JP2002152625A - Device for reproducing sound - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily obtain sound that does not include noise and is easy to listen in a device for transmitting the sound from a sound source in a cordless way and reproducing the sound near a listener a part from the sound source. SOLUTION: An output from a low sensitivity microphone attached to the sound source is transmitted in a cordless way and demodulated and reproduced into the sound near the listener who listens to the sound. A sound level collected by the microphone is detected and informed, and the microphone is fixed to an appropriate position to the sound source on the basis of this information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an audio reproducing apparatus, and more particularly, to a transmitting unit provided near a sound source such as a television (television) to transmit a sound signal from the sound source cordlessly and to listen to the sound signal from a sound source. The present invention relates to an audio reproducing apparatus that receives and reproduces the audio signal by a reproducing unit near a user.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a device of this type, utility model registration No. 3
The device described in EP 0 536 680 is known. That is, the sound is converted into an infrared signal from the transmitting device connected to the earphone terminal of the television, transmitted, received by the receiving device, demodulated, and reproduced as sound, so that the television can be watched at a high volume at night or the like. When it is not possible, also for elderly people with a distant ear, audio output can be made at the ear.

[0003]

By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, since the earphone terminal is used, the sound from the speaker of the television is turned off, so that a plurality of (for example, the whole family) cannot enjoy the television. For this reason, the applicant has developed a device that extracts an audio signal from an audio output terminal (pin terminal) of a television instead of an earphone terminal, transmits the audio signal, and reproduces the audio signal in a receiving device. This allows
For example, when a hearing-impaired elderly watches TV with their family, by placing a playback device near their ears,
Everyone can enjoy TV together at normal volume.

[0004] However, some televisions used in ordinary homes with an audio output terminal are not widely used. Therefore, the applicant has considered that sound from a sound source (speaker) of a television is collected by a microphone (microphone), transmitted to a receiving device and reproduced again, so that it can be used on any television. Was. As a result, even if the audio output terminal is not provided, the sound of the television can be reproduced by the receiving device, and the elderly can enjoy the television together with the family as described above. However, it has not been easy to obtain an easy-to-hear sound without noise from a speaker that is originally a vibration source. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sound reproducing apparatus capable of easily obtaining an easy-to-hear sound without noise.

[0005]

According to the present invention, a transmitting unit is provided near a sound source such as a television, and an audio signal from the sound source is transmitted cordlessly. An audio reproduction apparatus configured to receive and reproduce, the transmission unit includes at least a low-sensitivity microphone attached to a sound source, and a transmitter that transmits an output signal from the microphone in a cordless manner, The reproduction unit receives a signal from the transmission unit and demodulates and reproduces the sound near the listener. The transmission unit includes means for detecting a sound level collected by the microphone, and detection by the detection means. This object is achieved by providing means for notifying the user of the sound level, and means for fixing the microphone at an appropriate position of the sound source.

Here, the transmitting unit includes a microphone unit provided with the microphone and fixed to a sound source, and a transmitting unit provided with the transmitter and connected to the microphone unit with a cord and mounted on a housing of the sound source or the like. The transmitting section may convert the audio signal into infrared rays and output the infrared rays. Further, the transmission unit is configured to house the microphone and the transmitter in one housing, and to directly attach the housing to a sound source, and the transmitter converts an audio signal into a radio wave and outputs it. Is also good. Note that the notification means is configured to output a notification when an audio signal obtained by the low-sensitivity microphone detects a predetermined level or more.

[0007]

According to the present invention, a microphone attached to a sound source can be used as a low-sensitivity microphone that does not distort surrounding sounds or vibration of the sound source itself, so that sound can be collected with little noise. In addition, it is necessary to attach a microphone to a portion where sufficient sound pressure can be obtained because of low sensitivity. For this reason, a means for detecting the sound level collected by the microphone, a means for notifying the detected sound level, and a means for fixing the microphone to an appropriate position of the sound source are provided, and the sound level is detected and notified. Therefore, based on this, it is possible to find a position suitable for sound collection with a high sound pressure and fix the microphone at that position.

