JP2905116B2 - Infrared hearing aid - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an infrared hearing aid using infrared light between a transmitter and a receiver.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, when hearing aid users listen to a guide broadcast or the like in a public place such as a hospital or a bank, noises such as surrounding speech and echoes of the guide broadcast itself are mixed with the voice of the guide broadcast. You may not be able to hear the required guidance information through your hearing aid.

In order to solve such inconveniences, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-9657, a loop coil for emitting a magnetic wave signal corresponding to a sound or the like is laid on a floor or the like, and It is known that a hearing aid incorporates a pickup coil for detecting a magnetic wave signal radiated from the coil and has a function of detecting the magnetic wave signal with the pickup coil and converting the signal into an electric signal in addition to a function as a normal hearing aid. ing. Switching between a mode used as a normal hearing aid and a mode for receiving a magnetic wave signal is performed by a switch provided in the hearing aid.

[0004]

In the prior art, it is necessary to lay a loop coil on a floor or the like, and it is preferable to form a groove for embedding on the floor or the like and embed the loop coil therein. Have been. Therefore, there is a problem in that, for example, when the loop coil is buried on the existing concrete floor or the like when the loop coil is embedded in the construction of a building or the like, the cost is high. Further, when the loop coil is simply stretched around the floor, it may be possible to cover the loop coil with a rubber sheet to protect the loop coil, but there is a problem in durability.

Further, if a loop coil is laid near electric wires such as electric wires through which a large current flows or a motor or the like generating electromagnetic noise, the pickup coil is susceptible to an interference magnetic wave and detects an unnecessary magnetic wave by electromagnetic induction. S
There was a problem that the N ratio was reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to easily install the apparatus and to make it publicly available without being affected by electromagnetic noise. An object of the present invention is to provide a hearing aid capable of clearly listening to a guide broadcast or the like at a place.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention converts an audio signal into an infrared signal via an electric signal.
Transmitter, and input the infrared signal and the audio signal
From a receiver that converts the hearing aid-processed electrical signal into an audio signal
The light receiving unit provided in the receiver is a main body of the receiver.
With a clip connected to the
It is .

[0008] The light receiving section provided in the receiver is connected to a main body of the receiver via a cord and has a clip.

[0009] A pocket storing clip may be attached to the main body of the receiver, and a light receiving portion may be provided on a front surface of the main body of the receiver above a base end of the clip.

[0010] A projection is formed on the upper surface of the main body of the receiver,
A light receiving section may be provided on the front surface of the protruding section.

A pocket storing clip may be attached to the main body of the receiver, and the clip may be provided with a light receiving section.

A light receiving section may be provided in the middle of the cord of the earphone connected to the main body of the receiver.

[0013] A light receiving section may be provided on an outer surface of the earphone connected to the main body of the receiver.

It is also possible to combine at least two or more of the light receiving units in the infrared hearing aid according to the first to sixth aspects and connect them in parallel.

[0015]

[Function] A high-intensity infrared signal is uniformly radiated from a light emitting unit to a listening area required for a public facility, and a light receiving unit receives an infrared signal radiated from the light emitting unit. It is possible to reliably listen to the placed audio signal, for example, a guide broadcast in a public place or the like without being affected by electromagnetic noise.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an infrared hearing aid according to the present invention, FIGS. 2 to 5 are perspective views of a light emitting unit, and FIG.
7 to 9 are perspective views of a receiver main body,
10 and 11 are perspective views of the photoreceptor .

As shown in FIG. 1, an infrared hearing aid according to the present invention includes a transmitter 1 which emits an infrared signal S including an audio signal, an infrared signal S which the transmitter 1 emits, and an audio signal. Is directly input and converted into an audio signal of a predetermined level. Note that the transmitter 1 is installed on a public facility side, and the receiver 2 is worn by a hearing-impaired person.

The transmitter 1 frequency-modulates a sub-carrier with an input section 3 to which an audio signal is input, and an output signal (audio signal) of the input section 3, and luminance-modulates infrared rays with the frequency-modulated sub-carrier signal. And a light-emitting unit 5 that emits a luminance-modulated infrared signal S.

The input unit 3 includes a microphone 6 for converting a sound signal into an electric signal, an amplifier 7 for amplifying an output signal of the microphone 6, a line input terminal 8 for directly inputting the sound signal converted into the electric signal, A switch 9 for selecting either the microphone 6 or the line input terminal 8 is provided as an input signal source.

The microphone 6 is for taking in the voice of the talker, and the line input terminal 8 is connected to the output terminal of an audio equipment such as a tape recorder, for taking in daily guidance broadcasts and background music. Things. Note that a mixing circuit may be used instead of the switch 9.

