JP2000254359A - Electronic device with voice converting function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic device which has a voice converting function to convert and output, for instance, voice by human utterance into a different sound quality, and not only simply converts and outputs the inputted utterance signal but also enables users to delightfully enjoy in both visual and auditory ways. SOLUTION: To a mask base 11 imitating the shape around a cat's nose and mouth, a microphone 13 and a speaker 14 are attached and a voice converting circuit to convert human voice signals inputted from the microphone 13 into the voice data of cat's mewing corresponding to the inputted voice is mounted. This mask base 11 is mounted on the corresponding part of a user's face by an expandable string 12 or a belt. When the user speaks optional words, cat' mewing corresponding to the characteristics of its uttered voice is produced and outputted from the speaker 14. Thus, the uttering action of the user can give people around an impression as if a cat is speaking. If the device is used among friends, they can play very enjoyably with a sense that they have become cats.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus having a voice conversion function of converting a voice uttered, for example, by a human into a different sound quality and outputting the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a synthesizer device called a vocoder (voice coder) has been put into practical use as a device for converting a sound input by a microphone or the like into various sound quality and outputting the sound. This vocoder is widely used as a means of audio technology especially in the broadcasting and music industries.

[0003]

However, in a conventional voice conversion apparatus called a vocoder, the sound intensity, pitch and sound quality are simply changed based on a voice signal input by a microphone or the like. Although it is possible to convert and output own and other voices into various sounds and enjoy them, there are few other fun ways to play.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and makes it possible to play both sight and hearing very happily instead of simply performing conversion output based on an input voice signal. An object is to provide an electronic device having a voice conversion function.

[0005]

That is, an electronic device having a voice conversion function according to the present invention is provided with a mask base mounted on a mouth portion of a person, and provided on the mask base.
A microphone for inputting a uttered voice of a person wearing the mask base, and a voice conversion unit mounted on the mask base and converting a human voice input by the microphone to a different acoustic signal according to its voice characteristics, A speaker that is provided on the mask base and that outputs an audio signal converted by the voice conversion unit.

In such an electronic device having a voice conversion function according to the present invention, for example, a voice uttered by a person wearing a mask base imitating a cat's face is input to a microphone provided on the mask base. Then, this input voice is converted into an acoustic signal that is a pseudo signal of a different cat's cry according to its voice characteristics by voice conversion means mounted on the mask base, and output from a speaker provided on the mask base. Therefore, it is possible to give an impression to the surrounding people as if the cat is talking with the user's uttering operation.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration of an animal mask according to a first embodiment of an electronic apparatus having a voice conversion function according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a mounting structure of a microphone and a speaker in the animal mask.

The appearance of the animal mask is such that a mask base 11 in which a part of the face of an animal such as a dog or a cat (in this case, a nose and a mouth) is formed, and the mask base 11 is a human (user). It is configured by combining with a stretchable cord 12 (may be a belt) to be attached to a portion of the face corresponding to the elephant of the mask base 11.

Inside the mask base 11 of the animal mask, a microphone 13 for inputting the voice of the human (user) is attached along the mounting surface of the human (user) on the face of the human (user). A speaker 14 for converting the input human (user) voice into an acoustic signal which is a pseudo signal of the sound of an animal simulated by the mask base 11 and outputting the converted signal is attached to the outside.

The animal mask according to the present embodiment has a mask base 11 that looks like a cat's nose and mouth.
And

A process of converting a human (user) voice input from the microphone 13 into an acoustic signal, which is a pseudo signal of an animal cry, is provided inside a bulge in the shape of a nose of the mask base 11. Electronic circuit (FIG. 3)
Reference) is incorporated.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit incorporated in the animal mask of the first embodiment.

The electronic circuit of the animal mask has a CPU
(Control unit) 21. The CPU 21 includes a microphone 1
A / D conversion filter 22 to which the audio signal input by the input unit 3 is supplied, an audio synthesis unit 23, a ROM 24, and a RAM 25
The speaker 14 is connected to the speech synthesis output of the speech synthesis unit 13 via a D / A conversion unit 26.

