JP3273713B2 - Psychoacoustic testing equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a psychoacoustic test apparatus for examining how a human hears and feels sound.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the sound quality of mechanical noise and the like has been investigated not only by simply analyzing the physical characteristics of the sound but also by examining what kind of impression a person actually gets by listening to the sound. Research is underway to improve this. Such a method of examining human hearing is generally called an psychoacoustic test, and typical methods such as the SD method and the paired comparison method are known.

In the SD method, a pair of words expressing the audibility of a sound such as “loud” or “small” or “metallic” or “non-metallic” with respect to a certain sound, the examinee is closer to any of the words. It is to check whether you get an impression.
On the other hand, the paired comparison method is to listen to two sounds and compare them to determine a relative impression such as a degree of similarity.

[0004] These psychoacoustic tests are performed, for example, by an operator playing a test sound recorded in advance in a predetermined order and writing the impression on a predetermined evaluation sheet by a test subject who has listened to the test sound. Will be In recent years, instead of writing impressions on an evaluation sheet, for example, a selection button of an input device connected to a personal computer is operated to input a sound impression, thereby increasing the efficiency of result counting and the like. ing.

[0005]

In such an psychoacoustic test, it is necessary to quickly write a sound impression within a limited time while concentrating on nerves so that the examinee does not overlook. Required. However, when the test is performed for a long time, or when the examinee is in poor physical condition, etc., it is easy for oversight or entry errors to occur. In such a case,
There are many cases where it is desired to re-listen to a sound that has been heard once, or to take time to judge the impression.

However, psychoacoustic tests are often performed on a plurality of test subjects in consideration of their efficiency.
It is not possible to listen to the test sound and take time to judge the impression. In addition, even when the test is taken personally, the operator cannot take the test at his own pace, for example, without hesitation, thereby reducing the reliability of the test result.

Although the psychoacoustic test is performed under the progress of the operator as described above, arranging the operator only for reproducing the test sound is against effective utilization of human resources.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide a psychoacoustic test apparatus which can automate test progress and increase test accuracy.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a psychoacoustic test apparatus for performing a psychoacoustic test based on an operation of a test subject. A monitor that displays information about a given test;
An input unit for inputting response information to the displayed information, a recording unit for recording a test sound, a storage unit for storing a test result, and comprehensively controlling the execution of the test based on the information input by the input unit. Control means,
As the information related to the test, test sound generation information, test progress information, and test result input information are displayed, and the control unit performs a test on the input based on input of response information about the test sound generation information. A sound is generated by calling from the recording means, and the display screen advances or retreats based on input of response information on the test progress information,
The apparatus is configured to perform input of a test result and storage of the input information in the storage unit based on input of response information on the test result input information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus of the first aspect, the test result input information includes a scale indicating an audibility and a multi-step on the scale according to an operation of the input means. It consists of a moving index.

[0011]

According to the psychoacoustic test apparatus of the first aspect, the test is performed by the test subject inputting the response information on the information by the input means while watching the information displayed on the monitor. That is, the monitor displays test sound generation information, test progress information, and test result input information as information related to the test, and the testee instructs response information about the test sound generation information, for example, generation of a test sound. A test sound is generated by inputting the information to be performed, and the test subject listens to the test sound and inputs an impression according to the test result input information, thereby inputting the test result and storing the input information in the storage means. The storage is performed. When the subject inputs the response information on the test progress information, the next information screen or the previous information screen is displayed on the monitor in response to the input.

According to the psychoacoustic testing apparatus of the second aspect, the impression of the test subject with respect to the test sound is input by moving the index to a position indicating the hearing of the test subject.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a psychoacoustic test apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a psychoacoustic test apparatus (hereinafter, simply referred to as a test apparatus) 1 includes a monitor 2 for displaying predetermined information related to a test, and input means 3 for responding to the information displayed on the monitor. And these are connected to the controller 6, respectively. That is, in the test apparatus 1, the examinee operates the input unit 3 and responds to the displayed content while watching the content displayed on the monitor 2, thereby performing the test.

