JP2023011239A - Conversation system, conversation aid, and conversation aid method - Google Patents

Abstract

To easily introduce into an existing conversation space provided with a partition plate, and to perform stable voice conversation while preventing howling.SOLUTION: Audio signals input to a conversation aid (master device) 100 and a conversation aid (child device) 200 are output as audio by other conversation aids. For example, an audio signal input to the conversation aid (master device) 100 is output as audio from other conversation aids, that is, a conversation aid (child device) 200a and a conversation aid (child device) 200b. Also, when a plurality of people converse at the same time, audio signals input to devices other than the device itself are synthesized by the conversation aid (master device) 100, and this synthesized signal is output as audio from the device itself.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a conversation system, a conversation assistance device, and a conversation assistance method that can be easily introduced into an existing conversation space provided with a partition plate, and that enables stable voice conversation while preventing howling.

Conventionally, when a customer and a person in charge have a face-to-face conversation, the conversation is often conducted through a partition plate such as an acrylic plate or a glass plate. In particular, with the recent increase in the number of new coronaviruses, transparent partitions have been installed in various places such as restaurants and sales offices to prevent droplets from reaching the other party when talking face-to-face. ing.

However, when such a transparent partition plate is provided, it becomes difficult for the sound emitted by one to reach the other. For this reason, there is known a conventional technique in which a voice is transmitted to a facing partner when such a partition plate is provided. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a plate that separates the outside and the room, and a vibration generator that converts an input audio signal into vibration. A technology is disclosed in which sound is generated in both directions of the plate by the vibration of the plate.

In addition, in order to make conversation smooth even through the acrylic board, a device with an integrated microphone and speaker was placed at the position facing the partition plate and connected by wire, and the simultaneous button on one device was pressed. Then, there is known a device that outputs the voice input from the microphone of the device from the speaker of the other party.

JP 2005-252896 A

However, in the above patent document 1, the sound is transmitted by vibrating the partition plate with a vibration generator brought into contact with the partition plate. In addition, portability is difficult and howling may occur.

In addition, when the device is arranged at a position facing the partition plate and connected by wire, the sound from the gap provided at the bottom of the partition plate for exchanging materials is input to the microphone and amplified, resulting in howling. There is a problem of causing Furthermore, the conventional technology described above is intended for face-to-face conversations between users, and cannot be used when a plurality of people converse through a plurality of partitions.

For these reasons, it is important to realize a conversation assisting device and a conversation system that can be easily introduced into an existing conversation space provided with a partition plate and that enables stable voice conversation while preventing howling. is an issue.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and can be easily introduced into an existing conversation space provided with a partition plate, and enables stable voice conversation while preventing howling. To provide a conversation system, a conversation aid, and a conversation aid method capable of

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a conversation assistant for each conversation space of a speaker partitioned by a transparent partition plate, and a plurality of conversation assistants provided for each conversation space. , wherein the conversation aid is provided in a concave portion of a parabolic reflector, and includes a microphone for collecting the voice uttered by the speaker, and a microphone for collecting the sound. a transmission control means for controlling transmission of the received audio signal to another conversation aid; a speaker for outputting the audio signal received from the other conversation aid; and a reversed-phase speaker for outputting .

Further, in the present invention, in the above-described invention, the conversation assistance device prevents howling by stopping audio output to the speaker when the sound pressure level of the audio signal received from the other conversation assistance device is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. It is characterized by further comprising means.

Further, according to the present invention, in the above invention, the conversation assistance device further comprises wireless communication means for performing short-range wireless communication with another conversation assistance device.

Further, in the above invention, one of the three or more conversation assistance devices is a parent device, and the three or more conversation assistance devices other than the parent device are child devices, and The device further comprises synthesizing means for synthesizing the audio signal of the conversation assistance device other than the destination of the audio signal among the audio signals received from the parent device and the audio signals received from the slave devices, and the wireless communication means performs the synthesizing The voice signal synthesized by means is wirelessly transmitted to the destination of the voice signal.

Further, according to the present invention, in the above-described invention, the conversation assistance device is wired-connected to another conversation assistance device.

