| Claims:
1. In an audiogram-based equalization system using a wired/wireless network, an audiogram-based equalization system using a network, comprising: an equalization service server which stores an equalization setting module and an equalization setting data set by the equalization setting module, respectively, and transmits an equalization setting module or an equalization setting data based on a request of a terminal connected with a wired/wireless network and receives an equalization setting data from the terminal and structurally processes in accordance with each user information and stores the same; and a terminal which is connected with the equalization service server via the wired/wireless network and requests and receives the equalization setting module or the equalization setting data and generates an equalization setting data in accordance with a control of the equalization setting module and sets a sound output equalizer in accordance with an equalization setting data generated by the equalization setting module or an equalization setting data transmitted from the equalization service server.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said equalization service server comprises: a user database which structurally processes and stores various user information; an equalization setting database which structurally processes an equalization setting data generated by the equalization setting module and stores the same; a program database which stores the equalization setting module; a database control unit which controls the data input and output processes of the user database, the equalization setting database, and the program database; and a main control unit which performs an authentication of the terminal connected via the wired/wireless network and transmits the equalization setting module or the equalization setting data to the terminal in accordance with a request of the authenticated terminal and receives the equalization setting data from the terminal and structurally processes and stores the data in accordance with each user information.
3. The system of either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said equalization setting module comprises: a plurality of sound source data which have intervals of 2.5dBHL from 5OdBHL to OdBHL with respect to an equal loudness contour based on the ISO226:2003 and have frequency bandwidths with respect to each dBHL; a main control module which retrieves a reference sound for a rough estimation of a user hearing threshold and a sound source having changed level and/or frequency in accordance with a user's response signal receiving state from the sound source data and outputs the same, and stores a user's response signal receiving information and determines a user's hearing threshold by the frequency bandwidths and performs an equalization based on the determined hearing threshold; and an equalizer which performs an equalization based on the main control module, wherein the main control module randomly changes the frequency based on a previously set random Beksey trace algorithm and retrieves and outputs the sound source.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein said main control module retrieves a sound source data of 1kHz, 5OdBHL from the sound source data so that a reference sound of 1kHz, 5OdBHL is outputted to the user in the first output variable and outputs the same, and increases the output variable when the test sound, which will be provided to the user, is needed to be higher than 5OdBHL with respect to the reference of the first output variable.
5. In a method for providing an audiogram-based equalization system in which an equalization service server having an equalization setting database, in which an equalization setting data is structurally processed for each user and is stored, and a terminal are connected via a wired/wireless network, a method for providing an audiogram-based equalization system, comprising:
(a) a step in which a member logs in;
(b) a step in which when an equalization setting module transmission request is received from the terminal, the equalization setting module is transmitted to the terminal;
(c) a step in which the equalization setting data is received from the equalization setting module installed in the terminal and is structurally processed and stored or updated in the database;
(d) a step in which when an equalization setting data update request is received from the terminal, the equalization setting data is received from the equalization setting module installed in the terminal and is structurally processed and stored or updated; and
(e) a step in which when the equalization setting data transmission request is received from the terminal, an equalization setting data of a corresponding user is extracted from the equalization setting database and is transmitted to the terminal.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein said equalization setting data is an equalization setting data calculated by the audiogram-based equalization method.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein said step (e) comprises:
(e1) a step in which the equalization setting data transmission request is received from the terminal, and it is judged whether the above transmission request is a customized equalization setting data transmission request or a standard equalization setting data transmission request; (e2) a step in which when it is a customized equalization setting data transmission request as a result of the judgment in the step (e1), an equalization setting data of a corresponding user is extracted from the equalization setting database and is transmitted to the terminal; and
(e3) a step in which when it is a standard equalization setting data transmission request as a result of the judgment in the step (e1), a standard equalization setting data set based on the equal loudness contour reference of the ISO226:2003 is transmitted to the terminal.
8. In an audiogram-based equalization system using a wired/wireless network, an audiogram-based equalization system using a network, comprising: an equalization service server in which an equalization setting module is stored, and an audiogram of a user who is connected via the wired/wireless network is measured, and an audiogram-based equalization setting data is generated using the measured audiogram, and an audiogram-based equalization setting database is constructed, and an equalization setting database request is received from a purchaser terminal, and a database corresponding to the request is extracted and transmitted; and a purchaser terminal which is connected with the equalization service server, and requests an equalization setting database and receives an equalization setting database from the equalization service server.
9. In an audiogram-based equalization system using a wired/wireless network, an audiogram-based equalization system using a network, comprising: an equalization service server in which a personal audiogram-based equalization setting data is constructed as an equalization setting database, and an audiogram-based equalization setting data corresponding to a personal information is extracted from the equalization setting database using a personal information from a mobile communication terminal and is transmitted to the mobile communication terminal; and a mobile communication terminal in which a personal information is transmitted to the equalization service server, and its equalization setting data is requested, and an equalization setting data is received from the equalization service server and is stored, and a sound output is equalized using the same.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein said equalization service server includes a sound output control module for controlling a sound output of the mobile communication terminal in accordance with an equalization setting data, and said mobile communication terminal receives and installs a sound output control module from the equalization service server and plays backs an audio signal in accordance with a control of the sound output control module.
11. The system of either claim 8 or claim 9, wherein said equalization setting data is an equalization data which is calculated based on an audiogram-based equalization method.
12. In a method for providing an audiogram-based equalization system using a network which includes a terminal, a mobile communication terminal, a purchaser terminal and an equalization service server, an audiogram-based equalization method using a network, comprising:
(A) a step in which an equalization service server tests a user's audiogram using a terminal or a mobile communication terminal, and an equalization setting data is calculated based on the audiogram, and an equalization setting database is constructed;
(B) a step in which said equalization service server receives an equalization setting database purchase request from the purchaser terminal; and
(C) a step in which the equalization service server extracts an equalization setting database corresponding to the purchase request and transmits to the purchaser terminal.
