JP2009273562A - Device, method, and program for age group estimation - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an age group estimation device and the like without making users feel it unnatural when inquiring whether the users are the younger generation and under or the mature generation and over. <P>SOLUTION: In this age group estimation device 201, a voice generation section 202 outputs voice higher than a predetermined threshold frequency at a predetermined rhythm and further outputs voice lower than the predetermined threshold frequency in a strong beat of the predetermined rhythm, an input reception section 203 receives an operation input operated accorded with the voice which the user can hear out of the voice output from the voice generation section, and an estimation section 204 estimates the age group of the user by determining whether the timing of receiving the operation input is matched to the timing of each beat of the predetermined rhythm or the timing of the strong beat of the predetermined rhythm. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an age group estimation device, an age group estimation method, and an electronic device capable of reconfiguring these suitable for preventing the user from feeling unnatural when examining whether a user is younger or older than a younger age group. The present invention relates to a program to be realized by a circuit.

In general, the human audible range is in a range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, but this range tends to narrow with age. In particular, when the age is high, it is often impossible to hear high-frequency sound. The technology using such voice is disclosed in the following documents.
WIKIPEDIA, The Free Encyclopedia, The Mosquito section, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mosquito

  According to [Non-patent Document 1], a product called Mosquito (trademark) outputs a high-frequency buzzer of 17 kHz from a small speaker. Such high-frequency sounds are not heard at all, or almost unpleasant when they reach a higher age than the younger generation, but they are annoying to the younger generation. It is said that young people can be excluded.

  Here, in the field of entertainment such as games, there is a desire to be able to perform processing according to the age group of the player by acquiring the age group of the player without being known to the person.

  Therefore, there is a strong demand for a technique for naturally learning the user's age group using the technique disclosed in [Non-Patent Document 1].

  The present invention solves the problems as described above, and an age group estimation apparatus and age group estimation suitable for preventing a user from feeling unnatural when examining whether a user is younger or older or older. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and a program for realizing these by a computer.

  In order to achieve the above object, the following invention is disclosed in accordance with the principle of the present invention.

  An age group estimation apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a voice generation unit, an input reception unit, and an estimation unit, and is configured as follows.

  That is, the sound generation unit outputs a sound higher than a predetermined threshold frequency at a predetermined time signature, and further outputs a sound lower than the predetermined threshold frequency at a strong beat of the predetermined time signature.

  In general, a bar with n beats is called an n beat, and the leading beat is called a strong beat. Therefore, in the case of 2 beats, the strong beat is once every 2 beats, in the case of 3 beats, the strong beat is once every 3 beats, and in the case of 4 beats, the strong beat is once every 4 beats.

  Therefore, in the case of n beats, the sound output by the sound generation unit is output one beat of the low tone while n high beats are output.

  On the other hand, the input reception unit receives an operation input operated in accordance with the voice that the user can listen to from the voice output from the voice generation unit.

  The user is asked to press a button or shake a controller capable of detecting posture so as to beat the hand in time with the rhythm of the output voice.

  Furthermore, the estimation unit determines the age of the user depending on whether the timing at which the operation input is accepted matches the timing of each beat of the predetermined time signature or the timing of the strong beat of the predetermined time signature. Estimate the layer.

  That is, if the rhythm input by the user matches the timing of the high beat, it can be determined that it is a younger layer, and if it matches the timing of the low beat, it is an older layer. Can be determined.

  According to the present invention, the user's age group can be naturally estimated by the configuration imitating the rhythm game without being known to the user.

  In the age group estimation apparatus of the present invention, the predetermined threshold frequency can be configured to be 17 kHz.

  In the above invention, the predetermined threshold frequency can be variably set according to how old the boundary of the age group to be discriminated is. However, the present invention relates to a preferred embodiment of the above invention, and According to the invention, it becomes possible to perform two classifications, that is, a general younger class or lower and a senior class or higher.

  In the age group estimation apparatus of the present invention, the pitch of the high voice and the pitch of the low voice can be configured to differ by an integer octave.

For example, when a sound of 554.4 Hz is used as a low sound pitch, a sound of 5 # octave high # of 554.4 Hz × 2 ⁵ = 17740.8 Hz is used as a high sound pitch.

  In this way, by adopting a pitch that differs only in octaves, young people can hear low pitches of low pitches whenever high pitches are heard. For this reason, it is considered that the bass is hidden by the treble, and it is less likely that young people accidentally take a rhythm to the bass.

  The present invention relates to a preferred embodiment of the above invention, and according to the present invention, it can be expected that the age group can be more accurately distinguished.