In the above invention, the present invention further comprises a signal synthesizer wiredly connected to each of the three or more conversation aides, wherein the signal synthesizer selects voice signals from the audio signals received from the conversation aides. The present invention is characterized by comprising synthesizing means for synthesizing voice signals of conversation aid devices other than the destination of the signal, and transmitting means for transmitting the voice signal synthesized by the synthesizing means to the destination of the voice signal.

The present invention also provides a conversation aid provided for each conversation space of a speaker partitioned by a transparent partition plate and communicatively connected to another conversation aid, wherein the concave portion of the parabolic reflector provided in a microphone for collecting the voice uttered by the speaker, transmission control means for controlling transmission of the audio signal collected by the microphone to another conversation aid, and received from the other conversation aid The present invention is characterized by comprising a speaker for outputting an audio signal, and a reversed-phase speaker for outputting a sound of a normal-phase waveform and a reversed-phase sound of the sound output by the speaker.

Further, the present invention relates to conversation in a conversation system in which a conversation assistant is provided for each conversation space of a speaker partitioned by a transparent partition plate, and a plurality of conversation assistants provided for each conversation space are communicably connected. a first conversation assisting method comprising: a sound collecting step in which a first conversation assisting device collects a voice uttered by the speaker using a microphone provided in a concave portion of a parabolic reflector; a transmission control step in which the device controls transmission of the audio signal collected by the microphone to the second conversation aid; and A voice output step of outputting from a speaker; and a reverse phase sound output step of outputting a normal phase waveform of the voice output from the speaker and a reverse phase sound from the reverse phase speaker. characterized by

Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, it can be easily introduced into an existing conversation space provided with a partition plate, and stable voice conversation can be conducted while preventing howling.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview of the conversation assistance device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the conversation assistance device (master device) shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the conversation assistance device (master device) shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the conversation assistance device (slave device) shown in FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the operation of the signal control circuit shown in FIG. 3. FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining sound output from the speaker unit and the reversed-phase speaker shown in FIG. 7 is a diagram (part 1) showing an operation pattern of the conversation assistance device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 8 is a diagram (part 2) showing an operation pattern of the conversation assistance device according to the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process procedure for multiple simultaneous conversations according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview of the conversation assistance device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of a conversation assistance device (child device) according to the second embodiment. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of the signal synthesizer shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the control unit of the signal synthesizer according to the second embodiment; FIG.

[Embodiment 1]
The conversation system and the conversation assistant according to the first embodiment will be described in detail below. First, an overview of the conversation assisting device according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview of the conversation assisting device according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the conversation assistance device according to the first embodiment has two types of forms: a conversation assistance device (master device) 100 and a conversation assistance device (child device) 200 . Here, a case is shown in which child device conversation assistants 200a and 200b are present. Audio signals input to the conversation assistance device (master device) 100 and the conversation assistance device (child device) 200 are output as voice by other conversation assistance devices.

For example, an audio signal input to the conversation assistance device (master device) 100 is output as audio from other conversation assistance devices, that is, the conversation assistance device (child device) 200a and the conversation assistance device (child device) 200b.

Also, when a plurality of people speak at the same time, voice signals input to devices other than the device itself are synthesized by the conversation assisting device (master device) 100, and this synthesized signal is output as voice from the device itself.

As described above, the conversation assisting device according to the first embodiment can be easily introduced into an existing conversation space provided with a partition plate. The provision of stable voice conversation accompanying the prevention of howling will be described later.

<External Configuration of Conversation Auxiliary Device (Master Device) 100>
Next, the external configuration of the conversation assistance device (master device) 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. Note that the external configuration of conversation assistance device (child device) 200 is similar to that of conversation assistance device (master device) 100, so the configuration of conversation assistance device (master device) 100 is shown.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the conversation assistance device (master device) 100 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the conversation assisting device (master device) 100 is composed of a main unit 110 and a speaker unit 120 .

The body portion 110 is provided with a parabolic microphone 111 , a volume control knob 116 and a status LED 117 . The parabolic microphone 111 picks up sound around itself in a parabolic shape, and converts it into a sound signal in the central microphone.

Volume adjustment knob 116 is a knob for adjusting the volume of the sound output from the device itself. The status LED 117 lights up when howling occurs in the device itself and the output to the speaker unit 120 is stopped, indicating that the speaker unit 120 is in the "OFF" state.

