This application claims priority to and the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-060491 (filed on Mar. 24, 2016), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
This disclosure relates to an electronic apparatus.
A wearable terminal which may be worn on a user's body for use has recently been popularly used. As the wearable terminal, for example, electronic apparatuses described in PLTs 1 to 3 are known.
A radio communication apparatus worn by a user needs to satisfy that SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) is at a standard value or less. However, since in electronic apparatuses described in the PLTs 1 to 3 an antenna of the radio communication apparatus for transmission and reception of a radio wave is to be positioned in proximity to the user's head, the SAR possibly increases exceeding the standard value. Further, the transmission of the radio wave is interfered by the user's head and therefore is prone to degradation of radio performance.
Accordingly, it could be helpful to provide an electronic apparatus capable of reducing the SAR and, simultaneously, performing a radio communication in an excellent manner.
An electronic apparatus according to one embodiment of the disclosure is an electronic apparatus to be worn on the user's head for use, the electronic apparatus includes a lens positioned in front of a user's eye when the electronic device is worn on the user's head and an array antenna configured with a plurality of antennas formed on a surface of the lens.
The electronic apparatus of the disclosure is capable of reducing SAR and, simultaneously, performing a radio communication in an excellent manner.
In the accompanying drawings:
Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
The temple 10, in a state where the electronic apparatus 1 is worn by the user (hereinafter, also referred to as a “user wearing state”), is positioned on a left side of the user's head. The temple 11 is positioned on a right side of the user's head in the user wearing state. The temple 10 includes a temple tip 10a at an end thereof. The temple 11 includes a temple tip 11a at an end thereof. The temple tip 10a is hooked on the user's left ear in the user wearing state. The temple tip 11a is hooked on the user's right ear in the user wearing state.
The lens 12 has one end coupled to the temple 10 and the other end coupled to the bridge 16. The lens 13 has one end coupled to the temple 11 and the other end coupled to the bridge 16. The lens 12 is positioned in front of the user's left eye in the user wearing state. The lens 13 is positioned in front of the user's right eye in the user wearing state. The lens 12 and the lens 13 respectively include, and are respectively surrounded by, the rim 12a and rim 13a.
The nose pad 14 is provided to a portion of the lens 12 in proximity to the bridge 16. The nose pad 15 is provided to a portion of the lens 13 in proximity to the bridge 16. The nose pad 14 is placed on the left side of the use's nose in the user wearing state. The nose pad 15 is placed on the right side of the use's nose in the user wearing state.
The bridge 16 connects between the lens 12 on the left side and the lens 13 on the right side, thereby maintaining the lenses 12 and 13 in a predetermined positional relationship.
The lens 12 includes the array antenna 20a and the array antenna 20b formed thereon. The lens 13 includes the array antenna 20c and the array antenna 20d formed thereon. Hereinafter, the array antennas 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d may also be referred to as array antennas 20a to 20d, simply. Each of the array antennas 20a to 20d is formed by printing an antenna pattern on the respective surfaces of the lenses 12 and 13. The array antennas 20a to 20d function as one antenna element. The array antennas 20a to 20d receive power supplied from the control circuit 100.
Note that the array antennas 20a to 20d may be formed one of the surfaces of the lenses 12 and 13 alone. Or, either one of the array antennas 20a to 20d may be formed on one of the surfaces of the lenses 12 and 13, while the other three antennas are formed on the other surface.
The array antennas 20a to 20d may be formed in upper portions of the surfaces of the lenses 12 and 13 as illustrated in
Also, although in
Next, the control circuit 100 of the electronic apparatus illustrated in
The power source 110 is configured with, for example, a rechargeable secondary battery. The power source 110 supplies power to various elements of the electronic apparatus 1 including the signal processing unit 120, the controller 140, and the storage unit 150. Although an example illustrated in
The signal processing unit 120 performs synthesis processing and the like on a received signal supplied from the RF unit 130 and outputs a processed received signal to the controller 140. Also, the signal processing unit 120 performs weighing processing and the like on a transmission signal supplied from the controller 140 and outputs a processed transmission signal to the RF unit 130.
The RF unit 130 converts the received signal supplied from the matching circuits 160a to 160d into a signal in a digitally processable frequency band. The RF unit 130 outputs a converted received signal to the signal processing unit 120. Also, the RF unit 130 converts the transmission signal supplied from the signal processing unit 120 into a signal in an RF band. The RF unit 130 outputs a converted transmission signal to the matching circuits 160a to 160d.
