Abstract:
To expand an information-presenting capacity of soap bubble, a soap bubble-generating system includes: a fragrance generating unit which generates a fragrance; a soap film generating unit which generates a soap film; and a soap bubble generating unit which sprays a fragrance-containing gas toward the soap film to generate a soap bubble in which the fragrance is enclosed.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a soap bubble-generating system. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    In recent years, a projection mapping system has been widely used. The projection mapping system is able to provide users with various visual impressions by projecting an image (video image) onto all kinds of objects in the real world. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a system which detects the position and size of each soap bubble floating in the air with a camera and projects an image only in the position using a projector. 
       CITATION LIST 
     Non-Patent Document 
       [0003]    Non-Patent Document 1: Masahiro Nakamura and 4 others, “Mounting and application of bubble display system,” IPSJ Research Report, Information Processing Society of Japan, Dec. 17, 2005, Entertainment computing 2005 (125), pp. 33-40 
       SUMMARY 
     Technical Problem 
       [0004]    Although the system disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 is able to present information by projecting an image onto a soap bubble as described above, the image appeals only to the visual sense and it is desired to expand the information presenting capacity further. 
         [0005]    Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to expand the information-presenting capacity of soap bubbles. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0006]    According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a soap bubble-generating system including: a fragrance generating unit which generates a fragrance; a soap film generating unit which generates a soap film; and a soap bubble generating unit which sprays a gas containing the fragrance toward the soap film to generate a soap bubble in which the fragrance is enclosed. 
         [0007]    In the present invention, the term “unit” does not simply mean a physical means, but also includes a case where a function of the “unit” is implemented by software. Furthermore, a function of one “unit” or device may be implemented by two or more physical means or devices, or functions of two or more “units” or devices may be implemented by one physical means or device. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0008]    According to the present invention, it is possible to expand the information-presenting capacity with soap bubbles. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a soap bubble-generating system which is one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating an application example of the soap bubble-generating system. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0011]    Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to appended drawings.  FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a soap bubble-generating system which is one embodiment of the present invention. The soap bubble-generating system  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is able to generate a soap bubble  110  in which a fragrance is enclosed. Furthermore, the soap bubble-generating system  100  is able to project an image (video image) onto the soap bubble  110  and to control the position of the soap bubble  110 . 
         [0012]    The soap bubble-generating system  100  includes a power supply  120 , a control unit  121 , a sound recognition unit  130 , a fragrance material storage unit  131 , a fragrance control unit  132 , a movable unit  133 , a fragrance supply unit  134 , a soap solution supply unit  140 , a soap film generating unit  141 , a temperature control unit  142 , a charge control unit  143 , a smoke generating unit  150 , a reservoir unit  151 , a buffer  152 , paths  153  and  154 , a fan  155 , a metal column  160 , fans  161  and  162 , a position detecting unit  170 , an image projecting unit  171 , and a sound output unit  172 . 
         [0013]    The power supply  120  supplies power to respective units of the soap bubble-generating system  100 . The power supply  120  is able to generate a voltage at a predetermined level from, for example, a commercial power supply. Furthermore, the power supply  120  may supply power to the respective units from a battery. 
         [0014]    The control unit  121  controls the operations of the respective units of the soap bubble-generating system  100 . The control unit  121  includes, for example, a processor and a memory and is able to implement various functions by executing programs stored in the memory by using a processor. 
         [0015]    The sound recognition unit  130  is able to recognize a voice sound of a user of the soap bubble-generating system  100 . In this embodiment, the sound recognition unit  130  is able to recognize sounds representing the types of fragrances such as, for example, “apple,” “rose,” and the like. The sound recognition unit  130  outputs a fragrance signal corresponding to the recognized type of fragrance. 
         [0016]    The fragrance material storage unit  131  stores a fragrance material which is the cause of the fragrance. The fragrance material may be either liquid or powder. In this embodiment, a plurality of fragrances is able to be enclosed in the soap bubble  110 . Therefore, a plurality of fragrance material storage units  131  is provided. 
