JP6247997B2 - Hearing impaired support device, magnetic loop controller, and face-to-face business device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a hearing-impairing support device, a magnetic loop controller, and a face-to-face business device for a T-coil built-in hearing aid.

In order to transmit a clear audio signal to the hearing aid, a current based on the audio signal is passed through the magnetic loop, a magnetic signal (magnetic field) is generated based on the current, and a T coil (telephone) built in the magnetic loop compatible hearing aid is generated. 2. Description of the Related Art Magnetic loop systems (deafness assisting devices) that convert magnetic signals into audio signals using a coil and provide a noise-free sound to a hearing aid wearer are used. A magnetic loop that generates a magnetic signal may be called a loop antenna, a magnetic loop antenna, a hyaline group, a T loop, a magnetic induction loop, or the like. A magnetic loop that provides a magnetic signal to a hearing aid that supports a magnetic loop is generally installed on a floor or a wall. For example, the magnetic loop is installed in a hall, a meeting place, a conference room, a theater, a sports facility, and the like. Some are installed in taxis, buses and trains. In addition, a movable type that is pulled out from the cord reel and wired to a necessary portion is also used.

In general, an amplifier for supplying a current in accordance with a signal from a sound source is connected to a magnetic loop that generates a magnetic signal. Increasing the output of the amplifier increases the current flowing through the magnetic loop, increases the magnetic signal (magnetic field) generated in the magnetic loop, and makes the sound heard by the hearing aid clearer and louder.

However, the clarity and size of the sound that can be heard by the hearing aid varies depending on the positional relationship such as the direction and distance of the T-coil built in the hearing aid worn by the user, in addition to the current flowing through the magnetic loop. To do.

That is, depending on where the user wearing a hearing aid equipped with a T-coil is located with respect to the magnetic loop, the posture of the user (standing or sitting), the orientation of the face (hearing aid), etc. Since the positional relationship and direction of the hearing aid change, the degree of hearing (intelligibility and size) changes even if the same current flows through the magnetic loop. For example, even if a magnetic loop is installed in a venue such as a lecture, depending on the place where the user sits or stands, there may be a case where hearing becomes worse when the speaker is faced. When it is difficult to hear the speaker's story, there arises a problem that the speaker's story cannot be heard while looking at the speaker's face or the panel or screen used by the speaker.

JP 2003-163999 A

The problem to be solved is that the hearing condition (clarity, size, etc.) of the hearing aid changes depending on the positional relationship between the hearing aid and the magnetic loop. In other words, when the position of the person wearing the hearing aid changes or when the face changes, the hearing condition of the hearing aid changes.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the hearing aid device according to the embodiment includes a plurality of magnetic loops that are not on the same plane, an amplifier that supplies a current to the magnetic loop according to a signal from a sound source, and a flow to the plurality of magnetic loops And means for changing the current distribution over time.

It is the perspective view which showed the T coil built-in type hearing aid. It is the perspective view which showed the magnetic loop installation method. It is the figure which showed the positional relationship of the T coil built in the hearing aid, and a magnetic signal. It is a control block diagram which controls three magnetic loops. It is a timing chart which shows the relationship between the combination of an amplifier control signal, and a magnetic field mode. It is the figure which showed the direction of the magnetic signal which generate | occur | produces from a magnetic loop. It is a block diagram of the POS system which has arrange | positioned four magnetic loops. It is a control block diagram of a POS system.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, like numerals indicate like or similar features.

In the first embodiment, a hearing aid support apparatus that improves the hearing of a hearing impaired person using a hearing aid will be described. In the hearing aid device, the distribution of the current flowing through the plurality of magnetic loops is changed in order to provide a good hearing condition regardless of the position and direction of the hearing aid relative to the magnetic loop.

Specifically, the direction of the magnetic field generated from the magnetic loop is changed by installing a plurality of magnetic loops at different positions and changing the distribution of the current flowing through each magnetic loop with the passage of time. By changing the direction of magnetic signals generated by multiple magnetic loops over time, it is possible to receive magnetic signals that match the position and orientation of the hearing aid, regardless of the position and orientation of the hearing aid. Thus, a person wearing a hearing aid can obtain a good hearing condition.

