JP2009124225A - Hearing sensitivity adjusting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hearing sensitivity adjusting device by which a user having different hearing sensitivity between both ears can hear his/her utterance advantageously compared to a case of hearing with both unimpaired ears in learning a foreign language. <P>SOLUTION: A foreign language learning system 10 includes: a disk player 12 for reproducing sample voices recorded in a storage medium; a stereo headphone 20; and a hearing sensitivity adjusting device 30 connected to the stereo headphone 20. The hearing sensitivity adjusting device 30 includes: a casing 32; four microphones 40, 42, 44, 46 provided inside the casing 32; and an electronic circuit 58 built in the casing 32 and adjusting the hearing sensitivity of voices etc. captured with the four microphones. Of the four microphones, the two are microphone 40, 42 for external voices and sounds, and the other two are microphones 44, 46 for user's voice. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an auditory sensitivity adjustment device, and more particularly to an auditory sensitivity adjustment device that adjusts a user's auditory sensitivity and outputs the result to stereo headphones or stereo earphones.

  Language learning involves listening to a model voice and practicing utterance on its own. A sound as a model is recorded on an audio tape, an audio disk, etc., and these are reproduced from a tape recorder, a disk player, etc., and listened to with a speaker or headphones, for example. Such a set is sold as a learning device incorporating various ideas for enhancing the training effect. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a stereo headphone as a digital learning headphone.

JP 2000-50380 A

  In language learning and the like, it is preferable to listen to a model utterance with both ears in order to approximate the form of daily conversation. This is why the headphones of Patent Document 1 are stereo heads. Moreover, in language learning, etc., the students practice their own utterances according to the model voices. At that time, they are also listening to their utterances with both ears. In such a case, stereo headphones or stereo earphones cannot be used as they are.

  By the way, human ears do not necessarily have the same hearing. In particular, when hearing is impaired for some reason, the hearing between the left and right ears may be greatly different. In such a case, it is possible that listening to the example voices in both ears and listening to the practice speech will significantly reduce the learning efficiency compared to listening with sound ears. . This is the same even when listening to sound with stereo headphones or the like. In conventional language learning systems, etc., little consideration is given to such cases.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an auditory sensitivity adjustment device that makes it possible to avoid hearing sound with sound both ears when listening to one's utterance even if the hearing of the left and right ears is different. It is.

  An auditory sensitivity adjustment apparatus according to the present invention includes a housing having left and right output terminals for stereo headphones or stereo earphones, and a microphone incorporated in the housing, including a plurality of left and right user voice microphones that pick up user's voice. An electronic circuit connected between a microphone and a plurality of microphones and left and right output terminals, and a balance circuit that balances the hearing sensitivity of left and right external sounds picked up by left and right user voice microphones by adjusting adjustment elements And an adjustment operator which is provided on the housing and can be operated by a user and which adjusts the adjustment element.

  The auditory sensitivity adjustment device according to the present invention includes a housing having left and right output terminals for stereo headphones or stereo earphones, a microphone incorporated in the housing, left and right external sound microphones for picking up external sound, and a user The left and right external audio microphones pick up the left and right external audio microphones, which are electronic circuits that are connected between the four microphones of the left and right user audio microphones and the four left and right output terminals. An electronic circuit including a first balance circuit that balances the sensitivity by adjusting the first adjustment element; and a second balance circuit that balances the hearing sensitivity of the left and right external sounds picked up by the left and right user voice microphones by adjusting the second adjustment element; An adjustment operator provided on the housing and operable by a user An adjusting operator for operating the adjustment and adjustment of the second adjustment element of the first adjusting element, characterized in that it comprises a.

  Further, in the auditory sensitivity adjustment device according to the present invention, the housing is one side surface on which the respective sound collecting portions of the left and right external sound microphones are arranged, and the side surface opposite to the one side surface, and the left and right user sounds. It is preferable to have the other side surface where each sound-collecting part of a microphone is arrange | positioned.

  Further, in the auditory sensitivity adjustment device according to the present invention, the housing includes left and right external sound directivity openings provided from the surface of one side surface to the respective sound collecting portions of the left and right external sound microphones, and the other side surface. It is preferable to have left and right user sound directivity openings provided toward the sound collecting portions of the left and right user sound microphones.

  In the auditory sensitivity adjustment apparatus according to the present invention, the left directional opening for external sound is arranged concentrically with the directional opening for left user sound, and the right directional opening for external sound is the right user sound. It is preferable to be arranged concentrically with the directional opening for use.

  In the auditory sensitivity adjustment device according to the present invention, the electronic circuit has a switch circuit for turning on and off the connection between the left and right user voice microphones and the left and right output terminals, and is further provided in the housing and operable by the user. It is preferable to provide an on / off operation element for operating on / off of the switch circuit.