  Moreover, in the age group estimation apparatus of the present invention, the predetermined time signature can be configured to be a double time signature.

  The present invention is a preferred embodiment of the above-described invention, and prevents the extension of the rhythm input by the middle-aged or older by reducing the number of beats as much as possible.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to further prevent the user from becoming aware of the age group by preventing the delay of rhythms input by seniors and higher.

  Moreover, in the age group estimation apparatus of the present invention, the sound generation unit can be configured to start outputting the high sound and output the low sound after outputting the high sound twice. .

  The present invention is a preferred embodiment of the above invention, and if there are at least two beats, it is possible to take an equally spaced rhythm. While allowing input, the time until the start of low-frequency output is made as short as possible.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to shorten the waiting time until the low-frequency sound that can be heard more than the middle class is started as much as possible, and to make it more difficult for the user to know that the age group is known. .

  An age group estimation method according to another aspect of the present invention is executed by an age group estimation device having a voice generation unit, an input reception unit, and an estimation unit, and includes a voice generation step, an input reception step, and an estimation step. Configure.

  That is, in the sound generation step, the sound generation unit outputs a sound higher than a predetermined threshold frequency with a predetermined time signature, and further outputs a sound lower than the predetermined threshold frequency in the strong beat of the predetermined time signature.

  On the other hand, in the input receiving step, the input receiving unit receives an operation input operated in accordance with the voice that the user can hear among the voices output from the voice generating unit.

  Furthermore, in the estimation step, the estimation unit receives the operation input depending on whether the timing of each beat of the predetermined time signature matches the timing of the strong beat of the predetermined time signature, Estimate the age group of the user.

  A program according to another aspect of the present invention is configured to cause a computer to function as each unit of the age group estimation apparatus and to cause the computer to execute each step of the age group estimation method.

  The program of the present invention can be recorded on a computer-readable information storage medium such as a compact disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, digital video disk, magnetic tape, and semiconductor memory.

  The above program is distributed and sold via a computer communication network independently of an electronic device such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or a DSP (Ditigal Signal Processor) that is reconfigured by the program and constitutes an electronic circuit. be able to. The information storage medium can be distributed and sold independently from the computer.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when investigating whether a user is younger than the younger age or more than the older age group, an age group estimation device suitable for preventing the user from feeling unnatural, an age group estimation method, and these are realized by a computer A program can be provided.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a typical information processing apparatus in which the age group estimation apparatus according to the present embodiment is realized. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  The information processing apparatus 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, an interface 104, a controller 105, an external memory 106, an image processing unit 107, and a DVD-ROM. (Digital Versatile Disc ROM) drive 108, NIC (Network Interface Card) 109, audio processing unit 110, and microphone 111.

  A DVD-ROM storing the program and data is loaded into the DVD-ROM drive 108 and the information processing apparatus 100 is turned on to execute the program, thereby realizing the age group estimation apparatus of the present embodiment. .

  The CPU 101 controls the overall operation of the information processing apparatus 100 and is connected to each component to exchange control signals and data. Further, the CPU 101 uses arithmetic operations such as addition / subtraction / multiplication / division, logical sum, logical product, etc. using an ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) (not shown) for a storage area called a register (not shown) that can be accessed at high speed. , Logic operations such as logical negation, bit operations such as bit sum, bit product, bit inversion, bit shift, and bit rotation can be performed. In addition, the CPU 101 itself is configured so that saturation operations such as addition / subtraction / multiplication / division for multimedia processing, vector operations such as trigonometric functions, etc. can be performed at a high speed, and those provided with a coprocessor. There is.

  The ROM 102 records an IPL (Initial Program Loader) that is executed immediately after the power is turned on, and when this is executed, the program recorded on the DVD-ROM is read out to the RAM 103 and execution by the CPU 101 is started. The The ROM 102 stores an operating system program and various data necessary for operation control of the entire information processing apparatus 100.

  The RAM 103 is for temporarily storing data and programs, and holds programs and data read from the DVD-ROM and other data necessary for game progress and chat communication. Further, the CPU 101 provides a variable area in the RAM 103 and performs an operation by directly operating the ALU on the value stored in the variable, or temporarily stores the value stored in the RAM 103 in the register. Perform operations such as performing operations on registers and writing back the operation results to memory.

  The controller 105 connected via the interface 104 receives various operation inputs performed by the user when the game is executed, for example, operation inputs for moving an area to be displayed on the screen in the virtual space.

  The external memory 106 detachably connected via the interface 104 stores data indicating game play status (past results, etc.), data indicating game progress, and log of chat communication in the case of a network match ( Data) is stored in a rewritable manner. The user can record these data in the external memory 106 as appropriate by inputting an instruction via the controller 105.

