Measurement system and measurement method

Abstract

To improve convenience of a user in selecting an earpiece by efficiently identifying the earpiece having a size estimated to be best for an ear of the user.SOLUTION: A measurement system includes: two earphones on which a plurality of earpieces having a different size can be exchangeably mounted; and a wireless terminal to be carried by a user. The measurement system executes measurement processing at least once on whether the mounted earpiece is sealed in an ear of the user. The wireless terminal performed: receiving an input operation related to a mounting feeling of the mounted earpiece; and allowing a display section to display a notification that the size of the mounted earpiece is the best among the sizes of the plurality of earpieces based on an input operation related to the mounting feeling and a measurement result of the measurement processing, or a notification to urge an exchange into another earpiece having a size larger or smaller than the size of the mounted earpiece.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a measurement system and a measurement method. [Background technology]

[0002] Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a measurement system in which earphones and a terminal device are communicatively connected and capable of measuring an earpiece that fits the wearer's (user's) ear size. This measurement system measures whether the earpiece seals the user's ear when the user wears the earphone. When the measurement system performs measurements on multiple earpieces, it causes the terminal device to display a result indicating that the smallest earpiece among the earpieces that receive a measurement result indicating that the user's ear is sealed is the earpiece of the optimal size for the user's ear. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] Sony Corporation, “WF-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones”, [online], June 25, 2021, [searched November 2, 2021], Internet<URL:https: / / www.sony.com / en-sa / electronics / truly-wireless / wf-1000xm4#made-to-fit-you> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Recently, a style has emerged in which users insert completely wireless earphones, also called TWS (True Wireless Stereo), into both the left and right ears. Such completely wireless earphones are equipped with a microphone that picks up external sounds along with a speaker. The completely wireless earphones perform noise cancellation by analyzing the sounds picked up by the microphone, and output high-quality sounds from the speaker. In order to deliver the sounds output from the speaker to the user's ears without reducing the quality of the sounds, the user's ears need to be sealed by the earpieces attached to the completely wireless earphones. Note that noise cancellation is just one example of a method for outputting high-quality sounds from completely wireless earphones, and is not limited to this.

[0005] In Non-Patent Document 1, when measuring the optimal size earpiece for a user's ear, it is necessary to measure all sizes of earpieces for each left and right completely wireless earphone, and there is a problem that the more different sizes of earpieces there are, the more complicated the task of users changing earpieces becomes, leaving room for improvement in terms of improving user convenience.

[0006] The present disclosure has been devised in consideration of the conventional situation described above, and aims to provide a measurement system and measurement method that efficiently identifies an earpiece size that is estimated to be optimal for the user's own ear, improving convenience for the user when selecting an earpiece. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present disclosure relates to a measurement system including two earphones that are attached to the left and right ears of a user, each having a plurality of earpieces of different sizes attached interchangeably to one end thereof, and a wireless terminal carried by the user, the earphones having a speaker and a microphone, and when a currently-worn earpiece that is one of the plurality of earpieces is attached to the left or right ear of the user and a sound signal sent from the wireless terminal or a sound signal output from the earphones is output from the speaker, the microphone picks up the sound, and the measurement system measures the currently-worn earphone based on the picked-up sound signal. and a wireless terminal that performs a measurement process at least once to determine whether the currently worn earpiece is sealed in the left or right ear of the user, the wireless terminal having a display unit that accepts an input operation related to the fit of the currently worn earpiece worn in the left or right ear of the user, and based on the input operation related to the fit and the measurement result of the measurement process, displays on the display unit a notification that the size of the currently worn earpiece worn by the user is the most suitable size among the multiple earpiece sizes, or a notification encouraging the user to change to another earpiece having a size larger or smaller than the size of the currently worn earpiece.

[0008] The present disclosure also provides a measurement method for controlling two earphones that are attached to the left and right ears of a user, each having a plurality of earpieces of different sizes attached interchangeably to one end thereof, and a wireless terminal carried by the user, wherein, in each of the earphones, when a currently-worn earpiece that is one of the plurality of earpieces is attached to the left or right ear of the user, and a sound signal sent from the wireless terminal or a sound signal output from the earphones is output from a speaker of the earphones, sound is picked up by a microphone of the earphones, and in the measurement method, a measurement is performed on the wearing state of the earphones based on the picked-up sound signal. The present invention provides a measurement method that performs a measurement process at least once to determine whether an intermediate earpiece is sealed in the left or right ear of the user, receives an input operation in the wireless terminal related to the feeling of the currently worn earpiece worn in the left or right ear of the user, and displays on a display unit of the wireless terminal a notification that the size of the currently worn earpiece worn by the user is the most suitable size among the multiple earpiece sizes, or a notification encouraging the user to change to another earpiece having a size larger or smaller than the size of the currently worn earpiece, based on the input operation related to the feeling of the fit and the measurement results of the measurement process.

[0009] These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium, or may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to efficiently identify an earpiece size that is assumed to be optimal for a user's own ear, thereby improving convenience for the user when selecting an earpiece. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a front view of an earphone according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a rear view of the earphone according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] Block diagram of an earphone according to the present embodiment [Figure 4] Block diagram of a smartphone according to the present embodiment [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first sequence for replacing ear pieces in a "normal" measurement method. [Figure 6] A diagram showing a second sequence for replacing ear pieces in the "normal" measurement method. [Figure 7] Diagram showing the order in which to change earbuds when using the "small" measurement method [Figure 8] A diagram showing an example of screen transitions on a smartphone [Figure 9] Flowchart for determining the appropriate earbud size [Figure 10] Flowchart for determining the measurement method [Figure 11] Flowchart for the first earpiece size determination [Figure 12] Flowchart for determining the earpiece size for the nth time in the "normal" measurement method [Figure 13] Flowchart for determining the earpiece size for the nth time in the "small" measurement method DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings as appropriate, an embodiment in which a measurement system and a measurement method are specifically disclosed in the present disclosure will be described in detail. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed description of already well-known matters and duplicated description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid the following description becoming unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the attached drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0013] First, the hardware configuration of the earphone will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a diagram showing a front view of the earphone, and Figure 2 is a diagram showing a rear view of the earphone.

[0014] For convenience of explanation, the axis perpendicular to the surface of the touch sensor TCL of the earphone 1L as shown in FIG. 1 is defined as the Z axis. The axis perpendicular to the Z axis (i.e., parallel to the touch sensor TCL of the earphone 1L) and extending from the earphone 1L to the earphone 1R is defined as the Y axis. The axis perpendicular to the Y axis and the Z axis is defined as the X axis. In this embodiment, the orientation of the earphone 1L in FIG. 1 is defined as a front view. These directional expressions are used for convenience of explanation and are not intended to limit the posture of the structure during actual use. The same applies to other drawings.

[0015] In this embodiment, the left earphone 1L and the right earphone 1R of the pair of left and right earphones 1L and 1R have the same configuration. The same components are represented by adding "L" to the end of the reference numerals for the left earphone 1L and "R" to the end of the reference numerals for the right earphone 1R. In the following description, only the left earphone 1L will be described, and the description of the other right earphone 1R will be omitted.

[0016] The earphones 1 are two earphones 1L and 1R that are fitted to the left and right ears of a user, respectively, and each have a plurality of earpieces of different sizes interchangeably fitted to one end thereof.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the earphone 1L is an inner-type acoustic device that is worn in the user's ear and receives sound data (e.g., music data) transmitted wirelessly (e.g., short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark)) from an external device such as a smartphone or portable music player owned by the user. The earphone 1L acoustically outputs a sound signal based on the received sound data. When the earphone 1L is not in use, it is placed in a cradle (not shown), which is a charging case. When the battery B1L (FIG. 3) built into the earphone 1L is not fully charged, for example, and the earphone 1L is placed in a predetermined place on the cradle, the battery B1L built into the earphone is charged based on the power transmitted from the cradle.

[0018] The earphone 1L has a housing HOL as a structural member. The housing HOL is made of a composite material such as synthetic resin, metal, and ceramic, and has a storage space formed therein. The housing HOL is also provided with a mounting cylindrical portion (not shown) that communicates with the storage space.