The controller 140 controls and manages the electronic apparatus 1 in its entirety and may be configured with, for example, a processor. The controller 140 retrieves and executes a program stored in the storage unit 150, thereby realizing various functions. For example, the controller 140 outputs the transmission signal to the signal processing unit 120. Also, the controller 140 performs various processing by using the reception signal supplied from the signal processing unit 120.
Also, the controller 140, when starting a communication using the array antennas 20a to 20d, instructs the array antennas 20a to 20d to function as adaptive array antennas by controlling the signal processing unit 120 such that the signal processing unit 120 performs the weighing processing and the like. Thereby, the controller 140 controls directivity of the radio waves transmitted and received by the array antennas 20a to 20d.
Also, the controller 140 outputs a control signal to the matching circuits 160a to 160d such that the matching circuits 160a to 160d adjust impedance therein and thus match impedance of the array antennas 20a to 20d to impedance of a circuit constituting the control circuit 100.
Further, the controller 140 is connected to the line-of-sight detection unit 30 and the camera 40. The controller 140 controls the line-of-sight detection unit 30 and the camera 40.
The storage unit 150 stores information necessary for the operation of the controller 140 and a program describing processing for realizing each function of the controller 140. The storage unit 150 also stores an image captured by the camera 40 and information on a user's line-of-sight detected by the line-of-sight detection unit 30.
The matching circuits 160a to 160d are respectively connected to the array antennas 20a to 20d. The matching circuits 160a to 160d adjust the impedance therein according to the control signal from the controller 140 and thus matches the impedance of the array antennas 20a to 20d to the impedance of the circuit constituting the control circuit 100.
Matching the impedance of the array antennas 20a to 20d to the impedance of the circuit constituting the control circuit 100 leads to a reduction in reflection of the received signal from the array antennas 20a to 20d in the control circuit 100 and an increase in intensity of the received signal processed by the controller 140. Note that the impedance in the matching circuits 160a to 160d does not need to be adjustable according to the control signal from the controller 140 but may be fixed.
Next, a case in which the electronic apparatus 1 illustrated in
As illustrated in
As described above, since the electronic apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has the array antennas 20a to 20d arranged on the lenses 12 and 13 which do not come into a direct contact with the user's head in the user wearing state, the SAR may be reduced. According to the present embodiment, also, since the array antennas 20a to 20d are arranged on the lenses 12 and 13 which do not come into a direct contact with the user's head, interference with the transmission of the radio waves by the user's head may be suppressed, improving performances of the array antennas 20a to 20d associated with transmission and reception of the radio waves.
According to the present embodiment, also, forming the array antennas 20a to 20d by printing the antenna patterns of lightweight may contribute weight reduction of the electronic apparatus 1. Also, since in the present embodiment no member is separately provided for arranging the antennas but, instead, the array antennas 20a to 20d are printed on the lenses 12 and 13, a design of the electronic apparatus 1 may be maintained in an excellent manner. Further, since in the present embodiment the array antennas 20a to 20d are formed by using, for example, the transparent electrode film, the design of the electronic apparatus 1 may be maintained in a further excellent manner.
Next, detection of the line-of-sight according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to
The line-of-sight detection unit 30 is configured with an infrared camera. The line-of-sight detection unit 30 captures the user's eye with the infrared camera. The controller 140 detects the user's line-of-sight by detecting a movement of the pupil from the image captured by the infrared camera of the line-of-sight detection unit 30.
As illustrated in
In other words, the line-of-sight detection unit 30 is arranged at a position indicated by an arrow A on a user side of the rim 12a in the user wearing state as illustrated in
Next, an operation of the camera 40 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to
As illustrated in
Then, when the user looks at the smartphone 601, the user's sight position 603 detected by the line-of-sight detection unit 30 as described above is positioned on the smartphone 601 in the image 604.
The camera 40 may capture a still image of a subject or record a video of the subject. The camera 40 outputs a captured image to the control circuit 100. For example, when the electronic apparatus 1 is a wearable terminal, a camera mounted on the wearable terminal may be used as the camera 40.
The following is a detailed description of the function of the controller 140 with reference to
At step S701, the controller 140 instructs the camera 40 to capture the image. For example, the camera 40 may capture sequential images as the video, or capture images at predetermined intervals such as once every 3 seconds. The intervals are not particularly limited but may be appropriately determined. In the present embodiment, the camera 40 records the video.
At step S703, next, the controller 140 instructs the line-of-sight detection unit 30 to capture an image of the user's eye. Then, the controller 140 detects the line-of-sight from the user's eye in the image.