In addition, a low-resilience urethane layer having a thickness of, for example, 2 cm is provided on the upper portion of the main body portion 110 . This is to prevent the vibration of the sound output from the reverse-phase speaker 122 from being transmitted to the main unit 110 .

The speaker section 120 is provided with a speaker 121 on the top and a reverse-phase speaker 122 on the bottom. The speaker 121 outputs the audio signal input to the conversation assisting device other than its own device as sound. The reverse-phase speaker 122 outputs a sound having a waveform that is opposite to the phase (positive phase) of the waveform of the sound output by the speaker 121 . A rubber sheet and a predetermined gap forming member are provided at the bottom of the speaker section 120 . The output sound from the reverse phase speaker 122 is output from the gap formed by the gap forming member. Note that the body portion 110 and the speaker portion 120 are coupled via a so-called “O-ring”.

<Internal Configuration of Conversation Auxiliary Device (Master Device) 100>
Next, the internal configuration of the conversation assistance device (master device) 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of conversation assistance device (master device) 100 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the conversation assisting device (master device) 100 is composed of a main body portion 110 and a speaker portion 120 .

The main unit 110 has a parabolic microphone 111, a signal processing circuit 112, a signal control circuit 113, signal conversion units 114a to 114e, communication units 115a to 115d, and a signal synthesizing circuit 131. Here, detailed description of the parts that have already been described with reference to FIG. 2 will be omitted.

The signal processing circuit 112 processes the data obtained by digitally converting the audio signal input from the parabolic microphone 111 by the signal conversion unit 114a and the data synthesized by the signal synthesizing circuit 131, thereby preventing noise and howling. circuit. The signal processing circuit 112 includes high pass filters, echo cancellation, noise reduction, equalizers, and the like.

The signal control circuit 113 is a circuit that suppresses the occurrence of howling by stopping the delivery of audio signals for a predetermined time. The signal control circuit 113 stops delivery of the audio signal to the speaker unit 120 for a predetermined time when the sound pressure of the audio signal input from the signal conversion unit 114 to the AC level meter 133 is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold. do.

The signal converters 114a to 114e convert analog audio signals into digital signals, and convert digital signals into analog signals. The communication units 115a to 115c are interface units for performing data communication via a wireless line such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). ) wirelessly communicate with the communication units provided in 200a and 200b.

The signal synthesizing circuit 131 is a circuit that synthesizes audio signals. The signal conversion units 114 b and 114 c receive the audio signals from the communication units 115 b and 115 c respectively, convert them into analog signals, and transfer them to the signal synthesizing circuit 131 . When the signal synthesizing circuit 131 receives analog-converted audio signals from the signal converters 114b and 114c, it selects one of the received plural (for example, N) audio signals, and converts all audio signals other than this audio signal. The (N−1) audio signals are synthesized and transferred to the signal conversion unit 114b or the signal conversion unit 114c of the transmission source of the selected audio signal.

The signal synthesizing circuit 131 generates a synthesized signal by synthesizing all of the remaining (N−1) unselected audio signals with each of the plurality of (N) audio signals thus selected. FIG. 3 shows a case where there are two conversation assistants (handsets) (N=3). The signal conversion unit 114c and the communication unit 115c are provided for each corresponding conversation assistance device (child device). The signal conversion unit 114b transfers the composite signal transferred from the signal synthesis circuit 131 to the signal conversion unit 114e via the communication units 115b and 115a and the signal processing circuit 112. FIG. In addition, the signal conversion unit 114c transfers the synthesized signal transferred from the signal synthesis circuit 131 to the communication unit of the conversation assistance device (child device) via the communication unit 115c.

<Structure of Conversation Auxiliary Device (Child Device) 200>
Next, the configuration of the conversation assistance device (child device) 200 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the conversation assistance device (child device) 200 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the conversation assistance device (slave device) 200 is composed of a main unit 210 and a speaker unit 120 . Note that the description of functional units similar to those of the conversation assistance device (master device) 100 shown in FIG. 3 will be omitted.

The body section 210 has a parabolic microphone 111 , a signal processing circuit 112 , a signal control circuit 113 , a signal conversion section 220 and a communication section 115 . The signal conversion units 220a and 220b are processing units that convert audio signals from analog signals to digital signals and from digital signals to analog signals.

