JP2002125300A - System for synchronously transmitting voice information to movie viewer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for transmitting a voice corresponding to the conversation parts of a movie in a real time to persons having difficulty hearing or persons having difficulty understanding the language of the conversation parts of the movie. SOLUTION: This system is constituted of a plurality headphone type speaker devices 105, adjusting modules 108, a central router/processor 103, and transmitting protocols 104. The speaker devices 105 are respectively mounted on the ears of viewers just like general headphones, and the volumes of the conversation parts can be selectively amplified, or language to be used for the purpose of listening to conversation parts can be designated by using the adjusting modules 108. Thus, it is possible for audibly impaired persons having difficulty discriminating the surrounding sounds from the conversation parts in a movie theater to clearly listen to the conversation parts, and it is possible even for foreigners to select the language of the conversation parts in a way that the others do not notice it.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a system for providing movie audio information output or capable of being output in a movie theater during movie screening. The method is to listen to the audio conversation part of a movie that is being played in a language that is unfamiliar to the movie audience, or to allow people with hearing impairments to hear the audio conversation part of the movie. Head-mounted or ear-mounted speakers such as headphones. Also, the method is based on a communication device that transmits movie audio information in real time or near real time. Furthermore, the present invention
It can also be used to output audio information for advertisements or other sports, arts, educational events, and the like. As related to the present application, a “head-mounted display device for viewing subtitles and limited subtitles in a movie theater” and a “multimedia input / output interface device for entertainment events” filed simultaneously by the present applicant. Related to.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Annual operating sales in the global motion picture industry are in the billions of dollars. Focusing on the United States, the movie industry produces hundreds of feature films annually, thereby generating billions of dollars in ticket sales annually. Currently, due to coalitions and mergers of companies that are characteristic of the movie industry, movies are being produced by huge and diversified media companies, including the consumer products industry. As a result, movies are often used as a means of advertising products and promoting parent company products. It is common to see advertisements projected in cinemas before the movie begins, with short trailers of upcoming and other currently on the screen movies always being projected. Thus, it is important for the media industry to maximize the return on investment by making these movies available to as many viewers as possible. In the United States alone, tens of thousands of movies are shown each day, opening up great potential in terms of market contacts. However, there are currently several important market segments that the film industry is not addressing. One is the segment of people with hearing impairments. According to the United States-based Association for the Deaf, a nonprofit organization based in the United States, there are 2,800 deaf or deaf people in the United States alone.
It is said to be everyone. This represents at least 10% of the US population, and is likely to be the same or higher in other countries. This includes people who are completely deaf and those who have selective hearing loss who have difficulty distinguishing between ambient sounds and noise and speech. At present, the movie industry does not produce films that take advantage of such people. Deaf people have to wait for the movie to become a video and then purchase a video with subtitles at the bottom of the video. The subtitles are adapted to correspond in real time to all conversational parts of the movie. The problem here is that even if the movie is sold as a videocassette, most of them are not sold with this feature. Thus, hearing-impaired people will hesitate or not to watch movies, both at the release theater and at home. A possible solution is to include subtitles in a theatrical movie so that people with hearing impairments can read the text about the conversation while others are listening to the conversation. This method
It is performed on a very small scale in several cities. Six cinemas in six different cities have dedicated screens for public subtitles that are always displayed, and the other ten cinemas show subtitles on specific days of each month. I have. Public subtitles appear as text at the bottom of the screen in sync with the movie conversation. The reason that subtitles are not so popular is that non-hearing people, who make up a larger percentage of the population, don't like the visual impression of the video on the screen due to seeing the displayed characters. It is. In the case where the ticket sales of a person with hearing impairment is less than 10%, there are two cases, with and without subtitles.
Broadcasting different types of movies is not cost-effective. On the other hand, people with hearing impairment due to selective hearing loss can wait for a few closed-titled release movies to be released as videos and adjust their volume to watch at home comfortably. However, it is difficult for such people to distinguish between ambient sounds and conversation, and furthermore, at the moment movie theaters do not have the equipment to amplify the conversation part to each person, so they are usually I tend to hesitate to go to the cinema.

