JPH07275046A - Desk - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a desk capable of proceeding with intelligent work comfortably without stress by employing various sound sources. CONSTITUTION:This desk is provided with a speaker unit 4, first, second and third input terminals 1, 2 and 3 to receive signals from different sound sources, a mixing means 5 to mix the signals, a main amplifier 6 to amplify mixing signals and a comparator 7 to judge whether or not a signal to be prior is inputted into the input terminal 3. It also includes a level lowering means 8 to lower the level of the signal inputted into the first and second input terminals 1 and 2 when a judgment is given to the effect that a signal is inputted into the third input terminal 3 and a level restoration means 9 which increases the level of the signals inputted into the first and second input terminals 1 and 2 to be returned to a set level when a judgment is given to the effect that the signal to be prior ceases.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a desk preferably used in a study or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, for example, as a desk for study,
It is considered that a speaker system is installed so that reading and information organization can be performed while playing background mumic and natural environment sounds.
Recently, electronic dictionaries and multimedia type personal computers have made remarkable progress, and these tools are indispensable for efficient intellectual work such as collecting, organizing, or transmitting information. Came. Therefore, the inventors of the present invention are developing a system in which the audio signals from such a tool can be appropriately mixed so that the speaker system can speak.

[0003]

However, the background sound such as background music used for the purpose of softening the surrounding noise by wrapping the vicinity of the desk with music and sound effects of appropriate volume, and the desk user. There is a problem that it is difficult to set each volume level so that each purpose can be effectively achieved by simply mixing the information sound emitted for the purpose of transmitting appropriate information. That is, it tends to happen that the background sound is made too small in order to make the information sound easy to hear, or that the volume level of the information sound is set to be abnormally high because the background sound is emphasized so much. In addition, in order to avoid such a problem, the user may be forced to perform a complicated operation of manually changing the mixing setting level each time an information sound is input.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate such a problem.

[0005]

The present invention takes the following means in order to achieve such an object.
That is, the desk according to the present invention, as shown in FIG.
Audio output means (4) such as a speaker, and a plurality of types of input terminals (1) for receiving signals from different sound sources,
(2), (3) and these input terminals (1), (2),
Mixing means (5) for mixing the signals input to (3) according to respective set levels, and amplification means for amplifying the mixing signal from the mixing means (5) and transmitting it to the audio output means (4). (6), a priority signal determining means (7) for determining whether or not a signal to be prioritized is input to a specific input terminal (3), and a specific input terminal (3) by this priority signal determining means (7). ), The other input terminals (1), (2) when it is determined that a signal is input to
Level reducing means (8) for lowering the level of the signal input to the set level below the set level, and the priority signal determining means (7) determines that the signal to be prioritized has been interrupted by another input terminal ( 1) and level restoring means (9) for gradually increasing the level of the signal input to (2) and returning to the set level.

A signal relating to information sounds such as dictionary contents and messages is input to a specific input terminal (3), and music and natural environmental sounds are input to the other input terminals (1) and (2). Although the background sound signal is input, the number of input terminals is 3
Of course, it is not limited to individual pieces.

[0007]

With this structure, when a signal such as an information sound is not input to the specific input terminal (3), it is input to the other input terminals (1) and (2). Signals such as background sound are mixed to a set level, and amplification means (6)
Is amplified by and transmitted to the audio output means (4), and is output from this audio output means (4) as background sound or the like. When a signal is input to a specific input terminal (3), the fact is detected by the priority signal determining means (7), and the level reducing means (8) functions to operate the other input terminals (1),
The level of the signal such as the background sound input in (2) is lowered to a value lower than the set level. Therefore, the signal such as the information sound input to the specific input terminal (3) is maintained at the set level and output from the audio output means (4). Therefore, it is possible to clearly hear the information sound or the like input to the specific input terminal (3) without being overwhelmed by the background sound or the like. Then, when the signal input to the specific input terminal (3) is interrupted, the fact is detected by the priority signal determination means (7), and the level restoration means (9).
By the action of, the level of the signal such as background sound input to the other input terminals (1) and (2) is gradually increased and restored to the original set level. Therefore, when the signal input to the specific input terminal (3) is interrupted, a momentary silence is reached, and then the sound corresponding to the signal input to the other input terminals (1) and (2) gradually increases. The volume will be increased so that it will boil. Therefore, the discomfort that a foreign sound suddenly pops out of the voice output means (4) disappears. Moreover, according to such a configuration, even if the signal input to the specific input terminal (3) is temporarily interrupted, a foreign sound is not greatly interrupted therebetween.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

This desk is for study and has a base 1
A support structure 12 is erected on the support structure 1, and a top plate 13 is provided on the support structure 12.

The support structure 12 is a wall-like body which is inclined forward, and includes the left and right pipe members 12a and both pipe members 1a.
The front plate 12b is provided between the front end surfaces of the pipes 2a, and a flat storage space 14 opened rearward is formed between the pipe members 12a. A lid plate (not shown) can be detachably attached to the back side of the storage space 14.