[0019] The earphone 1L has an earpiece IPL attached to the body of the earphone 1L. For example, the earphone 1L is held in a state where it is inserted inside the ear canal of the user's ear by the earpiece IPL, and this held state is the earphone 1L in use.

[0020] The earpiece IPL is made of a flexible material such as silicone, and is injection molded to have an inner cylinder (not shown) and an outer cylinder (not shown). The earpiece IPL is inserted and fixed at its inner cylinder into a mounting cylindrical portion of the housing HOL, and is provided replaceably (detachably) with respect to the mounting cylindrical portion of the housing HOL. The earpiece IPL is attached to the user's ear canal at its outer cylinder, and elastically deforms according to the shape of the ear canal into which it is attached. This elastic deformation holds the earpiece IPL in the user's ear canal. The earpiece IPL has a number of different sizes. The earpiece IPL is attached to the earphone 1L with one of a number of different sizes of earpieces attached to the left ear of the user (hereinafter, the earpiece attached to the user's ear is referred to as the "worn earpiece").

[0021] As an example of an operation input unit, the touch sensor TCL is provided on one end of the housing HOL opposite to the end where the earpiece IPL is arranged, as shown in FIG. 1. The touch sensor TCL is a sensor element having a touch sensor function that detects an input operation (e.g., a touch operation) by a user. The sensor element is, for example, an electrode of a capacitive touch sensor. The touch sensor TCL may be formed, for example, as a perfectly circular surface, or may be formed, for example, as an elliptical surface. The touch sensor TCL may also be formed as a rectangular surface.

[0022] Moreover, examples of touch operations on the touch sensor TCL with a user's finger or the like include the following operations. When a short touch operation is performed, the earphone 1L may instruct an external device to play, stop, skip forward, or return to the previous song. When a long touch operation (a so-called long press touch) is performed, the earphone 1L may perform a pairing operation or the like for wireless communication with an external device such as a smartphone via Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like. When a finger is traced over the surface of the touch sensor TCL (a so-called swipe operation), the earphone 1L may adjust the volume of the music being played.

[0023] The light 10L (an example of a light-emitting element) is disposed at a position on one end side of the housing of the earphone 1L, which corresponds to an end of the operation surface of the touch sensor TCL (for example, an upper end of the operation surface along the +X direction) that is provided so as to be exposed to the housing HOL. An LED (Light Emission Diode) can be used as an example of the light 10L. The light 10L is used, for example, when an external device and the earphone 1L are associated one-to-one (hereinafter referred to as pairing) by wirelessly communicating with an external device held by the user. The light 10L performs actions such as turning on when pairing is completed, flashing in a single color, or flashing in different colors. Note that the uses and operation methods of the light 10L are merely examples and are not limited thereto.

[0024] The earphone 1L has a plurality of microphones (a microphone MC1L, a microphone MC2L, and a microphone MC3L) as electric and electronic components. These plurality of microphones are stored in a storage space (not shown) of the housing HOL.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 1, the microphone MC1L is provided on the housing HOL and is arranged so as to be able to pick up ambient sounds outside the earphone 1L. In other words, the microphone MC1L is capable of detecting ambient sounds around the user when the earphone 1L is worn on the user's ear. The microphone MC1L converts the ambient sounds into electrical signals (sound signals) and sends them to the sound signal input / output control unit S1L.

[0026] The microphone MC2L is provided on the housing HOL as shown in FIG. 1 and is arranged so as to be able to collect a voice signal based on the speech of a user wearing the earphone 1L. Therefore, the earphone 1L can realize so-called hands-free calling in a state in which it can communicate with a mobile phone device such as the user's smartphone F1. The microphone MC2L is composed of a microphone device that can collect (i.e., detect a voice signal) a voice generated based on the user's speech. The microphone MC2L collects the voice generated based on the user's speech, converts it into an electric signal, and sends it to the sound signal input / output control unit S1L. The microphone MC2L is arranged so that the extension direction of the earphone 1L faces the user's mouth when the earphone 1L is inserted into the user's left ear (see FIG. 1), and is arranged at a position below the touch sensor TCL (i.e., in the -X direction). The voice uttered by the user is collected by the microphone MC2L and converted into an electric signal, and the microphone MC2L can detect the presence or absence of the user's speech depending on the magnitude of this electric signal.

[0027] The microphone MC3L is disposed within a plane near the mounting cylindrical portion of the housing HOL, and is disposed as close as possible to the ear canal of the user's left ear, as shown in Fig. 2. The microphone MC3L converts sound leaking from between the user's ear and the earpiece IPL when the earphone 1L is attached to the user's ear, into an electrical signal (sound signal) and sends it to the sound signal input / output control unit S1L.

[0028] The speaker SP1L is disposed in the mounting cylinder of the housing HOL as shown in FIG. 2. The speaker SP1L is an electronic component that acoustically outputs sound data (e.g., music data) wirelessly transmitted from an external device. Inside the housing HOL, the front surface of the speaker SP1L (in other words, the sound emitting surface from which the acoustically output sound is emitted) faces the mounting cylinder of the housing HOL covered by the earpiece IPL. As a result, the music data acoustically output from the speaker SP1L is transmitted from the user's ear canal (e.g., the outer ear portion) to the inner ear and eardrum, allowing the user to hear the music data.

[0029] The wearing sensor SEL is configured by a device that detects whether the earphone 1L is worn on the left ear of the user, and is configured using, for example, an infrared sensor or an electrostatic sensor. In the case of an infrared sensor, if the earphone 1L is worn on the left ear of the user, the wearing sensor SEL can detect the wearing of the earphone 1L on the left ear of the user by receiving infrared rays irradiated from the wearing sensor SEL reflected inside the left ear. Also, if the earphone 1L is not worn on the left ear of the user, the wearing sensor SEL can detect the non-wearing of the earphone 1L on the left ear of the user by not receiving infrared rays irradiated from the wearing sensor SEL because the infrared rays are not reflected. On the other hand, in the case of an electrostatic sensor, if the earphone 1L is worn on the left ear of the user, the wearing sensor SEL can detect the wearing of the earphone 1L on the left ear of the user by determining that a change in capacitance value according to a distance to the inside of the left ear of the user is greater than a threshold value held by the wearing sensor SEL. Also, if the earphone 1L is not worn on the left ear of the user, the wearing sensor SEL can detect the non-wearing of the earphone 1L on the left ear of the user by determining that a change in capacitance value according to a distance to the inside of the left ear of the user is greater than a threshold value held by the wearing sensor SEL. The wearing sensor SEL is provided at a position facing the ear canal when the earphone 1L is inserted into the left ear of the user, and on the rear side of the touch sensor TCL.

[0030] In this way, the earphone 1L has the speaker SP1L and the microphone MC3L, and the currently-worn earpiece, which is one of the multiple earpieces, is worn on the left or right ear of the user.

[0031] Next, a block diagram of the earphones will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the earphones according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of each of the pair of left and right earphones 1L and 1R shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. In the following, the configuration of the earphone 1L of the pair of left and right earphones 1L and 1R will be described, but the configuration of the earphone 1R is the same as that of the earphone 1L. Therefore, in FIG. 3 as well, the description of the earphone 1R will be omitted.

[0032] The measurement system 100 includes an earphone 1L, an earphone 1R, and a smartphone F1.

[0033] The touch sensor TCL, which is an example of an operation input unit, is communicatively connected to the earphone control unit S2L. The touch sensor TCL outputs a signal related to a touch operation performed by the user to the earphone control unit S2L.

[0034] The wearing sensor SEL is communicatively connected to the earphone control unit S2L, and outputs a signal regarding whether or not the user's ear and the earphone 1L are in contact with each other to the earphone control unit S2L.

[0035] The power monitoring unit 13L is configured using, for example, a semiconductor chip. The power monitoring unit 13L has a battery B1L and measures the remaining charge of the battery B1L. The battery B1L is, for example, a lithium ion battery. The power monitoring unit 13L outputs information related to the measured remaining charge of the battery B1L to the earphone control unit S2L.

[0036] The sound signal input / output control unit S1L is configured using a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The sound signal input / output control unit S1L is communicably connected to the earphone control unit S2L, and exchanges sound signals with the earphone control unit S2L ​​as digital signals converted into a digital format by the PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) method. The sound signal input / output control unit S1L adjusts the volume level of the digital signal related to the sound signal acquired from the smartphone F1 and outputs it to the speaker SP1L.