13. In a method for providing an audiogram-based equalization system using a network which includes a terminal, a mobile communication terminal and an equalization service server, an audiogram-based equalization method using a network, comprising:
(A) a step in which said equalization service server tests a user's audiogram using the terminal, and an equalization setting data based on the audiogram is calculated, and an equalization setting database is constructed; (B) a step in which the equalization service server receives a user's personal information from the mobile communication terminal, and a user's equalization setting data is extracted from the equalization setting database in accordance with a received personal information;
(C) a step in which the equalization service server transmits the extracted equalization setting data to the mobile communication terminal; and (D) a step in which the mobile communication terminal receives the equalization setting data, and the received equalization setting data is set as an equalization data of the mobile communication terminal.
14. The method of either claim 12 or claim 13, wherein an equalization setting data of the equalization service server is an equalization setting data calculated by an audiogram-based equalization method.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein said audiogram-based equalization method has an interval of 2.5d B H L from 5OdBHL tO OdBHL with respect to an equal loudness contour based on the ISO266:2003, and a sound source having a changed level and/or frequency is retrieved and outputted in accordance with a reference sound for an estimation of a user hearing threshold and a user's response signal receiving state from a plurality of sound source data having a plurality of frequency bandwidths with respect to each dBHL, and the user's response signal receiving information is stored, and the user's hearing threshold is determined based on a plurality of frequency bandwidths, and an equalization setting data is calculated based on the determined hearing threshold.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein in said step (A), an equalization setting database including a plurality of equalization setting data is constructed based on one audiogram by converting a calculated user's equalization setting data based on the type of a mobile communication terminal, and in said step (B), a proper equalization setting data is extracted based on a type information of a mobile communication terminal included in a user's personal information.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein a user's personal information of the step (B) includes a user's mobile communication terminal type, and in said step (C), said equalization service server converts the extracted equalization setting data into a certain form for the type of the mobile communication terminal, and the converted equalization setting data is transmitted to the mobile communication terminal. |
Title: Equalization system and its provision method based on audiogram using wire/wireless communication network
Technical Field
The present invention relates to an audiogram-based equalization system using a network and a method for providing the same, and in particular to an audiogram-based equalization system using a network and a method for providing the same in which a previously set equalization data can be downloaded by other terminals connected with a network from an equalization service server, and the other terminals can use the downloaded data.
Background Art
In recent years, a better culture life including a music content listening activity, a multimedia content enjoying activity, etc. increases with the advantages of various developing personal information communication instruments.
In modern society, a lot of people use sound playback apparatuses such as a TV, AM-FM radio, CD player, MP3 player, audio, PC, language playback device, etc. A sound playback device, which is currently available in market, is provided with a sound level amplification function enough for causing a user's hearing loss.
Since almost users hear sound or voice at a higher volume, the hearing ability may be easily damaged. So, the mild hearing loss increases. Since a user generally prefers to hear music with a higher volume, the loss of hearing ability may be serious problems. So, people suffering from moderate and severe hearing loss increase more and more.
When listening to music using a conventional sound playback device, since it is designed to just play back music irrespective of an audiogram of each user, hearing loss increases more and more.
Auditory sense cells of a cochlea have frequency bandwidths and sound levels which will be processed. The audiogram is a sense distribution diagram by the frequency of an auditory sense cell obtained via a hearing measurement. A person is provided with an inherent audiogram like a fingerprint or a DNA structure. The audiogram may be transformed because of aging or as it is exposed to over sound environment. For example, when it is assumed that a person has listened to a sound of 1kHz frequency at a level of above 8OdBHL for a few hours, since a certain auditory sense cell, which processes 1kHz frequency, is exposed to over level sound, a sudden impairment phenomenon occurs. In case that a person, who likes a sharp and high tone sound, repeatedly listens to a sound of 10kHz frequency everyday, the auditory sense of the above person may suffer from a functional impairment phenomenon with respect to 10kHz frequency bandwidth after a certain time period passed.
Statistically, 0.1~0.2% of the population suffer from a profound hearing loss, which represents that it is impossible to hear sound. 1~2% of the population suffers from moderate and severs hearing losses, and 10~15% of the same suffer from a mild hearing loss. Here, the mild hearing loss represents that a person has a problem for hearing a sound of 20 through 4OdB. In this case, neighboring persons can talk and hear with no problem. In case of mild hearing loss, almost persons cannot recognize the seriousness. They rarely go to the hospital. However, when the person, who suffers a mild hearing loss, repeatedly listens to music with over volume using a sound play back device, the person may have a moderate hearing loss. In worse case, the person may have a profound hearing loss and a severe hearing loss.
In case of the conventional sound playback device, since almost volumes are linearly controlled, for example, when the volume is set 9OdBHL, since a certain part is exposed by 6OdBHL, the user may feel less fatigue. The other parts are exposed by 9OdBHL, the user may feel sound distortion and fatigue, so that the portions exposed by 9OdBHL can be easily damaged.
An equalization can be performed for adjusting sound levels independently by the frequency bandwidth in order to prevent the loss of auditory sense cells which occurs owing to a linear control of the sound playback device.
Generally, a user can hear a desired sound tone using an equalizer. For example, a person, who prefers to listen to a clear and elegant frequency bandwidth, can listen to a desired sound by increasing a higher frequency bandwidth of the equalizer. When a grand and strong sound is needed, a lower frequency bandwidth is decreased.
The equalizer is used for generating a desired sound as well as for the medical purpose like in a hearing aid and artificial cochlea.