In another embodiment, in a face-to-face business apparatus including a POS terminal, the hearing degree of a hearing-impaired person wearing a hearing aid is improved. In the face-to-face business device, the magnetic loop and the display viewed by the hearing aid wearer have a specific positional relationship, so that the positional relationship between the hearing aid and the magnetic loop of the person who wears the hearing aid and watches the display is maintained in a predetermined positional relationship. Providing good hearing to hearing aid wearers.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a behind-the-ear hearing aid 1 compatible with a magnetic loop system. As shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic loop system compatible hearing aid 1 includes a microphone 5 and a T coil 2 as sound input means.

The microphone 5 converts ambient air vibration into an electrical signal. The T coil 2 converts a magnetic signal generated by a telephone handset or a magnetic loop into an electric signal. The electric signal converted by the microphone 5 or the T coil 2 is converted into air vibration by a speaker (earphone) 7 built in the hearing aid 1. This air vibration is sent through the tube 3 to an ear plug unit 4 called an ear mold 4. The person wearing the hearing aid 1 wears the ear mold 4 in the ear hole, and can hear the sound collected by the microphone 5 and the sound based on the magnetic signal generated by the telephone receiver or the magnetic loop using the T coil 2. .

The switch 6 is a switch for selecting whether the microphone 5 or the T coil 2 is selected as sound input. When the wearer of the hearing aid 1 switches the switch 6 to microphone selection, the sound collected by the microphone 5 can be heard. Hereinafter, this state is referred to as an M mode. When the wearer of the hearing aid 1 switches the switch 6 to T coil selection, a sound based on the magnetic signal picked up by the T coil 2 can be heard. Hereinafter, this state is referred to as a T mode. Some hearing aids have a switch position that enables the M mode and the T mode simultaneously.

Sound transmitted through the space is mixed with noise and reflections. Therefore, the M mode sound may be difficult to hear (S / N is low). On the other hand, in T mode, noise and reflected sound are not mixed, so it is easy to hear (high S / N).

FIG. 2 shows a room in which each of the three magnetic loops 11, 12, and 13 is arranged on three surfaces of XYZ. The cube 10 is, for example, a room such as a conference room or a hall. The magnetic loops 11, 12, and 13 can be installed on a floor, a wall, a ceiling, or the like. An example in which the magnetic loop 11 is installed on the wall surface X, the magnetic loop 12 is installed on the wall surface Y, and the magnetic loop 13 is installed on the ceiling surface Z is shown. The following description is based on the assumption that the hearing aid 1 is set to the T mode.

When a current is passed through each magnetic loop, a magnetic signal (magnetic field) is generated around the electric wire of the magnetic loop according to the right-handed rule (Ampere's law). For example, when a current is passed through the magnetic loop 11 in the direction indicated by the arrow 14, magnetic fields 15, 16, 17, and 18 are generated around the electric wire. Therefore, the generated magnetic signal becomes stronger in the normal direction 19 of the magnetic loop installation surface (wall surface X). Similarly, the magnetic signal (magnetic field) generated from the magnetic loop 12 becomes stronger in the normal direction of the wall surface Y, and the magnetic signal (magnetic field) generated from the magnetic loop 13 becomes stronger in the normal direction of the ceiling surface Z. In the present embodiment, the electric wire of the magnetic loop is a single loop, but may be double, triple, or more. In general, the magnetic signal becomes stronger when the loop is multiplexed.

FIG. 3 shows a three-dimensional space of the cube 10, where x is the strong direction of the magnetic signal generated in the magnetic loop 11, y is the strong direction of the magnetic signal generated in the magnetic loop 12, and z is the strong direction of the magnetic signal generated in the magnetic loop 13. Expressed in coordinates. That is, the normal direction of the wall surface X is the x axis, the normal direction of the wall surface Y is the y axis, and the normal direction of the wall surface Z is the z axis.

In FIG. 3, for example, when the direction of the T coil 2 (coil center direction CC ′) built in the hearing aid 1 is parallel to the z axis, it is parallel to the x axis generated from the magnetic loop 11. The sensitivity to the magnetic signal 19 is low. Therefore, when the T-coil 2 is positioned parallel to the z-axis, the hearing aid 1 cannot easily reproduce the audio signal received through the magnetic loop 11. Similarly, when the T coil 2 is positioned parallel to the z axis, the hearing aid 1 is low in sensitivity to a magnetic signal generated from the magnetic loop 12 and parallel to the y axis. On the other hand, the T coil 2 positioned parallel to the z axis is highly sensitive to magnetic signals generated from the magnetic loop 13 and parallel to the z axis.