[0003] In recent years, two class action lawsuits have been filed against movie theater companies in the US state of Oregon and the District of Columbia. The complaint alleges that defendants did not make sufficient efforts to accommodate hearing-impaired individuals in cinemas. The complaint alleges that the cinema failed to make "reasonable improvements" in its operations and failed to take the necessary steps to prevent deaf people from being barred from seeing or watching the movie. Says. Thus, a solution to mitigate the above problems,
That is, there is still a clear need for a solution that is cost-effective and can be enhanced, yet does not alienate current movie fans. Devising an effective solution to this problem will benefit the filmmaker, the cinema owner and the general audience.

[0004] A second important audience that the film industry is currently overlooking is those who do not speak English. Therefore, the same problem as the above-mentioned lack of facilities exists for the foreign language conversation part. A significant proportion of U.S. residents are not English speakers at least as their first language. 19
According to the 1990 census, Hispanic Americans make up 8.8% of the US population. According to the 2000 census, this percentage would be well over 10%.
Asian Americans, such as Chinese, Vietnamese, and Koreans, also make up a large proportion of the US population. These rapid increases in population are due to the recent migration of people who speak little or no English. These people are hesitant to watch a release movie in a cinema because they do not understand the English conversation part. However, the media industry is recognizing the market power of these populations, as evidenced by the growth of Hispanic television and radio networks and Asian television networks. Although the above problem may be solved by writing translated subtitles of the conversation on the screen, there is still a constraint that visually discomforts those who do not need the subtitles. The languages that can be broadcast simultaneously are 2
There are only one, one recorded on the recording band and the other by subtitles.

Another subject is an American who wants to watch a foreign movie shown in the United States. In large cities, popular foreign films are often screened in cinemas without subtitles or with fixed subtitles in the language of the country in which the film was produced. However, it would be desirable to be able to view the movies in the language specified by those who go to these movies.

[0006] Thus, a cost-effective way for a movie viewer to listen to a movie conversation in a language of their choice in real time or near real time and to selectively amplify the movie conversation. There is a need for a high system.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

An object of the present invention is to create a system that does not have the above-mentioned disadvantages. Another object of the present invention is to create a system for listening to audio corresponding to a real-time conversation part of a movie. It is another object of the present invention to create a system that allows a viewer to selectively amplify the conversation portion of a movie's audio recording band. Another object of the present invention is to create a system for transmitting a conversation part to a viewer in synchronization with a conversation operation on a screen.
Another object of the present invention is to create a system that can adjust the volume of a conversation part of a sound recording band of a movie in a movie theater or the like according to a user. Another object of the present invention is to
It is to create a system that is worn on the head or ears. It is another object of the present invention to provide a system for providing audio conversation information of a movie to viewers of the hearing impaired in a form that can be selectively amplified in a frequency band by persons with hearing impairments. It is another object of the present invention to provide a system that allows a user to selectively select a language of a conversation part to be heard by the user.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above and other objects of the present invention are generally for listening to a movie conversation while watching a video in a movie theater, or a related event while watching a general event. Accomplished by a head mounted device for hearing information.

[0009]

FIG. 1 shows the system hierarchy of the basic components. The film supply source 101 includes a communication line 102
The film is supplied to the central router / processing device 103 via the. The router / processing device 103 processes at least the broadcast of the voice conversation part. Optionally, prior to transmission, the audio conversation portion from the film source is converted to one or more auxiliary languages, either on-the-fly or concurrent. Throughout this specification and the claims, the terms "different audio conversation part,""different conversation part," or "auxiliary language" may refer to a conversation part different from the original movie conversation part, or to the original movie conversation part. Either language has only a spoken part, a singing part, or other utterance part in a speech part or a voice recording band of the original movie, but the language is kept intact It means something different from the audio recording band of the original movie. The output of the router 103 is transmitted to the audio device 105 of each user via a communication line 104 which can be a wired line or a wireless line.

FIG. 2 illustrates a minimal unit embodiment that includes a headphone-type acoustic speaker 105 with a power / signal cable 106 and an attached connector 107 for connecting to a power / signal source. In FIG. 3, an adjustment module 108 having a similar purpose but capable of adjusting the output of the headphone type speaker 105 is provided.