The top plate 13 has a rectangular shape supported by the support structure 12, and has auxiliary front plates 15 and 1 at its front edge.
6 is detachably attached, and a beam 17 for attaching an option is installed on the rear edge. Then, on the rear lower surface side of the top plate 13, a shelf plate 18 for holding wiring is provided.
However, it is provided so that it can be pulled out to the rear.

In the storage space 14, for example, a power supply unit 21, an amplifier unit 22, and one unit housing 24a of the information outlet unit 24 are stored. The information outlet unit 24 includes, for example, an AUX terminal 25, an antenna (ANT / LAN2) terminal 26, a LAN terminal 27, telephone terminals 28, 29, and 3.
A pair of unit housings 24 each including 0
a, 24b are connected by a bus 24c, and the bus 24c bundles lead wires for connecting the corresponding terminals 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 of both unit housings 24a, 24b. It is a thing.
Then, between the lead wires and terminals 25, 26, 27, 2
Between 8, 29 and 30, measures are taken to prevent adverse effects on each other, that is, shields, arrangement adjustments, impedance adjustments and the like.

The beam 17 is equipped with a lighting device 31, a speaker unit 4 as a sound output means, a power outlet unit 32, a sound source mixing unit 33 and the like. The power outlet unit 32 is the shelf board 1
8 and via the power supply units 34 and 21 housed in the storage space 14, respectively, to an external power line (not shown). The speaker unit 4 is connected to the output terminal 22a of the amplifier unit 22 via a lead wire 4a passing on the shelf plate 18. The sound source mixing unit 33 includes, for example, the first, second, and third input terminals 1, 1.
The signals I, II, and III input to the second and third signals are transferred to the first, second, and third
Of the voltage control amplifiers 36, 37 and 38, respectively, and then mixed, and the mixed signal can be further amplified and output by the fourth voltage control amplifier 39. , The gains of the third voltage control amplifiers 36, 37, 38 are controlled by the control voltage from the control voltage generation circuit 41 to control the mixing levels of the signals I, II, III to the set levels. There is.
The set levels of the signals I, II, and III are set to the first, second, and third operation levers 4 arranged on the front surface of the sound source mixing unit 33.
It can be adjusted by operating 2, 43 and 44 to desired slide positions. The setting regarding the sound pressure level after mixing can be performed by operating the fourth operation lever 45. Then, the mixing means 5 according to the present invention
Are the voltage control amplifiers 36, 37, 38, 39, the control voltage generating circuit 41, and the operating levers 42, 43, 4
It is composed of 4, 45. Further, in the sound source mixing unit 33, a comparator 7 as a priority signal determining means is provided, and the comparator 7 makes
It is arranged to determine whether the signal III is input to the input terminal 3 of the
N. An OFF determination signal is input to the control voltage generation circuit 41. In the control voltage generation circuit 41, when a signal indicating that the third signal III is input is received from the comparator 7, the control voltage applied to the first and second voltage control amplifiers 36 and 37 is instantaneously supplied. Control applied to the first and second voltage control amplifiers 36 and 37 when an attenuator (not shown) that lowers the level to zero level and a signal indicating that the third signal III is interrupted are received from the comparator 7. An integrator circuit or the like (not shown) for returning the voltage to a gradually set level based on a constant time constant is incorporated, and the attenuator corresponds to the level reducing means 8 according to the present invention, and the integrator circuit corresponds to the present invention. This corresponds to the level returning means 9. The mixing unit 33 and the amplifier unit 22 are connected via a bus 35, and the second and third input terminals 2 and 3 provided on the side of the mixing unit 33 and the first input terminal provided on the side of the amplifier unit 22 are connected. 2,
The third input terminals 2 and 3 are directly connected by the bus 35.

In this embodiment, the signal I from the external AV equipment 51 is input to the first input terminal 1 through the AUX terminal 25 of the information outlet unit 24. The second input terminal 2 has a compact disc player (C) mounted on the top plate 13.
D), a mini disk player (MD) or a digital audio / video pre-coder (DAT), or other such signal II from a desktop AV device 52 is input. Further, the signal III from the multimedia device 53 such as an electronic dictionary is input to the third input terminal 3. The audio signal III from the personal computer 54 can also be input to the third input terminal 3. That is, a dedicated multimedia device 53 or a personal computer 54 can be selectively connected to the third input terminal 3 via the changeover switch 55.