  A DVD-ROM mounted on the DVD-ROM drive 108 stores a program for realizing the game and image data and audio data associated with the game. Under the control of the CPU 101, the DVD-ROM drive 108 performs a reading process on the DVD-ROM loaded therein, reads out necessary programs and data, and these are temporarily stored in the RAM 103 or the like.

  The image processing unit 107 processes the data read from the DVD-ROM by an image arithmetic processor (not shown) included in the CPU 101 or the image processing unit 107, and then processes the processed data on a frame memory ( (Not shown). The image information recorded in the frame memory is converted into a video signal at a predetermined synchronization timing and output to a monitor (not shown) connected to the image processing unit 107. Thereby, various image displays are possible.

  The image calculation processor can execute a two-dimensional image overlay calculation, a transmission calculation such as α blending, and various saturation calculations at high speed.

  Also, polygon information arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space and added with various texture information is rendered by the Z buffer method, and the polygon arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space from the predetermined viewpoint position is determined in the direction of the predetermined line of sight It is also possible to perform high-speed execution of operations for obtaining rendered images.

  Further, the CPU 101 and the image arithmetic processor operate in a coordinated manner, so that a character string can be drawn as a two-dimensional image in a frame memory or drawn on the surface of each polygon according to font information that defines the character shape. is there.

  The NIC 109 is used to connect the information processing apparatus 100 to a computer communication network (not shown) such as the Internet, and is based on the 10BASE-T / 100BASE-T standard used when configuring a LAN (Local Area Network). To connect to the Internet using an analog modem, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) modem, ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) modem, or cable television line. A cable modem or the like and an interface (not shown) that mediates between these and the CPU 101 are configured.

  The audio processing unit 110 converts audio data read from the DVD-ROM into an analog audio signal and outputs the analog audio signal from a speaker (not shown) connected thereto. Further, under the control of the CPU 101, sound effects and music data to be generated during the progress of the game are generated, and sound corresponding to this is output from the speaker.

  When the audio data recorded on the DVD-ROM is MIDI data, the audio processing unit 110 refers to the sound source data included in the audio data and converts the MIDI data into PCM data. If the compressed audio data is in ADPCM format or Ogg Vorbis format, it is expanded and converted to PCM data. The PCM data can be output by performing D / A (Digital / Analog) conversion at a timing corresponding to the sampling frequency and outputting it to a speaker.

  Furthermore, a microphone 111 can be connected to the information processing apparatus 100 via the interface 104. In this case, the analog signal from the microphone 111 is subjected to A / D conversion at an appropriate sampling frequency so that processing such as mixing in the sound processing unit 110 can be performed as a PCM format digital signal.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus 100 uses a large-capacity external storage device such as a hard disk so as to perform the same function as the ROM 102, the RAM 103, the external memory 106, the DVD-ROM mounted on the DVD-ROM drive 108, and the like. You may comprise.

  The information processing apparatus 100 described above corresponds to a so-called “consumer video game apparatus”, but the present invention can be realized as long as it can output sound. Therefore, the present invention can be realized on various computers such as a mobile phone, a portable game device, a karaoke apparatus, and a general business computer.

  For example, a general computer, like the information processing apparatus 100, includes an image processing unit that includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, DVD-ROM drive, and NIC and has simpler functions than the information processing apparatus 100. In addition to having a hard disk as an external storage device, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic tape, and the like can be used. Further, not the controller 105 but a keyboard or a mouse is used as an input device.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the age group estimation apparatus according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  An age group estimation apparatus 201 according to the present embodiment includes an audio generation unit 202, an input reception unit 203, and an estimation unit 204.

  The sound generation unit 202 has two types of sound (hereinafter referred to as “high sound”) higher than a predetermined threshold frequency (typically 17 kHz) and sound lower than a predetermined threshold frequency (hereinafter referred to as “low sound”). Output audio. It is desirable that the high pitch and the low pitch be different by an integer octave.