Upon receiving an analog audio signal from the parabolic microphone 111 , the signal conversion unit 220 a converts the analog audio signal into a digital signal and transfers the digital signal to the signal processing circuit 112 . Further, when the signal conversion unit 220 b receives the composite digital signal from the communication unit 115 , it converts the composite digital signal into an analog signal and transfers it to the speaker 121 via the signal control circuit 113 .

<Operation of Signal Control Circuit 113>
Next, the operation of the signal control circuit 113 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the operation of the signal control circuit 113 shown in FIG. to control. As shown in FIG. 5, when an audio signal is input, the signal control circuit 113 measures the sound pressure level of the input audio using the AC level meter 133 .

If the sound pressure level measured by the AC level meter 133 is less than the threshold, the signal control circuit 113 passes the audio signal input from the signal conversion section 114e to the speaker section 120 for output. If the sound pressure level is equal to or higher than the threshold, the status LED 117 is controlled to turn on without passing the audio signal input from the signal conversion unit 114e to the speaker unit 120, so that the speaker unit 120 is turned off. state. As a result, the user who perceives the lighting of the status LED 117 becomes aware of the occurrence of howling and can operate the volume control knob 116 by himself/herself to adjust the volume to a lower level. As a result, it is possible to quickly eliminate the situation in which howling occurs.

In this way, the signal control circuit 113 suppresses the occurrence of howling by stopping the delivery of the audio signal for a predetermined time.

<Operation of Reversed Phase Speaker 122>
Next, sound output from the speaker 121 and the reversed-phase speaker 122 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining sound output from the speaker 121 and the reverse-phase speaker 122 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, when the speaker 121 receives an audio signal that is a signal of the audio "A", the speaker 121 vibrates a diaphragm made of cone paper or the like based on this audio signal to generate audio. This voice is output as voice "A" to the outside of speaker unit 120 .

The speaker 121 outputs the sound “A” to the outside of the speaker unit 120 and outputs the sound “B”, which is the opposite phase of the sound “A”, toward the inside of the speaker unit 120 . This is because the vibration of the diaphragm of the speaker 121 gives opposite vibrations to the air outside and inside the speaker section 120 .

The air vibration caused by the sound “B” inside the speaker section 120 vibrates the diaphragm of the reverse phase speaker 122 , and the reverse phase speaker 122 outputs the sound “B” to the outside of the speaker section 120 due to this vibration.

In this way, the reverse-phase speaker 122 outputs the sound "A" output by the speaker 121 and the sound "B" that is in reverse phase. This voice "B" is output to the outside of the device through the gap formed by the above-described gap forming member. It should be noted that the transmission of the vibration caused by the voice “B” to the body portion 110 is restricted by the existence of the low-resilience urethane layer provided on the upper portion of the body portion 110 . Therefore, the sound "B" output from the reverse-phase speaker 122 is output in the direction in which the parabolic microphone 111 is installed, and the sound "A" input to the parabolic microphone 111 is output by the sound "B". Attenuated. As a result, howling can be suppressed.

<Operating Pattern of Conversation Auxiliary Device According to Embodiment 1>
Next, operation patterns of the conversation assistance device according to the first embodiment will be described. 7 and 8 are diagrams showing operation patterns of the conversation assistance device according to the first embodiment. The operation patterns of the conversation aid include a one-to-one operation pattern and a one-to-many operation pattern.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the one-to-one operation pattern, one conversation assistance device (master device) 100 and one conversation assistance device (child device) 200 are used. An audio signal input to the conversation assistant (master device) 100 is output as audio in the conversation assistant (child device) 200, and an audio signal input to the conversation assistant (child device) 200 is output to the conversation assistant (child device) 200. It is output as a voice in the parent device) 100 . In this case, the signal synthesizing circuit 131 of the conversation assistance device (master device) 100 does not synthesize the voice signal.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the one-to-many operation pattern, one conversation assistance device (master device) 100 and a plurality of conversation assistance devices (child devices) 200 are used. For example, three conference participants X, Y, and Z have a conversation using the conversation assistant (child device) 200a, the conversation assistant (child device) 200b, and the conversation assistant (master device) 100, respectively. , an audio signal X1 is transmitted from the conversation assistance device (child device) 200a, and an audio signal Y1 is transmitted from the conversation assistance device (child device) 200b to the conversation assistance device (master device) 100 (S1).

