JPH10294990A - Audio signal processing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow even a person having difficulty in hearing to set a sound volume without troubling surrounding people and to hear a program in the case of viewing/listening to a television receiver/radio receiver. SOLUTION: An audio signal is given to a variable gain amplifier means 11, where the signal is amplified by a gain set by a 1st control means 13. In this gain setting, a minimum level of an input audio signal is converted into an audible level especially by a person having difficulty in hearing when the input level changes from the minimum level to the maximum level. An output limit means 12 suppresses the maximum level of the received audio signal to be a level not troubling surrounding people by setting a 2nd control means 14. The two control means set different setting at any time for the audio signal processing unit for a user having difficulty in hearing and a user having no difficulty in hearing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an audio signal processing apparatus in an audio reproducing apparatus, wherein an output range of a sound volume is set according to the hearing ability of a listener or environmental noise.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In sound reproducing devices such as televisions, radios, audio devices, telephones, etc., even a person with hearing loss such as the elderly (deaf person) or a normal hearing person listens to a sound signal in a loud noise under loud noise. At times, the user often feels that the volume of the sound reproducing device is insufficient. For some sound reproducing devices, the maximum volume is regulated because increasing the volume may cause noise pollution or impair confidentiality. As described above, when a service with a sufficient volume is impossible, it may be difficult for a person whose hearing ability has declined such as an elderly person to hear the sound.

When a hearing-impaired person uses a sound reproducing device, the sound pressure is insufficient at a sound volume set by a hearing-impaired person, so that the sound volume is often increased unnecessarily. However, the sound volume is often set more than necessary from a hearing person, and the hearing impaired person does not notice this. From such a point of view, it is desired to realize an audio signal processing device that enables a hearing-impaired person to himself / herself set a minimum necessary sound volume. As described above, with the advent of the elderly society in recent years, it is predicted that the demand for audio signal processing devices for the elderly will increase. Hereinafter, an example of the above-described conventional audio signal processing device for the elderly will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a conventional audio signal processing apparatus in which the sound quality on the high frequency side is controlled to make it easier for a hearing-impaired person to hear the sound. This audio signal processing device 10
0 is an equalizer 101, a sound quality controller 102, an amplifier 1
03, a volume controller 104, and a speaker 105.

[0005] The audio signal processing apparatus 100 having such a configuration is described.
Will be described. The audio signal input to the equalizer 101 has its high range emphasized according to the set amount of the sound quality controller 102, and is output to the amplifier 103. Amplifier 103
Is amplified according to the amount set by the volume controller 104 and output to the speaker 105. Then, the sound louder from the speaker 105 reaches the ear of the viewer.

The audio signal processor 100 emphasizes the high frequency component of the audio signal by the sound quality controller 102,
It is intended to make it possible for elderly people whose hearing in the high frequency range has deteriorated to clearly hear the sound without increasing the volume.

[0007]

However, in the above configuration, when the sound quality is controlled by the equalizer 101, the deterioration of the sound quality is strongly felt not only by the surrounding hearing person but also by the elderly person. However, there is a problem that the sound quality is significantly impaired. Furthermore, it is not sufficient to emphasize the high frequency component only for the elderly whose hearing has declined, and the user must operate the volume controller 104 to listen at a high volume. For this reason, when using a sound reproducing device in an apartment house or the like, there is also a problem that noise pollution is given to a neighboring house. In addition, when the sound reproducing device is used at a volume near the maximum rating, there is a problem that the sound cannot be heard clearly even if the volume is increased due to distortion and chattering of the sound.

The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and amplifies a low-level audio signal that is difficult to hear without unnecessarily increasing the maximum volume. It is an object of the present invention to realize an audio signal processing device which is not subject to deterioration and noise pollution, and is extremely easy to adjust.