Even if the same current flows through the magnetic loops 11, 12, and 13, the sound heard by the hearing aid 1 varies greatly depending on the positional relationship between the T coil 2 and the magnetic loops 11, 12, and 13. When the T coil 2 is positioned parallel to the z axis, it is preferable to generate a magnetic signal by passing a current through the magnetic loop 13. In short, generating a magnetic signal parallel to or close to parallel to the T-coil 2 incorporated in the hearing aid 1 is a point for providing a good hearing condition.

Hereinafter, a configuration for generating a magnetic signal parallel to or close to parallel to the T coil 2 even when the direction of the T coil 2 is unknown will be described.

FIG. 4 shows a control block diagram for causing a current to flow through the magnetic loop 11 on the wall surface X, the magnetic loop 12 on the wall surface Y, and the magnetic loop 13 on the ceiling surface Z to generate a magnetic signal (magnetic field). A portion surrounded by a dotted line is a magnetic loop controller 40. The magnetic loop controller 40 includes a preamplifier 21, amplifiers 22, 23 and 24, and a switching signal generator 25. A microphone 20 and a switch 26 are connected to the magnetic loop controller 40.

The audio signal input from the microphone 20 (audio input device 20) is input to the preamplifier 21. The voice input device 20 may be, for example, an audio device or a CPU that synthesizes voice signals instead of the microphone.

The preamplifier 21 has three outputs. The outputs of the three systems are input to amplifiers 22, 23, and 24 for supplying current to the magnetic loops 11, 12, and 13.

The amplifiers 22, 23, and 24 have amplifier control signal (enable signal) input terminals for enabling (ON) or disabling (OFF) the respective amplifier outputs. When the amplifier control signal is at L level, each amplifier is turned on, and a current is passed through the magnetic loop connected to each amplifier. When the amplifier control signal is at the H level, each amplifier is turned off, and no current flows through the magnetic loop connected to each amplifier.

The switching signal generator 25 generates amplifier control signals 28, 29, and 30 that are input to the amplifiers 22, 23, and 24. When the switching signal generator 25 sets the amplifier control signal 28 to the L level, the amplifier 22 is turned on, a current flows through the magnetic loop 11, and a strong magnetic signal is generated in a direction parallel to the x axis. When the switching signal generator 25 sets the amplifier control signal 29 to the L level, the amplifier 23 is turned on, a current flows through the magnetic loop 12, and a strong magnetic signal is generated in a direction parallel to the y axis. When the switching signal generator 25 sets the amplifier control signal 30 to the L level, the amplifier 24 is turned on, a current flows through the magnetic loop 13, and a strong magnetic signal is generated in a direction parallel to the z axis.

Further, when the switching signal generator 25 sets two or more of the amplifier control signals 28, 29, and 30 to the L level, a current flows through the two or more magnetic loops. When a current flows through two or more magnetic loops, a strong magnetic signal is generated in a direction that is not parallel to the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis. For example, when the switching signal generator 25 sets the amplifier control signal 28 and the amplifier control signal 29 to the L level, the amplifier 22 and the amplifier 23 are turned on, a current flows through the magnetic loop 11 and the magnetic loop 12, and the x axis and the y axis are combined. A strong magnetic signal is generated in the direction (direction indicated by 8 in FIG. 3).

FIG. 5 shows an output example of the amplifier control signals 28, 29, and 30 to the amplifier 22, the amplifier 23, and the amplifier 24 generated by the switching signal generator 25. Including the case where current is passed through two or more magnetic loops, there are eight combinations of output states of the three amplifiers 22, 23, 24. In FIG. 5, the combination state (magnetic field generation state) of the outputs (ON / OFF) of the three amplifiers 22, 23, and 24 is represented as a magnetic field mode of 0 to 7.

In the magnetic field mode 0, the amplifier control signals 28, 29, and 30 are all at the H level, and the amplifiers 22, 23, and 24 are all OFF and no magnetic field is generated.

The magnetic field mode 1 is a mode in which the amplifier control signal 28 is at L level, the amplifier 22 is turned on, and a current flows through the magnetic loop 11. A current flows through the magnetic loop 11, and a strong magnetic signal is generated in a direction parallel to the x-axis.