At step S705, then, the controller 140, based on the image captured at step S701 and the user's line-of-sight detected at step S703, detects whether there is a communication apparatus in the sight position in the image. Then, the controller 140 proceeds to step S707 when there is the communication apparatus in the sight position in the image (YES at step S705), or returns to step S701 when there is no communication apparatus in the sight position in the image (NO at step S705).
The controller 140 determines at step S707 whether the sight position in the captured image has been maintained in a position of the communication apparatus for the predetermined time period, i.e., 3 seconds, or longer. When the controller 140 determines at step S707 that the sight position in the captured image has not been maintained in the position of the communication apparatus for the predetermined time period, i.e., 3 seconds, or longer (NO at step S707), the controller 140 returns to step S701. When the controller 140 determines at step S707 that the sight position in the captured image has been maintained in the position of the communication apparatus for the predetermined time period, i.e., 3 seconds, or longer (YES at step S707), the controller 140 proceeds to step S709.
The controller 140, at step S709, starts a communication with the communication apparatus in the position where the sight position in the image has been maintained for the predetermined period, i.e., 3 seconds, or longer.
The controller 140, upon obtainment of the information on the user's line-of-sight from the line-of-sight detection unit 30, starts the communication based on the information on the user's line-of-sight. The controller 140 starts the communication with, for example, another communication apparatus specified by the user's line-of-sight direction included in the information on the user's line-of-sight. The controller 140, when starting the communication via the array antennas 20a to 20d, instructs the array antennas 20a to 20d to function as the adaptive array antennas and thus controls the directivity of the radio waves transmitted and received by the array antennas 20a to 20d.
Also, the controller 140 controls the directivity of the array antennas 20a to 20d in such a manner as to enhance reception sensitivity of the radio waves from the communication apparatus received by the array antennas 20a to 20d.
Note that, when the controller 140 receives information on another communication apparatus from the another communication apparatus itself, the controller 140 may instruct the lenses 12 and 13 of the electronic apparatus 1 to display the information. Here, for example, it is assumed that the user is shopping in a store and looking at a communication apparatus, which is a product sold in the store.
In this case, when the controller 140 receives, from the communication apparatus at an end of the user's line-of-sight, product information of the communication apparatus itself such as a price, a product name, and a description of the product, the controller 140 may instruct the lenses 12 and 13 of the electronic apparatus 1 to display the product information in a manner visible by the user wearing the electronic apparatus 1.
In this way, the user, during the shopping, for example, may observe a design of the communication apparatus at the end of the user's line-of-sight and, simultaneously, obtain the product information and the like of this communication apparatus. Also, since information other than the information on the communication apparatus at the end of the user's line-of-sight (e.g., product information of another communication apparatus elsewhere than the end of the user's line-of-sight) is not displayed in the lenses 12 and 13, obstruction of a user's vision caused by unnecessary information may be prevented. In this case, also, the surfaces of the lenses 12 and 13 may be provided with a transparent liquid crystal panel for displaying information received from the another communication apparatus.
Also, when, for example, the time period during which the user's line-of-sight maintained time period included in the information on the user's line-of-sight exceeds a predetermined time period (e.g., 3 seconds), the controller 140 may turn on power of the communication apparatus specified by the user's line-of-sight direction included in the information on the user's line-of-sight.
Here, for example, it is assumed that the user is at home, and there is a household electrical appliance serving as a communication apparatus such as a TV, a light, and a computer at the end of the user's line-of-sight. In this case, when the user's line-of-sight is maintained on the household electrical appliance serving as the communication apparatus for, for example, 3 seconds, the controller 140 may turn on power of the household electrical appliance at the end of the user's line-of-sight. In this case, the controller 140 may transmit a signal to turn on the power of the communication apparatus specified by the user's line-of-sight direction from the array antennas 20a to 20d.
Although in the present embodiment the array antennas 20a to 20d function as one antenna element, the array antennas 20a to 20d may function as antennas having different functions. For example, the array antennas 20a and 20b may function as transmission antennas, and the array antennas 20c and 20d may function as reception antennas. In this case, the array antennas 20a and 20b for functioning as the transmission antenna may be configured with patch antennas having high directivity, and the array antennas 20c and 20d for functioning as the reception antenna may be configured with omni-directional antennas. By activating, for example, the array antennas 20c and 20d for functioning as the reception antenna at all times and the array antennas 20a and 20b for functioning as the transmission antenna during transmission of the radio waves alone, the electronic apparatus 1 may efficiently perform a communication while reducing power consumption.
Also, although in the present embodiment the line-of-sight detection unit 30 is arranged on the rim 12a, a position of the line-of-sight detection unit 30 is not limited thereto. The line-of-sight detection unit 30 may be arranged on, for example, the rim 13a.