The A / D conversion filter 22 converts an audio signal input from the microphone 13 and supplied from the microphone 13 in response to generation of a human (user) through a high-pass filter, a band-pass filter, and a low-pass filter. It separates each sound signal into middle sound and low sound, and converts each sound signal into digital data. The high sound, middle sound and low sound data corresponding to the uttered sound of the user obtained by this are: The data is transferred to the CPU 21.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a voice conversion table 24a stored in advance in the ROM 24 of the electronic circuit of the animal mask of the first embodiment.

The voice conversion table 24a contains the A
High sound obtained by the CPU 21 from the / D conversion filter 22,
Corresponding to the voice data of the middle sound and the bass sound, voice data of a cat singing in different manners is stored.

The voice data of each scream read from the voice conversion table 24a in correspondence with the voice data of the high tone, the middle tone, and the low tone is developed in the work memory in the RAM 25 and read by the voice synthesis unit 23. It is output and synthesized as an acoustic signal which is a pseudo signal of the sound of one cat.

The pseudo voice data (acoustic signal) of the cat's bark synthesized and output by the voice synthesis unit 23 is converted into an analog voice signal through a D / A conversion unit 26 and supplied to the speaker 14 for output. .

Next, the operation of the animal mask according to the first embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a voice conversion operation in the electronic circuit of the animal mask.

As shown in FIG. 1, the animal mask is
When worn on the user's face and uttered by the user speaking arbitrary words or the like, the voice generated by the user's voice is input to the microphone 13 attached inside the mask base 11 and converted into a voice signal. It is supplied to an A / D conversion filter 22 in the electronic circuit.

The input audio signal from the user supplied to the A / D conversion filter 22 is converted into digital audio data for each of high frequency, medium frequency and low frequency components.
The data is transferred to the CPU 21.

Then, in accordance with the digital audio data for each of the high, medium, and low frequency components transferred to the CPU 21, the voice conversion table 24a in the ROM 24 reads the cat's high crying corresponding to the high-frequency voice data. The voice data, the voice data of the mid-level bark of the cat corresponding to the voice data of the middle sound, and the voice data of the low bark of the cat corresponding to the voice data of the bass are read out, respectively.
In the voice synthesis unit 24, voice synthesis is performed according to a specific function f.

As a result, pseudo voice data (sound signal) of cat's bark corresponding to the characteristics of the voice of the user's voice is generated, and the speaker mounted outward in the mask base 11 through the D / A converter 26. From 14 is output as a cat cry.

Therefore, according to the animal mask of the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, the microphone 13 and the speaker 1 are mounted on the mask base 11 which models the shape of the cat's nose and mouth.
4 and a voice conversion circuit for converting a human voice signal input by the microphone 13 into pseudo voice data (sound signal) of a cat squeal according to the characteristics of the input voice. Telescopic cord 12
Or on the corresponding part of the user's face with a belt or
When the user speaks an arbitrary word, a cat's meow according to the characteristics of the uttered voice is generated and output from the speaker 14, so that the user's utterance operation gives the impression that the cat is speaking as if by a surrounding person. If you use it with your friends, you can enjoy playing as if they were cats.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an external configuration of an animal mask according to a second embodiment of an electronic apparatus having a voice conversion function according to the present invention.

The animal mask of the second embodiment includes:
The mask base 11 of the animal mask of the first embodiment
In addition, the infrared transmitting / receiving unit 3 connected to the built-in electronic circuit is further provided on the bulging part of the nose of the mask base 11.
1 is provided.

The infrared transmitting / receiving section 31 of this animal mask
Is an infrared transmitting / receiving unit 33 provided in the external electronic device 32
And data communication using an infrared light emission signal.

The infrared transmitting / receiving section 31 of the animal mask
An external electronic device 32 that performs data communication with a small game machine, an electronic organizer, or the like, displays an image of an animal on a display screen 34, performs various kinds of care such as feeding and playing, and breeds the display animal. Electronic pet P that grows and displays the image
When a predetermined data transmission operation is performed in the external electronic device 32, data indicating the growth degree (child, medium, and mature) of the electronic pet P at the current time is output as an infrared light emission signal. It is transmitted from the infrared transmission / reception unit 33.