[0037] The sound signal input / output control unit S1L is connected to the microphones MC1L, MC2L, and MC3L, and receives sound signals picked up by each microphone. The sound signal input / output control unit S1L may be capable of amplifying the sound signals received from each microphone, converting analog signals into digital signals, and other processing. The sound signal input / output control unit transmits data of the sound signals received from each microphone to the earphone control unit S2L.

[0038] The earphone control unit S2L ​​is configured using a processor such as a CPU, MPU, or DSP, and is communicatively connected to the sound signal input / output control unit S1L, ROM 11L, RAM 12L, power monitoring unit 13L, and wireless communication unit 14L, and exchanges sound signals as digital signals converted into digital format using the PCM method. The earphone control unit S2L ​​functions as a controller that manages the overall operation of the earphone 1L, and performs control processing for managing the operation of each unit of the earphone 1L, data input / output processing between each unit of the earphone 1L, data calculation processing, and data storage processing.

[0039] When the earphone control unit S2L ​​receives a signal input from the touch sensor TCL, it causes the light 10L to light up or blink. For example, when the earphone control unit S2L ​​pairs with an external device via wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), the light 10L blinks alternately in a single color or different colors. Note that this is only an example, and the operation of the light 10L is not limited to this. In addition, the earphone control unit S2L ​​may obtain information regarding the remaining charge of the battery B1L from the power monitoring unit 13L, and cause the light 10L to light up or blink depending on the remaining charge of the battery B1L.

[0040] The earphone control unit S2L ​​inputs the sound signal collected by the microphone MC3L from the sound signal input / output control unit S1L. The earphone control unit S2L ​​performs processing such as amplifying the sound signal input from the sound signal input / output control unit S1L and transmits it to the wireless communication unit 14L. The earphone control unit S2L ​​may measure whether the user's ear is sealed by the earpiece while wearing the earphone based on the sound signal collected by the microphone MC3L.

[0041] The sound signal input / output control unit S1L and the earphone control unit S2L ​​realize their respective functions by using programs and data stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11L. The sound signal input / output control unit S1L and the earphone control unit S2L ​​may use a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12L during operation and temporarily store generated or acquired data or information in the RAM 12L.

[0042] The wireless communication unit 14L wirelessly connects the earphone 1L and the smartphone F1 so as to enable transmission and reception, and transmits the sound signal processed by the sound signal input / output control unit S1L or the earphone control unit S2L ​​to the smartphone F1. The wireless communication unit 14L has an antenna ATL, and performs short-distance wireless communication according to, for example, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication standard. The wireless communication unit 14L may be provided so as to be connectable to a communication line such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or a mobile communication line. In addition, each of the earphones 1L and 1R can individually perform wireless communication with the smartphone F1 using the wireless communication unit 14L and the wireless communication unit 14R. Therefore, each of the earphones 1L and 1R can receive data, sound signals, or information transmitted from the smartphone F1.

[0043] The smartphone F1 is a wireless terminal carried by a user.

[0044] Next, referring to FIG. 4, a hardware configuration example of a smartphone will be described using a block diagram of the smartphone. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a block diagram of a smartphone according to the present embodiment. The smartphone F1 includes a display / operation unit 30, a public line communication I / F unit 31, a public line protocol control unit 32, a control unit 33, a ROM 34, a RAM 35, a sound signal bus 36, a sound signal input / output control unit 37, a short-distance wireless control unit 38, a wireless LAN communication I / F unit 39, an earphone communication I / F unit 40, a USB communication I / F unit 41, and a battery B2. In FIG. 4, the interface is abbreviated as "IF".

[0045] The display / operation unit 30, which is an example of a display unit or an operation unit, is configured using a touch panel that accepts user operations and displays data generated by the control unit 33, forming a so-called user interface. The display / operation unit 30 may display various screens generated by the control unit 33. The display / operation unit 30 accepts user operations on the various displayed screens, generates input signals, and sends the input signals to the control unit 33.

[0046] The public line communication I / F unit 31 is connected to an antenna AT3 included in the smartphone F1, and performs wireless communication using a public line (for example, wireless communication conforming to 4G (fourth generation mobile communication method) or 5G (fifth generation mobile communication method) such as LTE (Long Term Evolution)) with a public base station (not shown). Note that the public line communication I / F unit may be omitted from the configuration of the smartphone F1.

[0047] The public line protocol control unit 32 executes control related to input and output of data between the sound signal bus 36 and the public line communication I / F unit 31. The public line protocol control unit 32 may be omitted from the configuration of the smartphone F1.

[0048] The control unit 33 is configured using a processor such as a CPU, MPU, or DSP. It functionally has a smartphone OS processing unit 33A and a smartphone application processing unit 33B, and performs various processes and controls by cooperation between the smartphone OS processing unit 33A and the smartphone application processing unit 33B and the ROM 34. The control unit 33 may measure whether the user's ear is sealed by the earpiece while wearing the earphone 1 based on the sound signal collected by the earphone 1 and transmitted from the earphone 1 to the smartphone F1.

[0049] The ROM 34 stores a program that defines the operation of the control unit 33 and data used when the program is executed. The ROM 34 stores identification information of the smartphone F1 and identification information of the earphone 1 that is registered (paired) in advance as a destination to which an audio signal is to be transmitted.

[0050] The RAM 35 serves as a working memory used when the control unit 33 executes each process. In the RAM 35, data or information generated or acquired by the control unit 33 is temporarily stored.

[0051] The sound signal bus 36 inputs and outputs sound signal data to and from the control unit 33, sound signal data to and from the public line protocol control unit 32, sound signal data to and from the sound signal input / output control unit 37, and sound signal data to and from the short-range wireless control unit 38.

[0052] Based on instructions output from the control unit 33, the sound signal input / output control unit 37 sends sound signal data picked up by the microphone MC4 to the control unit 33 via the sound signal bus 36, and outputs the sound signal input via the sound signal bus 36 from the speaker SP2.

[0053] The microphone MC4 picks up sound based on the speech of the user of the smartphone F1, converts it into a sound signal, and sends the converted sound signal to the sound signal input / output control unit 37. The sound signal picked up by the microphone MC4 is input to the control unit 33 via the sound signal input / output control unit 37 and the sound signal bus 36.

[0054] The speaker SP2 acoustically outputs the sound signal data from the sound signal input / output control unit 37.

[0055] The short-range wireless control unit 38 executes control related to input and output of data between the sound signal bus 36 and the wireless LAN communication I / F unit 39 and between the sound signal bus 36 and the earphone communication I / F unit 40. The short-range wireless control unit 38 sends commands output from the control unit 33 and sound signal data input via the sound signal bus 36 to the wireless LAN communication I / F unit 39 or the earphone communication I / F unit 40. The short-range wireless control unit 38 may also send sound signal data input from the wireless LAN communication I / F unit 39 or the earphone communication I / F unit 40 to the control unit 33.

[0056] The wireless LAN communication I / F unit 39 is connected to an antenna AT2 provided in the smartphone F1, and performs wireless communication (e.g., data transmission from the short-distance wireless control unit 38) with the earphones 1 by wireless LAN. The wireless LAN communication I / F unit 39 is configured using a communication circuit that can connect to the Internet via a wireless LAN router (not shown). The wireless LAN communication I / F unit 39 may also perform wireless communication (e.g., wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark)) with each of the earphones 1L and 1R via the above-mentioned wireless LAN router (not shown).

[0057] The earphone communication I / F unit 40 is connected to an antenna AT1 included in the smartphone F1, and performs short-distance wireless communication with the earphone 1 by Bluetooth (for example, data transmission from the short-distance wireless control unit 38).

[0058] The USB communication I / F unit 41 is an interface for wired communication between the smartphone F1 and an external device (for example, a PC (Personal Computer)) via a cable or the like. The USB communication I / F unit 41 is connected to the control unit 33 so as to be able to perform data communication, and can transmit data from the external device to the control unit 33. In addition, an electric charge may be supplied to the battery B2 from an external commercial power source via the USB communication I / F unit 41.