In the figure, reference numeral 56 is a printer connected to the personal computer 54, and 57 is for connecting the personal computer 54 to the external communication line 58 via the third telephone terminal 30 of the information outlet unit 24. , 59 is a telephone connected to the external communication line 58 via the second telephone terminal 29 of the information outlet unit 24, and 61 is an external communication line via the first telephone terminal 28 of the information outlet unit 24. Facsimile connected to 58, 62 is an ISDN unit connected to an external communication line 58 via the third telephone terminal 30 of the information outlet unit 24, 63 is the modem 57 and IS
It is a changeover switch for selectively connecting the DN unit 62 to the third telephone terminal 30. 64 is the top plate 13
It is a connector for connecting the upper personal computer 54 to an external computer 65 via the LAN terminal 27 of the information outlet unit 24.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, a signal I of music suitable for background music, for example, is input to the first input terminal 1 from an external AV device 51, and a natural environment sound such as a wave sound is applied from the desktop AV device 52. Signal II to second
Input to the input terminal 2. As a result, both of these signals I and II
Are mixed by the sound source mixing unit 33, amplified by the main amplifier 6 in the amplifier unit 22 which constitutes an amplifying means, and sent to the speaker unit 4. Therefore, the background music and the sound of the wave are appropriately mixed and output from the speaker unit 4. Such background sound wraps the user sitting in front of the desk and exerts a function of isolating the user from the noise of the surroundings. In this state, for example, by operating the multimedia device 53 such as an electronic dictionary, a signal relating to the information sound
When the signal III is input to the third input terminal 3, the comparator 7 detects the signal III and notifies the control signal generator 4 to that effect.
Propagate to 1. As a result, the control voltage applied to the first and second voltage control amplifiers 36 and 37 from the control voltage generating circuit 41 suddenly changes, and the gains of the voltage control amplifiers 36 and 37 suddenly decrease, as shown in FIG. So that the first and second signals I, II
The sound pressure level of drops suddenly. On the other hand, the signal III relating to the information sound input to the third input terminal 3 is subjected to the mixing process with the set level preset by the operation lever 44. Therefore, from the speaker unit 4,
The information sound is mainly output. When the signal III related to this information sound is interrupted, a signal to that effect is transmitted from the comparator 7 to the control voltage generation circuit 41. As a result, the control voltage to be applied to the first and second voltage control amplifiers 36 and 37 gradually changes, and the gains of the first and second voltage control amplifiers 36 and 37 gradually increase. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the sound pressure level of the background sound gradually rises and returns to the set level set by the operation levers 42 and 43 in advance.

The configuration of the mixing means is not limited to that of the illustrated embodiment, and the priority signal determining means, the level reducing means, and the level restoring means can be variously modified without departing from the spirit thereof. Deformation is possible. For example, the level reducing means is not limited to the one that lowers the level of the predetermined signal to the zero level, but may be one that changes the level to the predetermined low level. Further, the level restoring means is not limited to one that continuously changes the level, but may be one that changes stepwise to restore the set level.

The number of input terminals and the types of signals input to these input terminals are of course not limited to those in the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Is. For example, as a signal to be prioritized, a signal from an intercom or the like may be considered.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to desks for study.

[0020]

As described above in detail, the present invention automatically lowers the level of other signals when a signal to be prioritized is input, and other signals when the signal to be prioritized is cut off. Since the level of is automatically increased to return to the set level, it is possible to output various sounds such as background sound and information sound at appropriate sound pressure levels. Therefore, it is possible to reasonably eliminate the problem that the background sound becomes too low or the information sound cannot be heard unless the level is set abnormally high. Further, according to the present invention, since the level of each signal is automatically controlled to an appropriate value, the troublesomeness of having to manually perform the mixing operation each time a signal to be prioritized is input is released. To be done. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a desk capable of comfortably advancing operations such as information collection, processing, and transmission without feeling stress.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory view showing a configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the back side showing the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a device arrangement state of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit explanatory diagram of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the operation of the same embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... 1st input terminal 2 ... 2nd input terminal 3 ... 3rd input terminal 4 ... Audio output means (speaker unit) 5 ... Mixing means 6 ... Amplification means (main amplifier) 7 ... Priority signal determination means (comparator) ) 8 ... Level reducing means 9 ... Level restoring means 12 ... Support structure 13 ... Top plate 14 ... Storage space 18 ... Shelf plate

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Masato Minato 197-9 Jokuro, Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture (72) Inventor Hiroshi Takato 435 Naka, Minamikawachi-gun, Minami-cho 435 (72) Inventor Shigeo Takahara 4-swan, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo 17−13 (72) Inventor Nikaido Shunji 2-5-9 Azabujuban, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A sound output means such as a speaker, a plurality of types of input terminals for receiving signals from different sound sources, and a mixing for mixing the signals input to these input terminals according to respective set levels. Means, amplifying means for amplifying the mixed signal from the mixing means and transmitting the amplified signal to the audio output means, priority signal determining means for determining whether or not a signal to be prioritized is input to a specific input terminal, and the priority signal determining means. When the signal judging means judges that a signal is inputted to a specific input terminal, the level reducing means for lowering the level of the signal inputted to the other input terminal below the set level, and the priority signal judging means Level restoration that gradually increases the level of the signal input to the other input terminal and returns to the set level when it is determined that the priority signal has been lost Desk, characterized by comprising; and a stage. 2. A specific input terminal receives a signal related to information sounds such as dictionary contents and messages, and another input terminal receives a signal related to background sounds such as music and natural environment sounds. The desk according to claim 1, which is characterized in that.