In this case, it is necessary to measure a frequency-based hearing ability of impairment patient, who needs a hearing air or cochlea, and an equalizer is adjusted depending on his audiogram. For example, when an impairment patient, who does not have a serious hearing loss with respect to 10kHz, hears a sound via a hearing aid or an artificial cochlea which does not have equalization with respect to 10kHz frequency bandwidth, the hearing ability may be more damaged.
When a user's audiogram-based sound playback apparatus using an equalizer is provided, it is impossible to manufacture a sound playback apparatus, which has an audiogram-based equalization method, with the help of a conventional audiogram measuring method.
In order to overcome the above problems, there are provided an individual characteristic-based (audiogram) equalization method and an apparatus using the
same. However, even when an equalization is performed using the above equalization method and apparatus, since an equalization setting data is adapted to only a corresponding terminal, it is needed to newly measure an audiogram whenever a terminal is exchanged, so that a terminal should be set using a new equalization data.
Disclosure of Invention
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an audiogram-based equalization system and a method for providing the same which overcome the problems encountered in the conventional art.
It is further another object of the present invention to provide an audiogram-based equalization system and a method for providing the same in which an audiogram-based equalization setting module is transmitted via a network, and an equalization setting data received via a network is stored. When a user needs an equalization setting data, a user's audiogram-based equalization setting data can be transmitted.
To achieve the above objects, in an audiogram-based equalization system using a wired/wireless network, there is provided an audiogram-based equalization system using a network which comprises an equalization service server which stores an equalization setting module and an equalization setting data set by the equalization setting module, respectively, and transmits an equalization setting module or an equalization setting data based on a request of a terminal connected with a wired/wireless network and receives an equalization setting data from the terminal and structurally processes in accordance with each user information and stores the same; and a terminal which is connected with the equalization service server via the wired/wireless network and requests and receives the equalization setting module or the equalization setting data and generates an equalization
setting data in accordance with a control of the equalization setting module and sets a sound output equalizer in accordance with an equalization setting data generated by the equalization setting module or an equalization setting data transmitted from the equalization service server. To achieve the above objects, in a method for providing an audiogram- based equalization system in which an equalization service server having an equalization setting database, in which an equalization setting data is structurally processed for each user and is stored, and a terminal are connected via a wired/wireless network, there is provided a method for providing an audiogram- based equalization system which comprises (a) a step in which a member logs in; (b) a step in which when an equalization setting module transmission request is received from the terminal, the equalization setting module is transmitted to the terminal; (c) a step in which the equalization setting data is received from the equalization setting module installed in the terminal and is structurally processed and stored or updated in the database; (d) a step in which when an equalization setting data update request is received from the terminal, the equalization setting data is received from the equalization setting module installed in the terminal and is structurally processed and stored or updated; and (e) a step in which when the equalization setting data transmission request is received from the terminal, an equalization setting data of a corresponding user is extracted from the equalization setting database and is transmitted to the terminal.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings which are given only by way of illustration and thus are not limitative of the present invention, wherein;
Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating an audiogram-based equalization system using a network according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an equalization service server according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating an equalization setting module according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a flow chart of an audiogram-based equalization system using a network according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6 is a flow chart of an audiogram-based equalization setting procedure which is performed at a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 7 is a flow chart of an equalization setting database construction and sale procedure according to the present invention; and
Figure 8 is a flow chart of a tuning procedure of a mobile communication terminal using an audiogram-based equalization system using a network according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
The preferred embodiments of the audiogram-based equalization system using a network will be described with reference to Figures 1 through 4.
Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating an audiogram-based equalization system using a network according to an embodiment of the present invention. The audiogram-based equalization system using a network according to the present invention will be described in detail.
As shown therein, an audiogram-based equalization system using a network
according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a terminal 100, wired/wireless networks 110, 120, and an equalization service server 130.
The wired/wireless networks 110 and 120 are used for a data communication path of the equalization service server 130 and each terminal 100. Here, the equalization service server 130 stores an equalization setting module and an equalization setting data set by an equalization setting module and transmits an equalization setting module or an equalization setting data to the terminal 100 depending on a request of the terminal 100 connected via the wired/wireless networks 110 and 120 and receives an equalization setting data transmitted from the terminal 100 and structurally processes the data based on each user information and stores the same.
Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an equalization service server according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown therein, the equalization service server 130 according to the present invention comprises a main control unit 200, a communication unit 202, a memory unit 204, a storing device 206, a database control unit 208, a user database 132, an equalization setting database 134 and a program database 136.
The equalization service server 130 of the present invention comprises the common devices such as the communication unit 202, the memory unit 204 and the storing device 206 for performing an operation of a conventional internet service server.
The communication unit 202 performs a data communication with the terminal 100 connected via the wired/wireless networks 110 and 120. The memory unit 204 is used for temporarily storing the data. The storing device 206 represents a conventional storing unit such as a hard disk drive for thereby storing various information and programs. The common devices such as the communication unit 202, the memory unit 204 and the storing device 206 for performing an operation of
a conventional internet service server are known, so that the detailed descriptions thereon will be omitted.
The user database 132 structurally processes and stores the personal information of each user which is provided as a user registers a member on an internet web page which is provided by the equalization service server 130 of the present invention. The personal information are used when a member logs in or transmits an equalization setting data that is previously stored by the user.
The equalization setting database 134 structurally processes and stores an equalization setting data generated by the equalization setting module 210. The program database 136 stores the equalization setting module 210. The equalization module 210 of the present invention measures a user's audiogram and calculates a user-based equalization setting data depending on the measured audiogram. The equalization setting module 210 and the equalization setting data will be described later with reference to Figures 4 and 6. The database control unit 208 controls the inputs and outputs of the user database 132, the equalization setting database 134 and the program database
136, respectively.