The magnetic field mode 2 is a mode in which the amplifier control signal 29 is at the L level, the amplifier 23 is turned on, and a current flows through the magnetic loop 12. A current flows through the magnetic loop 12, and a strong magnetic signal is generated in a direction parallel to the y-axis.

The magnetic field mode 3 is a mode in which the amplifier control signals 28 and 29 are at the L level, the amplifier 22 and the amplifier 23 are turned on, and a current flows through the magnetic loop 11 and the magnetic loop 12. A current flows through the magnetic loops 11 and 12, and a strong magnetic signal is generated in the combined direction of the x-axis and the y-axis (the direction indicated by 8 in FIG. 3).

The magnetic field mode 4 is a mode in which the amplifier control signal 30 is at the L level, the amplifier 24 is turned on, and a current flows through the magnetic loop 13. A current flows through the magnetic loop 13, and a strong magnetic signal is generated in a direction parallel to the z-axis.

Similarly, in the magnetic modes 5 to 7, the amplifiers 22, 23, and 24 operate according to the operations of the amplifier control signals 28, 29, and 30 shown in FIG. 5, and current flows through the magnetic loops 11, 12, and 13.

FIG. 6 shows the strong direction of the magnetic signal in each magnetic field mode. In FIG. 6, the intersection of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis is the coordinate (0, 0, 0). In order to represent the strong direction of the magnetic signal in each magnetic field mode as a vector, the coordinates (0, 0, 0) are used as the start point, and the end points are expressed as coordinates on the unit cell. For example, the direction in which the magnetic signal is strong in the magnetic field mode 1 is represented by a vector having a coordinate (0, 0, 0) as a start point and an end point as a coordinate (1, 0, 0). The direction in which the magnetic signal is strong in the magnetic field mode 2 is represented by a vector having the coordinates (0, 0, 0) as the start point and the end points as the coordinates (0, 1, 0). The direction of strong magnetic signal in the magnetic field mode 3 is represented by a vector having the coordinates (0, 0, 0) as the start point and the end points as the coordinates (1, 1, 0). Note that the direction of the magnetic signal is reversed when the direction of the current flowing through the magnetic coil is reversed, but in FIG. 6, it is displayed as a vector in one direction.

Taking into account changing the direction of the current flowing in the magnetic loop to the opposite direction, more variations can be made to the direction of the magnetic signal. For example, when a current in the opposite direction to that in the magnetic field mode 1 is passed through the magnetic loop 11, a vector 31 represented by a dotted line with the coordinates (0, 0, 0) as the start point and the end points as the coordinates (-1, 0, 0). A strong magnetic signal is generated in the direction of. When a current is passed through the magnetic loop 11 in the direction opposite to the magnetic field mode 1 and a current is passed through the magnetic loop 12 in the same direction as the magnetic field mode 2, the coordinates (0, 0, 0) are set as the start point and the end point is defined as the coordinate (− A strong magnetic signal is generated in the direction of the vector 32 represented by a dotted line (1, 1, 0). A vector 32 having a coordinate (0, 0, 0) as a start point and an end point as a coordinate (-1, 1, 0) has a different direction from any of the magnetic field modes 1 to 7.

Similarly, a strong magnetic signal can be generated in a direction different from the magnetic field modes 1 to 7 by flowing a current in the opposite direction to the magnetic loop 12 or a current in the opposite direction to the magnetic loop 13.

As described above, as shown in FIG. 6, it has been shown that the strong direction of the magnetic signal can be changed in various directions by changing the distribution of the current flowing to each magnetic loop.

Next, a configuration for changing the distribution of the current flowing to the magnetic loop over time will be described. As the direction of the magnetic signal, seven types of magnetic modes 1 to 7 shown in FIG. 6 are used.

The switching signal generator 25 is constituted by a 3-bit counter. When the switch 26 connected to the switching signal generator 25 is open, the count value of the 3-bit counter is zero. In the state where the count value is 0, the amplifier control signals 28, 29 and 30 which are the outputs of the switching signal generator 25 are all at the H level, and the magnetic field mode 0 in which no current flows in any magnetic loop is set. In the magnetic field mode 0, no magnetic signal is generated.