Conversation assistance device (master device) 100 synthesizes an audio signal using received audio signal X1 and audio signal Y1 and audio signal Z1 of the audio input to conversation assistance device (master device) 100 ( S2).

A synthesized signal (X1, Y1) synthesized using the audio signal X1 and the audio signal Y1 is output as synthesized speech by the conversation assistance device (master device) 100. FIG. Synthetic signals (Y1, Z1) and synthesized signals (X1, Z1) synthesized in the same manner are transmitted to the conversation assistance device (child device) 200a and the conversation assistance device (child device) 200b, respectively (S3), and as synthesized speech output.

<Processing procedure for multiple simultaneous conversations according to the first embodiment>
Next, a processing procedure for multiple simultaneous conversations according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure of multiple simultaneous conversations according to the first embodiment. First, when speech is input from the parabolic microphone 111 (step S101), the conversation assistance device (slave device) 200a converts the speech into an audio signal and performs signal processing on the audio signal (step S102).

The conversation assistance device (child device) 200a transmits the signal-processed audio signal to the signal synthesizing circuit 131 in the conversation assistance device (master device) 100 via the communication unit 115c and the signal conversion unit 114c (step S103).

When voice is input from the parabolic microphone 111 (step S104), the conversation assisting device (master device) 100 converts the voice into a voice signal, performs signal processing on the voice signal (step S105), and converts the voice into a voice signal (step S105). It is transmitted to the communication unit 115b of the signal synthesizing circuit 131 in the (parent device) 100 (step S106).

When signal synthesizing circuit 131 in conversation assistance device (master device) 100 receives an audio signal from signal processing circuit 112 of conversation assistance device (master device) 100 via communication units 115a and 115b and signal conversion unit 114b, (Step S107), synthesis of audio signals is performed (Step S108). Here, in step S107, it is assumed that voice signals are received from a plurality of conversation assistants (children) 200, and in step S108, voice signals of the plurality of conversation assistants (children) 200 and conversation assistants (parents) are received. Synthesis of the audio signal is performed using the audio signal of the machine) 100 .

A signal synthesizing circuit 131 in the conversation assisting device (master device) 100 converts a synthesized signal using an audio signal other than the conversation assisting device (child device) 200a to a conversation assisting device (child device) via the signal conversion unit 114c and the communication unit 115c. machine) 200a (step S109). When conversation assistance device (slave device) 200a receives a synthesized signal from signal synthesizing circuit 131 in conversation assistance device (master device) 100 (step S110), signal processing circuit 112 and signal conversion unit 220b convert the synthesized signal. Signal processing is performed (step S111).

If the sound pressure level of the synthesized signal is equal to or higher than the threshold (step S112: Yes), audio output is cut off for a predetermined time (step S113), and the process returns to sound pressure level measurement (step S112). If the sound pressure level is less than the threshold (step S112: No), this synthesized signal is output as a voice from the speaker 121 (step S114), and the voice opposite to this voice is output from the reverse phase speaker 122 (step S114). S115).

When the conversation assistance device (master device) 100 receives the synthesized signal using the voice signals of all the conversation assistance devices (child devices) 200 via the signal conversion unit 114b and the communication units 115b and 115a (step S116). , the signal processing circuit 112 and the signal conversion unit 114e perform signal processing on the composite signal (step S117). If the sound pressure level of the synthesized signal is equal to or higher than the threshold (step S118: Yes), audio output is cut off for a predetermined time (step S119), and the process returns to sound pressure level measurement (step S118). If the sound pressure level is less than the threshold (step S118: No), this synthesized signal is output as a voice from the speaker 121 (step S120), and a voice opposite to this voice is output from the reverse phase speaker 122 (step S121), the process ends.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the conversation assistants 100, 200a, and 200b are provided for each speaker's conversation space partitioned by a transparent partition plate, and the conversation assistants 100, 200a, and 200b are provided respectively. A conversation system in which a conversation assistant 200b is communicatively connected. A speaker 121 that controls transmission of the audio signal collected by 111 to the other conversation assistants 200a and 200b, and the conversation assistant 200a and the conversation assistant 200b output the audio signal received from the conversation assistant 100; Since it is configured to have a positive phase waveform of the voice output by the speaker 121 and a negative phase speaker 122 that outputs the sound of the reverse phase, it can be easily introduced into an existing conversation space provided with a partition plate, resulting in howling. It is possible to have a stable voice conversation while preventing

In the above-described first embodiment, the configuration for having a conversation using the conversation assistance device (master device) 100 and the conversation assistance device (child device) 200 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Conversation can be conducted using a smartphone, a PC, etc. connected via an external line such as the Internet or the like, or using headphones, etc. connected via a wireless line such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). It can also be configured to do so.