  With at least one of the above configurations, the auditory sensitivity adjustment apparatus is connected between a plurality of microphones including left and right user voice microphones that pick up user's voice, a stereo headphone, and the like, and the left and right user voice microphones are connected to each other. An electronic circuit including a balance circuit that balances the auditory sensitivity of the left and right external sounds to be picked up by adjustment of the adjustment element, and an adjustment operator that operates adjustment of the adjustment element. As a result, the user can adjust the volume etc. according to his / her hearing sensitivity while listening to his / her voice, and he / she listens with sound both ears when listening to his / her voice even when the left and right ears have different hearing. Can be inferior.

  The auditory sensitivity adjustment apparatus includes four microphones, left and right external sound microphones that pick up external sound, and left and right user sound microphones that pick up user's sound. The first balance circuit that balances the auditory sensitivity of the left and right external sounds picked up by the left and right external sound microphones by the adjustment of the first adjustment element, and the auditory sensitivity of the left and right external sounds picked up by the left and right user sound microphones are An electronic circuit including a second balance circuit to be balanced by adjustment, and an adjustment operator that operates adjustment of the first adjustment element and adjustment of the second adjustment element are provided. Thereby, the user can adjust the volume etc. according to his / her auditory sensitivity while listening to the external voice, and can adjust the volume etc. according to his / her auditory sensitivity while listening to his / her voice. Therefore, even if the hearing of the left and right ears is different, when listening to your own utterance, you can be as good as listening with both healthy ears.

  In the auditory sensitivity adjustment apparatus, the sound collecting units of the left and right external sound microphones are arranged on one side surface of the housing, and the sound collecting units of the left and right user sound microphones are arranged on the other side surface. . As a result, for example, an external sound source serving as a model and a user face each other, and language learning or the like can be performed effectively.

  Further, in the auditory sensitivity adjustment device, directional openings are provided toward the sound collecting portions of the left and right external sound microphones, and the directional openings are provided toward the sound collecting portions of the left and right user sound microphones. Provided. Thereby, the sound collection directivity of each microphone can be improved and noise can be reduced.

  In the auditory sensitivity adjustment device, the left external sound directivity opening and the left user sound directivity opening are arranged concentrically, and the right external sound directivity opening and the right user sound directivity opening are arranged. The directional opening is concentrically arranged. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the size of the apparatus while ensuring the sound collection directivity.

  In addition, the auditory sensitivity adjustment device includes a switch circuit that turns on and off the connection between the left and right user voice microphones and the left and right output terminals, and an on / off operator that operates the switch circuit. Thereby, the adjustment for the external sound and the adjustment for the user sound can be performed independently.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following, a language learning system will be described as a system in which the auditory sensitivity adjustment device is used. However, this is an example for explanation and can be used for other purposes. For example, it can be used for an interactive hearing aid system, an image training system for raising morale while making a suggestion to oneself. In the following, stereo headphones will be described as a method of listening to sound with both ears, but other stereo sound generators can be used. For example, stereo earphones and stereo speakers can be used, and audio / video devices including these can also be used. Moreover, although the audio | voice as a model shall be memorize | stored in the audio disc, you may memorize | store in the other storage medium. For example, it may be stored on an audio tape, or may be stored on an audio / video disc. In addition, although the explanation is made assuming that the stored voice is reproduced and used, the live voice, that is, the live voice or the actual broadcast voice may be used as it is.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a language learning system 10 including an auditory sensitivity adjustment device. When the language learning system 10 enhances the language ability by listening to the user's model voice and speaking in accordance with the voice, the language learning system 10 can reproduce his / her voice even if the left and right ears of the user are different. It is a system that can be used to listen to sound with both ears. The language learning system 10 is configured to include a disc player 12 that reproduces a model voice recorded in a storage medium, a stereo headphone 20, and an auditory sensitivity adjustment device 30 connected to the stereo headphone 20. FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view of the auditory sensitivity adjustment device 30.

  As described above, the disc player 12 is a playback device for a storage medium that records a model voice. Accordingly, a mechanism for mounting an audio disk as a storage medium, a read / play circuit for reading a signal stored from the storage medium into a read sound signal, and an output unit for outputting the played sound signal are provided. An output signal from the output unit is connected to an appropriate stereo speaker and provided to the user as stereo sound. The stereo speaker is built in the disc player 12, but is connected to an external stereo speaker using the stereo audio external output terminals 14 and 15, and provides a voice as a model to the user via the stereo speaker. You can do it.

  Further, the stereo audio external output terminals 14 and 15 can be directly connected to the auditory sensitivity adjustment device 30 using the external connection terminals 88 and 89 provided in the auditory sensitivity adjustment device 30. In this case, as will be described later, after the auditory sensitivity is adjusted for the received audio signal, the signal is transmitted to the stereo headphones 20. As a result, the user can listen to a sound as an example using the stereo headphones 20.

  As such a disc player 12, a general-purpose disc player can be used as it is in addition to a disc player included in a language learning system that is generally marketed.