[0009]

In order to solve such a problem, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application provides a variable gain amplifying means for amplifying an input audio signal with a preset gain, and the variable gain amplifying means. Output limiting means for suppressing the output signal to a maximum output level when the input level of the audio signal amplified by the means exceeds a preset threshold level; and first control means for controlling the gain of the variable gain amplifying means. And second control means for setting a maximum output level of the output limiting means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a variable gain amplifying means for amplifying an input audio signal with a preset gain, a first control means for controlling a gain of the variable gain amplifying means, Band dividing means for dividing the audio signal amplified by the gain amplifying means into respective band components, and when the input level of the audio signal of each band divided by the band dividing means exceeds a preset threshold level, A plurality of output limiting means provided for each band for suppressing an output signal to a maximum output level; a second control means for setting a maximum output level of an output audio signal; and a control input from the second control means. Calculate the maximum output level for each band from the value,
A maximum output level setting unit for providing a calculation result for each band to each of the output limiting units; and an adding unit for adding an output signal of each of the output limiting units to generate an output audio signal. Things.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the input audio signal is defined as a maximum input signal based on the gain set by the first control means and the maximum output level set by the second control means. And a display unit for displaying whether or not the output signal is in a state of being suppressed when the output signal becomes low.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the maximum input signal of the input audio signal is obtained from the gain set by the first control means and the maximum output level set by the second control means. It is characterized by having display means for displaying whether or not the output signal is suppressed in at least one band.

[0013] In the invention according to claim 5 of the present application, the first control means has a first rotary knob as an operation section for setting a gain, and the second control means has a maximum output level. An operation unit to be set has a second rotary knob coaxial with the first rotary knob, and an output signal is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the first and second rotary knobs when an input audio signal becomes a maximum input signal. Display means for notifying whether or not the state is suppressed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the gain set by the first control means and the maximum output level set by the second control means are electrically displayed, and the input audio is displayed. A display device is provided for displaying whether or not the output signal is suppressed when the signal becomes the maximum input signal.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a detecting means for detecting that an output signal is suppressed at the time of a maximum input signal of an input audio signal, and a display means for displaying a detection result of the detecting means are provided. It is characterized by having been provided.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(Embodiment 1) An audio signal processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows an audio signal processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. The audio signal processing device 10 includes a variable gain amplifying unit 11, an output limiting unit 12, a first control unit 1.
3. It includes the second control means 14 and the speaker 15.

The first control means 13 includes the variable gain amplifying means 1
This is means for controlling the gain of 1. The output limiting means 12 is a means for suppressing the output below the maximum output level when the output signal level approaches a preset maximum output level. The second control means 14 is means for setting the maximum output level of the output limiting means 12 to an arbitrary value. The output signal of the output limiting means 12 is converted into a sound by the speaker 15.

The audio signal processing apparatus 10 having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. First, an input audio signal from a television or radio is input to a variable gain amplifying unit 11.
Given to. Then, the signal is amplified by the variable gain amplifier 11 according to the gain set by the first controller 13. FIG. 2 shows the relationship between the set value of the gain of the variable gain amplifying means 11 and the input / output level. Since the variable gain amplifying means 11 is an amplifier for an audio signal, the output level rises in proportion to the input level, but the gains G1, G2,
The output level increases in the order of G3.

Next, the signal amplified by the variable gain amplifying means 11 is input to the output limiting means 12, and the second control means 1
The output level is limited so as not to exceed the maximum output level M set in step 4. FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the set value M of the maximum output level of the output limiting means 12 and the input / output level. m1
According to the characteristics of (1), when the input level increases, the output level also increases. However, when the input level exceeds a certain threshold, the output value is saturated at the level of M1. In the characteristic of m3, when the input level increases, the threshold value also increases, the output level also increases, and the output value can change to the level of M3.

When the variable gain amplifying means 11 and the output limiting means 12 are cascaded as shown in FIG. 1, the input / output characteristics are as shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the input level and the output level when the maximum output level is set to a certain value. When the input level changes from a0 to b0, the characteristic n1
In this case, the output level changes in proportion to the input level, and the output level is not saturated at least in the range of a1 to b1. In the characteristic n3, when the input level is low, the output level increases in proportion to the input level. However, when the input level increases by a certain value or more, the output level is saturated at b3.

The user of the sound reproducing apparatus first determines the maximum output level allowed from the surrounding environment, and sets the maximum output level M by the second control means 14. For example, the maximum output level is set to M1 low at night, high to M3 at daytime, and set to be low when the sound leakage to the neighbor is large, and to be high otherwise. After that, the gain G is simply adjusted by the first control means 13 in order to obtain a desired volume within the permitted range.