FIG. 4 shows a different form of embodiment of the loudspeaker, which is an earpiece loudspeaker 109, which may also have an adjustment module 108 as shown in FIG. .
These earpiece-type speakers 109 are one of headphone-type speakers of a generally popular type.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary wireless embodiment of the system of the present invention, whereby the headphone-type acoustic device 105 is connected via a device 110 that integrates a conditioning module, a battery, and a wireless receiver. Receives signals wirelessly. The device 110 not only has the function of the adjusting module 108 but also supplies power to the headphone-type acoustic device 105 and has the wireless communication protocol 104.
To receive a signal representing a voice conversation part.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary adjustment module 108. The adjustment module 108 includes a language selection button 112 that allows the wearer to select at least one language to listen to the audio conversation portion. Further, a volume adjustment dial or a volume adjustment button 111 for adjusting the output level of the headphone type speaker 105 is also provided. Further, an item selection button 1 that enables a user to select a specific in-store sales item and deliver it to the user's location according to the location where the audio device is used.
It is also possible to provide an in-store interface 113 provided with a store 14. This is particularly convenient when using the audio device in a movie theater or other location, in that the user can order the items handled at the store without having to stand. Throughout this specification and the claims, the term "cinema" means a place where a movie can be watched.

The present invention relates to a system for providing a voice conversation part according to a user's needs in a movie theater or other events. This system basically includes a headphone type speaker device 105, an integrated router having a gain adjusting function, a central router / processing device 103, and a transmission protocol 104. The headphone type speaker device 105 can be in the form of a general stereo headphone or monaural headphone. The speaker device also includes an adjustment device 111 that allows the viewer to selectively amplify the speech portion of the voice. This part of the conversation, whether in the same language or a different language, is associated with the part of the moment that is taking place in the movie. This makes it possible for people with hearing impairments who find it difficult to distinguish between the surrounding sounds and the conversation part in the movie theater to go to the movie theater and follow the conversation part in a way that people without hearing impairment do not notice Becomes In addition, people with partial hearing impairment can selectively amplify the conversation part of the recording band output from the speaker they are using, and people using hearing aids can amplify the voice part and other sounds. Or you can. Further, the speaker device may include an adjusting device 112 for selecting the language of the conversation portion, which allows a viewer who does not understand the language used in the movie to speak in a language other than that language. Be able to understand or listen to the conversation. by this,
This creates opportunities for people who usually hesitate to go to the movies, rather than those who speak English as their native language, to go to the movies.

The present invention requires the ability to transmit conversation information to the viewer's headphone-type speaker device 105 in real time and associate it with the motion of the movie. In order for the present invention to work in a robust and accurate manner, several types of conversational parts need to be produced in English and other major languages when the final version of the movie is completed. Such a thing,
It is common for major US movies and television programs aired abroad. The conversation part is dubbed in the native language of the airing country. Initially, it may be best to make several conversations prior to the movie, and then broadcast different conversations in a cost-effective manner. However, as computers and audio processing equipment have become more powerful, processing voice recordings on-the-fly has the potential to parse the conversation and translate it into words and contexts. It will also be possible to rebroadcast in language. In this embodiment, it is ideal that the central processing unit 103 performs the processing ahead of the actual output to the screen by a specific time so that the time required for performing the above processing is given. If the original audio portion is digitized, analog-to-digital (A / D) conversion processing that is normally required can be omitted, and audio processing can be easily performed.
The above method is particularly useful for digital and analog cinema with coded digital recording bands.
Further, the present invention can be used to transmit and provide advertisements, movie trailer conversations, and safety notices that are generally broadcast prior to the main show.

[0016] Aside from the different languages, once the audio portion has been created and synchronized with the motion of the movie, it is necessary to transmit this audio portion to the viewer's audio headphone device. If it is the same language as the language of the original movie, it may simply be transmitted to the viewer's audio headphone device so that it is selectively amplified. The actual transmission is performed by a central router / processor 103 connected by a film source 101 and a communication line 102. The central router / processing device 103 transmits at least one type of conversation part to the headphone type speaker device 105 using the transmission protocol 104. Optionally, the central router / processor 103 can obtain the audio in the form of electronic signals from the film source and, if necessary, translate the audio in near real time before transmission. The actual transmission can be performed according to one of several embodiments using existing technology. These embodiments are generally categorized into two types: wired and wireless. In a wired embodiment, the speaker device itself includes a plug that plugs into a connector integrated with the theater seat. Like an airplane headphone-type speaker device having some other functions, the user only needs to sit down and plug in the speaker device 105. The connector 107 supplies power and audio information to the device 105. This eliminates the need to provide an integrated power source for the speaker device 105, increases system reliability, and minimizes the cost of individual speaker devices. In this embodiment, the speaker device 105 is a commercially available product that can be purchased at a movie theater or other location by a person who wants to use the function. This minimizes the investment required by the movie theater manager, since the viewer only needs to purchase his or her own speaker device, and the movie theater only needs to provide the supporting base and plug interface. In addition, this establishes a unified standard interface between the viewer's speaker device 105 and the theater's transmission system. The format of the audio portion itself can be digital or analog, but carrying this voice conversation information requires a fairly narrow bandwidth.