  The stereo headphone 20 includes a left-ear ear speaker 22, a right-ear ear speaker 23, a slider member that connects these, and a signal input terminal 24 that is connected to the ear speakers 22, 23. It is. For example, by placing the slider member on the user's head or the like and adjusting the positions of the ear speakers 22 and 23 to the positions of the left and right ears of the user, sound leakage is reduced, noise from the outside is appropriately blocked, and the user can Different ears can be heard by each ear. If the sound transmitted to the left and right ears is a stereo sound or the like, the user can hear the sound and the like three-dimensionally with the left and right ears.

  The signal input terminal 24 includes a terminal that receives a left ear audio signal and transmits the left ear audio signal to the left ear ear speaker 22, and a terminal that receives the right ear audio signal and transmits the right ear audio signal to the right ear ear speaker 22. Have. The signal input terminal 24 is connected to signal output terminals 38 and 39 of the auditory sensitivity adjustment device 30 described later.

  The auditory sensitivity adjustment device 30 adjusts the sense of hearing with the left ear and the sense of hearing with the right ear so as to balance the sense of hearing with the right ear when the user hears the voice uttered by the user himself / herself, and outputs to the stereo headphones 20 It is a device having a function of making a signal. Further, even when the user listens to the external sound with his / her ear, the user has a function of adjusting the sense of hearing with the left ear and the sense of hearing with the right ear to be an output signal to the stereo headphones 20. In other words, this is a device that adjusts the volume of the voice heard by the user according to the difference in hearing between the left ear and the right ear of the user and outputs it to the stereo headphones 20.

  The auditory sensitivity adjustment device 30 is housed in the housing 32, four microphones 40, 42, 44, and 46 provided in the housing 32 as shown in FIG. And an electronic circuit 58 that adjusts the auditory sensitivity of sound picked up by one microphone.

  Here, the auditory sensitivity is the volume of sound when the user listens to the sound picked up by the microphone as hearing with his / her ear. For example, assuming that the performance of the left and right microphones is exactly the same, and that the performance of the left and right ear speakers of the stereo headphones is exactly the same, the left and right microphones pick up the same sound, and faithfully transmit it to the left and right ear speakers of the stereo headphones. When this is done, audio and the like having the same volume are output from the left and right ear speakers. However, if the hearing ability of the left and right ears of the user is different, the user's hearing is recognized as a sound having a different volume between the left and right ears.

  From the viewpoint of the user, it is felt that the auditory sensitivity of the left microphone-ear speaker system is different from the auditory sensitivity of the right microphone-ear speaker system. For example, if the left ear hearing of the user is lower than that of the right ear, the hearing sensitivity of the left microphone-ear speaker system is lower than the hearing sensitivity of the right microphone-ear speaker system when viewed from the user. feel. The auditory sensitivity adjustment device 30 is a device having a function of adjusting the left and right auditory sensitivities that the user actually feels to balance the sound heard from the left and right ear speakers so that the sound becomes a stereo sound.

  1 and 2, the casing 32 forms the entire outer shape of the auditory sensitivity adjustment device 30, and the four microphones 40, 42, 44, 46 and the electronic circuit 58 are accommodated inside the housing 32 as described above, and the outside Is a member provided with signal output terminals 38 and 39 for connecting the first adjustment operator 90 and the second adjustment operator 92 for the user to adjust the hearing sensitivity and the stereo headphones 20.

  The housing 32 has a shape in which two legs are provided on a cylindrical outer shape having an oval cross-sectional shape. The oblong surfaces at both ends of the outer shape of the housing 32 are a front wall 34 and a back wall 36. The front wall 34 and the rear wall 36 are substantially perpendicular to the plane of the desk or the like when the hearing sensitivity adjusting device 30 is placed on the desk or the like, and the ellipse longitudinal axis is parallel to the plane of the desk or the like. It is arranged to become. When the auditory sensitivity adjustment device 30 is used, the front wall 34 is disposed toward the disc player 12 and the back wall 36 is disposed toward the user's face.

  The sound collecting holes 50 and 52 provided in the front wall 34 are holes for picking up sound from the disc player 12, that is, external sound and guiding it to the microphones 40 and 42 built in the housing 32. Since the microphones 40 and 42 pick up external sound, they can be called external sound microphones. The sound collection holes 54 and 56 provided in the rear wall 36 are holes for picking up sound generated by the user, that is, user sound and guiding it to the microphones 44 and 46 built in the housing 32. Since the microphones 44 and 46 pick up user voice, they can be called user voice microphones. The distance between the sound collection holes 50 and 52 and the distance between the sound collection holes 54 and 56 are preferably close to the distance between the left and right ears of a human.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the microphones 40 and 42 corresponding to the sound collection holes 50 and 52 provided in the front wall 34 are provided at the back wall 36. The elongated through holes provided between the sound collection holes 50 and 52 and the microphones 40 and 42 are directional sound guide tubes 60 and 62. By appropriately selecting the hole diameter and length of the directional sound guide tubes 60, 62, the directionality of the sound picked up by the sound collection holes 50, 52 is improved, and from the axial direction of the directional sound guide tubes 60, 62. Sound from a shifted direction can be blocked as noise.

