JP2008072158A - Neck strap type hearing aid and neck strap type cellular phone - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a neck strap capable of solving a problem common between a hearing aid used by a hearing-impaired person and a cellular phone. <P>SOLUTION: A neck strap type hearing aid has an attachable/detachable portion and forms a single cable shape when disconnected and a loop shape when connected. The hearing aid has a hearing aid circuit therein, and an earphone attached to a portion close to right and left ears of a user when the user hangs the neck strap around the neck and a microphone attached to a portion close to his/her mouth when the user hangs the neck strap around his/her neck. Further, a cellular phone circuit is provided in the neck strap. The neck strap is connected to an external device via a USB connector to allow the user to set details using the external device. The neck strap is also used as a USB extension cable. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  In the present invention, the hearing aid is configured as a neck strap type, and the mobile phone is configured as a neck strap type.

Patent Document 1 discloses a mobile phone earphone microphone that is inserted into a neck strap. Patent Document 2 discloses a headphone that can be used simply by holding an audio device to be used on a neck strap. In Patent Document 3, a hearing aid device that can select and use any of a hearing aid, a speaker, and an earphone according to the degree of hearing loss is provided. Patent Document 4 discloses a mobile phone strap device that is easy to handle with an earphone cord and a strap, and that does not get in the way.
JP 2002-199074 A JP 2005-123853 A JP 2006-180448 A JP 2001-274886 A

When a person with hearing impairment uses various audio devices, it is necessary to adjust the respective volume adjustments to a state suitable for the person. If the audio device is public, it is used by other people, so adjustments are required each time it is used. In order to solve the problem, it is only necessary to have a device unique to the person and connect various audio devices through the device.
In fact, this problem exists in healthy individuals as well. This is because there is a need to listen to other music and to work on a computer while waiting for a mobile phone.
The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a neck strap that solves this problem common to hearing aids used by persons with hearing impairments and mobile phones.

  The neck strap type hearing aid of the present invention is a neck strap type hearing aid having a detachable part, having a single cable shape when disconnected, and having a loop shape when connected, and having a hearing aid circuit therein. When the user hangs the neck strap on the neck, attach earphones to the part close to the user's left and right ears, and when the user hangs the neck strap on the neck, it is close to the user's mouth. A microphone is attached to this part.

The neck strap type hearing aid according to claim 2 is the neck strap type hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the detachable portion is removed to form one cable at one of both ends. A male USB connector is attached, a female USB connector is attached to the other end, and the two USB connectors are connected by a cable provided in the neck strap, so that it can also be used as a USB extension cable.

The neck strap type hearing aid according to claim 3 is the neck strap type hearing aid according to claim 2, wherein the male USB connector is connected to an external device such as a personal computer, and the female USB connector side is opened. And a switch circuit that detects a state in which no device is connected and establishes communication between the hearing aid circuit and the external device, and enables complex adjustment of the hearing aid circuit from the external device. is there.

The neck strap type hearing aid according to claim 4 is the neck strap type hearing aid according to claim 3, wherein when the user hangs the neck strap on the neck, the simple operation portion Is provided.

A neck strap type mobile phone according to the present invention is a neck strap type mobile phone having a detachable part, a single cable shape when disconnected, and a loop shape when connected, and a CPU (central Processing circuit), DSP (digital signal processor), flash memory, battery, antenna, and other cellular phone internal circuits necessary for the cellular phone. When the neck strap is worn on the neck by the user, When the earphone is attached to the part close to the ear of the user and the neck strap is put on the neck by the user, the microphone is attached to the part close to the user's mouth and the neck strap is put on the neck by the user. In this case, a simple operation unit is provided in a portion close to the hand.

The neck strap type mobile phone according to claim 6 is the neck strap type mobile phone according to claim 5, wherein one of the two ends when the removable part is removed to form a single cable. Further, a male USB connector is attached, a female USB connector is attached to the other end, and the two USB connectors are connected by a cable provided in the neck strap, so that it can also be used as a USB extension cable.

The neck strap type mobile phone according to claim 7 is the neck strap type mobile phone according to claim 5, wherein the male USB connector is connected to an external device such as a personal computer, and the female USB connector side is It further includes a switch circuit that detects a state where no device is connected to open and establishes communication between the mobile phone internal circuit and the external device, and performs complicated adjustment of the mobile phone internal circuit to the external device. Is possible.

  Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is convenient when various audio devices are connected and used. It can also be used as a USB cable, so it is convenient for computer work. Furthermore, by connecting to a personal computer or the like via a USB connector, detailed settings of the hearing aid and mobile phone can be made from an external device such as a computer. A hearing aid or a mobile phone that is easy to use can be provided. When it is necessary to diversify functions or expand functions, there is an advantage that devices can be expanded by connecting them via a USB connector.

  In the present invention, a hearing aid for a person with hearing impairment is configured as a neck strap type, and the function of a mobile phone is included in the neck strap. Then, connection with an external device such as a computer is realized via a USB connector. The neck strap configured as described above can be used even by a healthy person. Here, the term “neck strap” includes a configuration in which a decorative element is added so that it can be used as a necklace. In addition, the idea that the basic functions of a mobile phone are built in the neck strap and other functions are realized in a device connected via a USB connector also suggests a new development of mobile phones. It is.

  Hereinafter, the neck strap type hearing aid or the neck strap type mobile phone of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the appearance of the neck strap of the present invention. The neck strap has a structure that can be attached and detached by the detachable portions 17 and 18. When the neck strap is connected, it becomes a loop shape, and when it is removed, it becomes a single cable shape. The hearing aid circuit 10 obtains power from the batteries 24 and 25 and amplifies the sound picked up from the microphones 13 and 14 so that it can be heard by the earphones 11 and 12. The earphones 11 and 12 may be normal earphones, but may be heard through bone vibration as bone-conducting earphones. The operation of the hearing aid circuit 10 is performed by a simple operation unit 15 such as on and off.

  When detailed settings are required for the operation of the hearing aid circuit 10, the male USB connector 16 provided in (or in the vicinity of) the simple operation unit 15 can be connected to a personal computer and set from the personal computer.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration that works when detailed setting of the hearing aid circuit 10 is performed via a personal computer. The switch circuit 26 is a circuit provided in the vicinity of the simple operation unit 15, and is a circuit that works by detecting that the male USB connector 16 is connected to the USB port of the personal computer 40. The switch circuit 26 normally acts to connect the signal from the USB port of the personal computer 40 to the female USB connector (USB port) 19 side of the neck strap. When the external devices 32 and 33 are connected to the female USB connector (USB port) 19, the switch circuit 26 plays a role of connecting the personal computer 40 and the external devices 32 and 33. At that time, the neck strap functions as a USB extension cable.

  In FIG. 2, when no external device is connected to the female USB connector 19, the switch circuit 26 makes the flash memory 23 visible from the personal computer 40 side. In the flash memory 23, not only the detailed setting file of the hearing aid circuit 10 but also computer software that is operated by a personal computer in order to rewrite the detailed setting file of the hearing aid circuit 10 by the personal computer is also placed. When this neck strap is connected to a personal computer in which the software is not installed for the first time, the software is first uploaded from the flash memory 23 to the personal computer 40, installed, and the software is started. The user of the neck strap can rewrite the detailed settings of the hearing aid circuit (right and left volume balance, eco-rise data, sound quality adjustment, etc.) while looking at the screen of the personal computer. When the information is saved after rewriting, the hearing aid can be used with the newly set contents when the neck strap is used as a hearing aid next time away from the personal computer.

  Next, an example in which this neck strap is used as a mobile phone will be described with further reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, this neck strap has circuits necessary for a mobile phone, such as an antenna 20, a digital signal processor 21, a CPU 22, a flash memory 23, and batteries 24 and 25, which are organically related. Therefore, when a call is received, the call can be realized by listening to it with the earphones 11 and 12 and speaking with the microphones 13 and 14 by operating the simple operation unit 15. When making a call, refer to the phone book file placed on the flash memory 23 in advance, and if the simple operation unit 15 has a jog dial and an LCD screen that can display one or two lines, select the person to call, It is also possible to make a phone call. In order to rewrite the phone book file on the flash memory 23, it is possible to connect to a personal computer as shown in FIG. In that case, it cannot be used as a telephone while connected to a computer. When you remove it from your computer and turn it on again, you will have a new phone book.

