JP2008182286A - Sound body-sensing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for enabling a listener to easily bodily sense a high sound effect. <P>SOLUTION: The device comprises a beat detecting section 23 for detecting a beat from an audio signal stored in an audio signal storage section 21, a stimulus signal generating section 24 for generating an electric signal according to the detected beat, and a stimulus imparting section 33 for imparting a vestibule sense stimulus to the listener by the generated electric signal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an acoustic sensation apparatus for transmitting sound and causing the listener to experience an acoustic effect.

There are several types of devices that send sound from speakers, headphones, etc., and let the listener (listener) of this sound experience the acoustic effect. For example, a vibration element is provided in headphones or a chair and sent. There is one that vibrates the above-mentioned element in accordance with the music that has been played and causes the listener to experience the acoustic effect by this vibration (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-146944 A

  However, the acoustic sensation apparatus as described above is relatively large in size, and the installation place is limited. In addition, in order for the listener to experience the acoustic effect, it is necessary to sit on a chair that constitutes the apparatus. It is hard to say that you can experience the acoustic effect.

  It is also desired to improve the quality of the bodily sensation effect obtained by the apparatus.

  In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an acoustic sensation apparatus that allows a listener to easily experience a high acoustic effect.

  The present invention according to claim 1 is an acoustic sensation apparatus for transmitting an audio signal and causing the listener to experience the acoustic effect, and a signal component detection means for detecting a specific signal component included in the audio signal; , An electric signal generating means for generating an electric signal based on the detected specific signal component, and a stimulus application that is attached to the ear part of the listener or the peripheral part of the listener and gives a vestibular sense stimulus by the generated electric signal Having a means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first aspect, the stimulus applying means is a means for causing at least one of a change in the visual perception of the listener and a movement of the center of gravity of the listener by a vestibular sense stimulus. The gist is to synchronize music with at least one of visual change and body center of gravity by sending an electrical signal earlier than an audio signal.

  The gist of the present invention described in claim 3 is that, in the invention described in claim 1 or 2, the electrical signal generating means includes polarity changing means for changing the polarity of the stimulus applying means at a predetermined time interval. .

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the electrical signal generating means makes the differential value constant to keep the differential value of the current value variation in the electrical signal constant. The gist is to have means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the electrical signal generating means is configured to reduce a frequency and an amplitude of a specific signal component or a reproduction volume of an audio signal. Another aspect is to have amplitude determining means for determining the amplitude of the electric signal based on one of them.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, at least one of the frequency and amplitude of the specific signal component and the reproduction volume of the audio signal has a predetermined value. The gist of the invention is that it has an amplitude suppressing means for suppressing the amplitude of the electric signal to be equal to or lower than a predetermined upper limit when it exceeds.

  The gist of the present invention described in claim 7 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising stimulus application stopping means for stopping application of vestibular sensory stimulation when a predetermined time has elapsed. To do.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an acoustic sensation apparatus that allows a listener to experience a realistic sound effect without choosing a location or the like.

  Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described. However, these examples are only for explaining the present invention, and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, those skilled in the art can employ various embodiments including each or all of these elements, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  In the acoustic bodily sensation apparatus of the present invention, the acoustic effect is experienced by vestibular sensory stimulation (GVS: Galvanic Vestibular Simulation). This GVS is the stimulation of the human vestibule sensation by artificial means. The stimulated human body moves the position of the center of gravity (body center of gravity) along with the vestibular sensation, that is, the movement of the body (particularly the head) and visual Changes occur. The details will be described below.

  The vestibular sensation is a sensation of receiving the spatial position (static position) and acceleration of the head, that is, each acceleration and linear acceleration, which are governed by the following organs.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a structure of an ear part of a human body. The ear part includes an auricle 41, a combined external auditory canal 42, an eardrum 43, an ossicle 44, an ear canal 45, a semicircular canal 46, an otolith tool 47, and a cochlea 48. The vestibular nerve 49 and the cochlear nerve 50.

