JP2006180027A - Speech apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a speech apparatus capable of transmitting sound of only particular information by interruption to a user using an earphone or a headphone. <P>SOLUTION: The speech apparatus is inserted between a sound source unit (e.g. a DVD unit 14) for outputting an acoustic signal with arbitrary contents and a reproducing apparatus 24 for reproducing an output of the sound source unit. The speech apparatus includes: an interruption sound reception circuit 32 for externally receiving prescribed interruption sound; and an interruption control circuit 33 that receives an audio signal 41 outputted from the sound source unit and an interruption sound signal 42 outputted from the interruption sound reception circuit, and selects its output signal so that the control circuit 33 outputs the output of the interruption sound reception circuit to a succeeding circuit when the output of the interruption sound reception circuit 33 is valid, and outputs the output of the speech apparatus 16 to the reproducing apparatus 24 when the output of the interruption sound reception circuit 32 is invalid. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device capable of interrupting a specific sound into a reproduction sound of an audio device.

  For example, if you want to reduce the volume when an elderly person with a long ear is watching television, use earphones or headphones with long cords. Even if the general public is watching a DVD using a large-sized display, if you try to watch a realistic screen at a location away from the screen, you can use earphones or headphones to go to the surroundings. Noise can be suppressed. For this purpose, a cordless voice receiver and the like are also commercially available (Patent Document 1).

In addition, a hearing-impaired call support device that is used for a hearing-impaired person's call by being used in combination with a terminal that enables high-availability calls is known (Patent Document 2). With the call device in which the hearing aid call support device is incorporated, the normal person can make a call with a high voice, and at the same time, the hearing person can hear the contents of the call.
JP 7-107038 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-220525

Here, the conventional communication device has the following problems to be solved.
When listening to television and DVD sounds with high sound quality, a device that combines an infrared radiator and headphones can be used. However, if headphones are worn, the surrounding sounds cannot be heard at all.
Therefore, even in general people, there are problems that communication with surrounding people is hindered or that sounds of telephones and intercoms cannot be heard in such a situation.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication device that can interrupt and transmit only specific information to a user who uses an earphone or a headphone. To do.

In each embodiment of the present invention, the above-described problems are solved by the following configurations.
<Configuration 1>
An interrupt sound receiving circuit that is inserted between a sound source device that outputs an acoustic signal of arbitrary content and a playback device that reproduces the output of the sound source device, and that receives a predetermined interrupt sound from the outside; and When the output of the sound source device and the output of the interrupt sound receiving circuit are received and the output of the interrupt sound receiving circuit is valid, the output of the interrupt sound receiving circuit is output to the subsequent circuit, and the interrupt sound reception A call device comprising: an interrupt control circuit for selecting an output signal so that an output of the sound source device is output to the playback device side when an output of the circuit is invalid.

  Although it can be widely used by the general public, especially for elderly people, it is possible to control the interrupt sound to be a relatively strong sound and to easily deal with various external calls. This device can also be used for nursing devices. In addition, compared to listening to sound such as television or DVD using a hearing aid, there is an effect that only the desired sound can be reproduced and there is no problem in coexistence with surrounding healthy persons.

<Configuration 2>
The communication device according to Configuration 1, wherein the sound source device includes an infrared radiator that transmits an acoustic signal and an antenna that receives an interrupt sound.

  Since sound is transmitted in the infrared, it can be transmitted wirelessly without noise and sound that is easy on the ear.

<Configuration 3>
The communication device according to Configuration 1, wherein the playback device is an earphone or a headphone.

  The playback device may be either a wired type or a wireless type.

<Configuration 4>
The communication device according to Configuration 1, wherein the interrupt sound is a sound transmitted from any one of a microphone sound transmitter, an incoming call sound transmitter, and a bell sound transmitter.

  Even when watching images and sounds from electrical equipment, you will not miss important life sounds.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail for each example.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of the communication device according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, a DVD device 14 is connected to the display 12 as a sound source device that outputs an acoustic signal having an arbitrary content, and is configured to allow viewing of a video or the like. A telephone device 16 is connected to the DVD device 14. A signal reproduced by the DVD device 14 is transmitted to a reproducing device 24 such as headphones or earphones through the communication device 16.