  In other words, there is a sound collection hole on one side of the directional sound guide tube and a microphone on the other side. Therefore, the sound collection hole and the directional sound guide tube may be called a directional opening for the microphone. it can. When an example of the length and the hole diameter of the directional sound guide tubes 60 and 62 is raised, sufficient directivity can be provided by increasing the length / hole diameter from 5 times to 10 times.

  Similarly, the microphones 40 and 42 corresponding to the sound collecting holes 50 and 52 provided in the front wall 34 are provided at the back wall 36, and the sound collecting holes 50 and 52 and the microphones 40 and 42 are elongated. Directional sound guide tubes 60 and 62 that are through holes are provided.

In FIG. 2, the microphones 40 and 42 are provided on the back wall 36 of the housing 32, and the microphones 44 and 46 are provided on the front wall 34 of the housing 32. In this case, the directional sound guide tubes 60, 62, 64, and 66 are separated and arranged in parallel. The microphones 40, 42, 44, and 46 can be arranged at the center of the housing 32 by reducing the length of the directional sound guide tube in relation to the relationship between the length of the directional sound guide tube and the hole diameter. .

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an auditory sensitivity adjustment device 31 having such an arrangement. In the following, elements common to those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 3, the outer shape of the housing 33 is the same as that of the housing 32 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Here, the lengths of the directional sound guide tubes 60, 62, 64, 66 are about ½ compared to the case of FIG. In FIG. 2, when there is a margin in the directivity characteristics, the hole diameters of the directional sound guide tubes 60, 62, 64, 66 can be the same as those in FIG. 2, but when there is no margin, It is necessary to appropriately reduce the hole diameter.

  As described above, the microphones 40, 42, 44, and 46 can be arranged in the central portion of the housing 32 while maintaining the directivity by appropriately setting the length and the hole diameter of the directional sound guide tube. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a directional sound guide tube 60 for left external sound and a directional sound guide tube 64 for left user sound are arranged concentrically, and positioned at a position therebetween. The left external sound microphone 40 and the left user sound microphone 44 are arranged back to back with their sound collection surfaces facing the sound collection holes 50 and 54. Similarly, the directional sound guide tube 62 for the right external sound and the directional sound guide tube 66 for the right user sound are arranged concentrically, and the right external sound microphone 42 and the right directional sound guide tube 66 and the right user sound are arranged in the middle. The microphones 46 for user voices are arranged back to back with their sound collection surfaces facing the sound collection holes 52 and 56.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the directional sound guide tube. Here, as a representative example, the modification of the directional sound guide tube 62 described with reference to FIG. 2 is shown for the microphone 42, but of course, the present invention can be similarly applied to other microphones. Further, the present invention can also be applied to the directional sound guide tube having the configuration described in FIG. In the following, elements similar to those in FIGS. 2 and 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of the directional sound guide tube 67 having a uniform hole diameter from the sound collection hole 52 to the microphone 42. 2 and 3, in the directional sound guide tube 62, the hole diameter at the sound collection hole 52 is smaller than the hole diameter at the microphone 42. With the configuration shown in FIG. 4A, the directional sound guide tube can be easily formed.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example of a directional sound guide tube 62 having a sound collection hole 53 having a large sound collection area. 2 and 3, the diameter of the sound collecting hole 52 is the same as the diameter of the directional sound guide tube 62 except for the microphone 42. In FIG. 4B, the diameter of the sound collection hole 53 is set to be several times the diameter of the directional sound guide tube 62 excluding the place of the microphone 42. With this configuration, the sound collecting property can be improved.

  FIG. 4C is a diagram showing an example of a spiral tubular directional sound guide tube 69. 2 and 3, the directional sound guide tube 62 is a hole extending linearly from the sound collection hole 52 to the microphone 42. In FIG. 4B, since the spiral directional sound guide tube 69 is provided, the length of the directional sound guide tube 69 from the sound collection hole 52 to the microphone 42 is the straight line described in FIGS. The length of the directional sound guide tube 62 can be several times longer. With this configuration, the directivity can be further improved.

  Returning to FIG. 1 again, the signal output terminals 38 and 39 provided on one side surface of both sides of the housing 32 are terminals to which output signals whose auditory sensitivity is adjusted by the electronic circuit 58 are output. A signal input terminal 24 of the stereo headphone 20 can be connected to the signal output terminals 38 and 39. Left and right audio signals corresponding to the left and right ear speakers 22 and 23 of the stereo headphone 20 are output to the signal output terminals 38 and 39, respectively.

