JP2005204264A - Audio information support system and user terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an audio information support system wherein a user is capable of grasping the approximate direction of a light source emitting audio information in an environment where a plurality of light sources are installed, and provide a user terminal used in said system. <P>SOLUTION: In the present audio information support system wherein a solar battery 11 provided in a user terminal 1 receives audio infrared light emitted from an environment side light source and a resultant audio signal is output from an audio output, the user terminal includes audio outputs mounted over right and left ears and the solar battery which is regulated to make a difference of sounds heard from the right and left audio outputs similar to human hearing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The invention of this application relates to a voice information support system and a user terminal. More specifically, the invention of this application relates to a voice information support system and a system in which the user can grasp the approximate direction of a light source that emits voice information in an environment where a plurality of light sources are installed. It is related with the user terminal used.

  In recent years, the realization of a ubiquitous information environment that allows anyone to access information "anytime, anywhere, anyone" has been actively proposed. It is important to be able to provide it in the interface.

  Therefore, the inventors of the invention of this application acquire appropriate audio information from various audio information transmitted from the environment side by simply pointing the user terminal in an appropriate direction at an appropriate position. A voice information support system that can perform the above has already been proposed, and the system further realizes easier information access by making the user terminal a simple, small and light power-less terminal (for example, non-patent document). 1 to 3 and Patent Document 1).

  This voice information support system will be further described. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the user terminal (1) carried or worn by the user receives the voice infrared light from the information transmission device (2) and receives an electrical signal. And a sound output device (12) such as an earphone or a headphone that outputs an electric signal obtained by photoelectric conversion by the solar cell (11), and on the environment side. An information transmission device (2) to be installed; an infrared light source (21) for sound infrared light; a bias / amplification circuit (22) for amplifying the sound signal from the sound information source (20) by biasing; A modulation circuit (23) for intensity-modulating infrared light according to the electrical signal of the audio signal is provided.

  In this case, first, an infrared light source (21) is installed at an appropriate position on the environment side, and a bias is applied to the audio information to be transmitted to amplify it. Irradiate a desired range from (21). On the user side, the solar cell (11) of the user terminal (1) receives infrared light, generates electric power according to the waveform, and audio flows from the audio output device (12) directly connected to the solar cell (11).

  Since the electric signal obtained by the solar cell (11) is modulated based on the sound waveform, the sound can be transmitted to the user by being guided to the sound output device (12). More specifically, the audio output device (12) is driven by an electric signal obtained from the solar cell (11), and the electric signal is reproduced and output as it is. At this time, it is used for driving the audio output device (12). What is doing is an alternating current component to which an information signal is assigned, and since a direct current component generated simultaneously with the solar cell (11) is not used, a sound is output with no power source only by the alternating current component.

  As a result, the user can acquire and listen to the necessary audio information freely and easily, without a power source, by simply pointing his / her terminal in the direction of the transmission source within the signal transmission area. Realize information support.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a user who wears the user terminal (1) in his / her ear is provided with the infrared light source (11) (also referred to as “audio light source” because sound is transmitted by light). When entering the environment and facing the infrared light source (11), various voice information such as voice, music, and signal sound can be heard. FIG. 6 shows an application example in an art museum, where voice guidance information about each painting can be heard.
Takuichi Nishimura, 4 others, “Non-powered small information terminal for interactive information support”, IEICE Technical Report, The Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers, November 22, 2002, p. 1-6 Yoshishi Nakamura, 4 others, “Realization of short-range information support by CoBIT without power supply”, Information Processing Society of Japan Report, Information Processing Society of Japan, June 8, 2002, 2002-ICII-3, p. 1-7 Takuichi Nishimura, 3 others, “Information Support System Based on Location Using Small Power-Free Communication Terminals”, Information Processing Society of Japan Report, Information Processing Society of Japan, January 28, 2002, 2002-ICII- 2, p. 1-6 PCT / JP02 / 12306

  However, in the audio information support system as described above, when a plurality of light sources are installed on the environment side, the user cannot grasp which light source emits the audio information.