The input means 3 is a keyboard or a mouse, and inputs information during a test, for example, by operating a cursor displayed on the monitor 2 by the input means 3.

The controller 6 includes an amplifier 5
And a test sound generating means 4 such as a speaker or a headphone.

The controller 6 includes the test apparatus 1
A main control means 7 for controlling the entire system is built in. The monitor 2, the input means 3 and the test sound generation means 4 are connected to the main control means 7, respectively, and the test sound recording means 8 and the storage means 9 are connected to the main control means 7.

The test sound recording means 8 receives a plurality of types of sounds to be tested. Each test sound is converted into a digital signal and recorded in the test sound recording means 8. At the time of the test, the test sound is read out in accordance with a calling command from the main control means 7, D / A converted, and converted into an amplifier 5. Is output to The amplified sound is amplified by the amplifier 5 and the test sound
To be played back as a sound.

The storage means 9 stores test results, that is, information on test results input by the testee while operating the input means 3.

The main control means 7 displays a screen corresponding to the information on the monitor 2 based on the information input by the test subject and requests the generation of a test sound in accordance with a preset program. The test sound recording means 8 generates a test sound according to the request for the information.
The test sound data is read from the amplifier 5 and output to the amplifier 5.
When information for instructing storage of test results is input, the test results are stored in the storage means 9.

Next, the test apparatus 1 configured as described above
Will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6 and the flowchart of FIG. In this embodiment, a case where a psychoacoustic test is performed by a so-called paired comparison method will be described.

First, a menu screen Ga as shown in FIG.
Is displayed on the monitor 2, and in each of the menus 10a to 10e displayed on the screen Ga, it is determined whether or not the menu 10d for starting the test, that is, “test execution” is selected. Here, when the menu 10d is selected by the subject, the process proceeds to step S3 (steps S1 and S2).

In step S3, an initial screen Gb as shown in FIG. The screen Gb is provided with an information input unit 11 for inputting identification information of the examinee such as affiliation and name, and the identification information is input based on an operation of the input unit 3.

On this screen Gb, a progress display 12 and an end display 14 are displayed, and it is determined which of these displays has been selected. If the end display 14 is selected, the process returns to step S1 and the menu screen Ga shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the progress display 12 is selected, a test screen Gc as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the monitor 2, and a specific test is performed based on this screen Gc (steps S4 and S5).

More specifically, on the test screen Gc, a reproduction instruction display for reproducing the test sound, and an audibility input portion for inputting an audibility of the reproduced test sound, that is, an impression for the test sound, respectively. In the illustrated example, ten reproduction instruction displays 15a to 15j for performing ten types of tests and ten corresponding
The individual auditory input sections 16a to 16j are displayed.

In the test, the examinee sequentially selects the reproduction instruction displays 15a to 15j displayed on the monitor 2 by operating the input means 3 to generate a test sound and, while generating a test sound, listens to the audible input section. This is performed by inputting at 16a to 16j.

Two types of test sounds are reproduced each time one reproduction instruction display is selected, and the examinee listens to these sounds and compares them to input similarity according to the display of the audibility input units 16a to 16j. Has become. Each auditory input section 16a-16
In j, a scale for displaying the similarity of the test sound and a button 17 for indicating the similarity are displayed as shown in FIG. This is performed by moving the button 17 to a position indicating the degree of similarity that has given an impression (shown by a broken line in the figure). Such movement of the button 17 is performed, for example, by dragging with a mouse, and the button 17 can be moved to an arbitrary position on the scale. That is, by moving the button 17 to an arbitrary position, for example, a subtle difference in hearing can be obtained as a test result.

While the screen Gc is being displayed, the test subject can reproduce the test sound any number of times by selecting the reproduction instruction displays 15a to 15j. 16j can also be moved. Therefore, the subject can repeatedly perform the test as needed, and can correct the hearing result as needed.

The test screen Gc is provided with a retreat display 13 in addition to the progress display 12 and the end display 14, and it is determined at step S6 which of these displays is selected. Here, when the backward display 13 is selected, the process proceeds to step S4, and the initial screen Gb after the identification information is input is displayed on the monitor 2. That is, when an erroneous input of identification information is noticed during a test or the like, the correction can be made. The data indicating the test result in step S5 is temporarily stored in a storage unit (not shown) built in the main control means 7.