[Embodiment 2]
By the way, in the first embodiment described above, the configuration in which the conversation assistance device (base device) 100 and the conversation assistance device (child device) 200 are connected via wireless communication has been described, but the present invention is limited to this. not something. The signal synthesizing circuit for synthesizing voice signals and the conversation assisting device (slave device) can also be configured to be connected using wired communication. In the second embodiment, a configuration in which the signal synthesizing circuit and the conversation assisting device (slave device) are connected using wired communication will be described.

<Overview of Conversation Aid Device According to Embodiment 2>
First, an outline of a conversation system and a conversation aid device according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview of the conversation assistance device according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the conversation assistance device (child device) 200 and the signal synthesizer 300 are connected by wired communication.

Conversation assistance device (slave device) 200 transmits an audio signal to signal synthesizer 300 and outputs a synthesized signal received from signal synthesizer 300 . The signal synthesizer 300 synthesizes an audio signal received from the conversation assistance device (child device) 200 and transmits it to the conversation assistance device (child device) 200 .

For example, when three conference participants X, Y, and Z converse using conversation assistants (handsets) 200a, 200b, and 200c, respectively, the input to each conversation assistant (handset) 200 is The obtained audio signals are assumed to be audio signals X2, Y2 and Z2.

Audio signals X2, Y2, and Z2 are transmitted from the respective conversation assistants (handsets) 200 to the signal synthesizer 300, and the signal synthesizer 300 uses the received audio signals X2, Y2, and Z2 to generate a synthesized signal (Y2 , Z2), (X2, Z2) and (X2, Y2) are synthesized and transmitted to the conversation assistants (slave devices) 200a, 200b and 200c, respectively.

The conversation assistance device (child device) 200a receives the received combined signal (Y2, Z2), the conversation assistance device (child device) 200b receives the received combined signal (X2, Z2), and the conversation assistance device (child device) 200c receives. The synthesized signals (X2, Y2) are output.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of conversation assistance device (slave device) 200 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 11 , the conversation assistance device (child device) 200 includes a parabolic microphone 111 , a communication section 115 , a signal control circuit 113 , an amplifier circuit 132 and an AC level meter 133 .

<Configuration of Signal Synthesizer 300>
Next, the configuration of signal synthesizer 300 shown in FIG. 10 will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of signal synthesizer 300 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the signal combiner 300 has a communication section 301 and a signal combining circuit 302 .

Communication unit 301 is an interface unit for performing analog voice communication with conversation assistance device (child device) 200 via a wired line.

A signal synthesizing circuit 302 is a circuit for synthesizing an audio signal. The signal synthesizing circuit 302 selects one from a plurality of (for example, N) voice signals received from a plurality of conversation assistance devices (handsets) 200, and selects all (N−1) voices other than this voice signal. The signal is synthesized, and the synthesized audio signal is sent to the communication unit 301 that is the transmission source of the selected audio signal. The signal synthesizing circuit 302 generates synthesized signals for all of the N speech signals.

<Processing procedure of the signal synthesizer 300 according to the second embodiment>
Next, a processing procedure of the signal synthesizer 300 according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure of the signal synthesizer 300 according to the second embodiment.

First, when the signal synthesizing circuit 302 receives audio signals X2, Y2 and Z2 from the communication unit 301 (step S201), it converts the audio signals into (Y2, Z2), (X2, Z2) and (X2, Y2). They are divided into combinations and synthesized (step S202).

The signal synthesizing circuit 302 transfers the destination of the synthesized signal (Y2, Z2) to the communication unit 301a as the conversation assistant (child device) 200a (step S203), and the destination of the synthesized signal (X2, Z2) is the conversation assistant. (child device) 200b is transferred to the communication unit 301b (step S204), the destination of the combined signal (X2, Y2) is transferred to the communication unit 301c as the conversation aid (child device) 200c (step S205), and the process ends. .