  External connection terminals 88 and 89 provided on the other side surface of both sides of the housing 32 are optional and are terminals for supplying an external audio signal to the electronic circuit 58. For example, as described above, it is connected to the stereo audio external output terminals 14 and 15 of the disc player 12, and the audio from the built-in speaker of the disc player 12 is received as an audio signal instead of being picked up from the microphones 40 and 42. it can. In addition, for example, an audio signal can be received from an audio device other than the disc player 12, and in this case, the audio sensitivity is adjusted via the electronic circuit 58 using the received audio signal, and then stereo as background music or the like. It can be supplied to the headphones 20.

  The first adjustment operator 90 and the second adjustment operator 92 provided on the upper surface of the housing 32 are operators for the user to adjust the hearing sensitivity. The adjustment operator 90 on one side balances the left and right of the overall hearing sensitivity between the microphones 40 and 42 for external sound and the ear speakers 22 and 23 of the stereo headphones 20, and also adjusts the overall volume level. Has a function to adjust. Since the adjustment of the sound volume level includes making the sound volume zero, it also has a function as an on / off switch. The adjustment operator 92 on the other side balances the left and right of the overall auditory sensitivity of the microphones 44 and 46 for user voice and the ear speakers 22 and 23 of the stereo headphones 20, and the overall volume level. Has a function to adjust including on / off

  As the first adjustment operator 90 and the second adjustment operator 92, as shown in FIG. 1, two rotary volume switches arranged coaxially can be used. In this example, the left and right auditory sensitivity balance can be adjusted by rotating the outer volume, and the volume can be gradually increased from the off state to the on state by rotating the inner volume. This change in volume is performed in a state where the balance between the left and right auditory sensitivities is maintained.

  Next, the electronic circuit 58 built in the housing 32 will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, elements similar to those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The electronic circuit 58 includes amplifiers 70 and 72 and a first balance circuit 80 provided between the microphones 40 and 42 for external audio and the signal output terminals 38 and 39. The first balance operating unit 90 is connected to the first balance circuit 80. The electronic circuit 58 includes amplifiers 74 and 76 and a second balance circuit 82 provided between the user voice microphones 44 and 46 and the signal output terminals 38 and 39. A second adjustment operator 92 is connected to the second balance circuit 82.

  The amplifiers 70, 72, 74, and 76 have a function of appropriately amplifying signals output from the microphones 40, 42, 44, and 46. The outputs of the amplifiers 70 and 72 are input to the first balance circuit 80, and the outputs of the amplifiers 74 and 76 are input to the second balance circuit 82, respectively.

  The first balance circuit 80 balances the auditory sensitivity of the left external voice microphone 40 and the auditory sensitivity of the right external voice microphone 42, and each of the balanced audio signals is a signal output terminal 38. , 39 is a circuit having a function of outputting to. As described above, the auditory sensitivity includes the characteristics of the left and right ear speakers 22, 23 of the stereo headphone 20. Here, the characteristics of the left and right ear speakers 22, 23 are adjusted to be the same. It is said.

  Since the first balance circuit 80 adjusts the output signals of the amplifiers 70 and 72 so as to balance them from the viewpoint of auditory sensitivity, the first balance circuit 80 is a kind of amplification adjustment circuit for the amplifiers 70 and 72. For example, the first balance circuit 80 can be configured with a variable resistance element for changing the amplification degree of the amplifier 70, a variable resistance element for changing the amplification degree of the amplifier 72, and the like. Thus, when the 1st balance circuit 80 is comprised with the some element which changes an amplification degree, the 1st adjustment operator 90 can be comprised as a variable operator of these variable elements.

  In the above example, corresponding to the two variable resistance elements, an operation element for fixing the variable resistance element on one side and variably operating the variable resistance element on the other side is provided. The relative amplification degree of 72 can be varied to balance the user's auditory sensitivity with respect to the left and right microphones 40 and 42. Further, by changing both of the variable resistance elements at the same time, the amplification levels of the amplifiers 70 and 72 are changed at the same time, and the volume of the left and right microphones 40 and 42 is changed from the off state to the on state. It can be increased or decreased in the same way. As described above, the first adjustment operator 90 can be configured by using, for example, two rotary volumes arranged coaxially as an operator for performing such an operation.

  The second balance circuit 82 balances the auditory sensitivity of the microphone 44 for the left user voice and the auditory sensitivity of the microphone 46 for the right user voice, and outputs the balanced voice signals to the signal output terminals 38, respectively. , 39 is a circuit having a function of outputting to. Since the second balance circuit 82 can have the same configuration as the first balance circuit 80, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The first balance circuit 80 and the second balance circuit 82 are provided independently, and the first adjustment operator 90 and the second adjustment operator 92 are also operated independently. The auditory sensitivity adjustment of the external voice microphones 40 and 42 and the auditory sensitivity adjustment of the user voice microphones 44 and 46 can be performed independently of each other. Since both the output of the first balance circuit 80 and the output of the second balance circuit 82 are output to the signal output terminals 38 and 39, an appropriate mixing circuit is provided. In the example of FIG. 5, as a simple configuration, an appropriate resistance element is used so that the output signal of the first balance circuit 80 and the output signal of the second balance circuit 82 do not flow back to each other.