         [0017]    The fragrance control unit  132  controls the movable unit  133  and the fragrance supply unit  134  so that the fragrance specified by a user is generated on the basis of the fragrance signal received from the sound recognition unit  130 . The movable unit  133  is, for example, a movable arm. Furthermore, the fragrance supply unit  134  is, for example, a pipette. The fragrance control unit  132  is able to fill the fragrance supply unit  134  with a predetermined amount of fragrance material by driving the movable unit  133  to move the tip of the fragrance supply unit  134  to the inside of an arbitrary fragrance material storage unit  131 . Then, the fragrance control unit  132  is able to supply (drop) the fragrance material to the fan  155  by driving the movable unit  133  to move the fragrance supply unit  134  filled with the fragrance material to a position above the fan  155 . 
         [0018]    The soap solution supply unit  140  supplies soap solution for generating the soap bubble  110  to the soap film generating unit  141 . The soap solution supply unit  140  is allowed to include, for example, a soap solution reservoir unit in which soap solution is retained and a movable unit for guiding the opening of the soap film generating unit  141  to the soap solution reservoir unit. 
         [0019]    The soap film generating unit  141  has an (for example, a ring-shaped) opening and generates a soap film on the opening with the soap solution supplied from the soap film supply unit  140 . 
         [0020]    The temperature control unit  142  is able to control the temperature of the soap solution supplied from the soap solution supply unit  140  to a temperature at which the soap bubble  110  is not easily broken (for example, about 32° C.). 
         [0021]    The charge control unit  143  is able to charge the soap bubble  110 , for example, negatively. Specifically, the charge control unit  143  is able to charge the soap film generated by the soap film generating unit  141 , for example, negatively. Moreover, the charge control unit  143  is able to charge the metal column  160 , for example, negatively. Incidentally, the charge control unit  143  may be configured to charge the soap film or the metal column  160  positively. Furthermore, the charge control unit  143  may be configured to charge the soap bubble  110  by charging gas enclosed in the soap bubble  110 , instead of charging the soap film. 
         [0022]    The smoke generating unit  150  generates opaque smoke enclosed into the soap bubble  110 . For example, the smoke generating unit  150  is able to generate smoke by inserting water-soluble smoke liquid into a heater by using a pump to evaporate the smoke liquid. The smoke generating unit  150  is able to send the generated smoke to the path  153 . 
         [0023]    The reservoir unit  151  retains the smoke generated by the smoke generating unit  150 . The smoke generated by the smoke generating unit  150  is sent out to the reservoir unit  151  through the path  153 . The smoke overflowing from the reservoir unit  151  is sent from the reservoir unit  151  to the buffer  152  through the path  154  provided separately from the path  153  and discharged from, for example, the top of the buffer  152 . 
         [0024]    The fan  155  is able to send an air flow to the soap film generated by the soap film generating unit  141  through the reservoir unit  151 . Furthermore, the fan  155  is able to vaporize the fragrance material of the liquid supplied from the fragrance supply unit  134  and to send the vaporized fragrance material to the reservoir unit  151 . Thereby, the gas and smoke including the fragrance are sprayed toward the soap film. Incidentally, the fan  155  may be a counter-rotating fan. Thus, the air flow sprayed toward the soap film is formed linearly, thereby making it more difficult for the soap film to be broken in generating the soap bubble  110 . 
         [0025]    The metal column  160  is provided to control the position of the soap bubble  110 . In this embodiment, a plurality of metal columns  160  is provided. Each metal column  160  is charged to the same polarity as the soap bubble  110  (for example, to the negative polarity) by the charge control unit  143 . Thereby, the soap bubble  110  and the metal column  160  repel each other and the position of each soap bubble  110  is controlled to a position between the plurality of metal columns  160 . Incidentally, the metal columns  160  may be either fixed or movable to arbitrary positions by a user. If the metal columns  160  are movable, a part of each metal column  160  may be coated with an insulating material such as, for example, rubber in order to grip the metal column  160 . Furthermore, the metal column  160  is not limited to a column-shaped one. Instead, it is possible to use chargeable one having an arbitrary shape, thereby enabling the position of the soap bubble  110  to be controlled. Moreover, it is possible to use a metal column  160  charged to a polarity opposite to that of the soap bubble  110  to pull the soap bubble  110 . 
