Electric artificial larynx

Abstract

To provide an electric artificial larynx capable of imparting intonation to a spoken voice without occupying a user's hands.SOLUTION: An electric artificial larynx 2 includes a sensor unit 4 that is mounted on a head 12 of a user 10 and detects movement of the head 12 of the user 10, a control unit 18 that generates a pulse signal corresponding to the movement of the head 12 of the user 10 detected by the sensor unit 4, and a vibration sound generation unit 8 that converts the pulse signal from the control unit 18 into vibration to generate a vibration sound in an oral cavity of the user 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrolarynx. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, electrolarynxes are known to assist people who have had their larynx removed due to illness or who have had a tracheotomy performed to use a ventilator to produce speech. An electrolarynx is used by pressing it against the user's throat, and vibrations from the electrolarynx are transmitted to the user's oral cavity via the throat, generating a vibrational sound of a certain frequency within the oral cavity. When this occurs, the user moves their articulatory organs, such as their lips and tongue, to adjust the vibrational sound generated within the oral cavity and produce a speaking voice.

[0003] However, speech using such vibration sounds lacks intonation and sounds mechanical, which can be unnatural to the listener. Patent Document 1 therefore proposes an electroartificial larynx that adds intonation to speech, making it sound more natural. In the electroartificial larynx disclosed in Patent Document 1, the frequency of the vibration sounds is increased or decreased by operating a pressure switch attached to the user's finger, thereby adding intonation to the speech. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 1999 / 12501 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The electric artificial larynx disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the user's hands are constantly occupied in operating the pressure switch.

[0006] The present disclosure provides an electrolarynx that can add intonation to speech without occupying the user's hands. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The electrolarynx disclosed herein comprises a sensor unit that is attached to the head or neck of a user and detects the movement of the user's head, a control unit that generates a pulse signal in response to the movement of the user's head detected by the sensor unit, and a vibration sound generating unit that converts the pulse signal from the control unit into vibration to generate a vibration sound in the user's oral cavity. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The electrolarynx of the present disclosure allows intonation to be imparted to speech without occupying the user's hands. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the electroartificial larynx according to the first embodiment is in use. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an electroartificial larynx according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the function of the control unit of the electroartificial larynx according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of operations of the electroartificial larynx according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the electroartificial larynx according to the second embodiment in use. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the electroartificial larynx according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of operations of the electroartificial larynx according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of well-known matters or redundant explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following explanation and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0011] The inventors provide the accompanying drawings and the following description to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and do not intend for them to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) [1-1. Configuration of the electrolarynx] The configuration of an electroartificial larynx 2 according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which an electroartificial larynx 2 according to embodiment 1 is in use. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the electroartificial larynx 2 according to embodiment 1. Figure 3 is a diagram for explaining the function of a control unit 18 of the electroartificial larynx 2 according to embodiment 1.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electrolarynx 2 includes a sensor section 4, a control unit 6, and a vibration sound generating section 8.

[0014] The sensor unit 4 is, for example, an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor, and is attached to the head 12 of the user 10. Specifically, the sensor unit 4 is attached to a position on the head 12 of the user 10 where the detection result of the sensor unit 4 does not fluctuate in accordance with the movement of the mandible 14 of the user 10, for example, a position on the temporal region of the user 10 near the ear 16. In this case, the sensor unit 4 may be attached to the head 12 of the user 10 by being hooked onto the ear 16 of the user 10 via, for example, an ear hook or a tip of glasses (not shown). This makes it possible to prevent unintentional addition of intonation to the speech when the user 10 moves articulatory organs such as the lips and tongue to speak, as will be described later. In this specification, the term "head" includes the forehead, parietal region, temporal region, occipital region, and face.

[0015] The sensor unit 4 detects the following movements of the head 12 of the user 10: (i) an upward tilting movement of the head 12 shown in (a) of Fig. 3 (i.e., a movement in which the head 12 is tilted backward and looks up), (ii) a movement in which the head 12 is standing upright shown in (b) of Fig. 3 (i.e., a movement in which the face of the user 10 is facing straight ahead), and (iii) a downward tilting movement of the head 12 shown in (c) of Fig. 3 (i.e., a movement in which the head 12 is tilted forward and looks down). The sensor unit 4 outputs a detection signal indicative of the detection result of the movement of the head 12 to the control unit 6.

[0016] In the present embodiment, the sensor unit 4 is attached to the temporal region of the user 10, but the present invention is not limited to this and the sensor unit 4 may be attached to the forehead, parietal region, occipital region, or face of the user 10. Alternatively, it is generally known that when the mandible 14 moves, the opening of the ear 16 also moves accordingly. However, if a sensor unit 4 is used that has the property that the detection result of the sensor unit 4 does not fluctuate in accordance with the movement of the mandible 14, the sensor unit 4 may be attached to the opening of the ear 16 of the user 10.