[0059] The battery B2 is a battery (e.g., a cell) capable of storing electric charge supplied from an external commercial power source, and supplies power to the smartphone F1. The battery B2 may be detachable. The battery B2 may directly obtain power from the external commercial power source, or may be capable of supplying power to the smartphone F1 in a state where it is disconnected from the external commercial power source.

[0060] Next, the order of replacing earpieces in the "normal" measurement method will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a diagram showing a first order of replacing earpieces in the "normal" measurement method. Figure 6 is a diagram showing a second order of replacing earpieces in the "normal" measurement method.

[0061] Parts Pi1, Pi2, Pi3, Pi4, and Pi5 shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are earpieces, and are schematic illustrations of earpieces to explain the difference in size between the earpieces. Part Pi1 is the smallest size earpiece among parts Pi1, Pi2, Pi3, Pi4, and Pi5. Part Pi2 is an earpiece larger than part Pi1 and smaller than part Pi3. Part Pi3 is an earpiece larger than part Pi2 and smaller than part Pi4. Part Pi4 is an earpiece larger than part Pi3 and smaller than part Pi5. Part Pi5 is the largest size earpiece among parts Pi1, Pi2, Pi3, Pi4, and Pi5.

[0062] 5 and 6, if the smartphone F1 or the earphone 1 of the measurement system 100 determines that the worn earpiece is sealing the user's ear, the state is described as "sealed." Also, in FIG. 5 and 6, if the smartphone F1 or the earphone 1 of the measurement system 100 determines that the worn earpiece is not sealing the user's ear, the state is described as "leaking."

[0063] First, as shown in FIG. 5, the procedure for changing earpieces when the currently worn earpiece worn by the user at the time of the first measurement is "sealed" will be described. If the currently worn earpiece worn by the user at the time of the first measurement is "sealed", the user wears the next smaller size earpiece than the one currently worn. The user sequentially reduces the size of the earpieces, and repeats changing earpieces until a "leaking" earpiece is found. When a "leaking" earpiece is found, the earpiece one size larger than the first "leaking" earpiece is determined to be the size of the earpiece that is estimated to be optimal for the user's ear.

[0064] For example, if the user first puts on the earpiece of part Pi4, and the earpiece of part Pi4 is "sealed," the user then puts on the earpiece of part Pi3. If the earpiece of part Pi3 is "sealed," the user then puts on the earpiece of part Pi2. If the earpiece of part Pi2 is "leaking," the earpiece of part Pi3 is determined to be the earpiece size that is estimated to be optimal for the user's ear.

[0065] In this way, if the measurement result by either the smartphone F1 or the earphones 1 of the measurement system 100 indicates that the currently worn earpiece worn by the user at the time of the initial measurement is sealed in the user's left or right ear, the smartphone F1 displays a notification on the display / operation unit 30 to prompt the user to replace the currently worn earpiece with an earpiece of the next smaller size. Thereafter, if the measurement result by the smartphone F1 or the earphones 1 of the measurement system 100 for the first time indicates that the currently worn earpiece is not sealed in the user's left or right ear, the smartphone F1 displays a notification on the display / operation unit 30 that the next larger size than the currently worn earpiece size corresponding to the measurement result is the earpiece of the size estimated to be optimal for the user's left or right ear.

[0066] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the procedure for changing earpieces when the currently worn earpiece worn by the user at the time of the first measurement is a "leak" will be described. If the currently worn earpiece worn by the user at the time of the first measurement is a "leak", the user wears the next largest earpiece after the one currently worn. The user increases the size of the earpiece in turn, and repeats changing earpieces until an earpiece that provides a "seal" is found. When an earpiece that provides a "seal" is found, the first earpiece that provided a "seal" is determined to be the earpiece of the size that is estimated to be optimal for the user's ear.

[0067] For example, if the user first wears the earpiece of part Pi2 and the earpiece of part Pi2 is found to be "leaking," the user then wears the earpiece of part Pi3. If part Pi3 is found to be "sealing," the earpiece of part Pi3 is determined to be the earpiece of the size that is estimated to be optimal for the user's ear.

[0068] In this way, if the measurement result by either the smartphone F1 or the earphones 1 of the measurement system 100 indicates that the currently worn earpiece worn by the user at the time of the initial measurement is not sealed in the user's left or right ear, the smartphone F1 displays a notification on the display / operation unit 30 to prompt the user to replace the currently worn earpiece with an earpiece of the next larger size. Thereafter, if the measurement result by the smartphone F1 or the earphones 1 of the measurement system 100 for the first time indicates that the currently worn earpiece is sealed in the user's left or right ear, the smartphone F1 displays a notification on the display / operation unit 30 that the size of the currently worn earpiece corresponding to that measurement result is the earpiece of a size estimated to be optimal for the user's left or right ear.

[0069] Next, the order of replacing earpieces in the "small" measurement method will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the order of replacing earpieces in the "small" measurement method. Note that parts Pi1, Pi2, Pi3, Pi4, and Pi5 shown in Fig. 7 are the same earpieces as those shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

[0070] 7, the smartphone F1 accepts user operations related to the fit of the earpiece currently worn by the user. The fit of the earpiece indicates the feeling that the size of the earpiece worn by the user is large or small compared to the size of the user's own left or right ear, and a state in which the user feels that the earpiece worn is too small and is likely to fall off is described as "small," and a state in which the user feels that the earpiece worn is large is described as "large."

[0071] First, as shown in FIG. 7, the procedure for replacing the earpiece when the fit of the currently worn earpiece worn by the user at the time of the first measurement is "large" will be described. When the fit of the currently worn earpiece worn by the user at the time of the first measurement is "large", the user wears an earpiece of the next smaller size than the currently worn earpiece. The user sequentially reduces the size of the earpiece, and repeats replacing the earpiece until an earpiece that is "sealed" and an earpiece that is "leaking" again are found, and the earpiece that is one size larger than the earpiece that is "leaking" again is determined to be the earpiece of the size that is presumed to be optimal for the user's ear. Note that the user sequentially reduces the size of the earpiece, and when the earpiece that is "sealed" is the smallest size earpiece, this smallest size earpiece is determined to be the earpiece of the size that is presumed to be optimal for the user's ear.

[0072] For example, if the user first wears the earpiece of part Pi3 and the fit of the earpiece of part Pi3 is "loud" or "leaky", the user next wears the earpiece of part Pi2. If the earpiece of part Pi2 is "closed", the user next wears the earpiece of part Pi1. If the earpiece of part Pi1 is "leaky", the earpiece of part Pi2 is determined to be the earpiece of the size that is estimated to be optimal for the user's ear.

[0073] In this way, if the measurement result by either the smartphone F1 or the earphones 1 of the measurement system 100 indicates that the currently worn earpiece worn by the user at the time of the initial measurement is not sealed in the user's left or right ear, the smartphone F1 displays a notification on the display / operation unit 30 to prompt the user to replace the currently worn earpiece with an earpiece of the next smaller size. Thereafter, the smartphone F1 continues to perform repeated measurements even after the measurement result by the measurement process repeatedly performed by either the smartphone F1 or the earphones 1 of the measurement system 100 indicates that the currently worn earpiece is sealed in the user's left or right ear, and if the measurement result again indicates that it is not sealed, a notification is displayed on the display / operation unit 30 that the next larger size than the currently worn earpiece size corresponding to that measurement result is the earpiece of the size estimated to be optimal for the user's left or right ear.

[0074] Next, a transition example of a smartphone screen will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a transition example of a smartphone screen. Fig. 8 shows a transition example of a screen generated by an application used when measuring an earpiece that is estimated to be the optimal size for a user's ear. This application is executed by the smartphone application processing unit 33B of the smartphone F1.

[0075] 8 are examples of screens generated by control unit 33 (e.g., smartphone application processing unit 33B) and displayed on display / operation unit 30. When a user inputs something into the screen displayed on display / operation unit 30, the screen transitions under the control of smartphone application processing unit 33B.

[0076] Screen example SC1 is displayed at time t1, and is an explanation screen for measuring an earpiece that is estimated to be the optimal size for the user's ear. Screen example SC1 includes a message such as an instruction for the user to perform the measurement correctly. For example, the message is "Please perform the measurement in a quiet place", "Please wear both earphones securely", "Rotate left and right to make sure they are attached securely", etc. Note that the message is not limited to these. When the user presses the button "Select the best piece" in screen example SC1, the screen transitions to screen example SC2 under the control of smartphone app processing unit 33B.