  The above vestibular sensation is caused by the semicircular canal 46 and the oval and spherical sac (not shown) of the otolith device 47.

  The vestibular nerve 49 is connected to the abductor nerve and the fundus nerve (not shown). For this reason, fixation is possible even when the body is rotating or moving.

  GVS utilizes the physical properties described above, and causes the movement of the center of gravity and the change in vision by applying electrical stimulation to these organs.

  In the present invention, electrical stimulation is applied to the organs via the ear or the periphery of the ear.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an acoustic sensation apparatus 1 according to a first example (Example 1) of the present invention.
This acoustic sensation device 1 sends music to a listener and, at the same time, imparts DVS to the listener, thereby causing movement of the center of gravity and visual change, and is attached to the main body 2 and the human body. The mounting part 3 is provided.

  The main body 2 includes an audio signal storage unit 21, an audio signal reproduction unit 22, a beat detection unit 23, a stimulus signal generation unit 24, a superposition unit 25, and an output unit 26.

  The main body 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for controlling the operation timing and the like in addition to the above-described units, but is not shown in the figure.

  The mounting unit 3 includes an amplifying unit 31, a low-pass filter (LPF) unit 32, two stimulus applying units 33, a band-pass filter (BPF) unit 34, and an audio sending unit 35.

  The audio signal storage unit 21 stores audio signals such as music pieces in a compressed state. Note that the compression format of the audio signal in the present embodiment is MP3 (Moving Picture Coding Experts Group Audio Layer-3).

  The beat detection unit 23 reads out and decompresses the audio signal from the audio signal storage unit 21 and analyzes it to detect a low frequency signal component (including its timing and strength) corresponding to the beat of the music. In detecting the beat, pattern matching or the like is used.

  The stimulation signal generation unit 24 generates a stimulation signal (electric signal) based on the previously detected beat. The stimulation signal is composed of an alternating current that is synchronized with the beat and whose polarity is reversed at a predetermined time interval. The details of the electrical signal generation process will be described later.

  The audio signal reproduction unit 23 reads out and decompresses the audio signal stored in the audio signal storage unit 21 and reproduces it. The audio signal reproduction unit 23 corresponds to an audio player or an audio decoder.

  The superimposing unit 25 superimposes the stimulation signal generated by the stimulation signal generating unit 24 and the audio signal reproduced by the audio signal reproducing unit 23.

  The output unit 26 outputs the signal superimposed by the superimposing unit 25 to the mounting unit 3.

  The amplifying unit 31 amplifies the signal output from the output unit 26.

  The LPF unit 32 passes only the low frequency component of the signal amplified by the amplification unit 31, that is, the stimulation signal.

  The stimulus imparting unit 33 is attached to the listener's left and right ears (for example, the pinna 41 and the external auditory canal 42 in FIG. 3) or the peripheral part of the ears (the milky protrusions at the rear lower part of the pinna 41). Electrical stimulation is applied to the above organs through the part.

  On the other hand, the BPF unit 34 passes only the audio signal among the signals amplified by the amplifying unit 31.

  The voice sending unit 35 has a speaker that sends the reproduced audio signal to the listener.

  The mounting unit 3 having the above configuration can be a headphone type or an earphone type. Details of this will be described later.

Next, the details of the stimulation signal generator 24 will be described with reference to FIG.
The stimulation signal generation unit 24 includes an input unit 241, a waveform control processing unit 242, a high voltage power supply unit 243, a constant current control unit 244, and an output unit 245.

  The waveform control processing unit 242 controls the amount of current, polarity, and the like supplied from the high-voltage power supply unit 243 via the constant current control unit 244 including a current mirror circuit (not shown).

  The output unit 245 outputs the current subjected to the above processing as a stimulus signal. The output unit 245 includes an H bridge circuit (not shown). For this reason, the polarity of the stimulus imparting unit 33 can be arbitrarily selected with a single power source.