In another embodiment, the audio data is transmitted wirelessly. This can be a digital transmission means such as closed circuit analog television, RF, IEEE 802.11, or other existing or undeveloped transmission protocols. If analog technology is used,
A low-power, closed-circuit wireless transmitter can be installed in a movie theater or other room of a cinema to provide each language broadcast in a different channel band to each room. When the digital transmission method is used, a wireless LAN transceiver is installed in a projection room or another room of a movie theater, and can wirelessly communicate with each headphone-type speaker device 105. The speaker device 105 itself needs the wireless receiver 110 to receive the signal. This wireless receiver may be a separate receiving box connected to the speaker device 105, and the speaker device 105 may incorporate a battery of the wireless receiver or a receiver integrated with the speaker device 105. Alternatively, the seat itself may contain a receiver or transceiver. When an analog transmission system is used, an integrated TV is connected to the speaker device.
A signal receiver and a tuner are required. In any case, it is desirable to provide a selective gain adjustment device 111 along with the headphone type speaker device 105 or other speaker devices, so that the hearing is not lost at all and other than the conversation part in the movie recording band. People with hearing impairments whose speech is difficult to hear unless selectively amplified due to background sound or music, adjust the output level of the conversation to the optimal level according to their individual needs It is desirable to be able to do so.

In another embodiment, the loudspeaker device includes an integrated interface 113 for ordering food and drink from a stand outside the theater and delivering it to the seats of the user / wearer of the system. Prepare. When the user obtains the device 105 at or before arriving at the movie theater, a billing account can be set up to pay for such items ordered during the movie show. Alternatively, you can pay for the item upon delivery.

In another embodiment, the speaker device 1
05 can be worn or carried when attending sports events, amusement parks, arts events or other general or private events where the audio information is broadcast loudly. In this form, promotional / advertising information, safety information, public service information, and specific event and entertainment information is provided to people with hearing disabilities or those who cannot speak the language of the spoken conversation. You. This not only enhances the attendees' experience, but also allows those who sponsor and manage events and events to reach more audiences and increase their return on investment.

Regarding power supply, in a wireless embodiment, the power can be supplied via a connector built into the theater seat, or the speaker device 105 itself can be integrated or attached. A battery power source can be provided. As more efficient fuel cells are developed, it will ultimately be more cost effective to use batteries. However, at present, power is extracted from the connector on the seat of the movie theater to the speaker device 105, thereby improving the reliability of the entire system, reducing costs, and preventing the device from being disconnected due to insufficient power.

As for the headphone-type speaker device 105 itself, Sony, Aiwa, Panasonic, RCA, Toshiba, and other commercial electric appliance manufacturers all produce a small-sized, high-fidelity headphone-type speaker device. They are comfortable when worn on the head and can directly support analog output or converted digital output. Channel selector,
Providing the adjustment module 108 with a gain adjuster, and optional on-site store interface 113 for ordering the store handling items, requires minor modifications. The headphone type speaker device 105 or the adjustment module 108 may be provided with a channel selector 112 that allows the wearer to select a desired language for listening to the conversation part. In addition, the speaker device 105 or the adjustment module 108 may include a gain adjustment device having a function like an equalizer that allows a user to selectively amplify a specific frequency band. Modern hearing aids can be tailored to the particular hearing impairment of the wearer of the hearing aid so as to amplify the most inaudible frequency range to the wearer. Similarly, the device includes at least a bass amplification control, and, optionally,
20 Hz to 20,000, which is the frequency band of conversational voice
Higher resolution adjusters can be provided to amplify specific frequency bands in the range of Hz.

Thus, according to the disclosed invention,
Overcome the current deficiencies in the modern movie industry. The present invention creates a new scheme for selectively providing supplemental languages to movie viewers in movie theaters, in a manner invisible to those who do not use them. Thus, the present invention provides unprecedented flexibility in accommodating people with hearing disabilities or those who do not understand the language used in movies. In addition, it provides a medium for the interaction between the management of facilities and events and the commercial infrastructure.