The target animal of the electronic pet P in this embodiment is a "cat".

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic circuit incorporated in the animal mask of the second embodiment.

The electronic circuit of the animal mask of the second embodiment is different from the electronic circuit of the animal mask of the first embodiment in that the CPU (control unit) 21
An infrared transmitting / receiving section 31 provided at the nose of the mask base 11 is connected to the mask base 11.

By the transmission operation from the external electronic device 32, the growth degree data of the electronic pet P received and taken in by the infrared transmission / reception unit 31 is written in the RAM 25, and the next new growth degree data is received. It is stored without being updated until it is updated.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a voice conversion table 24b stored in advance in the ROM 24 of the electronic circuit of the animal mask of the second embodiment.

The voice conversion table 24b has A / D
Corresponding to the voice data of the high tone, the middle tone, and the low tone obtained by the CPU 21 from the conversion filter 22, there are three types of voice data of cats having different singing sounds: kittens, middle cats, and adult cats. Are stored separately.

When reading out the voice data of each scream corresponding to the voice data of the high tone, the middle tone, and the low tone from the voice conversion table 24b, the voice data is received by the infrared transmitting / receiving section 31 and stored in the RAM 25. According to the current growth degree data of the electronic pet P, the sound data of the squeal corresponding to the growth degree data for kittens, middle cats, and adult cats is read out.

Next, the operation of the animal mask according to the second embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 6, when a predetermined data transmission operation is performed in the external electronic device 32 with the mask base 11 of the animal mask and the external electronic device 32 facing each other, The growth degree data of the electronic pet P is transmitted from the infrared transmission / reception unit 33, received by the infrared transmission / reception unit 31 of the animal mask, and stored in the RAM 25.

Then, as in the first embodiment (see FIG. 1), the animal mask is worn on the face of the user, and when the user speaks an arbitrary word and utters the speech, the voice generated by the user utters. Is input to a microphone 13 attached inside the mask base 11, is converted into an audio signal, and is supplied to an A / D conversion filter 22 in an electronic circuit.

The input audio signal from the user supplied to the A / D conversion filter 22 is converted into digital audio data for each of high frequency, medium frequency and low frequency components.
The data is transferred to the CPU 21.

Then, the digital audio data for each of the high, medium and low frequency components transferred to the CPU 21 and the data communication with the external electronic device 32 perform
According to the current growth degree data of the electronic pet P stored and stored in the AM 25, the voice conversion table 24b in the ROM 24 reads out the voice data of the cat's cry of the current growth degree corresponding to the high-pitched voice data. The voice data of the cat's meowing at the current growth level corresponding to the sound voice data,
The voice data of the cat crying at the current growth level corresponding to the low-pitched voice data is read out, and the voice synthesis unit 24 reads out the voice data.
In, speech synthesis is performed according to a specific function f.

As a result, the voice data of the cat's bark corresponding to the characteristics of the voice of the user's voice and the current growth level is generated, and the speaker 14 attached to the outside of the mask base 11 through the D / A converter 26. Is output as a cat call.

Therefore, according to the animal mask of the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, the microphone 13 and the speaker 14 are provided with respect to the mask base 11 which models the shape of the cat's nose and mouth.
And an infrared transmitting / receiving unit 31 for receiving the growth degree data of the electronic pet P (cat) is attached, and the human voice signal input by the microphone 13 is converted into the sound of the cat's bark according to the characteristics of the input voice and the growth degree data. A voice conversion circuit for converting the data into data is mounted, and the mask base 11 is attached to a corresponding portion of the user's face by a stretchable cord 12 or a belt. Since the cat's cry of the current growth degree is generated and output from the speaker 14, it is possible to give the impression that the cat is talking to the surrounding people by the user's vocal action, and to use it among friends. In this way, you can enjoy playing as if they were cats. Moreover, since the voice of the cat can be changed according to the growth degree of the cat growing as an electronic pet by the external electronic device 32, the user himself feels like a cat growing as an electronic pet. It is possible to utter a cat's voice that changes according to its growth.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit incorporated in an animal mask according to a third embodiment of an electronic device having a voice conversion function of the present invention.