The electric signal input to the light emitting section 5 is obtained by frequency-modulating the electric signal by the subcarrier oscillation / modulation circuit 4 as described above, and the luminance of the infrared ray is modulated by the frequency-modulated signal. This method is a double modulation method in which infrared light is subjected to luminance modulation using a frequency modulation signal. That is, the frequency of the subcarrier is modulated by the audio signal, and the luminance of the infrared light is modulated by the frequency-modulated subcarrier signal. The luminance-modulated infrared signal S is emitted by the light emitting unit 5 to a listening area in a space that provides an audio signal to a hearing-impaired person wearing the receiver 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the receiver 2 includes a voice input unit 15 for directly inputting voice, an infrared input unit 16 for inputting an infrared signal S radiated from the light emitting unit 5, and a voice input unit 15. And a mixing circuit 17 for mixing the output signal of the infrared input unit 16, a hearing aid processing circuit 18 for hearing aid processing of the mixed signal, and an earphone 19 for converting the hearing aid processed signal into sound. With such a configuration, when the infrared signal S is not input to the receiver 2, that is, when the hearing-impaired person wearing the receiver 2 is outside the listening area, it functions as a normal hearing aid.

The audio input unit 15 includes a microphone 20 for converting an audio signal into an electric signal, and an amplifier 21 for amplifying an output signal of the microphone 20. Here, the microphone 20 is substantially the same as a microphone of a normal hearing aid.

The infrared input section 16 includes a light receiving section 22 composed of a photodiode for detecting an infrared signal S radiated from the light emitting section 5 and an input section 3 which receives an output signal of the light receiving section 22.
A demodulation circuit 23 for extracting and outputting only the electric signal of the input audio signal, a subcarrier detection circuit 24 for receiving the output signal of the light receiving section 22 and outputting a DC signal corresponding to the intensity of the infrared signal S, Circuit 23 and subcarrier detection circuit 2
4 comprises a squelch circuit 25 for receiving the output of the squelch circuit 4.

The squelch circuit 25 includes the subcarrier detection circuit 2
4 is higher than a predetermined level, the output signal of the demodulation circuit 23 is output to the mixing circuit 17 as it is, and when the output voltage of the subcarrier detection circuit 24 does not reach the predetermined level, no signal is output.

The mixing circuit 17 mixes a signal output from the audio input unit 15 and a signal based on an output signal of the demodulation circuit 23 output from the squelch circuit 25 and outputs the resulting signal to the hearing aid processing circuit 18.

The hearing aid processing circuit 18 includes a mixing circuit 17
Receiving the output signal of the first earphone 1
9 to output an electric signal. This hearing aid processing is performed so as to make it easy for the wearer to hear the audio signal required by taking into account the characteristics of the ears of the wearer of the receiver 2 and the environmental noise that the wearer may encounter. Examples of the hearing aid processing include automatic gain control and processing for attenuating sound in a low frequency range in order to cut off noise components.

As shown in FIG. 2, the light emitting section 30 has a plurality of infrared light emitting diodes Ld arranged on five sides 32 of a hexagonal column-shaped body 31 excluding a side surface in contact with a wall surface of a public facility or the like. It is fixed and configured. The size of the body 31 is about the size of a small speaker.
The light emitting unit 30 can radiate the infrared signal S with high intensity uniformly to form a listening area required for a public facility or the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, the light emitting section 35 is constituted by arranging and fixing a plurality of infrared light emitting diodes Ld on each surface 37 of a body 36 formed in a substantially spherical regular polyhedron. The body 36 is fixed to a ceiling 39 serving as a center of a listening area required for a public facility or the like via a mounting member 38. The light emitting unit 35 can radiate the infrared signal S with high intensity uniformly to form a required listening area.

As shown in FIG. 4, the light emitting section 40 is formed of a substantially hemispherical regular polyhedron formed into two parts, each surface 42 of a body 41.
A plurality of infrared light emitting diodes Ld are fixedly arranged. The body 41 is fixed to a ceiling 43 at the center of a listening area required for public facilities and the like. Light emitting unit 4
0 can radiate an evenly high intensity infrared signal S to form the required listening area.

Although the configuration shown in FIG. 1 is a case where the present invention is applied to a broadcasting system, the present invention can also be applied to a hearing system of a television (not shown). As shown in FIG. 5, the light emitting section 45 is configured by arranging and fixing a plurality of infrared light emitting diodes Ld on a front surface 47 of a transmitter body 46 formed in a box shape. In the transmitter 1, since the audio output terminal of the television is connected to the line input terminal 8 for use, the microphone 6 for converting an audio signal into an electric signal becomes unnecessary.