  Further, as shown in 51 of FIG. 4, the frequency of the stimulation signal is set to a value of about 0.5 Hz or more and less than about 20 Hz (the minimum frequency of the audible region 52).

  When the frequency of the stimulus signal is about 0.5 Hz or more and less than about 1.0 Hz, the position of the center of gravity of the listener moves, and when it is about 1.0 Hz or more and less than 20 Hz, the vision changes. Therefore, the listener can freely select a method for experiencing the acoustic effect by selecting the frequency.

  In addition, the waveform control processing unit 242 and the constant current control unit 244 make the differential value of the change amount of current per unit time constant in order to prevent the listener from being burdened by excessive electrical stimulation. Note that 53 in FIG. 5 is a waveform of the electrical stimulation subjected to the above processing, and 54 is an original waveform.

  The waveform control processing unit 242 and the constant current control unit 244 determine the amplitude of the stimulation signal, that is, the degree of GVS given to the listener based on at least one of the amplitude of the beat and the reproduction volume of the audio signal. decide.

  In addition, when at least one of the amplitude of the beat and the reproduction volume of the audio signal exceeds a predetermined value, the amplitude of the stimulus signal is set to a predetermined upper limit value or less in order to prevent a burden on the listener. To suppress.

  In addition, the waveform control processing unit 242 includes a unit that stops giving the GVS to the listener by stopping the output of the stimulation signal when a predetermined time has elapsed. Therefore, this can also prevent a burden on the listener.

  In addition, in GVS, it takes time until an effect (movement of the center of gravity position, change in vision) appears after electrical stimulation is applied. This delay time changes according to the waveform and intensity of the stimulus signal. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a waveform 53 of electrical stimulation and a waveform 55 representing the inclination of the head. This figure shows a case where the delay time is about 1 second, and the following description will be given by way of example.

  In view of the above points, in the acoustic sensation apparatus 1 of the present invention, beats are detected in advance by the beat detection unit 23 as described above, and beat sounds are transmitted by the waveform control processing unit 242, the stimulus applying unit 33, and the like. An electrical stimulus is applied about 1 second before the beat sound is sent out in synchronization (synchronization) with the timing at which the listener's center of gravity moves and the viewpoint changes.

  In addition, when an electrical stimulus is applied and the above delay time elapses, the listener's body (particularly the head) and the viewpoint are tilted toward the stimulus applying unit having a negative polarity. For this reason, the body and viewpoint of the listener can be swung left and right by inverting the polarities of the two stress applying portions at predetermined time intervals as described above.

  As described above, the acoustic sensation apparatus 1 according to the present invention can cause the listener to feel the vestibular sensation synchronized with the music, the movement of the center of gravity of the body, and the visual change, thereby enabling the listener to experience a high acoustic effect.

  In addition, since the acoustic experience device 1 of the present invention does not require a chair or the like having a vibration element, the entire device can be reduced in size, and the listener can easily experience the acoustic effect without choosing a place or the like.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the mounting portion 3a according to the second embodiment (Example 2) of the present invention.
The mounting portion 3a is a headphone type having a structure for fixing to the listener's head, and includes a sound sending portion (speaker portion) 35a and a stimulus applying portion 33a integrated therewith.

  The stimulus imparting unit 33a is for imparting electrical stimulation to the milky protrusion, and appropriately applies electrical stimulation to the milky protrusion when the listener wears the wearing part 3a. The dimensions, shape, attachment position to the voice sending part 35a, etc. are adjusted in advance.

  Note that there is a slight individual difference in the optimal position for applying electrical stimulation, and therefore means for adjusting the position of the stimulation applying section 33a, such as an expansion / contraction mechanism, may be provided.

  Since the mounting portion 3a having the above configuration is small and easy to handle, the listener can easily experience a high acoustic effect without choosing a place or the like.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the mounting portion 3b according to the third embodiment (third embodiment) of the present invention.
In the second embodiment, the case where the stimulus applying section 33a and the voice sending section 35a of the mounting section 3a are integrally configured is shown. However, in the mounting section 3b according to the present embodiment, the stimulus applying section is provided. 33b and the headphone main body 36 are configured separately.