[0077] Example screen SC2 is a screen that is displayed at time t2 and prompts the user to input the size of the earpiece currently attached to the earphone 1. When the earpiece size is input, the screen transitions to example screen SC3 under the control of smartphone application processing unit 33B.

[0078] The screen example SC3 is displayed at time t3, and when an instruction is output to prompt the user to input the size of the earpiece attached to the earphone 1L or 1R before the first measurement process by the control unit 33, one of the input options includes "as is" which is the size of the earpiece IPL or IPR that is attached to the earphone 1L or 1R in advance when the user purchases it. When the user inputs the size of the earpiece and presses the "OK" button, the screen example SC3 returns to the screen example SC2 under the control of the smartphone app processing unit 33B. When the user completes inputting the earpiece sizes of the right and left earphones and presses the "Next" button, the screen example SC2 transitions to the screen example SC4A under the control of the smartphone app processing unit 33B.

[0079] The example screen SC4A is displayed at time t4 and is a screen that accepts input from the user regarding the fit of the currently worn earpiece. The example screen SC4A accepts user operations regarding the fit of the earpiece. The example screen SC4A includes, for example, a message such as "How does it currently feel in your ear?" and selection buttons that can accept user operations regarding the fit of the right or left earpiece, such as "Too small, it may fall off," "Not bad," and "Too big, it doesn't fit in my ear." When the example screen SC4A accepts a user operation regarding the fit of the earpiece, it accepts a selection operation of an operation button such as "Next," and transitions from the example screen SC4A to the example screen SC4B under the control of the smartphone application processing unit 33B.

[0080] The example screen SC4B is a screen indicating that the earpiece is measuring the sealing state of the ear. The example screen SC4B is a screen indicating that a measurement is currently being performed when the control unit 33 is performing a measurement process. For example, it includes a message saying "Measuring. Do not touch the earphones." It also includes, for example, a gauge indicating the progress of the measurement. This may be a percentage or a pie chart. When the measurement is completed, the example screen SC4B transitions to the example screen SC5 under the control of the smartphone application processing unit 33B. Note that the transition order between the example screen SC4A and the example screen SC4B may be reversed. In such a case, the user inputs the feeling of wearing the earpiece after measuring the sealing state of the earpiece.

[0081] Screen example SC5 is a screen that is displayed at time t5 and prompts the user to change the earpiece. Screen example SC5 is a screen that includes at least an image or schematic diagram of the left and right earphones 1L and 1R, the next size of the earpiece to be measured for the left and right earpieces currently being worn, and text prompting the user to change to the next size of the earpiece to be measured. When the user presses the "Next" button, the screen returns from screen example SC5 to screen example SC4A under the control of the smartphone application processing unit 33B.

[0082] Screen example SC6 is displayed at time t6, indicating that measurement has been completed. Screen example SC6 is displayed when control unit 33 has performed measurement processing and determined the earpiece size that is estimated to be optimal for the user's ears. Screen example SC6 is a screen that includes at least an image or schematic diagram of earphones 1L, 1R for the left and right ears, and the earpiece size that is estimated to be optimal for the user's ears based on the results of the measurement processing.

[0083] Next, a flowchart for determining an appropriate size earpiece will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart for determining an appropriate size earpiece. The flowchart in Fig. 9 illustrates processing by control unit 33.

[0084] Before the first measurement process, the display / operation unit 30 outputs a screen including an explanation of measuring an earpiece that is estimated to be the optimal size for the user's ear (see FIG. 8, screen example SC1). After that screen, the display / operation unit 30 outputs an instruction to prompt the user to input the size of the earpiece attached to the earphone 1L before the first measurement process (see FIG. 8, screen example SC2 and screen example SC3). When the display / operation unit 30 receives an input from the user to select the size of the earpiece IPL currently attached to the earphone 1L, it transmits a signal corresponding to the input content to the control unit 33. The control unit 33 obtains a signal corresponding to the information on the size of the earpiece IPL from the display / operation unit 30 (St10).

[0085] Before the first measurement process, the display / operation unit 30 outputs an instruction to prompt the user to input the size of the earpiece attached to the earphone 1R (see FIG. 8, screen examples SC2 and SC3). When the display / operation unit 30 receives an input from the user selecting the size of the earpiece IPR currently attached to the earphone 1R, it transmits a signal corresponding to the input content to the control unit 33. The control unit 33 obtains a signal corresponding to the information on the size of the earpiece IPR from the display / operation unit 30 (St11).

[0086] The control unit 33 outputs an instruction to prompt the user to input information about the fit of the earpieces currently attached to the right and left ears (see FIG. 8, screen example SC4A). When the display / operation unit 30 receives an input from the user to select the fit of the earpieces IPL, IPR currently attached to the earphones 1L, 1R, the display / operation unit 30 transmits a signal corresponding to the input to the control unit 33. The control unit 33 obtains a signal corresponding to information about the fit of the earpieces IPL, IPR from the display / operation unit 30 (St12).

[0087] The control unit 33 sets a parameter (n, n: an integer equal to or greater than 1) indicating the number of measurements to 1 (St13).

[0088] The control unit 33 executes a first measurement process as to whether the currently-worn earpiece is sealed in the left or right ear of the user, based on the sound signal acquired from the earphone 1 (St14).

[0089] The control unit 33 determines the measurement method for the earpiece IPL worn on the left ear based on the fitting feel of the earpiece IPL for the left ear input in step St12 and the measurement result of whether the earpiece IPL for the left ear is sealed or not measured in step St14 (St15). The processing of step St15 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0090] The control unit 33 determines the measurement method for the earpiece IPR to be fitted to the right ear, based on the fitting feel of the earpiece IPR for the right ear input in step St12 and the measurement result of whether the earpiece IPR for the right ear is sealed or not measured in step St14 (St16). The processing of step St16 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0091] The control unit 33 performs a first determination of the left earpiece IPL based on the measurement result determined in the process of step St14 and the result of the determination of the measurement method of the left earpiece determined in the process of step St15 (St17). The process of step St17 will be described in Fig. 11. Also, while the control unit 33 is performing the process of step St14, the display / operation unit 30 outputs a screen indicating that measurement is currently in progress (see Fig. 8, screen example SC4B).

[0092] The control unit 33 performs a first determination of the right earpiece IPR based on the measurement result determined in the process of step St14 and the result of the determination of the measurement method of the right earpiece determined in the process of step St16 (St18). The process of step St18 will be described in Fig. 11. Also, while the control unit 33 is performing the process of step St14, the display / operation unit 30 outputs a screen indicating that measurement is currently in progress (see Fig. 8, screen example SC4B).

[0093] The control unit 33 checks whether the sizes of the left and right earpieces IPL, IPR have both been confirmed (St19). If the sizes of the left and right earpieces IPL, IPR have both been confirmed in the process of step St19 (St19, YES), the confirmation result is displayed on the display / operation unit 30 (St27) (see FIG. 8, screen example SC6).

[0094] In the process of step St19, if the sizes of both the left and right earpieces IPL, IPR have not been determined, or if the size of either one of the earpieces has not been determined (St19, NO), the control unit 33 generates a screen that prompts the user to change to an earpiece of a different size based on the determination result, and transmits the screen to the display / operation unit 30. The display / operation unit 30 displays the screen obtained from the control unit 33 (St20) (see FIG. 8, example screen SC5).

[0095] The control unit 33 adds 1 to the parameter (n) indicating the number of measurements (in other words, increments n) (St21).

[0096] The control unit 33 executes the n-th measurement process based on the sound signal acquired from the earphone 1 to determine whether the currently-worn earpiece is sealed in the left or right ear of the user (St22).

[0097] Based on the result of the measurement process performed in step St22, the control unit 33 checks whether the size of the left earpiece IPL has been determined (St23). If the size of the left earpiece IPL has not been determined in step St23 (St23, YES), the control unit 33 performs the n-th determination of the left earpiece IPL (St24A, St24B). The processes of steps St24A and St24B will be described in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13. Step St24A is the n-th determination process of the left earpiece IPL when the measurement method is "normal". Step St24B is the n-th determination process of the left earpiece IPL when the measurement method is "small". After the processes of steps St24A and St24B, the control unit 33 proceeds to the process of step St25.