It is now assumed that the audio signal processing device is set to the maximum output level b2 or b3 shown in FIG. When a normal hearing person uses this audio signal processing device, for example, the characteristic is adjusted to the characteristic n1 in FIG. Assuming that the dynamic range of the audio signal of the television or radio is within the range of a0 to b0 in FIG. 4, the hearing person operates the first control means 13 and the first control means 14 to set the gain to the characteristic n1. , And amplifies the signal of the lowest input level of a0 to the output level of a1 and outputs it. In this case, the sound can be sufficiently heard. With this characteristic, the signal of the highest input level of b0 is amplified to the output level b1, so that the output level is not suppressed and the faithful reproduction of the volume change of the original sound can be performed for the hearing person.

However, when used by an elderly person, the sound of the input level a1, which is the lowest level of the dynamic range, cannot be heard if the gain is set to the same characteristic n1 as that of a normal hearing person. Therefore, the first control means 13 of FIG. 1 is adjusted to further increase the gain as compared with the case of the characteristic n1. For example, for an elderly person who can hear a sound having a level of a2 or more, the characteristic may be set to n2. In this way, the lowest level sound of the dynamic range can be heard.
On the other hand, since the sound with the highest level in the dynamic range is output while being suppressed to the level of b2, problems such as noise pollution can be avoided. In addition, an elderly person whose hearing is further deteriorated and who can hear only a sound having an output level equal to or higher than a3 further increases the gain and adjusts to the characteristic n3. Also in this case, the output is suppressed to the maximum output level b3 or less.

As described above, the audio signal processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, if the maximum output level M is set appropriately,
After that, it can be seen that the adjustment of the gain G alone can freely cope with the hearing to elderly people of various hearing levels, and can provide a clear and low-noise sound signal. Also, unlike the conventional example, without causing sound quality degradation and noise pollution,
An audio signal processing device whose adjustment is extremely simple can be realized.

(Embodiment 2) Next, an audio signal processing apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the audio signal processing device 50 according to the present embodiment. Audio signal processing device 50
Are variable gain amplifying means 51, band dividing means 52, output limiting means 53a to 53c, first control means 54, second control means 55, maximum output level setting means 56, addition means 5
7. It includes the speaker 58. Here, the variable gain amplifying unit 51 and the output limiting units 53a to 53c are the same as the variable gain amplifying unit 11 and the output limiting unit 12 in the first embodiment, respectively, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, attention is paid to the fact that the low frequency components of the sound are related to noise pollution and that the hearing of the elderly is more likely to deteriorate in the higher frequency range. In this configuration, the output level can be limited. Then, it is possible to set an optimum maximum output level for each frequency band, such as lowering the maximum output level in a low frequency range and increasing the maximum output level in a high frequency range. Here, the user of the sound reproducing device inputs, through the second control unit 55, information on whether the sound is leaked to the neighbors at night or day and whether the sound leakage to the neighbor is large or small. The maximum output level setting means 56 calculates the maximum output level of each band from the input value of the second control means 55, and sets the maximum output level of each band.

In this case, control is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. That is, when the hearing person listens to the sound, the gain G is set so that the output level is not suppressed, so that the sound quality does not deteriorate due to the strength of the sound signal. In the case of an elderly person, the gain G is increased to make it easy to hear even a low input level voice, and only a high output level signal portion is suppressed. In this case, only the sound quality of the high output level sound changes.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a service at a higher sound pressure level in the high frequency range than in the case of the first embodiment, and to provide an audio signal processing device capable of handling elderly people with more deteriorated hearing. Can be realized.

(Embodiment 3) Next, an audio signal processing apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 shows a part of the configuration of the audio signal processing device 60 according to the present embodiment, and shows an external view of the first control means 61 and the second control means 62. The audio signal processing device of this embodiment is characterized by devising the operability of the first control means and the second control means in the first and second embodiments. FIG.
Only the operation unit of this block is shown. The other blocks are the same as those in the first or second embodiment, and the description of the configuration and operation is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the first control means 61 is constituted by a variable resistor, and a setting display 63 is provided around the rotary knob. Number 1 of setting display 63
Reference numerals 2 and 3 are numbers corresponding to the gain G. The second control means 62 shown in FIG. 6B is constituted by a rotary switch, and a setting display 64 is provided around the rotary knob. The numbers 1, 2, and 3 in the setting display 64 are the maximum output level M
Is a number corresponding to.