If the progress display 12 is selected in step S6, the process proceeds to step S7, where
An end screen Gd as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the monitor 2, and a determination on display selection is made (step S8). That is, the backward display 1 is displayed on the end screen Gd.
3, an end display 14 and a result record display 18 are displayed, and it is determined which of these displays is selected.

Here, if the backward display 13 is selected, the process moves to step S6 and the test screen Gc shown in FIG.
Is displayed on the monitor 2. In other words, when an erroneous input regarding a test result is noticed, or when it is desired to perform a retest or to correct a hearing result, the correction or the like can be performed.

On the other hand, if the result record display 18 is selected, the auditory sensation result input in step S5 is stored in the storage unit 9 and the process returns to step S1, thus completing the test by the present psychoacoustic test apparatus. I do.

As described above, according to the psychoacoustic test apparatus 1, the test subject can proceed the test at his own pace by operating the input means 3 while looking at the monitor 2. Sufficient time can be spent on the similarity judgment and input of the same. Further, when the test sound is missed or when the user wants to listen to the test sound once again, the test sound can be heard again and again. Therefore, the reliability of the test result is higher than that of the conventional psychoacoustic test, and the test accuracy can be further improved. Further, since the test is carried out in an interactive manner with the monitor 2, a dedicated operator is not required unlike the related art, so that effective use of human resources can be achieved.

The psychoacoustic testing apparatus of the above embodiment is an embodiment of the present invention, and the specific configuration can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the psychoacoustic test by the paired comparison method is performed as the test content, but the psychoacoustic test by the SD method may be performed. In this case, a test screen Ge as shown in FIG. 7 may be displayed as the test screen. That is, the reproduction instruction display 20 for reproducing the test sound and the “loud”
A plurality of audibility input units 21a to 21j showing a pair of words expressing the audibility of sounds such as "small", "powerful", "weak", etc. may be displayed. At the time of the test, the examinee selects the reproduction instruction display 20 to generate a test sound, and the audibility of the test sound, that is, any of the words displayed on the audibility input units 21a to 21j is close to any of the words. What is necessary is just to input whether the impression was made by moving the button 22.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention, while observing the information on the test displayed on the monitor, each information such as the test sound generation information, the test progress information and the test result input information displayed on the monitor is obtained. Since the test is performed by the testee operating the input means and inputting the response information, the testee can proceed with the test at its own pace, and can determine the similarity of the test sound and input the test sound. You can take enough time. Further, when the test sound is missed or when the user wants to listen to the test sound once again, the test sound can be heard again and again. Therefore, the reliability of the test result is higher than that of the conventional psychoacoustic test, and the test accuracy can be further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a psychoacoustic test apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a test operation by the psychoacoustic test apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen (menu screen).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen (initial screen).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen (test screen).

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen (end screen).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen (test screen) when performing a psychoacoustic test by the SD method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 psychoacoustic testing device 2 monitor 3 input means 4 test sound generation means 5 amplifier 6 controller 7 main control means 8 test sound recording means Ga menu screen Gb initial screen Gc test screen Gd end screen

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] An apparatus for performing a psychoacoustic test based on an operation of a test subject, a test sound generating means for generating a test sound, a monitor for displaying information on a predetermined test, and the displayed information From input means for inputting response information to, recording means for recording test sounds, storage means for storing test results, and control means for comprehensively controlling the execution of a test based on information input by the input means. And the test sound generation information,
The test progress information and the test result input information are displayed, and the control means calls up the test sound according to the input from the recording means based on the input of the response information on the test sound generation information and generates the test sound. The display screen advances or retreats based on the input of the response information on the test progress information, and inputs the test results based on the input of the response information on the test result input information and stores the input information in the storage means. A psychoacoustic test apparatus characterized by performing: 2. The sound according to claim 1, wherein the test result input information comprises a scale indicating a sense of hearing and an index which moves on the scale in multiple stages according to an operation of the input means. Psychological testing equipment.