  The stimulus applying part 33b has a support part 37, and is thereby fixed to the voice sending part 35b. In addition, this support part 37 is comprised with respect to the audio | voice transmission part 35b so that attachment or detachment is possible. For this reason, the listener can experience a high acoustic effect simply by using existing headphones.

  Note that the position adjusting means can also be provided in the mounting portion 3b.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the mounting portion 3c according to the fourth embodiment (Example 4) of the present invention.
In the second and third embodiments, the case where the mounting portions 3a and 3b are headphone type is shown. However, the mounting portion 3c according to the present embodiment is an earphone type having a structure for fixing to the auricle of the listener. And a voice sending unit 35c and a stimulus applying unit 33c integrated therewith.

  The mounting portion 3c is composed of two earphones, but only the earphone mounted on the left ear is shown in the figure. The earphone attached to the other left ear has a shape symmetrical to that shown in the figure.

  Further, the above-mentioned adjusting means can be provided also in the mounting portion 3c.

  Since the mounting portion 3c having the above configuration is further small and easy to handle, the listener can easily experience a high acoustic effect without choosing a place or the like.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the mounting portion 3d according to the fifth embodiment (embodiment 5) of the present invention.
In the above-described fourth embodiment, the case where the stimulus applying unit 33c and the voice sending unit 35c of the mounting unit 3c are integrally configured is shown. However, in the mounting unit 3d according to the present embodiment, the stimulus applying unit is provided. 33d and the earphone main body 38 are configured separately.

  This stimulus applying part 33d has a support part 39, and is thereby fixed to the voice sending part 35d. In addition, this support part 39 is comprised so that attachment or detachment with respect to the audio | voice transmission part 35d is possible. For this reason, the listener can experience a high acoustic effect simply by using existing earphones.

  The mounting portion 3d is composed of two earphones similarly to the mounting portion 3c, but only the earphone mounted on the left ear is shown in the figure. The earphone attached to the other left ear has a shape symmetrical to that shown in the figure.

  Further, the adjusting means can be provided also in the mounting portion 3d.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the mounting portion 3e according to the sixth embodiment (embodiment 5) of the present invention.
In the above-described Examples 1 to 5, the case where the stimulus applying unit 33 is for applying electrical stimulation to the milky protrusion is shown. However, as described above, the part other than the milky protrusion is electrically stimulated. It is also possible to cause vestibular sensation, movement of the center of gravity, and visual changes.

  The headphone-type mounting unit 3e according to the present embodiment has the above points in mind, and includes a sound sending unit 35e and a stimulus applying unit 33e for applying electrical stimulation to the auricle 41 of FIG. Prepare.

  The stimulus applying unit 33e is provided inside the sound sending unit 35e, and has a size, shape, and sound sending for appropriately applying electrical stimulation to the auricle 41 when the listener wears the wearing unit 3e. The attachment position etc. to the part 35e are adjusted beforehand.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the mounting portion 3f according to the seventh embodiment (embodiment 5) of the present invention.
In the sixth embodiment, the case where the mounting portion 3e is a headphone type and is for applying electrical stimulation to the auricle 41 is shown. However, the mounting portion 3f according to the present embodiment is an earphone type. Yes, it includes a voice sending unit 35f and a stimulus applying unit 33f for applying electrical stimulation to the auricle 41.

  The stimulus applying unit 33f is adjusted in advance in terms of size, shape, attachment position to the sound sending unit 35f, etc. in order to appropriately apply electrical stimulation to the auricle 41 when the listener wears the mounting unit 3f. Yes.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the mounting portion 3g according to the eighth embodiment (Example 5) of the present invention.
In Examples 2 to 5 described above, an electrical signal is applied to the milky protrusion, and in Examples 6 and 7, electrical stimulation is applied to the auricle 41. As described above, the ear canal of FIG. By giving an electrical signal to 42, it is possible to cause vestibular sensation, movement of the center of gravity position, and visual change.