Assuming that the threshold frequency is 17 kHz, the human audible range is 20 kHz, and the pitch used in normal notes is selected from among 12 scales, the following three candidates are considered.
(A) DO # ... 17740.8Hz;
(B) Les ... 18793.6Hz;
(C) Les # ... 19913.6Hz

For example, when the treble is de # (17740.8 Hz), the following frequencies can be adopted as the bass.
(P) 17740.8Hz / 2 = 8870.4Hz;
(Q) 17740.8Hz / 2 ² = 4435.2Hz;
(R) 17740.8Hz / 2 ³ = 2217.6Hz;
(S) 17740.8Hz / 2 ⁴ = 1108.8Hz;
(T) 17740.8Hz / 2 ⁵ = 554.4Hz;
(U) 17740.8Hz / 2 ⁶ = 277.2Hz;
(V) 17740.8Hz / 2 ⁷ = 138.6Hz;
(W) 17740.8Hz / 2 ⁸ = 69.3Hz;
(X) 17740.8Hz / 2 ⁹ = 34.7Hz

  Even when a sound of another frequency is adopted as a high sound, a low sound candidate can be determined in this way.

  If a pitch that is different only in octaves is used, a low frequency bass beat is absorbed by a high frequency high frequency beat for a person who can hear high and low frequencies simultaneously.

  On the other hand, for those who are hard to hear high sounds, the low sounds are further emphasized.

The sound generator 202 outputs high and low sounds as follows.
(A) Treble is output for each beat with a predetermined time signature, for example, 2 time signature, 3 time signature, 4 time signature, and the like.
(B) The low tone is output as a strong beat of a time signature in which a high tone is output.

  As described above, one having n measures in number of beats is called n beat, and the leading beat is called strong beat. Therefore, in the case of 2 beats, the strong beat is once every 2 beats, in the case of 3 beats, the strong beat is once every 3 beats, and in the case of 4 beats, the strong beat is once every 4 beats.

  Therefore, when the sound output from the sound generation unit 202 has n beats, one low beat is output while n high beats are output.

  FIG. 3 shows the time when the sound generation unit 202 outputs high and low sounds, and the time when the younger people who can hear both high and low sounds take a rhythm, the time when the younger people who can hear only the low sound get the rhythm. It is explanatory drawing which shows a chart. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  The horizontal axis in this figure is the time axis, and when playback is started, the treble is output at each time signature of two beats. On the other hand, the low-pitched sound starts to be reproduced after two high-pitched sounds are output, and is output as a strong beat of the time signature.

  For young people, if they listen to two high-pitched sounds, the subsequent rhythm can be obtained. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the third and subsequent high-pitched sounds are considered to have a rhythm for each beat.

  Even when 3 beats or more are adopted, the measure ends when 2 high-pitched sounds are output, the 3rd high-pitched sound is made a strong beat, and thereafter, the low-pitched sound is outputted simultaneously with the high-pitched strong beat. .

  On the other hand, the middle class cannot take the rhythm until they hear two beats of bass. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the rhythm is generated every third beat of the bass (the fifth beat of the treble) and thereafter, each beat of the bass, that is, the beat corresponding to the odd number of the treble, in other words, every beat of two beats. It is thought that it can be taken.

  By adopting the double time signature, it is possible to prevent the rhythm that can be acquired by the upper class and the time until the first person can acquire the rhythm for the first time. It can be made difficult for the user to know that the age group is known.

  In addition, since it is considered that one beat takes a rhythm even after the output of the sound is finished, the timing of the beat is drawn with a dotted line in this figure.

  Therefore, the sound processing unit 110 functions as the sound generation unit 202 under the control of the CPU 101.

  On the other hand, the input receiving unit 203 receives an operation input operated in accordance with the voice that the user can listen to from among the voices output from the voice generating unit 202, and is used for examining the rhythm that the user has learned. Is.

  Typically, the user is asked to press a button or shake a controller capable of detecting posture so as to beat the hand in time with the rhythm of the output sound. Accordingly, various controllers 105, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like function as the input receiving unit 203.

  Furthermore, the estimation unit 204 determines whether the timing at which the operation input is received matches each of the timing of each beat of the predetermined time signature and the timing of the strong beat of the predetermined time signature. Estimate the age group.

  That is, if the rhythm input by the user matches the timing of the high beat, it can be determined that it is a younger layer, and if it matches the timing of the low beat, it is an older layer. Can be determined.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the rhythm assumed to be input by the younger generation and the rhythm expected to be input by the older generation are the input timing itself, the input timing interval, and the input start timing. There is a difference. Taking these differences into account, it is estimated whether it is younger or younger or older than the younger generation by the same judgment method as the rhythm game.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of control of the age group estimation process executed by the age group estimation apparatus according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  When this processing is started, the CPU 101 initializes the audio processing unit 110 (step S401), and then instructs the audio processing unit 110 to output audio in a pattern as shown in FIG. (Step S402). At this time, a message such as “Press the controller button or shake the controller according to the rhythm of the output sound” is typically displayed on the screen of a monitor or liquid crystal display. It is.