The transmitting unit and the reproducing unit can communicate with each other by infrared rays. However, in this case, if there is an obstacle between transmission and reception, communication is not possible. Therefore, the microphone unit and the transmission unit are separately provided. Only the microphone section is fixed to a position suitable for sound collection according to the sound source, and the transmission section is placed on a place without obstacles, such as on the housing of the sound source, to convert the audio signal to infrared You can send and receive.

The transmitting unit and the reproducing unit can be communicated by radio waves. In this case, however, it is not necessary to pay special attention to an obstacle between transmission and reception. It can be directly attached to the sound source in one piece.

Various devices (for example, a sound indicator such as a lamp such as an LED, a level meter, and a buzzer) can be considered as the notifying means. The sound signal collected by the low-sensitivity microphone has a predetermined level or more. At this time, a notification output may be made, and an appropriate installation position of the microphone may be specified while checking the notification output.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a use state of the first embodiment, and shows an example in which the embodiment device is attached to a television T for use. In this embodiment, the microphone unit 1 is attached to the speaker S of the television T, the transmission unit 2 is placed on the housing of the television T, and the microphone unit 1 and the transmission unit 2 are connected by the cord 3 and the transmission unit 4 is connected. Is composed. The transmitting unit 4 and the reproducing unit 5 transmit and receive an audio signal by infrared rays. The reproducing unit 5 is used on a table or the like so that the infrared signal from the transmitting unit 2 can be reliably received. You. The playback unit 5 includes a TV remote control R
A storage case 6 capable of accommodating the like is provided, so that the storage case 6 can be effectively used even when placed on a table. 7
Denotes an operation unit formed on the upper surface of the reproduction unit.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the microphone unit 1 of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 (a) is a view from the front side, and FIG. 2 (b) is a view from the back side. An LED lamp 8 is provided on the front side of the microphone unit 1, and a microphone 9 and a fixing Velcro (registered trademark) 10 are provided on the back side. The LED lamp 8 is turned on when the level (sound pressure) of the sound collected by the microphone 9 is equal to or higher than a certain level. The microphone 9 is a low-sensitivity close-talking microphone that does not foul surrounding noise. Also, the magic tape 10 is for removably fixing the microphone unit 1 to the speaker S of the television.
With such a configuration, the microphone unit 1 is connected to the speaker S of the television.
And the sound from the speaker S is collected from the microphone on the back side of the microphone unit 1.

The microphone 9 is a low-sensitivity close-talking microphone as described above. Since the microphone 9 collects only the sound from the speaker S of the television, it is desirable to attach the microphone 9 to a position where the sound pressure of the speaker S is as high as possible. It is. Therefore, LED
The microphone unit 1 can be mounted while checking the level of the sound pressure based on the lighting state of the lamp 8. That is, the method of attaching the microphone unit 1 will be described. In the state where sound is output from the speaker S with the television T turned on,
Since the microphone 9 is brought close to the speaker S, a position where the sound pressure is high among the speakers S, that is, a position where the LED lamp 8 is always turned on is found, and the magic tape 10 is attached to the position to fix the microphone unit 1. is there.

Since the microphone 9 is directly attached to the speaker S of the television, the microphone 9 is placed in a state in which howling easily occurs even though the microphone 9 has low sensitivity. For this reason, it is desirable that the microphone itself be provided with a sound collection characteristic that cuts frequencies in a high frequency range and a low frequency range in which howling easily occurs. Such measures have a favorable effect, particularly in terms of the ease of hearing the voice for the elderly.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment. The transmitting unit 4 includes the microphone unit 1 and the transmitting unit 2 as described above, and the microphone unit 1 includes the microphone 9, the microphone amplifier 11, the level detecting unit 12, and the LED lamp 8. The transmitting section 2 includes a modulation circuit 14, an infrared light emitting section 15, and a line input terminal 16. Microphone 9
The sound collected by the microphone is amplified by the microphone amplifier 11, modulated by the modulation circuit 14, converted into an infrared light signal by the infrared light emitting unit 15, and output. The level of the output of the microphone amplifier 11 is detected by the level detection unit 12, and if the amplitude of the audio signal is sufficiently large and equal to or higher than a predetermined level, LE is output.
The D lamp 8 is turned on.