  Therefore, in view of the circumstances as described above, the invention of this application improves the information support system so that the user grasps the approximate direction of the light source that emits audio information in an environment where a plurality of light sources are installed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a voice information support system that can be used and a user terminal used in the system.

  In order to solve the above problems, the invention of this application firstly receives the sound infrared light emitted from the environment side light source by the solar cell provided in the user terminal, and the sound signal thus obtained is sounded. An information support system for outputting from an output device, wherein the user terminal has audio output devices to be worn on the left and right ears, and the sound pressure difference heard from the left and right audio output devices is the same as that of human hearing Provided is a voice information support system characterized by having an adjusted solar cell.

  Second, the sound information support system is characterized in that the solar cell is two planar solar cells having sinusoidal directivity characteristics.

  Thirdly, the voice information support system is characterized in that the solar cell is a planar solar cell having a directional characteristic of a sine and a spherical solar cell having a uniform directional characteristic.

  Fourth, the planar solar cell is arranged so that the sound pressure difference heard from the left and right sound output devices for high sounds is increased, and the spherical solar cell is sound pressure difference heard from the left and right sound output devices for low sound. The voice information support system is provided so as to be small.

  Fifth, the voice information support system, wherein the user terminal further includes a filter that passes a high-frequency signal from the planar solar cell and a filter that passes a low-frequency signal from the spherical solar cell. I will provide a.

  Sixth, the planar solar cell is arranged so that the sound pressure difference heard from the left and right sound output devices for low sounds is small, and the spherical solar cell is sound pressure difference heard from the left and right sound output devices for high sound. The voice information support system is provided so as to be small.

  Seventhly, the user terminal further includes a filter that passes a bass signal from the planar solar cell and a filter that passes a treble signal from the spherical solar cell. I will provide a.

  Eighth, the user terminal further provides means for enhancing the directivity of the solar cell, and provides the voice information support system.

  Ninth, a user terminal that includes a solar cell and an audio output device, receives audio infrared light emitted from the environment side light source by the solar cell, and outputs the obtained audio signal from the audio output device, The audio output device is a pair of devices attached to the left and right ears, and the solar battery is provided so that the difference in sound pressure heard from the left and right audio output devices is adjusted to be similar to human hearing. A featured user terminal is provided.

  Tenth, the user terminal is characterized in that the solar cell is two planar solar cells having sinusoidal directivity characteristics.

  Eleventh, the user terminal is characterized in that the solar cell is a planar solar cell having a sinusoidal directivity and a spherical solar cell having a uniform directivity.

  12thly, the said planar solar cell is arrange | positioned so that the sound pressure difference heard from a right and left audio output device for high sounds may become large, and the said spherical solar cell is a sound pressure difference heard from a right and left audio output device for low sounds. Is arranged so as to be small. The user terminal is provided.

  13thly provides the said user terminal characterized by further having the filter which lets the high sound signal from the said planar solar cell pass, and the filter which lets the low sound signal from the said spherical solar cell pass.

14thly, the said planar solar cell is arrange | positioned so that the sound pressure difference audible from a right and left audio output device for low sounds may become small, and the said spherical solar cell is a sound pressure difference audible from a right and left audio output device for high sounds. Fifteenth, a filter for passing a bass signal from the planar solar cell and a filter for passing a treble signal from the spherical solar cell are provided. The user terminal is further provided.

  Sixteenth, the user terminal further comprising means for enhancing directivity characteristics of the solar cell.

  According to the first audio information support system, a pair of left and right audio output devices are provided, and the solar cell is adjusted so that the sound pressure difference heard from the left and right audio output devices is similar to human hearing. In an environment where multiple light sources are installed, the user can hear multiple sounds from the left and right in pseudo-stereo and grasp the approximate direction of the light source that emits the audible sound. become able to.

  According to the second voice information support system, the same effect as that of the first system can be obtained, and the sound pressure difference can be reduced by using two planar solar cells having the directivity as described above. It can be closer to human hearing and achieve more accurate sound source localization.

  According to the third voice information support system, the same effect as the first system can be obtained, and by using a combination of a planar solar cell and a spherical solar cell having directivity as described above, The sound pressure difference can be made closer to human hearing, and more accurate sound source localization can be realized.