  For example, the first adjustment operator 90 is operated for the external voice microphones 40 and 42 to turn off the volume thereof, and the auditory sensitivity adjustment of the user voice microphones 44 and 46 is performed by operating the second adjustment operator 92. be able to. At this time, the overall volume of the user voice microphones 44 and 46 can be adjusted. Similarly, by operating the second adjustment operator 92 for the user voice microphones 44 and 46 to turn off the volume, the auditory sensitivity adjustment of the external voice microphones 40 and 42 is performed by operating the first adjustment operator 90. It can be carried out. At this time, the overall volume of the external audio microphones 40 and 42 can also be adjusted.

  In the above description, the external sound is picked up from the external sound microphone. However, as an option, an external sound signal can be used. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit 59 having a function of adjusting an auditory sensitivity using an external audio signal. In the following, elements similar to those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In the following, description will be made using the reference numerals in FIG.

  In the electronic circuit 59 in FIG. 6, the left and right external audio microphones 40 and 42 are omitted, and instead, the left and right audio signals are input and acquired from the external connection terminals 88 and 89. The acquired left and right audio signals are input to the first balance circuit 80 as they are. Then, as described with reference to FIG. 5, the hearing sensitivity adjustment for the left and right audio signals is performed by operating the first adjustment operator 90, and the adjusted left and right audio signals are output to the signal output terminals 38 and 39, respectively. The

  By using the electronic circuit 59 having the configuration shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to listen to the language through the stereo headphones 20 without diffusing external sound or the like into the room. Further, when the audio signal is a music signal or the like, it can be used as background music or the like when listening to one's own voice.

  The operation of the above configuration will be described below. A user who wants to learn language places the hearing sensitivity adjusting device 30 on, for example, a desk so that the back wall 36 is in front of his / her face. At this time, the first adjustment operator 90 and the second adjustment operator 92 are both turned off. Then, the disc player 12 is set on the desk so that the sound generation surface of the speaker faces the front wall 34 of the hearing sensitivity adjustment device 30. Further, the signal input terminal 24 of the stereo headphone 20 is connected to the signal output terminals 38 and 39 on the side surface of the auditory sensitivity adjustment device 30.

  Next, the stereo headphones 20 are put on their heads and the left and right ear speakers 22 and 23 are put on the left and right ears. Then, the disc player 12 is loaded with a desired learning disc, and the switch is turned on to output a voice as an example of language learning. Next, the inner rotary dial of the first adjustment operator 90 of the auditory sensitivity adjustment device 30 is operated to turn it on to obtain an appropriate volume level. Then, the outer rotary dial is operated so that the sound volume heard from the left and right ear speakers 22 and 23 of the stereo headphone 20 is the same. When the sound heard from the left and right ear speakers 22 and 23 is uttered from a line extending forward from the center of the user's face, the right and left auditory sensitivities are balanced. Adjust the outer rotary dial so that it is in that state. As a result, the first balance circuit 80 adjusts the balance of the auditory sensitivity with respect to the external sound.

  In this way, when the adjustment of the auditory sensitivity for the external sound is completed, the disc player 12 is once turned off. Next, while the user himself / herself generates an appropriate sound, the user operates the internal rotary dial in the first adjustment operator 90 of the auditory sensitivity adjustment device 30 to turn it on to obtain an appropriate volume level. Then, the outer rotary dial is operated so that the volume and the like heard from the left and right ear speakers 22 and 23 of the stereo headphone 20 are the same, and the left and right auditory sensitivities are balanced. As a result, the second balance circuit 82 adjusts the balance of auditory sensitivity with respect to the user voice.

  Thus, when both the balance adjustment of the auditory sensitivity with respect to the external voice and the balance adjustment of the hearing sensitivity with respect to the user voice are completed, then the original language learning starts. That is, here, the disc player 12 is turned on, and the sound stored in the desired learning disc is output. This sound is picked up by the external sound microphones 40 and 42 as directional sound from the sound collecting holes 50 and 52 of the front wall 34 of the hearing sensitivity adjusting device 30 through the directional sound guide tubes 60 and 62. The picked-up sound is converted into a sound signal, and is supplied to the stereo headphones 20 as a sound signal whose auditory sensitivity is adjusted via the first balance circuit 80. In this way, the user can hear the voice in a state where the teacher is in front of his / her face and speaks.