The setting display 63 is rotation position information for notifying at which position of the variable resistor the output signal is suppressed at the time of the maximum input signal in accordance with the set value of the second control means 62. The setting value of the rotary switch is, for example, 1 at night, 2 at daytime, and 3 at the place where sound is interrupted.
The maximum output level has been increased.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily determine how far the variable resistor should be turned to start deterioration of the sound quality from the setting state of the rotary switch, and an extremely easy-to-use audio signal processing device can be realized.

(Embodiment 4) Next, an audio signal processing apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 shows a part of the configuration of the audio signal processing device 70 according to the present embodiment, and shows an external view of the first control means 71 and the second control means 72. The audio signal processing device of this embodiment integrates the operation units of the first control means and the second control means in the third embodiment,
The operability is further improved. FIG. 7 shows only the operation unit of this block, and the other blocks are the same as those of the third embodiment, so that the description of the configuration and operation is omitted.

In FIG. 7, a variable resistor constituting the first control means 71 and a rotary switch constituting the second control means 72 are coaxially installed to form a double-structured knob. The setting display 73 serves as both a setting display of the variable resistor and a setting display of the rotary switch. For example, when the knob of the rotary switch is set to the position of “1”, the setting of the knob of the variable resistor is set to “1”.
When the input voice signal exceeds the threshold, the output starts to be suppressed when the input voice signal exceeds the threshold and becomes large. When the rotary switch knob is set to the “2” position, the audio output does not saturate when the variable resistor knob is set to “1”.
When the position exceeds “2”, the sound output starts to be suppressed.

According to the present embodiment, the second control means 7
From the setting state of the second knob, it is possible to easily determine how far the knob of the first control means 71 should be turned to start deterioration of the sound quality. Therefore, an audio signal processing device that is easier to use than the case of FIG. 6 can be realized.

(Embodiment 5) Next, an audio signal processing apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of the audio signal processing device 80 according to the present embodiment. This audio signal processing device 80
Are the variable gain amplifying means 11 and the output limiting means 1 shown in FIG.
2. In addition to the first control means 13, the second control means 14, and the speaker 15, a display driving means 81 and a display device 82 are provided. The display device 82 includes a first control unit 13 and a second control unit 14.
Are displayed in an easy-to-understand manner.
The other blocks are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description of the configuration and operation will be omitted.

In the display device 82, the set value of the gain G inputted from the first control means 13 and the maximum output level M inputted from the second control means 14 are represented by a bar graph by the operation of the display driving means 81. Is displayed. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the set value of the gain is indicated by the length of a bar graph, and the possibility of suppression is displayed in color. As the gain increases, the black bar graph grows,
Above the gain at which the maximum output level begins to be suppressed, the bar graph changes to white.

According to the present embodiment, an audio signal processing apparatus which is easier to use than that shown in FIG. 7 can be realized.

Note that such a display device 82 can also be used in the second embodiment. Since this display device can easily increase the display content, the first display device shown in FIG.
From the gain set by the control means 54 and the maximum output level set by the second control means 55, whether or not the output signal is suppressed in at least one band at the time of the maximum input signal of the input audio signal. Can also be displayed. Also, a display unit may be provided corresponding to each of the output restricting means 53a to 53c to display whether or not the output is restricted for each band.

Embodiment 6 Next, an audio signal processing apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of the audio signal processing device 90 according to the present embodiment. This audio signal processing device 90
Are the variable gain amplifying means 11, the output limiting means 12,
First control means 13, second control means 14, speaker 1
In addition to the fifth embodiment, a detection unit 91 and a display unit 92 are further provided. The detecting means 91 is a means for detecting the suppression state of the output signal, and the display means 92 is a means for displaying the output result of the detecting means 91 by light emission of an LED or the like.
The other blocks are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description of the configuration and operation will be omitted.

The detecting means 91 detects that the output signal has been suppressed from the signal taken out of the output limiting means 12 and turns on the LED of the display means 92 to notify the user.

According to the present embodiment, since the gain and the maximum output level can be adjusted while confirming the operation of the audio output suppressing process, it is possible to set more accurately than those shown in FIG. A high audio signal processing device can be realized.

[0043]

As described above, according to the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, when the sound reproducing device is used at various volume levels, the sound reproduction device can be used by a wide range of listeners, ranging from a hearing person to an elderly person having various hearings. Sound can be output without deteriorating sound quality or causing noise pollution. Adjustment of the volume is also easy.