The line input terminal 16 is for obtaining a sound signal from an earphone output terminal or an audio output terminal of the television T and outputting an infrared signal from the infrared light emitting section 15.
When a signal is input from the line input terminal 16, the modulation circuit switches from the microphone unit 1 to the line side to acquire an audio signal. When you want to stop the audio output from the speaker S and watch the TV, you can connect it to the earphone terminal. If the TV T has an audio output terminal, connect it to this and use it at your ear without using a microphone. Can play audio.

The reproducing unit 5 includes an infrared light receiving section 17, a demodulation circuit 18, a speaker 19, and an operation section 7. The optical signal output from the transmission unit 4 is converted into an electric signal in the infrared light receiving unit 17, demodulated in the demodulation circuit 18, and the sound is reproduced from the speaker 19. Although not shown, the operation unit 7 includes a power switch, a volume control knob for adjusting the sound level from the speaker 19, and a sound range limited for the elderly, such as cutting a lower frequency range than in the normal mode, so that the elderly can listen easily. A changeover switch capable of selecting and switching a mode is provided.

As the power source of the transmitting unit 4 and the reproducing unit 5, a 100V commercial power source may be used or a battery may be used. In terms of usage, since the transmitting unit 4 is fixed to the television T, it is desirable to obtain power from a commercial power supply via an adapter. On the other hand, since the reproducing unit 5 is portable, a battery must be used. Is desirable.

The first embodiment is constructed as described above. By directly collecting sound from the speaker S of the television T with the low-sensitivity close-talking microphone 9, unnecessary ambient noise can be eliminated. It is easy to hear and can reproduce sound easily. Since the microphone is a low-sensitivity microphone, it is necessary to attach the microphone to a position where the sound pressure of the sound source is as high as possible.
Thus, anyone can easily attach the microphone unit 1 to an appropriate position of the speaker S by checking the sound level. Further, since the audio signal is transmitted and received from the transmission unit 4 to the reproduction unit 5 as an infrared light signal, transmission with less external noise compared to radio waves is possible.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a use state of the second embodiment, and also shows an example in which the apparatus of the second embodiment is used by attaching it to a television T. In this embodiment, the transmitting unit 4 is attached to the speaker S of the television T, and the transmitting unit 4
To the reproduction unit 5 by transmitting an audio signal by radio waves (FM broadcast frequency band).

FIG. 5 is an external view of the transmission unit 4 of the second embodiment. FIG. 5A is a view from the front side, and FIG. 5B is a view from the back side. An operation unit 21 and an LED lamp 22 for sound level notification are provided on the front side of the transmission unit 4, and a microphone 26 and a fixing magic tape 27 are provided on the back side. The operation unit 21 includes a power switch 23, a power LED lamp 24, and an output switch 25. The power switch 23 is turned on, and the switch 25 is turned on.
Use to select “MIC IN” or “LINE IN”. In the case of “microphone input”, a signal collected from the microphone 26 is transmitted. The microphone 26 is a low-sensitivity close-talking microphone similar to that of the first embodiment, and the LED lamp 22 for sound level notification collects a predetermined or higher sound level with the microphone 26 as in the LED lamp 8 of the above-described embodiment. It lights up when it sounds.

The transmitting unit 4 is directly attached to the speaker S of the television with a magic tape 27, and the sound from the speaker S is collected from the microphone 26 on the back side of the unit 4. A description will be given of a method of attaching the transmission unit 4. In a state where sound is emitted from the speaker S with the television T turned on, the transmission unit 4 is brought close to the speaker S and collected by the microphone 26, and the sound pressure of the speaker S is reduced. A high position, that is, a position where the LED lamp 22 is always lit, is found, and a magic tape 27 is attached to that position to fix the transmission unit 4.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment. In the transmission unit 4, the audio signal collected by the microphone 26 is amplified by the microphone amplifier 28 and
The signal is M-modulated and transmitted as a radio signal (FM broadcast frequency band) from the transmission antenna 30. The output of the microphone amplifier 28 is level-detected by the level detector 31. If the amplitude of the audio signal is sufficiently large and at a predetermined level or more, the LED lamp 22
Lights up. A line input terminal 32 obtains an audio signal not from the microphone 26 but from the earphone output terminal or the audio output terminal of the television T. When the changeover switch 25 of the operation unit 21 is switched to “line input”, the line input terminal is provided. The audio signal from the antenna 32 is transmitted from the transmission antenna 30 via the modulation circuit 29.