According to the fourth voice information support system, the same effects as those of the third system can be obtained, and the planar solar cell is used for high sounds and the spherical solar cell is used for low sounds, and the sound pressure difference corresponding to the low and high sounds is obtained. By performing the adjustment, the sound pressure difference can be further approximated to human hearing. According to the fifth audio information support system, the same effect as the fourth system can be obtained, and the planar shape for high sound can be obtained. Sound source localization can be made even easier by filtering for each low and high tone in accordance with the solar cell and the spherical solar cell for bass.

  According to the sixth voice information support system, the same effects as those of the third system can be obtained, and the planar solar cell is used for low sounds and the spherical solar cell is used for high sounds, and the sound pressure difference corresponding to the low and high sounds is obtained. By making adjustments, the sound pressure difference can be further approximated to human hearing.

  According to the seventh audio information support system, the same effect as that of the sixth system can be obtained, and the sound source can be obtained by filtering for each low / high pitch according to the flat solar cell for low tone and the spherical solar cell for high tone. Make localization easier.

  According to the eighth voice information support system, the same effects as those of the first to seventh systems can be obtained, and voice from a light source in a certain direction such as the front direction can be obtained by improving directivity. Only can be heard loudly, and it becomes possible to focus on specific audio information simultaneously with a wide range of audio information.

  According to the ninth to sixteenth user terminals, the same effects as those of the first to eighth audio information support systems can be obtained, and a wide variety of audio information can be pseudo-stereo in an environment where a plurality of light sources are installed. The user terminal can be obtained that can be acquired at the same time, and at the same time, only specific audio information to be noticed can be heard loudly.

  Humans specify the left-right direction of a sound source mainly by the time difference and sound pressure difference at which sound reaches left and right ears.

First, FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the sound source direction and time difference obtained by Fedderson et al., Where the horizontal axis is the sound source direction with the front being 0 degrees, and the vertical axis is the time difference reaching the left and right ears. (Feddersen, WE, Sandel, TT, Teas, DC, and Jeffress, LA (1957). "Localization of high-frequency tones," J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 29, 988-991). It can be seen that the average of the five subjects and the value calculated using the head as a sphere are almost the same.

  However, since the voice information support system by the inventors of the present invention uses infrared light for carrying voice information, simply emitting infrared light from the environment-side infrared light source (21). Such a time difference does not occur when receiving at the user terminal (1). This is expected to be unnatural.

On the other hand, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the sound source direction obtained by Fedderson et al. And the sound pressure difference for each frequency (Feddersen, WE, Sandel, TT, Teas, DC, and Jeffress, L.
A. (1957). "Localization of high-frequency tones," J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 29, 988-991). A sound pressure difference of 20 dB is observed at a sound of 5 kHz or higher and 20 dB at a frequency of 1 kHz or higher. This is because the higher the frequency, the more difficult it is to diffract and reach the opposite ear.

  Since there is no time difference in the user terminal (1), the direction of the sound source can be felt if the solar cell arrangement that reproduces this sound pressure difference characteristic is used.

  In other words, the audio output device (12) of the user terminal (1) is a pair that is worn on the left and right ears, and the solar cell (11) is heard from the left and right audio output devices (12). It is assumed that it has been adjusted in advance to be the same as hearing.

  This user terminal (1) allows the user to perceive the approximate direction of the sound he / she wants to hear in an environment where a plurality of infrared light sources (12) are installed. Furthermore, if the direction of the user terminal (1) is matched with the direction of the infrared light source (21), the target sound can be heard at a high volume. In this way, the point that attention can be paid to specific information simultaneously with a wide range of information is similar to human vision and hearing.

  For the solar cell (11), more specifically, the type, size, number, arrangement position, arrangement angle, so that the sound pressure difference heard from the left and right audio output devices (12) is the same as that of human hearing. A combination thereof may be appropriately adjusted according to a use space, a light source, a light emission state, and the like.