         [0026]    The fans  161  and  162  are provided to control the position of the soap bubble  110 . In this embodiment, the fan  161  is arranged substantially directly below the opening of the soap film generating unit  141  and the plurality of fans  162  are arranged around the fan  161 . It is possible to control the vertical position of the soap bubble  110  by mainly adjusting the air blown from the fan  161  and to control the horizontal position of the soap bubble  110  by mainly adjusting the air blown from the fans  162 . In this manner, the soap bubble  110  can be controlled to various positions by adjusting the air blown from the fans  161  and  162 . Moreover, the soap bubble  110  may be controllable to various positions by changing the positions, heights, and orientations for installing the fans  161  and  162  or by adjusting the direction, volume, or the like of the air flow of the fans  161  and  162 . 
         [0027]    The position detecting unit  170  detects the position of the soap bubble  110 . The position detecting unit  170  is allowed to include a camera, for example, capable of measuring a depth. Then, the position detecting unit  170  is able to detect the position of the soap bubble  110 , whose distance from the camera is located within a predetermined range in a range captured by the camera, on the basis of the captured image and the depth information. Furthermore, the position detecting unit  170  is also able to detect that the soap bubble  110  is broken by a change in the captured image. 
         [0028]    The image projecting unit  171  projects an image (video image) onto the soap bubble  110  on the basis of the detection result of the position detecting unit  170 . Since the position detecting unit  170  continues to detect the position of the soap bubble  110 , the image projecting unit  171  is able to project an image onto the soap bubble  110  in accordance with the movement of the soap bubble  110 . Incidentally, the image projecting unit  171  is able to project an image related to the fragrance enclosed in the soap bubble  110  onto the soap bubble  110  on the basis of the sound recognition result obtained by the sound recognition unit  130 . For example, in the case where the fragrance of “apple” is enclosed in the soap bubble  110 , the image projecting unit  171  may project an image of “apple” onto the soap bubble  110 . The fragrance and the image do not need to have a direct relevance such as a fragrance of “apple” and an image of “apple.” For example, an image of a landscape or the like recalled from the fragrance may be projected onto the soap bubble  110 . 
         [0029]    The sound output unit  172  is able to output a sound effect when the soap bubble  110  is broken on the basis of the detection result of the position detecting unit  170 . Furthermore, the sound output unit  172  is able to output various sound effects in the soap bubble-generating system  100 . For example, the sound output unit  172  is able to output a sound indicating a sound recognition result obtained by the sound recognition unit  130  or to output a sound indicating the operation state of each unit. 
         [0030]    In the soap bubble-generating system  100  described above, the fragrance material storage unit  131 , the fragrance control unit  132 , the movable unit  133 , and the fragrance supply unit  134  constitute a fragrance generating unit. Moreover, the reservoir unit  151 , the buffer  152 , the path  153 , the path  154 , and the fan  155  constitute a soap bubble generating unit. Furthermore, the fan  155  constitutes a fragrance sending unit and a spraying unit. In addition, the buffer  152 , the path  153 , and the path  154  constitute a smoke sending unit. Furthermore, the metal column  160  constitutes a position control unit. Moreover, the sound recognition unit  130  constitutes a fragrance signal output unit. 
         [0031]    The following describes a flow of generating a soap bubble in the soap bubble-generating system  100 . When a user utters with a sound (for example, “apple”) specifying the type of fragrance, the sound recognition unit  130  recognizes the sound. The fragrance control unit  132  controls the movable unit  133  and the fragrance control unit  134  on the basis of the recognition result of the sound recognition unit  130  and fills the fragrance supply unit  134  with the fragrance material for generating the fragrance specified by the user. 
         [0032]    The soap film generating unit  141  generates a soap film on the opening of the soap film generating unit  141  by using the soap solution supplied from the soap solution supply unit  140 . Furthermore, the charge control unit  143  charges the generated soap film and the metal column  160 , for example, negatively. 
         [0033]    The smoke generating unit  150  generates smoke and sends out the smoke to the reservoir unit  151  through the path  153 . At this time, the smoke overflowing from the reservoir unit  151  is sent out to the buffer  152  through the path  154 . Incidentally, the openings for passing an air flow from the fan  155  may be closed by shutters or the like until the air flow is sent out from the fan  155 , where the openings are provided at the top and bottom of the reservoir unit  151 . 