The main control unit 200 performs an authentication of the terminal 100 connected via the wired/wireless networks 110 and 120 and transmits the equalization setting module 210 or the equalization setting data to the terminal 100 based on a request of the authenticated terminal 100 and receives an equalization setting data from the terminal 100 and structurally processes and stores the same in accordance with each user information.
The main control unit 200 controls all devices in the equalization service server 130 and performs a member log-in by receiving a personal information from the terminal 100 connected via the wired/wireless networks 110 and 120 and transmits the stored equalization setting module 210 or the equalization setting
data to the terminal 100 of the member based on a request from the terminal 100 which has a successful log-in. In addition, it receives an equalization setting data from the equalization setting module 210 installed at the terminal 100 of the member and structurally processes and stores into the equalization setting database 134 as an equalization setting data of a corresponding member. When a corresponding member requests his equalization setting data later, an equalization setting data of a corresponding member is extracted from the equalization setting database 134 and is transmitted to the terminal 100 of the member.
The terminal 100 is connected with the equalization service server 130 via the wired/wireless networks 110 and 120 and requests an equalization setting module and/or an equalization setting data and receives the same and generates an equalization setting data in accordance with a control of the equalization setting module, so that a sound output equalizer 414 is set based on an equalization setting data generated by the equalization setting module and an equalization setting data transmitted from the equalization service server 130.
The terminal 100 according to the present invention represents a personal information communication instrument having a communication unit and a sound output device. The terminal 100 may be a personal computer 100a, notebook computers 100b and 100e, a PDA 100c, and a mobile communication terminal 100d. It is obvious that the terminal 100 may further include a multimedia device such as a MP3 player, a PDP, etc. which is connected with the personal computer 100a, notebook computers 100b and 100e, etc. via the connection member such as a USB cable, etc.
Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating a construction of a terminal according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
As shown therein, the terminal 100 according to the present invention comprises a terminal control unit 300, an input unit 302, a memory unit 304, a
storing device 306, a communication unit 308, a sound output device 310, and an equalization setting module 210.
The communication unit 308 performs a data communication with the equalization service server 130 connected via the wired/wireless networks 110 and 120. The memory unit 304 temporarily stores the data. The storing device 306 is formed of a conventional storing device such as a hard disk drive for thereby storing various information and programs. The terminal 100 according to the present invention further comprises elements (in case of a mobile communication terminal, a voice communication unit is provided for performing a voice communication) for performing inherent functions of each terminal except the above-described elements. The above elements are conventionally known, so that the detailed description thereon will be omitted.
The input unit 302 outputs a key control signal based on a user's key operation, namely, performs a function of outputting a key control signal in response to a reaction of a user when an audiogram is measured based on the equalization setting module 210.
The sound output device 310 is formed of a sound output chip (sound chip) provided in various terminals 100 and performs a function of outputting a stored sound data or an audio part of a multimedia data to the outside via a speaker (not shown) or an earphone (not shown).
The terminal control unit 300 represents a control unit which control each element of the terminal for performing an inherent function of the terminal 100 and is provided with an equalization setting module 210 according to the present invention for thereby entirely controlling each element of the terminal so that an audiogram measurement, an individual audiogram-based equalization setting data, and an equalization setting are controlled.
The equalization setting module 210 may be mounted on the terminal 100
when the terminal 100 is manufactured. The terminal 100 is connected with the equalization service server 130 via the wired/wireless networks 110 and 120, and the equalization setting module is downloaded from the equalization service server 130 and is installed at the terminal 100. The equalization setting module 210 of the present invention controls the sound output device 310 by setting the equalizer 414 in accordance with a previously stored equalization setting data depending on a user's selection. When there is not a previously set equalization setting data, an audiogram-based equalization setting data is newly calculated, and the equalizer 414 is set in accordance with a calculated equalization setting date. The user is connected with the equalization service server 130 by operating the terminal and downloads a previously stored customized equalization setting data to the terminal 100, so that it is possible to set his terminal 100 using a downloaded customized equalization setting data.
When a newly calculated equalization setting data is used, the terminal 100 according to the present invention transmits a newly calculated equalization setting data to the equalization service server 130 via a communication unit of the terminal in accordance with a user's key operation. The equalization service server 130, which received the data, stores/updates the received equalization setting data as a user's customized personal equalization setting data in sync with a user's personal information.
Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating a construction of an equalization setting module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The equalization setting module according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown therein, the equalization setting module according to the present invention comprises a plurality of sound source data 412, a main control module 400 and an equalizer 414.
The main control module 400 according to the present invention receives a user's n audiogram test start signal and retrieves a previously set reference sound from the sound source data 412 and allows a reference sound to be outputted via the output device 310 and the speaker 206. The main control module 400 retrieves a sound source of different level
(dBHL) from the sound source data 412 depending on whether a response signal is received or not from the input unit 302 while an audiogram test is being performed and processes the response receiving signal for thereby determining a user's audiogram bandwidth. The main control module 400 allows a frequency of a sound source to randomly change and be outputted depending on a Random Beksey trace program and determines an audiogram bandwidth.
A plurality of sound sources 412 have an interval of 2.5dBHL from 5OdBHL to OdBHL with reference to an equal loudness contour according to the ISO226(2003) and are formed of sound source data having a plurality of frequency bandwidths with respect to each dBHL.
A plurality of sound source data 412 store sound sources which will be provided to the users. In the present invention, the sound source data 412 stores a test sound calibrated at an interval of 2.5dBHL based on a frequency bandwidth. A plurality of sound source data 412 and a sound output device 310 are provided with a self-calibration function so that an optimum test start sound is selected during an audiogram test.
The self-calibration and Random Beksey trace method according to the present invention will be described in detail as follows.
