain sensor is detected. The electronic glasses according to claim 6, wherein the first or second strain sensor is attached to a strain detection member including a temple or a wisdom of the frame. The electronic spectacles according to claim 7, wherein the thickness of the strain detection member is such that the thickness is reduced only at a location where the first or second strain sensor is attached. 8. The electronic spectacles according to claim 7, wherein the strain detection member includes a rigid member and an elastic member, and the first or second strain sensor is formed only on the elastic member. The mounting detection unit includes a strain detection block that detects the presence or absence of strain output at a predetermined time interval from the output from the first or second strain sensor;
A distortion storage block for storing a detection result of the distortion detection block;
When the first or second distortion output is continuously input with reference to the content of the distortion storage block, the power supply is instructed to be supplied, and the first or second distortion output is not continuously input. The electronic glasses according to claim 9, further comprising a power supply determination block that sometimes instructs the power supply to stop power supply.

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