  The communication device 16 is provided with an infrared radiator 17 and an antenna 18. The infrared radiator 17 is a device that converts an acoustic signal reproduced by a sound source device such as the DVD device 14 into an infrared signal and outputs the infrared signal. For example, the user 25 sits on a chair 26 installed in front of the display 12, wears the playback device 24, and watches a video played back by the DVD device 14. The reproducing device 24 is configured to receive and demodulate the infrared beam transmitted from the infrared radiator 17 and reproduce sound.

  When the user 25 is watching a video or the like in such a state, the call device 16 outputs the telephone 22, the interphone 21, or the microphone 22 that accepts a voice uttered by another person 27 other than the user 25. Allow signal interruption. That is, when an image or sound is played back on the DVD device 14 and received by the playback device 24, for example, when the bell of the telephone 20 rings, the call device 16 receives the signal by the antenna 18. Thus, the ringing tone of the telephone 20 is preferentially interrupted and transmitted to the playback device 24.

  Further, when a visitor operates the interphone 21, the sound is preferentially interrupted and transmitted to the playback device 24. The sound received by the microphone 22 is also transmitted to the playback device 24 with priority over the sound played back by the DVD device 14. Output signals from the telephone 20, the interphone 21, and the microphone 22 are all transmitted to the call device 16 wirelessly using radio waves. Of course, wired transmission may be used.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of a communication device for realizing the above functions.
As shown in FIG. 2, the call device 16 receives an audio signal reproduced by the DVD device 14 and transfers it to a subsequent circuit, an interrupt control circuit 33 connected thereto, an interrupt sound receiving circuit 32, a switching sound. A generation circuit 34, an infrared radiator 17, an antenna 18, and the like are provided. An interrupt sound designating circuit 38 is provided.

  The audio output circuit 31 has a function of receiving an acoustic signal output from the DVD device 14 and adjusting the level, for example, and supplying it to the interrupt control circuit 33. The interrupt sound receiving circuit 32 has a function of receiving a signal from the telephone 20, interphone 21, or microphone 22 through the antenna 18 and a function of outputting the signal as an interrupt sound signal 42 to the interrupt control circuit 33. The interrupt sound receiving circuit 32 determines the level of the interrupt sound signal 42. When this level is determined to be equal to or greater than a certain level, a switching control signal 43 is output to the interrupt control circuit 33.

  The interrupt control circuit 33 has a function of permitting an interrupt when the level of the interrupt sound signal 42 is a certain level or higher. The reason for interrupting only a signal of a certain level or higher is to prevent interruption due to noise. The interrupt sound designating circuit 38 is a switch that selects a target for which an interrupt is permitted, for example, an interrupt for only a microphone sound is permitted or an interrupt for only an interphone sound is permitted. For example, if the frequency of the radio wave transmitted from the telephone 20, the interphone 21, or the microphone 22 is different, it can be selected like a radio tuner.

  When the switching control signal 43 is input, the interrupt control circuit 33 operates to suppress the output signal of the audio output circuit 31 and supply the output signal of the interrupt sound receiving circuit 32 to the infrared radiator.

  The switching sound generation circuit 34 has a function of detecting a switching control signal 43 and generating a switching sound for notifying the user that the output is switched from the audio signal 41 to the interrupt sound signal 42.

  The infrared radiator 17 has a function of modulating a signal output from the interrupt control circuit 33 into an infrared signal and transmitting it. The playback device 24 has a function of receiving infrared rays output from the infrared radiator 17 and demodulating an acoustic signal to sound a receiver such as an earphone or a headphone.

  The interphone 21 shown in FIG. 2 has a function of transmitting a bell sound generated by the interphone into a radio wave using the bell sound transmitter 37 and transmitting it. The telephone 20 changes the incoming call sound of the telephone to a radio wave by the incoming call transmitter 36 and transmits it to the call device. The microphone sound transmitter 35 has a function of converting an audio signal received by the microphone 22 into a radio wave and transmitting the radio signal to the call device.