(1) Self-calibration step
In a sound chip which is used in a terminal 100 such as a personal computer
and an audio codec having the same specification, when a sound controller provided in the terminal 100 is used, it is impossible to accurately control an output level of the sound chip.
So, the inventor of the present invention makes it possible to control an output level of a sound chip with 1OdB steps with the help of a sound output device control algorithm in the application program of the main control module 400 and sets the following relationship between the output variable and the output sound pressure.
[Table 1]
(reference tone = 1kHz, OdB relative level)
A wave file list calibrated at an interval of 2.5dBHL on a dBHL diagram is made with reference to an equal loudness contour of the ISO226:2003.
A test sound calibrated at an interval of 2.5dBHL is stored in the multiple sound source data 412. At this time, it is preferred that the test sound is stored in a wav file format, but it is not limited thereto.
For example, a wave file folder is provided in the multiple sound source data 412 at an interval of 2.5dBHL from 5OdBHL tO OdBHL. Frequency bandwidth-based
sound source (for example, 6, 11 , 17 and 34 bandwidths), which will be used for an audiogram test, are classified in each file folder, and the test sounds are stored.
Here, the dBHL (dB Hearing Level) is that a dB SPL (dB Pressure Level), which is a physical criteria of a sound, is converted into a psychology sound criteria. In the present invention, a sound data is calibrated with reference to an equal loudness contour of the ISO226:2003 which was finally corrected on August, 2003. A wave file, which is obtained by adjusting an output level of the sound output device 310 based on an equal loudness contour of the ISO226, is stored, and a person, who determines an optimum test start sound for an estimation of left and right auditory bandwidth, performs a self-calibration.
In the middle of the self-calibration, the output level variable of the first sound output device 310 is 100 (which is determined based on maximum value
10000 of the output variable, refer to [Table 1]), and the first retrieved wave file from the sound data by the main control module 400 is 1 Khz, 5OdBHL (reference sound).
In the audiogram test according to the present invention, when a user does not hear the above reference sound, a test sound higher than 1OdBHL is provided. For this operation, the main control module 400 changes the output level from 100 (6OdB SPL) to 1000 (104dB SPL) (at this time, a certain environment for outputting a sound higher by 4OdB than the first level is made) and retrieves and outputs a wave file of 1kHz, 2OdBHL. When 2OdBHL file is outputted by changing the output variable from 100 to 10000, a sound of 6OdBHL level higher by 1OdBHL than a reference sound is provided to the user. When the user does not respond to the sound of 6OdBHL, the main control module 400 outputs a sound source of 3OdBHL while maintaining the output variable at 10000, so that a testee can here a sound of 7OdBHL
When the user does not recognize the sound, the main control module 400
of the present invention provides the user with sound while increasing by 1OdBHL. The sound outputted at the first response signal receiving timing of the user is determined as a start sound, and the start sound is stored in the memory 304.
When the user generates a response signal with respect to the sound of 1kHz, 5OdBHL outputted from the output variable 100 at the first step, the main control module 400 retrieves the sound source of 4OdBHL (frequency 1kHz) from the multiple sound source data 412 while not changing the output variables and provides the same. When a response signal is not received with respect to the same, it is determined as a start sound. When a response signal is received, the sound source of 3OdBHL (frequency 1kHz) is outputted without changes in output variables. The start sound determination procedure or the procedure for lowering the sound test level is repeatedly performed.
The main control module 400 allows a test sound to be outputted differently at an interval of 1OdBHL depending on a user's test sound recognition. Since the person, who determines a start sound, performs a calibration, the determination procedure of the start sound can be shortened.
In the conventional art, the tester's manual work is needed for determining a test start sound, but in the present invention, the output level of the sound chip is adjusted with a step of 1OdB, and the optimum test start sound can be easily searched via the changes of the output variables of the main control module 400, so that an audiogram test time can be significantly decreased.
In the above description, a wave file was used as a sound source file, but it is not limited thereto. Namely, it is obvious that other sound chips and sound source files can be used.
(2) Random Beksey trace method
After the above self-calibration step is performed, the present invention
adapts a Random Beksey trace algorithm in the course of the audiogram measurement procedure.
In the audiogram test, the Beksey trace method is referred to a method for testing an audiogram depending on whether a testee responses or not with respect to a pure tone. According to the conventional audiogram measurement (Beksey method), only a test sound level is adjusted and provided to a testee in a state that the tester previously sets a frequency bandwidth, and when the hearing threshold is determined at the frequency bandwidth, the next frequency bandwidth is set, and the above procedure is performed in the same manner. So, the test procedure needs a long time, and an adaptive and selective attention concentration occurs at the frequency bandwidth in which the test is being performed, so that it is impossible to obtain a reliable result.
In particular, in case that left and right audiograms of 34 bands are calculated using the conventional Beksey trace method, 3 hours are needed for thereby consuming much time.
However, according to the present invention which is implemented by adapting the random Beksey trace method, a user's frequency bandwidth setting work is not needed. In the course of measurement, the main control module 400 provides test sounds having different frequency bandwidths, and a hearing threshold is determined at a certain frequency bandwidth depending on whether a user receives a test sound or not.
When a test start sound is determined based on a self-calibration and is stored in the memory 304, the main control module 400 retrieves a sound of 1kHz (first test sound) corresponding to a level higher by a certain level than a previously stored start sound from the sound source data 412 and provides to the user. Here, the certain level represents 0 through 15dBHL 15dBHL is preferred, so that an accurate audiogram measurement is possible.
For example, when a first test sound is provided with a level higher by 15dBHL than a start sound, the main control module 400 outputs a second test sound which is smaller or higher by 5dBHL than the test sound depending on a response state of the testee. At this time, the main control module 400 retrieves a second test sound of a frequency bandwidth different from 1kHz of the first test sound in accordance with a previously set program and outputs the same.