  The inner earphone-type mounting portion 3g according to the present embodiment has the above points in mind, and applies electrical stimulation to the audio sending portion 35g having a structure for accommodating in the ear canal 42 and the ear canal 42. And a stimulus applying unit 33g.

  The stimulus applying part 33g is adjusted in advance in terms of size, shape, attachment position to the sound sending part 35g, and the like in order to appropriately apply electrical stimulation to the auricle 41 when the attaching part 3g is attached.

<Other configuration>
In the above first to eighth embodiments, a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) signal can also be used as the audio signal. In this case, it is also possible to directly detect the beat without analyzing the waveform.

  Further, the sound sending unit is not limited to the above-described headphone or earphone, but a wall-mounted speaker or floor-mounted speaker independent of the stimulus applying unit can also be used.

  Moreover, a gel electrode can also be used as an electrode of a stimulus imparting part.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the acoustic experience apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the detail of the stimulus signal generation part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the ear | edge part of a human body. It is a figure which shows the frequency of a stimulus signal, and the audio | voice audible area | region. It is a figure which shows the waveform of a stimulation signal. It is a figure which shows a stimulus signal and the degree of inclination of a head. It is a figure which shows the mounting part which concerns on the 2nd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the mounting part which concerns on the 3rd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the mounting part which concerns on the 4th Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the mounting part which concerns on the 5th Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the mounting part which concerns on the 6th Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the mounting part which concerns on the 7th Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the mounting part which concerns on the 8th Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sound sensation apparatus 2 Main body 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g Wearing part 21 Audio signal storage part 22 Audio signal reproduction | regeneration part 23 Beat detection part 24 Stimulus signal generation part 25 Superimposition part 26 Output part 31 Amplification Unit 32 Low-pass filter unit 33, 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d, 33e, 33f, 33g Stimulation unit 34 Bandpass filter unit 35, 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d, 35e, 35f, 35g Audio transmission unit 36 Headphone body 37 Support section 38 Earphone body 39 Support section 41 Auricle 42 External auditory canal 43 Tympanic membrane 44 Ear ossicle 45 Ear canal 46 Semicircular canal 47 Otolith tool 48 Cochlea

Claims (7)

An acoustic experience device for transmitting an audio signal and causing the listener to experience an acoustic effect,
Signal component detection means for detecting a specific signal component included in the audio signal;
Electrical signal generating means for generating an electrical signal based on the detected specific signal component;
An acoustic sensation apparatus, comprising: a stimulus applying unit that is attached to an ear portion of the listener or a peripheral portion of the ear portion and applies a vestibular sense stimulus by the generated electrical signal. The stimulus applying means includes
Means for causing at least one of a change in the visual perception of the listener and a movement of the center of gravity of the listener by the vestibular sense stimulus,
The acoustic experience according to claim 1, wherein the music is synchronized with at least one of the visual change and the movement of the center of gravity of the body by sending the electrical signal earlier than the audio signal. apparatus. The acoustic sensation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrical signal generating unit includes a polarity changing unit that changes the polarity of the stimulus applying unit at a predetermined time interval.   4. The acoustic sensation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrical signal generation unit includes a differential value stabilization unit that maintains a differential value of a current value change amount in the electrical signal constant. 5. .   The electrical signal generating means includes amplitude determining means for determining the amplitude of the electrical signal based on at least one of the frequency and amplitude of the specific signal component and the reproduction volume of the audio signal. The acoustic sensation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   Amplitude suppression means for suppressing the amplitude of the electrical signal below a predetermined upper limit value when at least one of the frequency and amplitude of the specific signal component and the reproduction volume of the audio signal exceeds a predetermined value The acoustic sensation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The acoustic sensation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a stimulus application stopping unit that stops applying the vestibular sense stimulus when a predetermined time has elapsed.

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