[0098] If the size of the left earpiece IPL has been determined in the process of step St23 (St23, NO), or after the processes of steps St24A and St24B, the control unit 33 checks whether the size of the right earpiece IPR has been determined based on the result of the measurement process measured in the process of step St22 (St25). If the size of the right earpiece has not been determined in the process of step St25 (St25, YES), the control unit 33 performs the n-th determination of the right earpiece IPR (St26A, St26B). The processes of steps St26A and St26B will be described in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13. Step St26A is the n-th determination process of the right earpiece IPR when the measurement method is "normal". Step St26B is the n-th determination process of the right earpiece IPR when the measurement method is "small".

[0099] In the process of step St25, if the size of the earpiece IPR for the right ear has not been determined (St25, NO), or after the processes of steps St26A and St26B, the process of the control unit 33 returns to the process of step St19.

[0100] Next, a flowchart for determining the appropriate size of earpieces IPL and IPR will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a flowchart relating to the determination of the measurement method. The flowchart in Fig. 10 is processing by the control unit 33. Only the case where the earpiece IPL is for the left ear will be described below, and the case where the earpiece IPR is for the right ear will be omitted, but the same can be applied by replacing the left ear with the right ear and the earpiece IPL with the earpiece IPR.

[0101] The control unit 33 determines whether the measurement result of the earpiece IPL for the left ear measured in step St14 is "closed" (St31).

[0102] If the control unit 33 determines that the measurement result of the left ear earpiece IPL measured in step St14 is "sealed" (St31, YES), it sets the measurement method of the left ear earpiece IPL to "normal" (St32).

[0103] If the control unit 33 determines that the measurement result of the left ear earpiece IPL measured in step St14 is "leakage" (St31, NO), it determines the response result of the user about the wearing comfort of the left ear earpiece IPL (St33).

[0104] If the control unit 33 determines that the user's response regarding the wearing comfort of the left earpiece IPL obtained in step St12 is "small" or "not bad" (St33, small, not bad), it sets the measurement method of the left earpiece IPL to "normal" (St32).

[0105] If the control unit 33 determines that the user's response regarding the wearing comfort of the left earpiece IPL obtained in step St12 is "large" (St33, large), it sets the measurement method of the left earpiece IPL to "small" (St34).

[0106] Next, a flowchart for the first determination of the earpiece size will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a flowchart for the first determination of the earpiece size. The flowchart in Fig. 11 is processing by the control unit 33. The flowchart in Fig. 11 is a flowchart for determining whether the earpiece IPL is for the left ear or the earpiece IPR is for the right ear. Only the case of the earpiece IPL for the left ear will be described below, and the case of the earpiece IPR for the right ear will be omitted, but the same can be applied by replacing the left ear with the right ear and the earpiece IPL with the earpiece IPR.

[0107] The control unit 33 checks whether the result of the first measurement process indicates that the left earpiece IPL is sealing the user's ear (St41). If the result of the measurement process indicates that the earpiece is sealing in place (St41, YES), the control unit 33 determines whether the size of the currently worn earpiece is the smallest (St42).

[0108] If the control unit 33 determines in the processing of step St42 that the size of the currently worn earpiece is the smallest (St42, YES), it determines that the size of the currently worn earpiece is the earpiece that is presumed to be optimal for the user's ear (St43). Note that a screen for prompting the user to change to the earpiece size determined in step St43 is displayed in the processing of step St27 in FIG.

[0109] If the control unit 33 determines in the processing of step St42 that the size of the currently worn earpiece is "not the smallest" (St42, NO), it determines the next size of earpiece that the user will be prompted to change to (St44), and the screen for prompting the user to change to the earpiece size determined in step St44 is displayed in the processing of step St20 in FIG.

[0110] If the measurement result is not sealed in the process of step St41 (St41, NO), the control unit 33 determines whether the measurement method set in the earpiece IPL for the left ear is "normal" or not (St45).

[0111] When the control unit 33 determines that the measurement method set for the left earpiece IPL is "normal" (St45, YES), it determines whether the size of the currently worn earpiece is the maximum (St46).

[0112] If the control unit 33 determines that the measurement method set for the left earpiece IPL is not "normal" (St45, NO), it determines whether the size of the currently worn earpiece is the smallest (St42).

[0113] If the control unit 33 determines in the process of step St46 that the size of the currently worn earpiece is not the maximum (St46, NO), it determines the next size of earpiece that the user will be prompted to change to (St47), and the screen for prompting the user to change to the earpiece size determined in step St47 is displayed in the process of step St20 in FIG.

[0114] If the control unit 33 determines in the processing of step St46 that the size of the currently worn earpiece is the largest (St46, YES), it determines that the earpiece presumed to be optimal for the left ear could not be measured (St48). Note that the screen indicating that the earpiece presumed to be optimal for the left ear could not be measured in step St48 is displayed in the processing of step St27 in FIG. 9.

[0115] Next, a flowchart relating to the n-th determination of the earpiece size will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a flowchart relating to the n-th determination of the earpiece size. The flowchart in Fig. 12 is processing by control unit 33. The flowchart in Fig. 12 is a flowchart for determining whether the earpiece IPL is for the left ear or the earpiece IPR is for the right ear. Only the case of the earpiece IPL for the left ear will be described below, and the case of the earpiece IPR for the right ear will be omitted, but the same can be applied by replacing the left ear with the right ear and the earpiece IPL with the earpiece IPR.

[0116] The control unit 33 determines whether the measurement method set in the earpiece IPL for the left ear is "normal" (St51).

[0117] If the control unit 33 determines that the measurement method set for the left earpiece IPL is not "normal" (St51, NO), it performs the nth determination of the left ear earpiece IPL when the measurement method is "small" (St24B). The processing of step St24B will be described in FIG. 13. If the control unit 33 determines that the measurement method set for the right earpiece IPR is not "normal" (St51, NO), it performs the nth determination of the right ear earpiece IPR when the measurement method is "small" (St26B).

[0118] If the control unit 33 determines that the measurement method set for the left earpiece IPL is "normal" (St51, YES), it checks whether the result of the n-th measurement process indicates that the left earpiece IPL is sealing the user's ear (St52). If the result of the measurement process in step St52 indicates that the earpiece is sealing (St52, YES), the control unit 33 determines whether the size of the currently worn earpiece is the smallest (St53).

[0119] If the control unit 33 determines in the processing of step St53 that the size of the currently worn earpiece is the smallest (St53, YES), it determines that the size of the currently worn earpiece is the earpiece that is presumed to be optimal for the user's ear (St54). Note that a screen for prompting the user to change to the earpiece size determined in step St54 is displayed in the processing of step St27 in FIG.

[0120] If the control unit 33 determines in the processing of step St53 that the size of the earpiece currently being worn is not the smallest (St53, NO), it determines whether the previous, i.e., the (n-1)th measurement result shows that the user's ear is not sealed by the left earpiece IPL (St55).

[0121] If the measurement result is sealed in the process of step St55 (St55, NO), the control unit 33 determines the next size smaller than the earpiece currently being worn as the size to which the user will be prompted to change (St56). Note that the screen for prompting the user to change to the earpiece size determined in step St56 is displayed in the process of step St20 in FIG. 9.

[0122] If the measurement result in the processing of step St55 is not sealed (St55, YES), control unit 33 determines that the size of the currently worn earpiece is the earpiece presumed to be optimal for the user's ear (St57). Note that a screen for prompting the user to change to the earpiece size determined in step St57 is displayed in the processing of step St27 in FIG.

[0123] If the measurement result shows that the earphone is not sealed in the process of step St52 (St52, NO), the control unit 33 determines whether the size of the currently worn earpiece is the maximum or not (St58).

[0124] If the control unit 33 determines in the processing of step St58 that the size of the earpiece currently being worn is not the largest (St58, NO), it checks whether the previous, i.e., the (n-1)th measurement result indicates that the user's ear is sealed by the left earpiece (St59).

[0125] If the measurement result in the processing of step St59 is that the earpiece is sealed (St59, YES), the control unit 33 determines that the earpiece of the next larger size than the size of the earpiece currently worn by the user is the earpiece that is presumed to be optimal for the user's ear (St60). Note that the screen for prompting the user to change to the earpiece size determined in step St60 is displayed in the processing of step St27 in Fig. 9.