Thereafter, a procedure that the sound source level of the test sound changes by 5dBHL depending on the user's receiving state is repeatedly performed. The main control module 400 judges the point corresponding to the ascending threshold and descending threshold of 2.5dBHL as a hearing threshold at the frequency bandwidth when the ascending and descending thresholds of the hearing threshold are determined based on the previously set frequency bandwidth.
When the hearing threshold is determined in the above manner, the main control module 400 calculates a user's audiogram-based equalization setting data, and adjusts the output of the equalizer 414 depending on the calculated equalization setting data, so that a sound based on a user's audiogram is played back.
The equalization setting module 210 according to the present invention comprises a user interface for selecting the number of frequency bandwidths for a hearing threshold determination, so that it can be shown on a display (not shown) of the terminal 100. So, the user selects the number of frequency bandwidths for the test, and the main control module 400 performs a hearing threshold determination procedure based on the selected frequency bandwidth. The main control module 400 according to the present invention randomly changes the frequency bandwidth of each test sound and retrieves from the multiple sound source data 412, so that a manual operation procedure of a user for
changing frequencies is not eliminated. In addition, it is possible to resolve an audiogram distortion problem occurring owing to a testee's adaptive and selective attention concentration which occurs in the conventional Beksey trace method in which an audiogram is measured only by changing the levels of sounds at one frequency bandwidth.
The equalizer 414 performs an equalization based on each frequency bandwidth depending on an audiogram measurement result and a calculated hearing threshold with the help of the main control module 400 and controls the sound output device 310 so that a sound data is outputted depending on an equalization set data based on a calculated user's hearing threshold.
As shown in Figure 3, the main control module 400 according to the present invention comprises a sound source retrieve module 402, an output variable change module 404, a response signal receiving module 406, a hearing threshold determination module 408, and an equalization calculation module 410. When a user's audiogram test start signal is received, the sound source retrieve module 402 outputs a reference sound (for example, 1kHz, 5OdBHL) from the sound source data 412 and a previously set test sound in accordance with a user's response state.
In the course of determining the hearing threshold, the sound source retrieve module 402 outputs a sound source a level different from the previous test sound depending on a user's test sound response state, namely, retrieves a test sound of a frequency bandwidth different from the frequency previously provided to the user from the sound source data 412 in accordance with a previously set algorithm and outputs the same. The output variable module 404 adjusts an output variable of a sound chip in a self-calibration step.
According to the present invention, in order to provide a test sound with no
distortion with reference to an equal loudness contour of the ISO226:2003, a sound source data is stored at an interval of 2.5dBHL by adapting the wave file of 5OdBHL as the maximum value. Namely, the sound source of a reference sound 1kHz,
5OdBHL (with reference to maximum output variable 10000) is retrieved and outputted by assuming that the first output variable is 100 during the self-calibration.
When a user's response signal with respect to the reference sound is not received, it is needed to provide a sound higher by 1OdBHL. Since there is not a
6OdBHL sound source file, the output variable change module 404 adjusts an output variable to 10000 so as to provide the above test sound, and the sound source retrieve module 402 retrieves a sound source of 1kHz, 2OdBHL and provides the user with a test sound of 6OdBHL.
The response signal receiving module 406 receives a response signal that the user, who recognized the provided test sound, outputs via the input unit 302, and transmits to the sound source retrieve module 402 or the output variable change module 404.
When a user's response signal is not received during a certain time period after the test sound is provided, the response signal receiving module 406 judges it as a non-response and transmits a non-response signal to the sound source retrieve module 402 or the output variable change module 404. Here, the sound source retrieve module 402 and the output variable change module 404 may retrieve other sound source data or adjust the output variables depending on circumferences in accordance with a signal from the response signal receiving module 406.
The hearing threshold determination module 408 determines ascending and descending thresholds based on each frequency bandwidth depending on a user's response with respect to a test sound having a level adjusted by 5dBHL (frequency is randomly changed), and the intermediate value between the ascending and
descending thresholds is determined as the final hearing threshold of the frequency bandwidth.
The equalization calculation module 410 calculates a user customized equalization setting data in which an output level of a sound is adjusted based on each frequency bandwidth depending on the final hearing threshold of the user which is determined by the hearing threshold determination module 408 and stores the same into the memory 304 and the storing device 306.
Figure 6 is a flow chart of an audiogram-based equalization setting procedure performed in a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. The operation procedure of the equalization setting module according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 6.
The main control module 400 outputs a reference sound (1kHz, 5OdBHL) in a step S600 and judges whether a user's response signal is received or not in a step S602. When a response signal is received, a sound of a level lower by 1OdBHL than a reference level is outputted in a step S604, and it is judged whether a response signal is received or not with respect to the same in a step S606. When a user's response signal is received, the step S604 in which the level is lowered by
1OdBHL is repeated, and when the response signal is not received, the start sound at that time is determined as a start sound and is stored in the memory in a step S612.
When the user's response signal is not received in the step S602, the main control module 400 outputs a sound of a level higher by 1OdBHL than the reference sound in a step S608, and a response with respect to the same is judged in a step S610, and when the user's response signal is not received, the step S608 is repeated, and when the response signal is received, the sound at that time is determined as a start sound in a step S612.
When the start sound is determined in the above manner, the main control
module 400 outputs a first test sound of a level higher by about 15dBHL than the start sound in a step S614, and a response with respect to the same is judged in a step S616.
When a user has responded to the test sound, it is judged whether all hearing thresholds based on the previously set frequency bandwidth are completed or not in a step S618. When the hearing threshold determinations are not completed, the level of the test sound is lowered by 5dBHL and is provided to a user in a step S620.