As described above, the conversation system according to the second embodiment further includes a signal synthesizer 300 connected to each of the conversation assistants 200a to 200c by wire. , the speech signals of the conversation assistants 200b and 200c other than the device itself are synthesized, and the synthesized speech signal is sent to the conversation assistant 200a, so that even three or more people can have a smooth conversation. be able to.

It should be noted that each configuration illustrated in each of the above-described embodiments is functionally schematic, and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. That is, the form of distribution/integration of each device is not limited to the illustrated one, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed/integrated in arbitrary units according to various loads and usage conditions. Can be configured.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The conversation system, conversation aid device, and conversation assistance method according to the present invention can be easily introduced into existing conversation spaces provided with partitions, and are suitable for conducting stable voice conversations while preventing howling. .

100 Conversation aid (main unit)
110 main unit 111 parabolic microphone 112 signal processing circuit 113 signal control circuit 114 signal conversion unit 115 communication unit 116 volume control knob 117 status LED
120 speaker section 121 speaker 122 reversed phase speaker 130 control section 131 signal synthesizing circuit 132 amplifier circuit 133 AC level meter 200 conversation assisting device (child device)
210 main unit 220 signal conversion unit 300 signal synthesizer 301 communication unit 302 signal synthesis circuit

Claims (8)

A conversation system in which a conversation aid is provided for each conversation space of a speaker partitioned by a transparent partition plate, and a plurality of conversation aids provided for each conversation space are communicably connected,
The conversation aid is
a microphone provided in the concave portion of the parabolic reflector for collecting sound uttered by the speaker;
a transmission control means for controlling transmission of the audio signal collected by the microphone to another conversation aid;
a speaker for outputting audio signals received from other speech aids;
A conversation system, comprising: a reverse-phase speaker for outputting a normal-phase waveform and a reverse-phase sound of the sound output by the speaker. The conversation aid is
2. The conversation system according to claim 1, further comprising howling prevention means for stopping audio output to said speaker when the sound pressure level of the audio signal received from said another conversation aid is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. . The conversation aid is
3. The conversation system according to claim 1, further comprising wireless communication means for performing short-range wireless communication with another conversation aid. One of the three or more conversation aids is a master device, and the three or more conversation aids other than the master device are slave devices,
The parent device
further comprising synthesizing means for synthesizing the audio signal of the conversation assistance device other than the destination of the audio signal among the audio signals received from the parent device and the audio signals received from each child device,
The wireless communication means is
4. The conversation system according to claim 3, wherein the voice signal synthesized by said synthesizing means is wirelessly transmitted to a destination of said voice signal. The conversation aid is
3. A conversation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conversation aid is wired to another conversation aid. further comprising three or more conversation aids and signal synthesizers each connected by wire;
The signal synthesizer comprises:
synthesizing means for synthesizing audio signals of conversation aids other than the transmission destination of the audio signals among the audio signals received from the conversation aids;
6. The conversation system according to claim 5, further comprising transmitting means for transmitting the voice signal synthesized by said synthesizing means to a destination of said voice signal. A conversation aid provided for each speaker's conversation space partitioned by a transparent partition plate and communicatively connected to another conversation aid,
a microphone provided in the concave portion of the parabolic reflector for collecting sound uttered by the speaker;
a transmission control means for controlling transmission of the audio signal collected by the microphone to another conversation aid;
a speaker for outputting audio signals received from other speech aids;
A conversation assistant, comprising: a reverse-phase speaker for outputting a normal-phase waveform and a reverse-phase sound of the sound output by the speaker. A conversation assistance method in a conversation system in which a conversation assistance device is provided for each conversation space of a speaker partitioned by a transparent partition plate, and a plurality of conversation assistance devices provided for each conversation space are communicably connected,
a sound collecting step in which the first conversation aid device collects the voice uttered by the speaker with a microphone provided in the concave portion of the parabolic reflector;
a transmission control step in which the first conversation aid device controls transmission of the audio signal collected by the microphone to the second conversation aid device;
an audio output step in which the second conversation aid device outputs the audio signal received from the first conversation aid device from a speaker;
A conversation assistance method, wherein the second conversation assistance device includes a reverse phase sound output step of outputting a normal phase waveform and a reverse phase sound of the voice output from the speaker from the reverse phase speaker.

Images