  By attaching a liquid crystal screen display 30 with a touch panel to a female USB connector (USB port) 19 and using it as an input / output device of the CPU 22 without being connected to the male USB connector 16, When the power is turned on and in use, it is possible to register a new phone number, make a call, create a mail and send it. Further, if two or more female USB connectors are provided, and a digital camera 32 or the like is connected, a photograph just taken can be attached to an e-mail and sent. By connecting the terrestrial digital broadcast tuner 31 and the liquid crystal screen display 30 with a touch panel to a female USB connector, it is also possible to enjoy terrestrial digital broadcast by the function of this neck strap.

  The idea that a basic function of a mobile phone is built in the neck strap and other functions are realized in a device connected via a USB connector suggests a new development of the mobile phone. In addition, some recent mobile phones are called music mobile phones that also serve as music players, but the neck strap of the present invention also functions as a player that plays music stored in flash memory. In addition, if you want to have this neck strap for elderly people with dementia or people with chronic illness, you can add GPS function to the pre-registered contact information, attributes, attributes, It can also be applied as an emergency contact device that communicates information such as medical history and medication history. An application is also possible in which the information is written to the memory in the neck strap when the medication is received at the pharmacy.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows the external appearance of the neck strap of this invention. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure which works when the detailed setting of the hearing aid circuit 10 is performed via a personal computer.

Explanation of symbols

10 Hearing Aid Circuits 11 and 12 Earphones 13 and 14 Microphone 15 Simple Operation Unit 16 Male USB Connectors 17 and 18 Detachable Unit 19 Female USB Connector (USB Port)
20 Antenna 21 Digital Signal Processor 22 CPU (Central Processing Circuit)
23 Flash memory 24, 25 Battery 26 Switch circuit 30 LCD screen display with touch panel 31 Digital terrestrial broadcast tuner 32 Digital camera 33 External removable disk 40 Personal computer

Claims (7)

A neck strap type hearing aid having a detachable part, having a single cable shape if disconnected, and having a loop shape if connected,
It has a hearing aid circuit inside it,
When the user hangs the neck strap around the neck, attach earphones to the part near the user's left and right ears,
When the user hangs the neck strap around the neck, a microphone was attached to the part close to the user's mouth,
Neck strap type hearing aid. The neck strap type hearing aid according to claim 1,
When removing the detachable part to make a single cable, attach a male USB connector to one of both ends, attach a female USB connector to the other end,
A neck strap type hearing aid that can also be used as a USB extension cable by connecting the two USB connectors with a cable provided in the neck strap. The neck strap type hearing aid according to claim 2,
Connect the male USB connector to an external device such as a personal computer, open the female USB connector side, detect a state in which no device is connected, and establish communication between the hearing aid circuit and the external device A switch circuit that
A neck strap type hearing aid that enables complicated adjustment of the hearing aid circuit from an external device. The neck strap type hearing aid according to claim 3,
A neck strap type hearing aid that has a simple operation part in the part close to the hand when the neck strap is put on the neck by the user. A neck strap type mobile phone having a detachable portion, having a single cable shape when disconnected, and having a loop shape when connected,
It has mobile phone internal circuits necessary for mobile phones such as CPU (central processing circuit), DSP (digital signal processor), flash memory, battery, antenna, etc.
When the user hangs the neck strap on the neck, attach earphones to the part that is close to the user's left and right ears, and when the user hangs the neck strap on the neck, it is close to the user's mouth. Attach a microphone to the part,
A neck strap type mobile phone provided with a simple operation portion at a portion close to a hand when the user puts the neck strap on the neck. The neck strap type mobile phone according to claim 5,
When removing the detachable part to make a single cable, attach a male USB connector to one of both ends, attach a female USB connector to the other end,
A neck strap type mobile phone that can be used as a USB extension cable by connecting the two USB connectors with a cable provided in the neck strap. The neck strap type mobile phone according to claim 5,
The male USB connector is connected to an external device such as a personal computer, the female USB connector side is opened, and a state in which no device is connected is detected, and communication between the mobile phone internal circuit and the external device is performed. Further comprising a switch circuit for establishing
A neck strap type mobile phone that enables complicated adjustment of the internal circuit of the mobile phone from an external device.

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