When the user does not respond in the step S616, it is judged whether all the hearing threshold determinations are completed or not in a step S622, and when not completed, the level of the test sound is lowered by 5dBHL and is provided to the user in a step S624.
After the level of the test sound is adjusted at an interval of 5dBHL as compared to the provided sound, the steps S618 through S620 and S622 through S624 may be repeated depending on the user's response signal receipt.
When all the hearing threshold determinations are completed in the steps S618 through S622, the main control module 400 stores the hearing threshold by each frequency bandwidth into the memory and performs an equalization based on the stored hearing threshold in a step S626. Figure 5 is a flow chart of an audiogram-based equalization system using a network according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The operation of the audiogram-based equalization system will be described with reference to Figure 5.
When a user is connected with an equalization service server 130 via the networks 110 and 120 by operating a terminal 100, the equalization service server
130 performs a member log in using a user's personal information from the terminal 100 in a step S500. When the user did not register the service provided by
the equalization service server 130, a member subscription guide message is transmitted to the terminal 100, and the routine is finished in a step S502.
When a member log in is successful, the equalization service server 130 receives a request from the connected terminal 100 and performs a function corresponding to the request in steps S504 through S522.
When an equalization setting module transmission request is received from the terminal 100, the equalization setting module is extracted from the program database 136 and is transmitted to the terminal in a step S506.
The equalization setting module 210 that the user has downloaded is installed into his terminal 100, and the audiogram-based equalization setting data is calculated, and the calculated equalization setting data is transmitted to the equalization service server 130. In this case, the equalization service server 130 receives an equalization setting data from the equalization setting module 210 installed in the terminal 100 in a step S508, and a corresponding setting data is structurally processed and stored and updated into the equalization setting database 134 in sync with a user's personal information in a step S510. When a new equalization setting data is transmitted, a new data is created, and when an old equalization setting data, which is in sync with a user's personal information, is present, the data may be updated or newly stored based on a user's selection. When an equalization setting data update request is received from the terminal 100 in a step S512, the equalization service server 130 receives an equalization setting data from the equalization setting module 210 installed at the terminal 100 in a step S508, and updates the old equalization setting data stored in the equalization setting database in a step S510. When the equalization setting data request is received from the terminal 100 in a step S514, the equalization service server 130 extracts an equalization setting data of a corresponding user from the equalization setting database 134 and
transmits to the user's terminal 100 in a step S518.
The method for providing the audiogram-based equalization system according to the present invention classifies in detail an equalization setting data from the terminal 100 of the user in a step S514 for thereby selectively providing a standard equalization setting data based on a user's audiogram-based customized equalization setting data and a human being standard hearing characteristic curve in accordance with a user's selection.
Namely, the equalization service server 130 receives an equalization setting data transmission request from the terminal 100 and judges whether it is a customized equalization setting data request or a standard equalization setting data request in steps S516 and S520. When it is a customized equalization setting data request, an equalization setting data of a corresponding user is extracted from the equalization setting database 134 and is transmitted to the terminal 100 of the user in a step S518. As a result of the judgment, when the equalization setting data transmission request is a standard equalization setting data in a step S520, the standard equalization setting data set with reference to the ISO226:2003 equal loudness contour is transmitted to the terminal 100 of the user in a step S522.
Here, the standard equalization setting data represents an equalization setting data which is previously stored in the equalization setting database 134 so that an equalization can be performed most properly to the ears of a human being based on the standard hearing characteristic curve of a human being proposed by the ISO226:2003 in a state that a user's audiogram is not measured. Namely, the standard equalization setting data is a previously set equalization setting data in accordance with the standard hearing threshold characteristic of a person. When an equalization is performed using the standard equalization setting data, a hearing ability protection, a sound feeling enhancement, etc. can be provided to almost
users.
Figure 7 is a flow chart of a construction and sale procedure of an equalization setting data according to the present invention.
The audiogram-based equalization system using the network according to the present invention constructs a personal equalization setting data obtained by performing an audiogram test via the networks 110 and 120 in a structure of a database, and the thusly constructed database 134 can be sold commercially.
The equalization service server 130 stores an equalization setting module 210 and creates an audiogram-based equalization setting data using an audiogram measured for a user connected via the wired/wireless networks 110 and 120, so that a personal audiogram-based equalization setting database 134 is constructed. When an equalization setting data request is received from the terminal 140 of a purchaser, a corresponding database is extracted and transmitted to the purchaser.
The purchaser terminal 140a or purchaser server 140b (hereinafter, the purchaser terminal 140a will be described as main element) is connected with the equalization service server 130 based on a purchaser's operation, and part or all of the equalization setting database 134 is requested, so that it is possible to receive an equalization setting data from the equalization service server 130.
The sale procedure of the equalization setting database of the audiogram- based equalization system using a network having the above constructions will be described with reference to Figure 7.
The equalization service server 130 tests a user's audiogram using the terminal 100 connected with the equalization service server 130, and the audiogram-based equalization setting data is calculated, and the equalization setting database 134 is constructed in a step S700. At this time, a user's audiogram test may be performed using various hearing ability tests. More preferably, the equalization setting data is calculated based on the audiogram-
based equalization method. The audiogram-based equalization represents is defined in such a manner that it has an interval of 2.5dBHL from 5OdBHL to OdBHL with respect to the equal loudness contour based on the ISO226(2003), and a sound source having changed level and/or frequency is retrieved and outputted based on the receipts of the reference sound and user's response signal for an estimation of the user's hearing threshold from the sound source data having multiple frequency bandwidths with respect to each dBHL. In addition, a user's response signal receiving information is stored, and a user's hearing threshold is determined based on each frequency bandwidth. The equalization setting data is calculated depending on the determined hearing threshold. Since the audiogram- based equalization method and the equalization setting data were described earlier with reference to Figure 6, the descriptions thereon will be omitted.