The animal mask of the third embodiment includes:
The mask base 11 of the animal mask of the first embodiment
A heart rate sensor 41 connected to a built-in electronic circuit is attached to a part of the string 12 for wearing the strap, which is in contact with the vicinity of the neck of the user.

The heart rate sensor 41 detects the current heart rate of the user by touching the vicinity of the user's neck when the animal mask is worn on the user's face, and is detected by the heart rate sensor 41. The heart rate signal is supplied to the CPU 21, counted as a heart rate at a certain time interval, written into a work memory in the RAM 25, and updated and stored at the certain time interval.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a voice conversion table 24c stored in advance in the ROM 24 of the electronic circuit of the animal mask according to the third embodiment.

The audio conversion table 24c includes an A / D
Corresponding to each of the high sound, the medium sound, and the low sound obtained from the conversion filter 22 by the CPU 21, the voice data of the cat's squealing different from each other is stored in the user heart rate range (≦ 60, 60 <６０ <90, 90 ≦) and stored.

When reading out the voice data of each squeal corresponding to the voice data of the high tone, the middle tone, and the low tone from the voice conversion table 24c, the heart rate sensor 4
1 corresponding to the current heart rate data of each user heart rate range (≦ 60, 60 <〜 <90, 90 ≦) according to the user's current heart rate data detected and stored in the RAM 25. The voice data of the call is read.

Next, the operation of the animal mask according to the third embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

First, as in the first embodiment (see FIG. 1), when the animal mask is worn on the face of the user, the heart rate sensor attached to the portion of the string 12 that comes into contact with the user's neck or near the temple. 41, the current heartbeat of the user is detected, and the heartbeat signal is
1 is supplied.

Then, the heart rate is counted by the CPU 21 as a predetermined time interval, written into the work memory in the RAM 25, and is updated and stored at each fixed time interval.

Here, when the user speaks and speaks an arbitrary word, the voice produced by the user is input to the microphone 13 attached inside the mask base 11, converted into a voice signal, and converted into an electronic circuit. Is supplied to the A / D conversion filter 22 in the inside.

The input audio signal from the user supplied to the A / D conversion filter 22 is converted into digital audio data for each of high frequency, medium frequency and low frequency components.
The data is transferred to the CPU 21.

Then, the digital voice data for each of the high frequency, medium frequency, and low frequency components transferred to the CPU 21 and the RAM 2 detected by the heart rate sensor 41
5, the voice conversion table 24c in the ROM 24 according to the current heart rate data of the user, the voice data of the cat's bark corresponding to the current heart rate corresponding to the high-pitched voice data, The voice data of the cat's bark according to the current heart rate corresponding to the current heart rate, and the voice data of the cat's bark corresponding to the current heart rate corresponding to the low-pitched voice data are read out. Is synthesized according to a specific function f.

As a result, the voice data of the cat's singing corresponding to the characteristics of the voice of the user's voice and the current user's heart rate is generated, and is attached to the outside of the mask base 11 through the D / A converter 26. The sound is output from the speaker 14 as a cat cry.

On the other hand, if the heart rate counted based on the user's heart rate detected by the heart rate sensor 41 becomes as high as, for example, 100 or more, the user's current physical condition may not be able to use this animal mask. It is determined that the state is not appropriate, and the voice conversion function is stopped.

Therefore, according to the animal mask of the third embodiment having the above configuration, the microphone 13 and the loudspeaker 1 are moved with respect to the mask base 11 which models the shape of the cat's nose and mouth.
In addition, a heart rate sensor 41 is attached to a portion of the string 12 on which the mask base 11 is attached and which comes into contact with the vicinity of the neck of the user. A voice conversion circuit for converting voice data of a cat's squeal according to the user's heart rate is mounted. The mask base 11 is attached to a corresponding portion of the user's face by the string 12, and the user speaks an arbitrary word. Is generated and output from the speaker 14 in accordance with the characteristics of the uttered voice and the user's heart rate, so that the user's uttering operation gives an impression to the surrounding people as if the cat were talking. Can be
If you use it with your friends, you can play very happily as if they were cats. In addition, since the voice of the cat can be changed according to the user's own heartbeat situation, the cat's voice that changes according to the user's own physical condition can be uttered.