For example, as the solar cell (11), there are a plane type and a spherical type ("Spherical Solar Cells Solve Issue of 3-D Sunlight Reception," pp. 45-48, AEI, February 2003, Dempa Publications Inc. (2003)). Are known. The former directivity is sinusoidal and the latter is uniform. Therefore, the former two solar cells (11) are used and the angle and position thereof are adjusted to appropriate ones, or the two types of solar cells (11) are used in combination, and the appropriate angle and position are used. A plurality of directivity characteristics can be created by arranging a plurality of them and connecting them to the left and right audio output devices (12).

  Also, as apparent from FIG. 2 above, since the sound pressure difference also changes depending on the frequency, the arrangement is such that the sound pressure difference is increased for high sounds, and conversely, the sound pressure difference is decreased for low sounds. It can be considered to select and add the corresponding frequency band by a filter such as a filter.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment of this configuration.

  The spherical solar cell (11a) is arranged so that light in all directions can be detected, and the obtained signals from all directions are passed through a low-pass filter (13) for low sound. Since the omnidirectional detection is performed and the left and right are uniformly distributed, the sound pressure difference between the left and right is naturally reduced.

  Two planar solar cells (11b) are used, installed opposite to each other so that the light receiving surface faces outward, and the detected signals are passed through a high-pass filter (14) for use on separate left and right high sounds. . Thereby, the sound pressure difference between the left and right is large, and the directivity characteristics are similar to those of the auditory treble part.

  The low and high sounds that have passed through the low-pass filter (13) and the high-pass filter (14) are combined by the adder (15) and guided to the left and right audio output units (12).

  Of course, the configuration opposite to this may be used, that is, a spherical configuration may be used for high sounds and a planar configuration may be used for low sounds, and a corresponding filter may be provided.

In addition, in order to sharpen the directivity of each solar cell (11), you may install a slit perpendicular | vertical to the surface of a solar cell (11), or the sheet | seat etc. which restrict | limit directivity.

  Further, in order to detect a large amount of light in the noted direction and listen at a high volume, a condensing lens may be installed in front of the solar cell (11) or a reflecting mirror may be installed on the back surface.

  FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the user terminal (1) when two planar solar cells (11b) are used.

  In this embodiment, a wide range of audio information is detected by two planar solar cells (11b) installed with a shift of ± 90 degrees left and right from the front, and the output of the left-facing planar solar cell (11b) is left headphones. To (120), the output of the right-facing planar solar cell (11b) is directly connected to the right headphone (120). As the planar solar cell (11b), a single crystal silicon cell (12 × 17.5 mm) was used.

  The result of measuring the directivity of this part is shown in FIG. Although it is closest to the 6 kHz sound characteristic in FIG. 2, it gradually rises from 0 degrees to 20 degrees where it gradually rises from 0 degrees to 50 degrees. This is because the directivity of the planar solar cell is sinusoidal, and the solar cell on the back surface detects the transmitted light and is almost constant. When I actually put it on and checked it, I could definitely perceive whether the light source was on the left or right.

  In addition, by using a complete diffusion sheet, it is possible to diffuse the light to the solar cell on the back surface and make it closer to the auditory characteristics.

  In the present embodiment, a reflecting mirror (16) is installed behind the planar solar cell (11b) as means for improving the directivity. As a result, while various sounds are heard from the left and right as described above, it is possible not only to specify the approximate sound source direction of each sound by the difference in sound pressure between the left and right, but also to the user terminal (1 ), The directivity is enhanced by the presence of the reflecting mirror (16), and the sound from the front can be heard loudly.

  That is, by moving the user terminal (1) itself so as to scan an environment in which a large number of light sources are embedded, the direction of the sound source can be easily specified and the sound from that direction can be heard at a high volume. .

  Of course, the invention of this application is not limited to the above embodiments and examples, and various details are possible for the details.

  As described above in detail, according to the voice information support system of the invention of this application and the user terminal used in the system, the approximate number of light sources from which the user emits voice information in an environment where a plurality of light sources are installed. The direction can be grasped, and the sound from the direction can be heard at a high volume.