When the switch 26 is closed, the 3-bit counter starts counting. In the count 1 state, the amplifier control signal 28 is at the L level, the amplifier control signal 29 and the amplifier control signal 30 are at the H level, and the magnetic field mode 1 in which current flows through the magnetic loop 11 is set. Thereafter, the 3-bit counter counts up to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and then returns to the count value 1 and repeats the count up to 7. As the count value changes, the magnetic field mode repeats changes from 1 to 7.

If the hearing aid 1 (T coil 2) is present in a space in which the magnetic field mode changes with time, even if the position and orientation of the hearing aid 1 (T coil 2) are indeterminate, any magnetic field mode (timing) The T coil 2 can detect a magnetic signal with high sensitivity. Therefore, a good hearing condition can be provided to the wearer of the hearing aid 1.

It is desirable that the count period of the 3-bit counter (magnetic field mode switching period) be a period that is short enough not to cause a sense of incongruity. For example, if the rounds of the magnetic field modes 1 to 7 are set so as to be about 40 KHz (25 μs), the frequency in the audible range (20 KHz or less) can be almost sampled. it can. However, the count cycle of the counter is not necessarily required to satisfy the above value.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which the magnetic field modes 1 to 7 are simply repeated. However, if the direction of the magnetic field is smoothly switched, for example, the switching order of the magnetic field modes is changed from 1 → 3 → 2 → 6 → 4 → 5 → It is desirable to switch as follows: 7 → 1 → By changing the switching order of the magnetic field modes, it is possible to prevent the magnetic field direction from changing suddenly. As a method of changing the switching order of the magnetic field mode, a conversion table that associates the count value of the 3-bit counter with the output state of the amplifier control signals 28, 29, and 30 is built in the switching signal generator 25, and the switching signal generator 25 The amplifiers 22, 23, and 24 may be switched according to the conversion table.

When the magnetic loops 11, 12, and 13 are not used, it is desirable to keep the switch 26 open so that unnecessary magnetic signals are not generated. In the present embodiment, an example in which the magnetic loops 11, 12, and 13 are turned on and off by opening and closing the switch 26 has been described. However, the control line 27 may be controlled by another system.

As described above, by changing the distribution of the current flowing through the three magnetic loops with the passage of time, the wearer of the hearing aid 1 can be operated regardless of the position and orientation of the T-coil 2 incorporated in the hearing aid 1. Shows an example where a clear sound can be heard.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 7 shows an example in which a magnetic loop is applied to a POS (Point of Sales) system 100 (face-to-face business device). The POS system 100 includes four magnetic loops. Hereinafter, the configuration of the POS system 100 will be described.

The POS system 100 includes an image reading apparatus 101 that is a vertical scanner, and a POS terminal 103 that executes sales registration processing in accordance with an image captured by the image reading apparatus 101. The image reading apparatus 101 is erected at a substantially central portion on the soccer stand 110 on which a shopping cart or the like is placed. The POS terminal 103 is provided near one end of the soccer stand 110. The image reading apparatus 101 and the POS terminal 103 are connected to be able to communicate with each other via a transmission path.

The image reading apparatus 101 includes an imaging device 117, displays 111 and 112, a microphone 113, and the like. The imaging device 117 optically captures an image of a code symbol (barcode, two-dimensional code, etc.) attached to a product and an object image of the whole or a part of the product via an imaging window facing the operator. A display 111 for an operator 200 and a display 112 for a shopper 300 are provided as displays.

The POS terminal 103 includes a keyboard 160, a display 162, a printer 163, a money processing device 164, and a product registration processing unit 165. The keyboard 160 is provided with various keys for registering products that cannot be registered with code symbols or object images. The display 162 displays the result calculated by the merchandise registration processing unit 165 and information necessary for the operator 200 in addition to the display similar to the display 111 for the operator. The printer 163 prints receipts, coupons, receipts, and the like. The money processing device 164 performs deposit / withdrawal of banknotes, coins and the like and withdrawal of change.

The operator display 111 displays information necessary for cashier accounting operation and contents for input. Further, the operator display 111 displays the product name, price, and the like of the product registered for the operator 200 in accordance with the sales registration process by the POS terminal 103. On the display 112 for the shopper 300, the name of the purchased item, the price of the purchased item, the amount paid, and the advertisement are displayed. The operator's 200 display 111 is provided with a microphone 113 for collecting the voice of the operator 200.