  The learning disc is usually provided with a period of time for the user to practice as a silent period after the output of the voice as a model. Therefore, during this silent period, the user utters according to a model voice. This sound is picked up by the user sound microphones 44 and 46 as directional sound from the sound collecting holes 54 and 56 of the back wall 36 of the auditory sensitivity adjusting device 30 through the directional sound guide tubes 64 and 66. The picked-up sound is converted into a sound signal, and is supplied to the stereo headphones 20 as a sound signal whose auditory sensitivity is adjusted via the second balance circuit 82. In this way, the user can hear the voice in a state where he / she utters in front of his / her face. In this way, even if the hearing of the left and right ears is different, language learning or the like can be performed in a state that is not inferior to listening with sound both ears when listening to one's utterance. For example, in the case of a user who uses a hearing aid, it is of course possible to use the hearing sensitivity adjustment device 30 with the hearing aid attached, but rather, the hearing aid is removed and the hearing sensitivity adjustment device 30 is used to turn the stereo headphones 20 from both ears. The people who listen to the music tend to be more admitted to improve the efficiency of language learning.

  In the above description, it is assumed that the microphone is incorporated in the auditory sensitivity adjustment device. Here, the part of the auditory sensitivity adjustment function and the microphone can be separated. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the language learning system 11 having such a configuration. In the following, the same elements as those in FIGS. 1 to 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the language learning system 11 in FIG. 7, the disc player 12 and the stereo headphones 20 have the same configuration as in FIG. 1, but the contents of the auditory sensitivity adjustment device 30 in FIG. 1 are the microphone box 21 and the auditory sensitivity adjustment circuit unit. 37 is different. With such a configuration, the circuit function can be integrated into one unit, and the sound collecting function of the microphone can be integrated into one unit, which facilitates cost reduction of each unit.

  The microphone box 21 is a group of four microphones 40, 42, 44, 46 in one box. Specifically, this corresponds to the configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 excluding the electronic circuit 58. Since the electronic circuit 58 is removed, a box having a simple configuration can be obtained. The microphone box 21 includes a microphone unit 18 for external audio that includes microphones 40 and 42 for external audio and a microphone unit 19 for user audio that combines microphones 44 and 46 for user audio. it can.

  A microphone output terminal 28 for external voice is drawn out from the microphone unit 18 for external voice, and a microphone output terminal 29 for user voice is drawn out from the microphone unit 19 for user voice. These microphone output terminals 28 and 29 are each connected to two signal lines. For example, the external audio microphone output terminal 28 includes a terminal connected to the signal line from the microphone 40 and a terminal connected to the signal line from the microphone 42. Similarly, the microphone output terminal 29 for user voice is also composed of two terminals corresponding to the left and right microphones 44 and 46.

  The auditory sensitivity adjustment circuit unit 37 can have the same configuration as the electronic circuit 58 described in FIG. 2 or the electronic circuit 59 described in FIG. 3, but FIG. 7 shows an example of a more detailed configuration. Yes. The auditory sensitivity adjustment circuit unit 37 includes a first balance circuit 80, a second balance circuit 82, a first adjustment operator 90, and a second adjustment operator 92. An output adjustment switching circuit 100 is provided between the first balance circuit 80, the second balance circuit 82, and the stereo headphones 20. The output adjustment switching circuit 100 is also connected to the disc player 12 via external connection terminals 88 and 89. An output adjustment operator 101 and an output switching operator 102 are connected to the output adjustment switching circuit 100. Here, auditory sensitivity adjustment for the left and right microphones is performed by the first adjustment operator 90 and the second adjustment operator 92, and the volume adjustment including on / off is performed by the output adjustment operator 101. Switching between the output from the microphones 40 and 42 for external audio, the output from the microphones 44 and 46 for user audio, and the output from the disc player 12 is performed by the output switching operator 102.

  An external audio signal input terminal 48 is drawn out from the first balance circuit 80 of the auditory sensitivity adjustment circuit unit 37, and a user audio signal input terminal 49 is drawn out from the second balance circuit 82. Here, the external audio signal input terminal 48 is connected to the external audio microphone output terminal 28 of the microphone box 21. Further, the user audio signal input terminal 49 is connected to the user audio microphone output terminal 29 of the microphone box 21. The auditory sensitivity adjustment circuit unit 37 includes a power supply circuit 35. From the power supply circuit 35, necessary power is supplied to each element of the auditory sensitivity adjustment circuit unit 37. The power supply circuit 35 is provided with a power switch 103. The power supply circuit 35 can be constituted by, for example, a secondary battery and an appropriate voltage stabilization circuit.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the appearance of the auditory sensitivity adjustment circuit unit 37. The auditory sensitivity adjustment circuit unit 37 is a circuit box, and as an input / output terminal, an external audio signal input terminal 48, a user audio signal input terminal 49, signal output terminals 38 and 39 for the stereo headphones 20, and a disc player. 12, external connection terminals 88 and 89 are provided. In addition, as the operators by the user, a first adjustment operator 90, a second adjustment operator 92, an output adjustment operator 101, an output switching operator 102, and a power switch 103 are provided.