  The above apparatus generates an interrupt sound signal 42 by accepting the output of the interphone 21, the telephone set 20, or the microphone 22, stops outputting the audio signal 41, and transmits it to the playback apparatus 24. A sound that can be distinguished from other appropriate sounds is generated from the switching sound generation circuit 34 so that the user notices that an interruption has occurred during the interruption process.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing a specific operation of the apparatus as described above.
The horizontal axis in FIG. 3 indicates time. For example, the signal S1 in FIG. 3 indicates an audio signal that is continuously output from time t1 to time t2. The signal S2 indicates an audio signal output from the microphone 22. It is assumed that this signal S2 is input to the call device during time T1 from time t3 to t4. The signal S3 is a ringing tone of the telephone that is emitted between time t5 and time t6. For example, it is assumed that the incoming call sounded for T2 hours.

  Signal S4 is an intercom chime sound emitted at time t7 and time t8. The signal S5 is a switching sound signal generated by the switching sound generation circuit 34 when an interrupt sound is received. The signal S6 indicates the configuration of the acoustic signal that is finally received by the playback device 24.

  As shown in FIG. 3, for example, it is assumed that voice from the microphone 22 is input to the call device from time t3 to time t4. This sound is detected at time t3, and a switching sound of the signal S5 is generated for a very short time. The signals S5 and S2 are processed as interrupt signals for the signal S1. Therefore, while the signals S5 and S2 are output from the infrared radiator 17, the output of the signal S1 is stopped.

  Similarly, when the telephone 20 generates an incoming call sound and the interrupt sound receiving circuit 32 detects the signal S3, a switching sound is generated again, and the signal S5 and the signal S3 are interrupted. During this time, the output of the signal S1 is stopped. In the example of FIG. 3, since the intercom chime sound can be clearly recognized as an interrupt sound, the signal S4 is unconditionally interrupted to the signal S1 without generating the signal S5.

  When the communication device is configured as described above, when a user enjoys a movie or music using a DVD device or the like, the telephone rings, the customer operates the interphone, or the family uses the microphone 22. The output sound of the DVD device is temporarily suppressed and the corresponding sound is interrupted. This prevents you from missing important information.

  Such a communication device can be widely used by the general public. However, particularly for elderly people, it is possible to control the interrupt sound so as to be a relatively strong sound, and to easily deal with various external calls. Therefore, this apparatus can be widely used for a care apparatus or the like. In addition, although the wireless was used for transmission / reception of the signal which recognizes interruption, all may be wired. Anything that allows interruption can be selected arbitrarily.

  As described above, according to the calling device of the present invention, life sounds such as family calls, telephone ringing sounds, and calling door intercom sounds interrupt television and DVD sound signals. Reach your ears preferentially. At this time, if an identification sound indicating an interrupt sound is included, the user can easily recognize that the sound is not a television or DVD sound. Thereby, for example, not only a hearing-impaired person but also a user who uses headphones can be transmitted by interrupting only specific information.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the communication apparatus of Example 1. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the specific structure of the telephone apparatus. It is a timing chart which shows the specific operation | movement of the telephone apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

12 Display 14 DVD device 16 Communication device 18 Antenna 20 Telephone 21 Interphone 22 Microphone 24 Playback device 25 User 31 Audio output circuit 32 Interrupt sound receiving circuit 33 Interrupt control circuit 34 Switching sound generating circuit 38 Interrupt sound designating circuit 41 Audio signal 42 Interrupt Sound signal 43 switching control signal

Claims (4)

Inserted between a sound source device that outputs an acoustic signal of arbitrary content and a playback device that reproduces the output of the sound source device,
An interrupt sound receiving circuit for receiving a predetermined interrupt sound from the outside;
When the output of the sound source device and the output of the interrupt sound receiving circuit are received and the output of the interrupt sound receiving circuit is valid, the output of the interrupt sound receiving circuit is output to the subsequent circuit, and the interrupt sound A call device comprising: an interrupt control circuit for selecting an output signal so that an output of the sound source device is output to the playback device side when an output of a receiving circuit is invalid. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein
The sound source device includes an infrared radiator that transmits an acoustic signal and an antenna that receives an interrupt sound. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein
The call device is an earphone or a headphone. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein
The call apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interrupt sound is a sound transmitted from any one of a microphone sound transmitter, a ring tone transmitter, and a bell sound transmitter.

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