[0126] If the measurement result is not sealed in the process of step St59 (St59, NO), the control unit 33 determines the next size of earpiece to be prompted to change to the size that is one size larger than the earpiece currently being worn by the user (St61). Note that the screen for prompting the user to change to the earpiece size determined in step St61 is displayed in the process of step St20 in FIG. 9.

[0127] If the control unit 33 determines in the processing of step St58 that the size of the earpiece currently being worn is the largest (St58, YES), it determines that the earpiece presumed to be optimal for the left ear could not be measured (St62). Note that the screen indicating that the earpiece presumed to be optimal for the left ear could not be measured in step St62 is displayed in the processing of step St27 in FIG.

[0128] Next, a flowchart relating to the n-th determination of the earpiece size will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a flowchart relating to the n-th determination of the earpiece size in the "small" measurement method. The flowchart in Fig. 13 is processing by control unit 33. The flowchart in Fig. 13 is a flowchart for determining whether the earpiece IPL is for the left ear or the earpiece IPR is for the right ear. Only the case of the earpiece IPL for the left ear will be described below, and the case of the earpiece IPR for the right ear will be omitted, but the same can be applied by replacing the left ear with the right ear and the earpiece IPL with the earpiece IPR.

[0129] The control unit 33 checks whether the result of the n-th measurement process indicates that the left earpiece IPL is sealing the user's ear (St71). If the result of the n-th measurement process indicates that the earpiece is sealing (St71, YES), the control unit 33 checks whether the size of the currently worn earpiece is the smallest (St72).

[0130] If the control unit 33 determines in the processing of step St72 that the size of the currently worn earpiece is the smallest (St72, YES), it determines that the size of the currently worn earpiece is the earpiece that is presumed to be optimal for the user's ear (St73). Note that a screen for prompting the user to change to the earpiece size determined in step St73 is displayed in the processing of step St27 in FIG.

[0131] If the control unit 33 determines in the processing of step St72 that the size of the currently worn earpiece is not the smallest (St72, NO), it determines the next size of earpiece that the user will be prompted to change to (St74), and the screen for prompting the user to change to the earpiece size determined in step St74 is displayed in the processing of step St20 in FIG.

[0132] If the result of the nth measurement process in step St71 indicates that the valve is not sealed (St71, NO), the control unit 33 checks whether the result of the (n-1)th measurement process indicates that the valve is sealed (St75).

[0133] If, in the process of step St75, the result of the (n-1)th measurement process is a tight seal (St75, YES), the control unit 33 determines that the earpiece size next larger than the size of the earpiece currently worn by the user is the earpiece presumed to be optimal for the user's ear (St76). Note that a screen for prompting the user to change to the earpiece size determined in step St76 is displayed in the process of step St27 in Fig. 9.

[0134] If the measurement result shows that the earphone is not sealed in the process of step St75 (St75, NO), the control unit 33 checks whether the size of the currently worn earpiece is the smallest or not (St72).

[0135] In this way, when the earphone 1 outputs a sound signal sent from the smartphone F1 or a sound signal output from the earphone 1 from the speakers SP1L and SP1R, the microphones MC3L and MC3R pick up the sound. The measurement system 100 performs a measurement process at least once based on the collected sound signal to determine whether the currently worn earpiece is sealed in the user's left ear or right ear. The smartphone F1 has a display / operation unit 30, and based on the result of the measurement process, displays on the display / operation unit 30 a notification that the size of the currently worn earpiece worn by the user is the most suitable size among multiple earpiece sizes, or a notification that prompts the user to replace the currently worn earpiece with another earpiece having a size larger or smaller than the size of the currently worn earpiece.

[0136] As described above, the measurement system 100 includes two earphones 1L and 1R that are attached to the left and right ears of a user, and each of which has a plurality of earpieces of different sizes attached interchangeably to one end, and a smartphone F1 carried by the user. The earphones 1L and 1R have speakers SP1L and SP1R and microphones MC3L and MC3R. When a currently-worn earpiece, which is one of the multiple earpieces, is attached to the left or right ear of the user and a sound signal sent from the smartphone F1 or a sound signal output from the earphones 1 is output from the speaker SP1L or SP1R, the sound is picked up by the microphones MC3L and MC3R. The measurement system 100 performs a measurement process at least once based on the picked-up sound signal to determine whether the currently-worn earpiece is sealed in the left or right ear of the user. The smartphone F1 has a display / operation unit 30, and accepts input operations related to the feeling of the currently worn earpiece worn on the user's left or right ear, and based on the input operations related to the feeling of the currently worn earpiece and the measurement results from the measurement process, displays on the display / operation unit 30 a notification that the size of the currently worn earpiece is the most suitable size among multiple earpiece sizes, or a notification encouraging the user to change to another earpiece that is larger or smaller than the size of the currently worn earpiece.

[0137] This allows measurement system 100 to efficiently identify earpieces of a size that is presumably optimal for the user's own ears, improving convenience for the user when selecting earpieces.

[0138] Furthermore, when the measurement results from the measurement processes repeatedly executed by the measurement system 100 indicate that the currently worn earpiece is not sealed in the user's left or right ear, the smartphone F1 determines the size of another earpiece to be worn after the currently worn earpiece based on the input operation related to the wearing feel, and displays a notification urging the user to change to the determined size of another earpiece on the display / operation unit 30. This allows the user to minimize the number of earpiece changes required from the currently worn earpiece at the start of the judgment until finding an earpiece that is presumed to be optimal for the user's ears, and also enables even people with small ear holes to find an earpiece of a size that is more suitable for the user.

[0139] Furthermore, based on an input operation related to the fit feeling that indicates that the size of the currently worn earpiece is large, the smartphone F1 displays a notification on the display / operation unit 30 that encourages the user to change to another earpiece having the next smallest size after the currently worn earpiece. This enables the user to minimize the number of earpiece changes required from the currently worn earpiece at the start of the judgment until finding an earpiece that is presumed to be optimal for the user's ear.

[0140] Furthermore, the smartphone F1 displays on the display / operation unit 30 a notification encouraging the user to change to the earpiece having the smallest size among the earpieces for which the measurement result indicates that the currently worn earpiece is sealed in the user's left ear or right ear, based on the measurement results from the measurement process repeatedly executed by the measurement system 100. This allows the user to minimize the number of earpiece changes required from the currently worn earpiece at the start of the judgment until finding an earpiece that is presumed to be optimal for the user's ear, and also allows even people with small ear holes to find an earpiece of a size that is more suitable for the user.

[0141] Furthermore, based on an input operation related to the fit indicating that the size of the currently worn earpiece is not too large, and a measurement result indicating that the currently worn earpiece is not sealed in the user's left or right ear among the measurement results from the measurement processes repeatedly executed by the measurement system 100, the smartphone F1 displays a notification on the display / operation unit 30 encouraging the user to change to another earpiece having the next largest size after the size of the currently worn earpiece corresponding to the measurement result. This enables the user to minimize the number of earpiece changes required from the currently worn earpiece at the start of the judgment until finding an earpiece that is presumed to be optimal for the user's ear.

[0142] Furthermore, based on an input operation related to the fit feeling indicating that the size of the currently worn earpiece is not too large and a measurement result indicating that the currently worn earpiece is sealed in the user's left ear or right ear among the measurement results from the measurement processes repeatedly executed by the measurement system 100, the smartphone F1 displays a notification on the display / operation unit 30 encouraging the user to change to the other earpiece having the next smallest size to the size of the currently worn earpiece corresponding to the measurement result. This enables the user to minimize the number of earpiece changes required from the currently worn earpiece at the start of the judgment until finding an earpiece that is presumed to be optimal for the user's ear.

[0143] Furthermore, the smartphone F1 displays a screen indicating that measurement is currently in progress on the display / operation unit 30. This allows the user to visually confirm that measurement processing is currently in progress.