         [0034]    After the soap film is generated and smoke is retained in the reservoir unit  151 , the fan  155  sends out an air flow toward the soap film from the reservoir unit  151 . At this time, the fragrance supply unit  134  supplies the fan  155  with the fragrance material. Thereby, the soap bubble  110  in which gas and smoke including the fragrance are enclosed is generated. Moreover, the fan  161  sends out an upward air flow. 
         [0035]    Upon the generation of the soap bubble  110 , the position detecting unit  170  detects the position of the soap bubble  110 . Then, the image projecting unit  171  projects an image onto the soap bubble  110  on the basis of the detected position. 
         [0036]    The following describes an application example of the soap bubble-generating system  100 .  FIG. 2  illustrates an application of the soap bubble-generating system  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . A soap bubble-generating system  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2  is configured to be mountable on a human head. The soap bubble-generating system  200  includes inside the elements equivalent to those of the soap bubble-generating system  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Incidentally, the soap bubble-generating system  200  includes a brain wave detector, instead of the sound recognition unit  130 . 
         [0037]    The soap bubble-generating system  200  generates a soap bubble  210  in which fragrance corresponding to a detection result of the brain wave detector is enclosed. For example, in the case where one person wearing the soap bubble-generating system  200  is supposed to be biased in favor of the other person, the soap bubble-generating system  200  may generate a soap bubble  210  in which sweet fragrance is enclosed. Moreover, the soap bubble-generating system  200  is able to project an image related to fragrance onto the soap bubble  210  similarly to the soap bubble-generating system  100 . 
         [0038]    One embodiment of the present invention has been described hereinabove. According to this embodiment, the present invention is able to generate a soap bubble in which fragrance is enclosed. This enables a soap bubble not only to be captured visually, but also to appeal to the human sense of smell by the fragrance released when the soap bubble is broken. In other words, the information-presenting capacity with a soap bubble can be expanded. 
         [0039]    Furthermore, according to this embodiment, an image is able to be projected onto a soap bubble. This enables visual information presentation by using an image in addition to the olfactory information presentation by using fragrance. 
         [0040]    Furthermore, according to this embodiment, an image projected onto a soap bubble is able to be associated with fragrance thereof. This enables further enhancement of the information-presenting capacity due to a synergetic effect between the image and the fragrance. For example, a combination of the image and the fragrance makes it easier to recall a memory related to the image. 
         [0041]    Furthermore, according to this embodiment, opaque smoke can be enclosed in a soap bubble. This enables enhancement of visibility of the soap bubble itself. In addition, the smoke enclosed in the soap bubble makes it easier to see the image projected onto the soap bubble. 
         [0042]    Furthermore, according to this embodiment, smoke overflowing from the reservoir unit is able to be sent out to a place (for example, a buffer) other than the reservoir unit. Thereby, the amount of smoke enclosed in the soap bubble can be adjusted so as to be appropriate. 
         [0043]    Moreover, according to this embodiment, the position of a soap bubble can be controlled by charging the soap bubble. This enables the soap bubble to stay in a predetermined position or to move to an arbitrary position where a fragrance performance is desired to be provided. 
         [0044]    Moreover, according to this embodiment, the type of fragrance can be specified by a user input (for example, sound recognition or brain wave detection). This makes it possible to enjoy various types of fragrance. Particularly, with the generation of a soap bubble in which fragrance corresponding to the detection result of a brain wave is enclosed, it is possible to provide epoch-making information presentation which has never been known such that what a person is thinking is delivered by means of fragrance. 
         [0045]    This embodiment is intended to facilitate the understanding of the present invention, but is not intended to limit the present invention in interpretation. The present invention is able to be modified or improved without departing from the spirit of the invention and includes equivalents thereof. 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           100  Soap bubble-generating system 
           110  Soap bubble 
           120  Power supply 
           121  Control unit 
           130  Sound recognition unit 
           131  Fragrance material storage unit 
           132  Fragrance control unit 
           133  Movable unit 
           134  Fragrance supply unit 
           140  Soap solution supply unit 
           141  Soap film generating unit 
           142  Temperature control unit 
           143  Charge control unit 
           150  Smoke generating unit 
           151  Reservoir unit 
           152  Buffer 
           153 ,  154  Path 
           155 ,  161 ,  162  Fan 
           160  Metal column 
           170  Position detecting unit 
           171  Image projecting unit 
           172  Sound output unit