Although the animal mask in each of the above embodiments is configured to convert the voice uttered by a human into the singing of a cat, which is an animal, and output it, an animal other than a cat, for example, a dog or a mouse, or a creature, for example, In the case of a creature such as a cricket or a sparrow, a mask base is formed by imitating the face of the creature, and the corresponding voice conversion table is stored in the ROM 24 in advance, so that the same voice conversion output as described above is obtained. Can be performed.

[0062]

As described above, according to the electronic apparatus having the voice conversion function according to the present invention, for example, the voice uttered by a person wearing a mask base in which the face of a cat is worn is provided on the mask base. When the input voice is input to the microphone, the input voice is converted to an acoustic signal that is a pseudo signal of a different cat's bark according to its voice characteristics by voice conversion means mounted on the mask base, and provided on the mask base. Since the sound is output from the speaker, it is possible to give an impression to the surrounding people as if the cat is talking with the user's uttering operation.

Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to play very happily both visually and auditoryly, rather than simply performing conversion and output based on an input audio signal.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a first electronic apparatus having a voice conversion function according to the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of an animal mask according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a mounting configuration of a microphone and a speaker in the animal mask.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit incorporated in the animal mask of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a voice conversion table stored in advance in a ROM of the electronic circuit of the animal mask according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a voice conversion operation in the electronic circuit of the animal mask.

FIG. 6 shows a second example of the electronic device having the voice conversion function of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of an animal mask according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit incorporated in the animal mask of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a voice conversion table stored in advance in a ROM of an electronic circuit of an animal mask according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a third example of the electronic apparatus having the voice conversion function of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit incorporated in the animal mask according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a voice conversion table stored in advance in a ROM of an electronic circuit of an animal mask according to the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Mask base, 12 ... Mask mounting string, 13 ... Microphone, 14 ... Speaker, 21 ... CPU (control part), 22 ... A / D conversion filter, 23 ... Voice synthesis part, 24 ... ROM, 24a-24c ... Voice conversion table, 25 RAM, 26 D / A converter, 31, 33 infrared transmitter / receiver, 32 external electronic device, 34 display screen, P electronic pet, 41 heart rate sensor.

Claims (6)

[Claims] A mask base mounted on a mouth portion of a person; a microphone provided on the mask base for inputting a voice of a person wearing the mask base; a microphone mounted on the mask base; And a speaker provided on the mask base and configured to output the sound signal converted by the sound conversion means. An electronic device having a voice conversion function. And a communication unit for performing data communication with an external device, wherein the voice conversion unit converts a human voice input by the microphone into voice characteristics and data obtained from the external device by the communication unit. 2. The electronic device having a sound conversion function according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a sound conversion unit that converts the sound signal into a different sound signal in response to the sound signal. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a heart rate detecting unit configured to detect a heart rate of a person wearing the mask base, wherein the voice converting unit converts a voice of the person input by the microphone into a voice characteristic and the heart rate detecting unit. 2. The electronic device having a voice conversion function according to claim 1, wherein said electronic device is a voice conversion unit that converts a sound signal into a different acoustic signal in accordance with a heart rate detected by the device. 4. A function stopping means for stopping a voice conversion function of the voice conversion means when a heart rate detected by the heart rate detection means becomes equal to or higher than a preset heart rate. An electronic device having a voice conversion function according to claim 3. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mask base has a shape imitating a part of a face of a living thing, and the acoustic signal is a pseudo signal of a call of the living thing drawn on the mask base. Claim 1
An electronic device having the voice conversion function according to claim 3. 6. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein the mask base has a shape imitating a part of a creature's face, and the communication unit receives data indicating a growth degree of the creature embodied on the mask base from an external device. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the acoustic signal is a pseudo signal of a call of a living creature imagined on the mask base.
An electronic device having a voice conversion function according to item 1.