A purchaser who wants to purchase part of all of the equalization setting database 134 is connected with the equalization service server 130 by operating the purchaser terminal 140a or the purchaser server 140b, the server 130 transmits a stored database information (list, etc) to the purchase side 140a, 140b in a step S702, and when the purchaser side 140a, 140b requests a purchase, the equalization service server 130 receives an equalization setting database purchase request from the purchaser side 140a, 140b in a step S704. The equalization service server 130, which received the purchase request, extracts an equalization setting database 134 corresponding to the purchase request and transmits to the purchaser side 140a, 140b and performs a charging process, and the purchaser side 140a, 140b receives the same in steps S706 through S7210. Figure 8 is a flow chart of a tuning procedure of a mobile communication terminal using an audiogram-based equalization system using a network according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The audiogram-based equalization system using a network according to the present invention performs an audiogram test via a network using a terminal 100 such as a personal computer, a notebook computer, a PDA, a mobile communication terminal, etc. and constructs a database 134 using a calculated personal equalization setting data. A user's other terminal (more preferably, a mobile communication terminal) downloads the personal equalization setting data of the database 134, so that a sound output of a corresponding instrument can be equalized.
The equalization service server 130 has an equalization setting database 134 in which a personal audiogram-based equalization setting data is structurally processed and stored. Since the operations that the personal audiogram is measured, and the equalization setting data is calculated based on the audiogram, and the calculated equalization setting data are used for constructing the equalization setting database, are the same as described earlier, the detailed descriptions thereon will be omitted. The equalization service server 130 according to the present invention converts one equalization setting data based on a calculated personal audiogram into a certain format proper to each mobile communication terminal 100d which performs different sound controls for thereby constructing an equalization setting database 134. The equalization service server 130 according to the present invention is able to construct an equalization setting database 134 as a user's equalization setting data using a plurality of equalization setting data converted for each mobile communication terminal 100d, such as an equalization setting data which can be adapted to a mobile communication terminal "a" of the company "A" based on one basic equalization setting data, and an equalization setting data which may be adapted to a mobile communication terminal 100d "b" of the company "B".
The equalization service server 130 according to the present invention
stores only a user's basic equalization setting data into the database 134 and converts a basic equalization setting data stored based on a user's request (including information on a mobile communication terminal type) into a data proper to the type of the user's mobile communication terminal 10Od and transmits to the mobile communication terminal 10Od.
The equalization service server 130 extracts an audiogram-based equalization setting data corresponding to a personal information from the equalization database 134 using a personal information from the mobile communication terminal 100d and transmits to the mobile communication terminal 100d. At this time, the personal information comprises a personal information (personal identification information such as a user's ID, a resident registration number, etc.) used for recognizing an equalization setting data calculated by performing a user's personal audiogram, and an information related to the type of the mobile communication terminal 100d. More preferably, the equalization service server 130 according to the present invention stores a sound output control module (not shown) and transmits to the mobile communication terminal 100d which needs a sound output control module. The sound output control module controls a sound output of the mobile communication terminal 100d based on an equalization setting data. The sound control module (not shown) basically provided in the mobile communication terminal 100d interprets an equalization setting data according to the present invention and performs an equalization. When the equalization setting data according to the present invention is created or converted into a form that the sound control module of each mobile communication terminal 100d can interpret, and then is stored, and when the equalization service server 130 according to the present invention converts an equalization setting data for the type of a user's mobile communication terminal and transmits the same, the sound output control
module is not needed. However, otherwise a certain unit is needed for interpreting an equalization setting data according to the present invention and controlling a sound output of the mobile communication terminal 10Od. A sound output control module is needed for performing the above operations. The mobile communication terminal 10Od requests its equalization setting data by transmitting a personal information to the equalization service server 130 and receives and stores the equalization setting data from the equalization service server 130 and equalizes a sound output using the same. When the mobile communication terminal 100d interprets an equalization setting data and performs an equalization or when an equalization setting data is transmitted in a form which can be adapted to a mobile communication terminal, the sound output control module according to the present invention is not needed, but on the contrary, the mobile communication terminal 100d should request a sound output control module to the equalization service server 130 and should install the same. The tuning procedure of the mobile communication terminal using an audiogram-based equalization system using a network according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 8.
The mobile communication terminal 100d is connected with an equalization service server 130 and performs a log in based on a user's operation. When the mobile communication terminal 100d needs a sound output control module, the mobile communication terminal 100d judges an installation state of the sound output control module in a step S800. When the sound output control module is not installed, the mobile communication terminal 100d requests a sound output control module to the equalization service server 130 and receives and install the same in steps S802 and 804.
When a sound output control module is not needed or an installation of a sound output control module is completed, the mobile communication terminal
10Od requests a user's equalization setting data stored by a user and receives the same in steps S806 and S808.
Next, the mobile communication terminal 10Od performs setting based on an equalization setting data having a sound output setting of the mobile communication terminal 10Od using a sound output control module or a self-sound control module in a step S810 and equalizes a sound outputted based on the equalization setting data and outputs the same.
Industrial Applicability As described above, according to the audiogram-based equalization system using a network and a method for providing the same, an equalization data set by one terminal can be conveniently used by other terminals.
In the present invention, an audiogram-based equalization setting is performed. Since other terminals can use an audiogram-based equalization setting data, a user's hearing ability protection and sound feeling ability are enhanced in the present invention.
A terminal, which does not have an equalization setting module, can download an equalization setting module via a network, so that it is possible to protect a user's hearing ability based on an audiogram-based equalization. As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described examples are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the meets and bounds of the claims, or equivalences of such meets and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.
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