While the present specification has described preferred or optimal embodiments of the present invention in order to illustrate the basic principles of the present invention, numerous modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Obviously, it can be designed and modified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a movie theater including all system components.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary headphone-type device in a wired connection embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary headphone-type device with an integrated adjustment module.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary earpiece headset embodiment of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a wireless embodiment with a device integrating a conditioning module, a battery and a wireless receiver.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary adjustment module with an optional storefront interface.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 Film Source 102 Communication Line 103 Central Router / Processor 104 Communication Line 105 Headphone Speaker 106 Power / Signal Cable 107 Connector 108 Control Module 109 Earpiece Speaker 110 Wireless Receiver 111 Volume Control Dial / Button 112 Language Selection Button 113 Site Shop interface 114 Item selection button

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) H04R 25/00 H04R 25/00 R 27/00 27/00 J

Claims (28)

[Claims] 1. A system for listening to different audio conversation parts in a movie theater, comprising: individual listening means worn by a viewer to investigate said conversation parts; A transmission means for transmitting to the means, and a power means for supplying power to the investigation means. 2. A system for listening to different voice conversation portions in a movie theater, comprising: a speaker device for listening to the voice conversation portions; and a broadcast device for broadcasting the voice conversation portions in real time in accordance with a movie conversation portion. A central router, a transmission protocol for transmitting the voice conversation portion to a headphone type speaker device of a viewer, and a power supply device for supplying power to the output device. system. 3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the speaker device is a head-mounted headphone device. 4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the speaker device is an earpiece type speaker device. 5. The system according to claim 2, wherein the speaker device is attachable around a user's eyeglasses. 6. The system according to claim 2, wherein said speaker device has an adjusting means for adjusting amplification of said voice conversation part according to a user. 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein said adjusting means includes means for individually adjusting amplification of at least two types of frequency bands. 8. The system according to claim 2, wherein said loudspeaker device comprises means for processing at least one channel of the voice conversation part representing the language of the voice conversation part being broadcast. 9. The system of claim 2, wherein the transmission protocol is selected from a group consisting of a wire transmission protocol and a wireless transmission protocol. 10. The system of claim 2, wherein the power supply comprises a power connector integrated with a movie theater seat and is connected to the output device via a power cable. . 11. The system of claim 2, wherein the power supply comprises a DC power storage device integrated with or attached to the output device. 12. The system according to claim 2, wherein the speaker device is an analog sound device. 13. The system according to claim 2, wherein the speaker device is a digital audio device. 14. The system of claim 2, wherein the transmission protocol is a wired transmission protocol conveyed by an output connector on a theater seat. 15. The system of claim 2, wherein the transmission protocol is a wireless transmission protocol conveyed by a wireless receiver integrated into or attached to the headphone device. 16. A system for listening to a voice conversation part in a movie theater, comprising: a speaker device for listening to the conversation part; a processing device and a router for broadcasting the conversation part to the speaker device; A system comprising: a transmission protocol for transmitting a voice conversation portion to a user's speaker device; and a power supply device for supplying power to the speaker device. 17. The system according to claim 15, wherein the speaker device is a stereo headphone type sound device. 18. The system according to claim 15, wherein the speaker device is an earpiece type acoustic device. 19. The speaker device according to claim 15, wherein the speaker device is attachable around a user's glasses.
System. 20. The system according to claim 15, wherein the speaker device has a starting unit for ordering food and drink and delivering it to a place where a viewer is present. 21. The system according to claim 15, further comprising adjusting means for selectively adjusting amplification of a voice conversation portion output by the speaker device. 22. The system according to claim 21, wherein the adjustment device has means for individually adjusting amplification of at least two types of frequency bands. 23. The system according to claim 15, wherein said speaker device comprises means for processing at least one channel of the voice conversation portion representing a language of the voice conversation portion being broadcast. 24. Event attendees with hearing impairments may receive:
A system for transmitting audio information related to an event, comprising: an acoustic speaker device for listening to the information; a processing device and a router for broadcasting the information; and a transmission protocol for transmitting a text of the information. And a power device for supplying power to the output device. 25. The system of claim 24, wherein the acoustic speaker device has an adjustment device for a viewer to select a desired language to listen to the information. 26. The system according to claim 24, wherein the acoustic speaker device is a headphone type speaker device. 27. The system according to claim 24, wherein the acoustic speaker device is an earpiece type speaker device. 28. The system of claim 24, wherein the acoustic speaker device is mountable around a viewer's prescribed eyeglasses.