Although in the present embodiment the camera 40 is arranged on the bridge 16, a position of the camera 40 is not limited thereto. The camera 40 may be arranged in, for example, a position on the lens 12 indicated by an arrow B.
Although in the present embodiment the control circuit 100 is arranged in the bridge 16, a position of the control circuit 100 is not limited thereto. The control circuit 100 may be arranged in, for example, the temple 10, the temple 11, or a catch (not illustrated in
As described above, the electronic apparatus 1 according to one embodiment includes the lenses 12 and 13 to be respectively positioned in front of the user's left eye and right eye, and the surface of the lens 12 has the array antennas 20a and 20b printed thereon, while the surface of the lens 13 has the array antennas 20c and 20d printed thereon. Since the array antennas 20a to 20d are arranged on the lenses 12 and 13 which do not come into direct contact with the user's head, the SAR of the radio waves to/from the array antennas 20a to 20d may be reduced.
The electronic apparatus 1 according to one embodiment, also, when starting the communication, instructs the array antennas 20a to 20d to function as the adaptive array antennas and controls the directivity of the array antennas 20a to 20d. Therefore, a communication with another communication apparatus may be maintained in an excellent manner when, for example, the user moves.
Also, the electronic apparatus of the present embodiment detects the user's line-of-sight direction and, based on the line-of-sight, starts a communication with a communication apparatus. Therefore, the electronic apparatus may appropriately communicate with the communication apparatus as desired by the user.
Further, the electronic apparatus of the present embodiment captures an image and, when the captured image includes a communication apparatus, starts a communication with the communication apparatus. Therefore, the electronic apparatus may appropriately communicate with the communication apparatus as desired by the user.
Next, Variation 1 of the embodiment of the electronic apparatus will be described. Although in the above embodiment the communication is started when the user's line-of-sight is maintained on the communication apparatus for the predetermined time period or longer, the electronic apparatus of the disclosure is not limited thereto. The following Variation 1 is an embodiment in which the electronic apparatus starts the communication when the image captured by the camera includes a communication apparatus.
The controller 140, after obtaining an image from the camera 40, starts a communication with another communication apparatus based on the image. That is, the controller 140 analyzes the image and, when confirming that there is a communication apparatus, starts the communication. Here, the controller analyzes the image by employing, for example, a known technology for extracting a quantity of feature in the image.
Then, the controller 140 starts a communication with the another communication apparatus captured in the image. When starting the communication via the array antennas 20a to 20d, the controller 140 instructs the array antennas 20a to 20d to function as the adaptive array antennas and thus controls the directivity of the radio waves transmitted and received by the array antennas 20a to 20d.
It is now assumed that a communication apparatus is included in the image captured by the camera 40. In this case, the controller 140 starts a communication with the communication apparatus in the image. When starting the communication with the communication apparatus, the controller 140 instructs the array antennas 20a to 20d to function as the adaptive array antennas similarly to the manner described above and controls the directivity of the radio waves transmitted and received by the array antennas 20a to 20d.
Also, when the image obtained from the camera 40 includes a plurality of communication apparatuses, the controller 140 may allow the user to select the communication apparatus to communicate with. In this case, the electronic apparatus 1 may be equipped with an input unit for receiving a user input.
In this way, the Variation 1 may obtain an effect similar to the effect of the above embodiment of the electronic apparatus 1.
Next, an electronic apparatus according to Variation 2 of the embodiment of the electronic apparatus will be described with reference to
As illustrated in
The electronic apparatus 1a of the Variation 2, similarly to the electronic apparatus illustrated in
In this way, the Variation 2 may obtain an effect similar to the effect of the embodiment of the electronic apparatus 1 described above.
Note that the above embodiment and the Variations may be combined in any manner within a range avoiding inconsistency. For example, the feature of the electronic apparatus of the Variation 1 and the feature of the electronic apparatus of the Variation 2 may be combined in an appropriate manner.
Although the disclosure has been described based on the figures and the embodiment, it is to be understood that various modifications and changes may be implemented based on the disclosure by those who are ordinarily skilled in the art. Accordingly, such modifications and changes are included in the scope of the disclosure. For example, functions and the like included in each constituent and step may be rearranged without logical inconsistency, so as to combine a plurality of constituents or steps together or to separate them. It should also be understood that, although the apparatus has been mainly described above, a method or a program executed by a processor of the apparatus and a storage medium storing the program may also implement the disclosure and thus are included in the scope of the disclosure.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2016-060491 | Mar 2016 | JP | national |