In particular, according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize an audio signal processing apparatus which can provide a service at a higher sound pressure level in a high frequency range and can cope with elderly people with more deteriorated hearing. it can.

In particular, according to the third to fifth aspects of the present invention, by providing the display means, it is possible to easily determine how much the gain should be increased to start deterioration of the sound quality, and to realize an extremely easy-to-use audio signal processing apparatus. .

In particular, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the setting state can be easily confirmed at the time of operating the knob,
An audio signal processing device capable of easily performing accurate adjustment can be realized.

In particular, according to the invention described in claim 6, the setting state can be easily confirmed at the time of the knob operation by providing the display device. In addition, the volume can be improved, accurate adjustment can be easily performed, and an audio signal processing device with high listening performance can be realized.

In particular, according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the detection means and the display means are provided, the gain and the maximum output level can be adjusted while confirming the operation of the suppression processing. In addition, accurate volume setting can be performed, and an audio signal processing device that is easy to use and has a high effect can be realized.

The effects described above are effects supposed to be used for speaker loudspeakers such as televisions and radios for the elderly, but it is also possible to use a headphone stereo or the like to prevent hearing loss of a hearing person. Further, it can be used as a device capable of making clear calls with low power in a device such as a mobile phone which has strong restrictions on power supply capacity and speaker performance.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an audio signal processing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between input and output levels of a variable gain amplifying unit in each embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between input and output levels of output level limiting means in each embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between an input level and an output level of an audio signal in each embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an audio signal processing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an external view of an operation unit of the audio signal processing device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an external view of an operation unit of an audio signal processing device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of an audio signal processing device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of an audio signal processing device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conventional audio signal processing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 audio signal processing device 11, 51 variable gain amplifying means 12, 53a to 53c output limiting means 13, 54, 61, 71 first control means 14, 55, 62, 72 2 control means 15, 58 speaker 52 band division means 56 maximum output level setting means 57 addition means 81 display driving means 82 display device 91 detection means 92 display means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04S 7/00 H04S 7/00 C (72) Inventor Ryo Tagami 1006 Odakadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A variable gain amplifying means for amplifying an input audio signal with a preset gain, and an output signal when an input level of the audio signal amplified by the variable gain amplifying means exceeds a preset threshold level. Output limiting means for suppressing to a maximum output level; first control means for controlling the gain of the variable gain amplifying means; and second control means for setting a maximum output level of the output limiting means. An audio signal processing device characterized by the following. 2. Variable gain amplifying means for amplifying an input audio signal with a preset gain; first control means for controlling the gain of the variable gain amplifying means; and audio signal amplified by the variable gain amplifying means. Band dividing means for dividing each band component, When the input level of the audio signal of each band divided by the band dividing means exceeds a preset threshold level,
A plurality of output limiting means provided for each band for suppressing an output signal to a maximum output level; a second control means for setting a maximum output level of an output audio signal; and a control input from the second control means A maximum output level for each band is calculated from the value, and a maximum output level setting unit that gives a calculation result for each band to each of the output limiting units, and an output signal of each of the output limiting units is added to generate an output audio signal. An audio signal processing device comprising: 3. The gain set by the first control means,
And display means for displaying whether or not the output signal is suppressed when the input audio signal becomes the maximum input signal from the maximum output level set by the second control means. The audio signal processing device according to claim 1. 4. The gain set by the first control means,
And display means for displaying from the maximum output level set by the second control means whether or not the output signal is suppressed in at least one band at the time of the maximum input signal of the input audio signal. 3. The audio signal processing device according to claim 2, wherein: 5. The first control unit has a first rotary knob as an operation unit for setting a gain, and the second control unit is a first rotation knob as an operation unit for setting a maximum output level. A second rotary knob coaxial with the rotary knob, and whether or not the outer peripheral portions of the first and second rotary knobs are in a state where the output signal is suppressed when the input audio signal becomes the maximum input signal; 3. The audio signal processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that notifies the user of the fact. 6. The gain set by the first control means,
And a display device for electrically displaying the maximum output level set by the second control means and displaying whether or not the output signal is suppressed when the input audio signal becomes the maximum input signal. The audio signal processing device according to claim 1, further comprising: 7. A detecting means for detecting that an output signal is suppressed at the time of a maximum input signal of an input audio signal, and a display means for displaying a detection result of the detecting means. 3. The audio signal processing device according to 1 or 2.