With such a configuration, even if unnecessary noise is present in the room where the television is installed, if the wearer of the receiver 2 is located at a place facing the light emitting unit 45, the wearer can use his or her own. TV sound can be clearly heard in accordance with the hearing level of the user.

The light receiving section 50 is connected to the receiver main body 51 via a cord 52 as shown in FIG. The light receiving unit 50 is formed in an elliptical disk shape. An infrared photodiode (not shown) as a light receiving element is disposed on one surface 53, and a clip (non-fixing) for fixing the light receiving unit 50 to a collar of a jacket or the like is provided on the other surface. (Shown). The receiver main body 51 is formed in a box shape that can be stored in a breast pocket or the like of a wearer. In addition, 54 is an earphone. The wearer attaches the light receiving unit 50 to a collar or the like of the jacket with a clip, and receives the infrared signal S if the light receiving surface 53 is located at a position facing the light emitting units 30, 35, 40, and 45 in the listening area. Desired sound can be heard.

As shown in FIG. 7, the light receiving section 55 is provided at the base end 57a of the pocket storing clip 57 on the receiver main body 56.
, And an infrared photodiode (not shown) or the like is incorporated in a front surface 58 of the receiver main body 56 located above the base end portion 57a.

By mounting the clip 57 on the receiver main body 56 at a position slightly lower than the upper end surface of the receiver main body 56, the receiver main body 56 is stored in the pocket so that the chest pocket is sandwiched by the clip 57. Then, the upper part of the receiver main body 56 slightly protrudes from the pocket. Therefore, the light receiving unit 55 provided on the front surface 58 at the upper part of the receiver main body 56 receives the infrared signal S and can listen to a desired sound.

As shown in FIG. 8, the light receiving section 60 has a projection 63 formed on an upper surface 62 of a receiver main body 61, and an infrared photodiode (not shown) or the like is incorporated on the front surface of the projection 63. Have been. Note that the protruding portion 63 can be made to be able to protrude and retract from the upper surface of the receiver main body 61.

When the receiver main body 61 is housed in the pocket with the clip 64 sandwiching the breast pocket, the light receiving portion 60 provided on the projecting portion 63 of the receiver main body 61 slightly protrudes from the pocket. Therefore, the light receiving section 60 can receive the infrared signal S and listen to a desired sound.

As shown in FIG. 9, the light receiving section 65 is provided on the outward side of the pocket storing clip 67 provided on the receiver main body 66. The light receiving section 65 is configured by incorporating an infrared photodiode (not shown) and the like. Clip 67
When the receiver body 66 is stored in the pocket so that the breast pocket is sandwiched in between, the light receiving portion 65 provided on the outward side of the clip 67 is exposed outside the breast pocket, receives the infrared signal S, and listens to the desired sound. You can do it.

As shown in FIG. 10, the light receiving section 70 is provided in the middle of the cord 72 of the earphone 71 connected to the receiver main body. The light receiving unit 70 is configured by incorporating an infrared photodiode (not shown) and the like. When the light receiving section 70 is opposed to the light emitting section 5, the infrared signal S can be received and a desired sound can be heard.

As shown in FIG. 11, the light receiving section 75 is provided on an outer side surface 77 of an earphone 76 connected to the receiver main body. The light receiving section 75 is an infrared photodiode (not shown)
And so on. If the light receiving section 75 is opposed to the light emitting section 5, the infrared signal S can be received and a desired sound can be heard.

In general, as shown in FIG. 6, one receiver body 51 is provided with one light receiving section 50, and is used. However, the light receiving sections 50, 55, and 60 shown in FIGS. ,
It is also possible to use a combination of a plurality of 65, 70, 75. As described above, if one receiver 2 is provided with a plurality of light receiving units, blind spots are less likely to occur with respect to the light emitting units 30, 35, and 40, and if the user is in the listening area, the orientation and posture of the wearer's body However, any of the light receiving sections can receive the infrared signal S and listen to a desired sound even if the information changes.

The operation of the infrared hearing aid configured as described above will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a transmitter 1 emits an audio signal such as a guide broadcast or background music from a light emitting unit 5 via a subcarrier oscillation / modulation circuit 4 as an infrared signal S to a listening area. Here, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the light emitting units 30, 35, and 40 are provided on a wall or ceiling 39, 43 of a public facility or the like overlooking the listening area in order to form a required listening area. Will be installed.

The reach of the infrared signal S is mainly determined by the outputs of the light emitting units 30, 35, and 40 (the infrared light emitting diode L).
d) and the illuminance of the light receiving surface. Therefore,
The listening area can be arbitrarily set in consideration of the reach of the infrared signal S, the characteristics of the infrared signal, and the like, so that the infrared signal S can be radiated only to an area that requires a voice signal.