It is the figure which illustrated the relationship between a sound source direction and a time difference. It is the figure which illustrated the relationship between a sound source direction and the sound pressure difference for every frequency. It is a figure for demonstrating one Embodiment of invention of this application. It is the drawing substitute photograph which showed one Example of the user terminal of invention of this application. FIG. 5 is a relationship diagram between a sound source direction, a sound pressure difference, and an output voltage illustrating a directivity measurement result in the user terminal shown in FIG. 4. It is a functional block diagram for demonstrating the conventional audio | voice information assistance system. It is the schematic which showed the usage example of the conventional audio | voice information assistance system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 User terminal 11 Solar cell 11a Spherical solar cell 11b Planar solar cell 12 Audio | voice output device 120 Headphone 13 Low pass filter 14 High pass filter 15 Adder 16 Reflector 2 Information transmitter 20 Audio | voice information source 21 Infrared light source 22 Bias / amplifier circuit 23 Modulation circuit

Claims (16)

An information support system that receives sound infrared light emitted from an environment-side light source by a solar cell included in a user terminal, and outputs the obtained sound signal from a sound output device,
The user terminal has an audio output device to be worn on the left and right ears, and has a solar cell adjusted so that the sound pressure difference heard from the left and right audio output devices is the same as that of human hearing. A featured voice information support system.   The voice information support system according to claim 1, wherein the solar cell is two planar solar cells having sinusoidal directivity characteristics.   2. The voice information support system according to claim 1, wherein the solar cell is a planar solar cell having a sinusoidal directivity and a spherical solar cell having a uniform directivity.   The planar solar cell is arranged so that the sound pressure difference that can be heard from the left and right sound output devices is increased for high sounds, and the spherical solar cell is configured so that the sound pressure difference that is heard from the left and right sound output devices is decreased for low sounds. 4. The voice information support system according to claim 3, wherein the voice information support system is arranged.   5. The voice information support system according to claim 4, wherein the user terminal further includes a filter that passes a high-frequency signal from the planar solar cell and a filter that passes a low-frequency signal from the spherical solar cell.   The planar solar cell is arranged so that the sound pressure difference heard from the left and right audio output devices is reduced for low sounds, and the spherical solar cell is arranged so that the sound pressure difference heard from the left and right audio output devices is reduced for high sounds. 4. The voice information support system according to claim 3, wherein the voice information support system is arranged.   The voice information support system according to claim 6, wherein the user terminal further includes a filter that passes a bass signal from the planar solar cell and a filter that passes a treble signal from the spherical solar cell.   The voice information support system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the user terminal further includes means for improving directivity characteristics of the solar cell. A user terminal comprising a solar cell and an audio output device, receiving audio infrared light emitted from the environment side light source by the solar cell, and outputting the obtained audio signal from the audio output device,
The audio output device is a pair that is worn on the left and right ears,
The user terminal characterized in that the solar battery is adjusted so that the difference in sound pressure heard from the left and right audio output devices is similar to that of human hearing.   The user terminal according to claim 9, wherein the solar cell is two planar solar cells having sinusoidal directivity characteristics.   The user terminal according to claim 9, wherein the solar cell is a planar solar cell having a sinusoidal directivity and a spherical solar cell having a uniform directivity.   The planar solar cell is arranged so that the sound pressure difference that can be heard from the left and right sound output devices is increased for high sounds, and the spherical solar cell is configured so that the sound pressure difference that is heard from the left and right sound output devices is decreased for low sounds. The user terminal according to claim 11, wherein the user terminal is arranged.   The user terminal according to claim 12, further comprising a filter that passes a high-frequency signal from the planar solar cell and a filter that passes a low-frequency signal from the spherical solar cell.   The planar solar cell is arranged so that the sound pressure difference heard from the left and right audio output devices is reduced for low sounds, and the spherical solar cell is arranged so that the sound pressure difference heard from the left and right audio output devices is reduced for high sounds. The user terminal according to claim 11, wherein the user terminal is arranged.   The user terminal according to claim 14, further comprising a filter that passes a bass signal from the planar solar cell and a filter that passes a treble signal from the spherical solar cell. The user terminal according to any one of claims 9 to 15, further comprising means for enhancing directivity characteristics of the solar cell.