[0144] Furthermore, when the earphones 1L, 1R perform measurement processing and the currently worn earpiece is not the most suitable size among the multiple earpiece sizes, the smartphone F1 displays on the display / operation unit 30 a screen including at least an image or schematic diagram of the left and right earphones 1L, 1R, the next earpiece size to be measured for the currently worn earpieces on the left and right ears, and text encouraging the user to replace the earpieces with earpieces of said sizes. This allows the smartphone F1 to support the user in replacing the earpieces by displaying on the display / operation unit 30 a screen that is easy to understand when the user replaces the earpieces.

[0145] Furthermore, when the earphones 1L and 1R perform measurement processing and the currently worn earpiece is found to be the most suitable size among multiple earpiece sizes, the smartphone F1 displays a screen including at least an image or schematic diagram of each of the left and right earphones and the earpiece size that is estimated to be optimal for the user's ears based on the results of the measurement processing on the display / operation unit 30. This allows the user to visually confirm the earpiece size that is most suitable for the user himself / herself.

[0146] Furthermore, before the first measurement process, the smartphone F1 outputs an instruction to prompt the user to input the size of the earpieces attached to the earphones 1L and 1R. This allows the user to start the measurement from the earpieces they are currently wearing, making it possible to efficiently identify the size of earpiece that is estimated to be optimal for the user's own ears and improving user convenience when selecting earpieces.

[0147] Furthermore, when the smartphone F1 outputs an instruction to prompt the user to input the size of the earpieces attached to the earphones 1L and 1R before the first measurement process, the smartphone F1 includes, as one of the input options, an option that indicates a state in which the earpieces attached to the earphones 1L and 1R have not been replaced from the ones attached to the earphones 1L and 1R at the time of purchasing the product. This allows the user to input the size of the currently attached earpiece before the first measurement process even if the user does not know the size of the earpieces attached to the earphones 1L and 1R beforehand. This allows the measurement system 100 to help the user easily start the measurement process.

[0148] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications, corrections, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the components in the above-mentioned embodiments may be arbitrarily combined within the scope of the invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0149] The technology disclosed herein is useful for providing a measurement system and a measurement method that efficiently identifies an earpiece size that is estimated to be optimal for a user's own ears, improving convenience for the user when selecting an earpiece. [Explanation of symbols]

[0150] 100 Measurement System 1,1L,1R Earphones IPL, IPR earpieces 10L, 10R Light MC1L, MC1R, MC2L, MC2R, MC3L, MC3R, MC4 microphones TCL, TCR touch sensor HOL, HOR Housing SEL,SER Sensor installed SP1L, SP1R, SP2 Speakers 11L, 11R, 34 ROM 12L, 12R, 35 RAM 13L,13R Power monitoring section B1L, B1R battery 14L,14R Wireless communication section ATL, ATR, AT1, AT2, AT3 antennas S2L, S2R earphone control unit S1L, S1R, 37 Sound signal input / output control section F1 smartphone 30 Display / operation section 31 Public Line Communication I / F Section 32 Public Line Protocol Control Section 33 Control Unit 33A Smartphone OS processing unit 33B Smartphone app processing section 36 Sound Signal Bus 38 Short-range wireless control unit 39 Wireless LAN communication I / F section 40 Earphone communication I / F section 41 USB communication I / F section B2 Battery Pi1, Pi2, Pi3, Pi4, Pi5 parts SC1, SC2, SC3, SC4A, SC4B, SC5, SC6 screen examples t1,t2,t3,t4,t5,t6 time

Claims

1. Two earphones to be worn on the left and right ears of a user, each having a plurality of ear pieces of different sizes attached interchangeably to one end of the earphones; A measurement system comprising: a wireless terminal carried by the user, The earphones include a wireless terminal that has a speaker and a microphone, and when a currently-worn earpiece that is one of the plurality of earpieces is worn on the left or right ear of the user and a sound signal sent from the wireless terminal or a sound signal output from the earphone is output from the speaker, the sound is picked up by the microphone; the measurement system performs a measurement process at least once to determine whether the currently-worn earpiece is sealed in the left ear or the right ear of the user based on the collected sound signal; The wireless terminal, a display unit that receives an input operation related to the fit of the currently-worn earpiece worn on the left or right ear of the user, and displays on the display unit a notification that the size of the currently-worn earpiece worn by the user is the most suitable size among the multiple earpiece sizes, or a notification that encourages the user to change to another earpiece having a size larger or smaller than the size of the currently-worn earpiece, based on the input operation related to the fit and the measurement results of the measurement process. Measurement system.

2. When the measurement results from the measurement process repeatedly executed by the measurement system indicate that the currently-worn earpiece is not sealed in the left ear or the right ear of the user, the wireless terminal determines the size of the other earpiece to be worn next to the currently-worn earpiece based on the input operation related to the wearing feel, and displays on the display unit a notification encouraging the user to change to the other earpiece of the determined size. The measurement system of claim 1 .

3. and based on an input operation related to the wearing feeling indicating that the size of the currently worn earpiece is large, the wireless terminal displays on the display unit a notification encouraging the user to replace the currently worn earpiece with the other earpiece having the next smallest size. The measurement system of claim 2 .

4. and based on the measurement results from the measurement process repeatedly executed by the measurement system, the wireless terminal displays on the display unit a notification encouraging the user to replace the currently worn earpiece with the earpiece having the smallest size among the earpieces for which measurement results were obtained that show the currently worn earpiece is sealed in the left ear or the right ear of the user. The measurement system of claim 3 .

5. and based on an input operation related to the wearing feel indicating that the size of the currently-worn earpiece is not too large and, based on a measurement result indicating that the currently-worn earpiece is not sealed in the left ear or the right ear of the user among the measurement results of the measurement process repeatedly executed by the measurement system, the wireless terminal displays, on the display unit, a notification encouraging the user to change to the other earpiece having the next largest size to the size of the currently-worn earpiece corresponding to the measurement result. The measurement system of claim 1 .

6. and based on an input operation related to the wearing feeling indicating that the size of the currently-worn earpiece is not too large and a measurement result indicating that the currently-worn earpiece is sealed in the left ear or the right ear of the user among the measurement results of the measurement process repeatedly executed by the measurement system, the wireless terminal displays on the display unit a notification encouraging the user to change the earpiece to the other earpiece having the next smallest size to the size of the currently-worn earpiece corresponding to the measurement result. The measurement system of claim 1 .

7. The wireless terminal displays a screen on the display unit indicating that measurement is currently being performed. The measurement system of claim 1 .

8. The wireless terminal displays on the display unit a screen including at least an image or a schematic diagram of the earphones for the left and right ears, the size of the earpieces to be measured next for the earpieces currently attached to the left and right ears, and text encouraging the user to replace the earpieces with earpieces of the size. The measurement system of claim 1 .

9. the wireless terminal displays on the display unit a screen including at least an image or a schematic diagram of each of the left and right earphones and a size of an earpiece that is estimated to be optimal for the user's ears based on the result of the measurement process; The measurement system of claim 1 .

10. the wireless terminal outputs an instruction to prompt the user to input the size of the earpiece attached to the earphone before a first measurement process. The measurement system of claim 1 .

11. when outputting an instruction to prompt the user to input the size of the earpiece attached to the earphone before the first measurement process, the wireless terminal includes, as one of the input options, an option indicating that the earpiece has not been replaced from the earpiece already attached to the earphone at the time of purchase of the earphone. The measurement system of claim 10.

12. A measurement method for controlling two earphones that are attached to the left and right ears of a user, each having a plurality of earpieces of different sizes attached interchangeably to one end thereof, and a wireless terminal carried by the user, comprising: In each of the earphones, When a currently-worn earpiece, which is any one of the plurality of earpieces, is worn on the left ear or the right ear of the user, and a sound signal sent from the wireless terminal or a sound signal output from the earphone is output from a speaker of the earphone, the sound is picked up by a microphone of the earphone, In the measuring method, performing a measurement process at least once based on the collected sound signal to determine whether the currently-worn earpiece is sealed in the left ear or the right ear of the user; In the wireless terminal, receiving an input operation related to the fit of the currently worn earpiece worn on the left or right ear of the user, and displaying on a display unit of the wireless terminal a notification that the size of the currently worn earpiece worn by the user is the most suitable size among the multiple earpiece sizes, or a notification encouraging the user to change to another earpiece having a size larger or smaller than the size of the currently worn earpiece, based on the input operation related to the fit and the measurement results of the measurement process; Measurement method.

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