The operator 200 and the shopper 300 face each other across the soccer stand 110. An ear-mounted T-coil hearing aid 1 is attached to the ear of the shopper 300. Instead of the ear-mounted type T coil built-in hearing aid 1, a T coil built-in ear hole type hearing aid or a T-coil built-in box type hearing aid and an ear mold with a built-in speaker connected to the hearing aid by wire can be used.

A magnetic loop 121 is installed on the front (X) of the soccer stand 110 and a magnetic loop 122 is installed on the side (Y). A magnetic loop 123 is installed on the floor (Z) in front of the soccer stand 110 on which the shopper 300 stands. Further, a magnetic loop 150 indicated by a dotted line is installed around the display 112 viewed by the shopper 300.

Even when four magnetic loops 121, 122, 123, and 150 are installed, the distribution of the current flowing through the magnetic loop is changed with the passage of time as described in the first embodiment. It is possible to provide good sound to the shopper 300 wearing the hearing aid 1.

FIG. 8 shows a control block of the image reading apparatus 101 of the POS system 100. A control unit 170 surrounded by a dotted line includes a magnetic loop 121 on the wall surface X, a magnetic loop 122 on the wall surface Y, a magnetic loop 123 on the floor surface Z, a display 111, a microphone 113, a display 112, and a display 112 shown in FIG. The installed magnetic loop 150 is connected.

A control unit 170 surrounded by a dotted line includes a CPU 131, a preamplifier 132, and amplifiers 133, 134, 135, and 136. A microphone 113 is connected to the preamplifier 132. The audio signal input from the microphone 113 is input to the preamplifier 132 via the signal line 147. The CPU 131 is also connected to the preamplifier 132 by a signal line 134. Inside the CPU 131, signals such as voice and music are combined, and the combined signal is input to the preamplifier 132 via the signal line 134. In the preamplifier 132, signals input from the microphone 113 and the CPU 131 are combined.

The preamplifier 132 has four outputs. The four outputs output from the preamplifier 132 are input to the amplifier 133, the amplifier 134, the amplifier 135, and the amplifier 136 via the signal lines 143, 144, 145, and 146.

The amplifiers 133, 134, 135, and 136 have amplifier control signal input terminals for turning the amplifier output ON or OFF, respectively. When the amplifier control signal is at the L level, the amplifier passes a current through the magnetic loop connected to the amplifier, and when the amplifier control signal is at the H level, no current flows.

The amplifier control signal input terminals of the CPU 131 and the amplifiers 133, 134, 135, 136 are connected by signal lines 137, 138, 139, 140. The CPU 131 controls whether or not a current is passed through the magnetic loop connected to each amplifier via the signal lines 137, 138, 139, and 140. The CPU 131 changes the distribution of the current that flows through the magnetic loops 150, 121, 122, 123 via the signal lines 137, 138, 139, 140. As the distribution of the current flowing through the magnetic loops 121, 122, 123, and 150 changes, the strong direction of the magnetic signal changes in various directions. As shown in the first embodiment, the distribution of current flowing through the magnetic loops 150, 121, 122, 123 is changed in a time-sharing manner. If the hearing aid 1 worn by the shopper 300 is present in a space where the strong direction of the magnetic signal changes in various directions, the T coil 2 built in the hearing aid 1 can pick up the magnetic signal with high sensitivity. it can. Therefore, the shopper 300 wearing the hearing aid 1 can clearly hear the voice input from the microphone 113 and the voice or music synthesized by the CPU 131 in the T mode.

The CPU 131 is connected to the operator display 111 via a signal line 141 and controls display contents. Similarly, the CPU 131 is connected to the shopper display 112 through a signal line 142 and controls display contents. The voice (guidance) output by the CPU 131 built in the control unit 170 is preferably associated with the contents displayed on the display 112 such as the purchased item, its quantity, and amount.

When the CPU 131 turns on at least one of the amplifiers 133, 134, 135, 136, the currents flowing through the magnetic loops 150, 121, 122, 123 are displayed as marks 151, 152 on the displays 111, 112. To do. The display of the marks 151 and 152 is effective for notifying the operator 200 and the shopper 300 wearing the T-coil built-in hearing aid 1 that the sound can be heard in the T mode. That is, by showing the display of the mark 151 to the operator 200, the operator 200 can be prompted to speak into the microphone. Further, by showing the display of the mark 152 to the shopper 300, it is possible to prompt the shopper 300 to switch the hearing aid 1 with a built-in T coil to the T mode.