  Here, the microphone box can be attached to the user's body instead of being placed on a desk or the like. In the following, elements similar to those in FIGS. 1 to 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which the microphone box 21 is integrally attached by extending a mounting bracket from the stereo headphone 20. Thereby, for example, the microphone box 21 can be arranged near the user's mouth. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which a hanger fitting 71 that can be hung on a user's shoulder or the like is used in addition to the stereo headphones, and the microphone box 21 is integrally attached to the hanger fitting 71. According to this configuration, the microphone box 21 can be arranged near the user's mouth without worrying about stereo headphones.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the language learning system containing the auditory sensitivity adjustment apparatus of embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a plane sectional view of an auditory sensitivity adjustment device in an embodiment concerning the present invention. In embodiment which concerns on this invention, it is a figure which shows the example of the auditory sensitivity adjustment apparatus which has another arrangement configuration. In embodiment which concerns on this invention, it is a figure which shows the example of another directional sound guide tube. It is a figure which shows the structure of the electronic circuit incorporated in a housing | casing in embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of another electronic circuit. In embodiment which concerns on this invention, it is a figure which shows the mode of the language learning system of another structure. In embodiment which concerns on this invention, it is a figure which shows the external appearance of an auditory sensitivity adjustment circuit part. In embodiment concerning this invention, it is a figure which shows an example of arrangement | positioning of a microphone box. In embodiment which concerns on this invention, it is a figure which shows the other example of arrangement | positioning of a microphone box.

Explanation of symbols

  10, 11 Language learning system, 12 Disc player, 14, 15 Stereo audio external output terminal, 18, 19 Microphone unit, 20 Stereo headphones, 21 Microphone box, 22, 23 Ear speaker, 24 Signal input terminal, 28, 29 Microphone output Terminal 30, 30, 31 Hearing sensitivity adjustment device, 32, 33 Case, 34 Front wall, 35 Power supply circuit, 36 Rear wall, 37 Hearing sensitivity adjustment circuit section, 38, 39 Signal output terminal, 40, 42, 44, 46 Microphone 48, 49 Signal input terminal, 50, 52, 53, 54, 56 Sound collecting hole, 58, 59 Electronic circuit, 60, 62, 64, 66, 67, 69 Directional sound guide tube, 70, 72, 74, 76 Amplifier, 71 Hanger fitting, 80 First balance circuit, 82 Second balance circuit, 88, 89 External connection Terminal, 90 First adjustment operator, 92 Second adjustment operator, 100 Output adjustment switching circuit, 101 Output adjustment operator, 102 Output switching operator, 103 Power switch

Claims (6)

A housing having left and right output terminals to a stereo sound generator;
A plurality of microphones including left and right user voice microphones that are incorporated in a housing and pick up user's voice;
An electronic circuit that is connected between a plurality of microphones and left and right output terminals and includes a balance circuit that balances the hearing sensitivity of left and right external sounds picked up by left and right user voice microphones by adjusting an adjustment element When,
An adjustment operator provided on the housing and operable by a user, the adjustment operator operating the adjustment of the adjustment element;
An auditory sensitivity adjustment device comprising: A housing having left and right output terminals to a stereo sound generator;
Four microphones, left and right external voice microphones for picking up external voices, and left and right user voice microphones for picking up user voices, which are microphones incorporated in a housing;
A first balance circuit that is connected between four microphones and left and right output terminals and balances the hearing sensitivity of left and right external sounds picked up by left and right external sound microphones by adjusting a first adjustment element And a second balance circuit that balances the auditory sensitivity of the left and right external sounds picked up by the left and right user voice microphones by adjusting the second adjustment element;
An adjustment operator provided on the housing and operable by a user, the adjustment operator operating the adjustment of the first adjustment element and the adjustment of the second adjustment element;
An auditory sensitivity adjustment device comprising: The hearing sensitivity adjustment apparatus according to claim 2,
The case has one side surface on which the respective sound collecting units of the left and right external sound microphones are arranged, and the other side surface on which the sound collecting units of the left and right user sound microphones are arranged. And an auditory sensitivity adjusting device. The hearing sensitivity adjustment apparatus according to claim 3,
The housing includes left and right external sound directivity openings provided from the surface on one side to the sound collecting portions of the left and right external sound microphones, and a collection of left and right user sound microphones from the surface on the other side. A hearing sensitivity adjustment device comprising left and right user voice directivity openings provided toward a sound portion. The hearing sensitivity adjustment device according to claim 4,
The left directional opening for external voice is arranged concentrically with the directional opening for left user voice, and the right directional opening for external voice is arranged concentrically with the directional opening for right user voice. Hearing sensitivity adjustment device characterized by being made. The hearing sensitivity adjustment apparatus according to claim 1,
Electronic circuit
A switch circuit for turning on and off the connection between the left and right user voice microphones and the left and right output terminals;
An auditory sensitivity adjustment device comprising an on / off operator provided on a housing and operable by a user to operate on / off of a switch circuit.

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