The reproducing unit 5 includes a receiving antenna 33,
A tuning unit 34, a demodulation circuit 35, a speaker 36, and an operation unit 37 are provided. The radio signal output from the transmitting unit 4 is received by the receiving antenna 33, demodulated by the demodulation circuit 35 via the tuning unit 34, and the sound is reproduced from the speaker 36. The tuning unit 34 is for automatically tuning an ultra-high frequency wave, that is, a radio wave in a frequency band of the FM broadcast, and can receive an FM broadcast in addition to the radio wave from the transmission unit 4.
Although not shown, the operation unit 37 is provided with a power switch, a volume control knob for adjusting the audio level from the speaker 36, and an automatic tuning button. This is for auto-tuning to another frequency with a certain level.
And FM broadcasts in addition to signals from the TV.

The second embodiment is configured as described above. Here, since the audio signal is transmitted and received between the transmitting unit 4 and the reproducing unit 5 by radio waves, even if there is an obstacle between the units, It is possible to transmit and receive a stable audio signal without being interrupted like an optical signal. In addition, it is possible to reproduce FM broadcasts or the like with a function of selecting a received radio wave, and it can be used widely.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various embodiments can be considered without departing from the scope of the claims. In the above embodiment, one LED lamp is provided as the notification means. However, a plurality of LED lamps are provided so as to provide a difference in the level to be lit, so that the LED is lit stepwise according to the detected sound level. Then, the mounting position of the microphone can be specified more accurately. In addition to the lamp, a well-known audio notifying unit such as a level meter and a buzzer can be used as the notifying unit.

[0027]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the microphone attached to the sound source is a low-sensitivity microphone that does not distort surrounding sounds or vibrations of the sound source itself. Since sound can be collected and reproduced by a reproducing unit placed near the ear, a device that is easy for the elderly to hear can be obtained. It is necessary to mount the microphone on the part where sufficient sound pressure can be obtained because of low sensitivity.However, there is a means to detect and report the sound level collected by the microphone, and based on the notified sound level, A position suitable for high-pressure sound collection can be found, and the microphone can be easily fixed to a suitable position.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a use state of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a microphone unit 1 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a use state of the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an external view of a transmission unit 4 according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Microphone part 2 Transmission part 4 Transmission unit 5 Reproduction unit 8 LED lamp as a notification means 9 Microphone 10 Magic tape as a fixing means 11 Microphone amplifier 12 Audio level detection part as a detection means 14 Modulation circuit 15 Infrared light emitting part 16 Line input terminal 17 Infrared light receiving section 18 Demodulation circuit 19 Speaker 22 LED lamp as notification means 26 Microphone 27 Magic tape as fixing means 28 Microphone amplifier 29 Modulation circuit 30 Transmission antenna 31 Audio level detection section as detection means 32 Line input terminal 33 Receiving antenna 34 Tuning section 34 35 demodulation circuit 36 speaker T TV S TV speaker

Claims (4)

[Claims] A transmitting unit is provided near a sound source such as a television so as to transmit an audio signal from the sound source cordlessly, and a reproducing unit near a listener remote from the sound source receives and reproduces the audio signal. Wherein the transmission unit includes at least a low-sensitivity microphone attached to a sound source and a transmitter that transmits an output signal from the microphone in a cordless manner. A signal is received and demodulated and reproduced to sound near a listener.The transmitting unit includes means for detecting a sound level collected by the microphone, and means for notifying the sound level detected by the detecting means. Means for fixing the microphone to an appropriate position of a sound source. 2. The audio reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The transmission unit includes a microphone unit that includes the microphone and is fixed to a sound source, and a transmission unit that includes the transmitter and is cord-connected to the microphone unit and placed on a housing of the sound source or the like,
An audio reproducing device, wherein the transmitting section converts an audio signal into infrared rays and outputs the infrared ray. 3. The audio reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The transmitting unit houses the microphone and the transmitter in one housing, and directly attaches the housing to a sound source. The transmitter converts an audio signal into a radio wave and outputs the radio wave. Audio playback device. 4. The audio reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said notifying means outputs a notification when an audio signal obtained by a low-sensitivity microphone detects a level equal to or higher than a predetermined level. Audio playback device.