By providing the display 112 facing the shopper 300 with the magnetic loop 150, a magnetic signal (magnetic field) can be generated near the hearing aid 1. The shopper 300 wearing the hearing aid 1 looks at the display of the mark 152 on the display 112, switches the hearing aid 1 to the T mode, and plays the voice of the operator 200, the voice signal output by the POS system, music, and the like in the magnetic loop 121. , 122, 123 and the magnetic loop 150 located near the hearing aid 1 can be heard with a clear sound.

In the second embodiment, an example in which the magnetic loop 150 is arranged around the display 112 has been described. In the case of FIG. 7, the shopper 300 necessarily sees the display 112. Therefore, in order to provide a good hearing, the display 112 equipped with the magnetic loop 150 is installed at a distance that allows the shopper 300 wearing the hearing aid 1 to read the content displayed on the display 112. Magnetic loops 121, 122, and 123 are installed in accordance with the standing position.

The magnetic loop 150 need only be installed in the vicinity of the display 112 instead of being arranged around the display 112, and can also be installed on the back surface of the display 111. In short, the magnetic loop 150 may be installed in a place where a hearing aid wearer inevitably brings his face (hearing aid) closer.

It is an effective means to install a magnetic loop at a predetermined position with respect to a display or a display that a hearing aid wearer inevitably sees.

Although the control circuit and the control software for controlling the magnetic loop have been described in the configuration provided in the image reading apparatus 101, the control circuit and the control software for controlling the magnetic loop 150, 121, 122, 123 are not included in the POS. It is also possible to provide the terminal 103.

The application example to the POS system 100 has been described above. As another example, for example, it can be installed in a face-to-face business apparatus such as a ticket sales window or a guidance window in an airport, a railway, a theater, an amusement park, or the like. It may also be installed in trains, buses, taxis and other seats and wheelchairs. Furthermore, it can be applied to devices equipped with a display such as various vending machines, car navigation systems, personal computers, and smartphones. In particular, if applied to a personal computer or a smartphone, a hearing aid wearer can smoothly communicate with a remote place using a communication line.

As described above, by changing the distribution of the current flowing through the plurality of magnetic loops with the passage of time, the hearing aid wearer can clearly understand the orientation of the T-coil incorporated in the hearing aid. I can hear the sound. In addition, a hearing aid wearer who sees the display can hear a clear sound by passing a current based on an audio signal through a magnetic loop arranged near the display of the face-to-face business device. Furthermore, by displaying on the display that current based on the audio signal is flowing in the magnetic loop, the operator is encouraged to speak into the microphone, and the hearing aid wearer is switched to the T mode. The hearing aid wearer can hear a clear sound.

Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

1 T-coil built-in hearing aid 2 T coil 3 Tube 4 Ear mold (earplug part)
5 Microphone 6 Changeover switch 7 Speaker (Earphone)
10 rooms 11-13 magnetic loop 20 voice input device 21 preamplifier 22-24 amplifier 25 switching signal generator 26 switch 40 magnetic loop controller 100 POS system 101 image reading device 110 soccer stand 111 operator display 112 shopper display 113 microphone 121 123 Magnetic loop 131 CPU
132 Preamplifier 133-136 Amplifier 150 Magnetic loop 151, 152 Mark 170 indicating that the magnetic loop is effective Controller 200 Operator 300 Shopper

Claims (5)

A plurality of magnetic loops not on the same plane;
An amplifier for passing a current through the magnetic loop according to a signal from a sound source;
Means for changing the distribution of current flowing through the plurality of magnetic loops over time;
A device for supporting the hearing impaired. An amplifier that sends current to multiple magnetic loops according to the signal from the sound source,
Means for changing the distribution of current flowing through the plurality of magnetic loops over time;
Having a magnetic loop controller. Voice input means;
An amplifier for passing a current through a plurality of magnetic loops according to a signal from the voice input means;
Means for changing the distribution of current flowing through the plurality of magnetic loops over time;
In-person business device. Display,
An amplifier for passing a current through a magnetic loop installed in the vicinity of the display;
A control unit for controlling the display content of the display and controlling the amplifier so that audio information related to the content displayed on the display flows as current in the magnetic loop;
In-person business device.   The face-to-face business apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit controls the display to display on the display that a current is flowing through the magnetic loop when the amplifier is controlled to flow a current through the magnetic loop.

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