  Then, while the audio output continues (step S403; Yes), it is determined whether or not the controller 105 is input (step S404), and the history is recorded in the RAM 103 or the like (step S405). repeat. In the history, the time when the button is pressed or the controller 105 is shaken (typically, the elapsed time from the start of audio output) is recorded.

  When the audio output is completed (step S403; No), it is determined which of the rhythm patterns shown in FIG. 3 matches the recorded history (step S406).

  In this determination, a rhythm game technique can be employed. It is estimated whether it matches the pattern below the younger age group or matches the pattern above the younger age group.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the timing at which the user should input within a predetermined error range is 9 to 10 times for younger people and below, and 3 to 4 times for younger people and above.

  Therefore, most simply, it is possible to estimate whether the user is a younger age group or a older age group based on whether the number of times the user has pressed the button or the like is 7 times or more and 6 times or less.

  In addition, since the input timing interval is twice that of the younger generation, the average time interval of input may be estimated based on whether the input time interval is closer to the older generation or the younger generation.

More specifically, at each of the times you expect to enter,
(A) Number of times assumed to be input;
(B) Number of times the user has entered within a predetermined error range;
(C) Number of times the user did not input within a predetermined error range;
And at the time when it is supposed not to input,
(D) Taking into account the four parameters of the number of times the user has input, the grade is judged in the same way as the success / failure judgment of a general rhythm game, and it is estimated whether it is a younger age group or a older age group.

  And an estimation result is output (step S407) and this process is complete | finished.

  In order to output a high sound, a small speaker is desirable. Therefore, the present invention is particularly suitable for mobile phones and portable game devices.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an age group estimation device, an age group estimation method suitable for preventing the user from feeling unnatural when examining whether the user is younger than the younger age or higher age group, and A program for realizing these by a computer can be provided.

It is a mimetic diagram showing the outline composition of the typical information processor with which the age group estimating device concerning this embodiment is realized. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the age group estimation apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. In this embodiment, it is explanatory drawing which shows the timing at which a high tone and a low tone are output, the timing when a younger age group or less takes a rhythm, and the timing when a higher age group or more takes a rhythm. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of control of the age group estimation process performed with the age group estimation apparatus which concerns on this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

100 Information processing apparatus 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 Interface 105 Controller 106 External Memory 107 Image Processing Unit 108 DVD-ROM Drive 109 NIC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 Speech processing part 111 Microphone 201 Age group estimation apparatus 202 Speech generation part 203 Input reception part 204 Estimation part

Claims (7)

A sound generator that outputs a sound higher than a predetermined threshold frequency in a predetermined time signature, and further outputs a sound lower than the predetermined threshold frequency in the strong beat of the predetermined time signature;
An input receiving unit that receives an operation input operated in accordance with the voice that the user has been able to listen to from the voice output from the voice generation unit;
An estimation unit that estimates the age group of the user depending on whether the timing at which the operation input is received matches the timing of each beat of the predetermined time signature or the timing of a strong beat of the predetermined time signature An age group estimation device comprising: The age group estimation device according to claim 1,
The predetermined threshold frequency is 17 kHz. The age group estimation device according to claim 2,
An age group estimation device characterized in that the pitch of the high voice and the pitch of the low voice differ by an integer octave. The age group estimation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The predetermined time signature is a double time signature. The age group estimation device according to claim 4,
The sound generation unit starts outputting the high sound, and after outputting the high sound twice, starts outputting the low sound. An age group estimation method executed by an age group estimation apparatus having a voice generation unit, an input reception unit, and an estimation unit,
The sound generation unit outputs a sound higher than a predetermined threshold frequency at a predetermined time signature, and further outputs a sound lower than the predetermined threshold frequency at the strong beat of the predetermined time signature,
An input receiving step in which the input receiving unit receives an operation input operated in accordance with a voice that the user can listen to among the voices output from the voice generation unit;
Depending on whether the timing at which the estimation unit receives the operation input matches the timing of each beat of the predetermined time signature or the timing of the strong beat of the predetermined time signature, the age group of the user An age group estimation method comprising an estimation step of estimating. Computer
A sound generator that outputs a sound higher than a predetermined threshold frequency in a predetermined time signature, and further outputs a sound lower than the predetermined threshold frequency in the strong beat of the predetermined time signature;
An input receiving unit that receives an operation input operated in accordance with the voice that the user has been able to listen to from the voice output from the voice generation unit;
An estimation unit that estimates the age group of the user depending on whether the timing at which the operation input is received matches the timing of each beat of the predetermined time signature or the timing of a strong beat of the predetermined time signature A program characterized by functioning as

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