Therefore, when the hearing-impaired person wearing the receiver 2 enters the listening area, the hearing-impaired person hears the sound captured by the microphone 20 incorporated in the receiver 2 together with the light emitting units 30, 35,
The infrared signal S emitted from the light receiving section 50 is received by the light receiving sections 50, 55,
Audio signals obtained by demodulation and demodulation at 60, 65, 70, and 75 can also be heard.

In addition, the hearing aid processing circuit 18 of the receiver 2
Since the adjustment is made so as to conform to the hearing level of the hearing-impaired person, the sound captured by the microphone 20 and the sound signal obtained by demodulating the infrared signal S can be heard under the condition in which the user can most easily hear the sound.

The squelch circuit 2 provided in the receiver 2
When the wearer of the receiver 2 goes out of the listening area by the mixer 5 and the mixing circuit 17, only the sound captured by the microphone 20 built in the receiver 2 is automatically heard. That is, it functions as a normal hearing aid. In this case, switching is performed automatically instead of manually.
Easy to use.

[0047]

As described above, according to the present invention, a high-intensity infrared signal is uniformly radiated from the light emitting section to a listening area required for a public facility, and the infrared signal radiated from the light emitting section by the light receiving section. Is received, and the wearer of the receiver can surely listen to the audio signal carried on the infrared signal, for example, a guide broadcast in a public place or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an infrared hearing aid according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a light emitting unit.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a light emitting unit.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a light emitting unit.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a light emitting unit.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a receiver.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a receiver main body.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a receiver main body.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a receiver main body.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a photoreceptor.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a photoreceptor.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Transmitter, 2 ... Receiver, 3 ... Input part, 5, 30, 3
5, 40, 45 ... light emitting unit, 6, 20 ... microphone, 1
5: voice input unit, 16: infrared input unit, 17: mixing circuit, 18: hearing aid processing circuit, 19, 76: earphone,
22, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75...
51, 56, 61, 66 ... receiver body, 57, 64, 6
7: Pocket storage clip, 63: Projection, 72: Cord, Ld: Infrared light emitting diode, S: Infrared signal.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Yoshiyuki Narusawa 3-20-41 Higashimoto-cho, Kokubunji-shi, Tokyo Inside Rion Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-4-138177 (JP, A) JP-A-8- 163039 (JP, A) Hira 4-55886 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H04R 25/00

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] An audio signal is converted to an infrared signal through an electric signal.
And a transmitter for converting the infrared signal and the audio signal.
Reception that converts electric signals subjected to hearing aid processing into audio signals
A light-receiving unit provided in the receiver,
It is connected to the main body through a cord and has a clip
Infrared hearing instrument, characterized in that that. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the audio signal is converted into an infrared signal through an electric signal.
And a transmitter for converting the infrared signal and the audio signal.
Reception that converts electric signals subjected to hearing aid processing into audio signals
And a pocket storage clip on the main body of the receiver.
Attach the receiver above the base end of this clip.
An infrared hearing aid , wherein a light receiving section is provided on a front surface of the main body of the apparatus. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the audio signal is converted into an infrared signal through an electric signal.
And a transmitter for converting the infrared signal and the audio signal.
Reception that converts electric signals subjected to hearing aid processing into audio signals
Consisting of a container, forming a protrusion on the upper surface of the main body of the receiver,
An infrared hearing aid , wherein a light receiving portion is provided on the front surface of the projecting portion . 4. An audio signal is converted to an infrared signal through an electric signal.
And a transmitter for converting the infrared signal and the audio signal.
Reception that converts electric signals subjected to hearing aid processing into audio signals
And a pocket storage clip on the main body of the receiver.
An infrared hearing aid , wherein the clip is provided with a light receiving section . 5. The method according to claim 5, wherein the audio signal is converted into an infrared signal through an electric signal.
And a transmitter for converting the infrared signal and the audio signal.
Reception that converts electric signals subjected to hearing aid processing into audio signals
Of the earphone connected to the main body of the receiver
An infrared hearing aid , wherein a light receiving unit is provided in the middle of the card. 6. An infrared signal through a voice signal through an electric signal.
And a transmitter for converting the infrared signal and the audio signal.
Reception that converts electric signals subjected to hearing aid processing into audio signals
Outside the earphone connected to the main body of the receiver
An infrared hearing aid , wherein a light receiving unit is provided on a side surface. 7. An infrared hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein :
At least two or more of the light receiving units
And an infrared hearing aid characterized by being connected in parallel with each other .