[0017] The control unit 6 has a control unit 18 and an amplifier unit 20. The control unit 6 may be connected to each of the sensor unit 4 and the vibration sound generating unit 8 by wire or wirelessly. The control unit 6 may be configured integrally with the sensor unit 4 or may be configured integrally with the vibration sound generating unit 8. Alternatively, the control unit 6 may be configured separately from the sensor unit 4 and the vibration sound generating unit 8. For convenience of explanation, the control unit 6 is shown in FIG. 1 at a position away from the body of the user 10.

[0018] Based on the detection signal from the sensor unit 4, the control unit 18 generates a pulse signal corresponding to the movement of the head 12 of the user 10 detected by the sensor unit 4. Specifically, as shown in (a) to (d) of FIG. 3, the control unit 18 changes the frequency of the pulse signal by, for example, pulse width modulation (PWM) in accordance with the movement of the head 12 of the user 10 detected by the sensor unit 4, thereby changing the frequency of the vibration sound generated by the vibration sound generation unit 8. The control unit 18 outputs the generated pulse signal to the amplifier unit 20. Note that, as shown in (d) of FIG. 3, the pulse signal is, for example, a signal having a sinusoidal waveform. In (d) of FIG. 3, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the level of the pulse signal.

[0019] The waveform of the pulse signal is not limited to the sine wave waveform described above, but may also be a waveform containing harmonic components, such as a rectangular wave waveform or a triangular wave waveform, which also has periodicity, or a waveform based on the waveform of human speech.

[0020] 3(b) and 3(d), when the sensor unit 4 detects that the head 12 of the user 10 is standing upright, the control unit 18 controls the frequency of the pulse signal to the fundamental frequency. Note that the fundamental frequency is a frequency at which a medium-pitched voice is emitted from the user 10 when a pulse signal is output to the vibration sound generating unit 8, as will be described later.

[0021] 3(a) and 3(d), when the sensor unit 4 detects an upward tilting motion of the head 12 of the user 10, the control unit 18 increases the frequency of the pulse signal above the fundamental frequency. At this time, the control unit 18 continuously increases the frequency of the pulse signal from the fundamental frequency as the head 12 of the user 10 tilts upward from an upright posture.

[0022] Note that control unit 18 may discontinuously increase the frequency of the pulse signal from the fundamental frequency as head 12 of user 10 tilts upward from an upright posture. Conversely, control unit 18 may decrease the frequency of the pulse signal from the fundamental frequency when sensor unit 4 detects an upward tilting motion of head 12 of user 10.

[0023] 3(c) and 3(d), when the sensor unit 4 detects a downward tilting motion of the head 12 of the user 10, the control unit 18 reduces the frequency of the pulse signal below the fundamental frequency. At this time, the control unit 18 continuously reduces the frequency of the pulse signal from the fundamental frequency as the head 12 of the user 10 tilts downward from an upright posture.

[0024] Note that control unit 18 may discontinuously decrease the frequency of the pulse signal from the fundamental frequency as head 12 of user 10 tilts downward from an upright position. Conversely, control unit 18 may increase the frequency of the pulse signal above the fundamental frequency when sensor unit 4 detects a downward tilting motion of head 12 of user 10.

[0025] The amplifier section 20 amplifies the pulse signal from the control section 18 and outputs the amplified pulse signal to the vibration sound generating section 8 .

[0026] The vibration sound generating unit 8 is, for example, a diaphragm unit for generating vibration sound, and is worn so as to be pressed against the throat 22 of the user 10. The vibration sound generating unit 8 may be pressed against the throat 22 of the user 10 by, for example, a ring-shaped band (not shown) wrapped around the neck of the user 10. The vibration sound generating unit 8 converts a pulse signal from the amplifier unit 20 of the control unit 6 into vibrations of a frequency corresponding to the frequency of the pulse signal. As a result, the vibration sound generating unit 8 transmits the vibrations into the oral cavity 24 via the throat 22 of the user 10, thereby generating vibration sound in the oral cavity 24. At this time, when the user 10 moves their articulatory organs, such as their lips and tongue (i.e., lip-syncing), the vibration sound generated in the oral cavity 24 is adjusted and emitted as a speaking voice.

[0027] [1-2. Operation of the electrolarynx] The operation of the electroartificial larynx 2 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the electroartificial larynx 2 according to the first embodiment.

[0028] 4, first, the control unit 18 generates a pulse signal corresponding to the movement of the head 12 of the user 10 detected by the sensor unit 4 based on the detection signal from the sensor unit 4 (S101). Note that when the operation of the electrolarynx 2 starts, the head 12 of the user 10 is maintained in an upright position, and the control unit 18 controls the frequency of the pulse signal to the fundamental frequency.

[0029] Next, the sensor unit 4 detects the movement of the head 12 of the user 10 (S102).

[0030] Next, the control unit 18 determines the movement direction of the tilting movement of the head 12 of the user 10 based on the detection signal from the sensor unit 4 (S103).

[0031] If the moving direction of the head 12 of the user 10 is upward ("upward" in S103), the control unit 18 increases the frequency of the pulse signal above the fundamental frequency (S104). This increases the frequency of the vibration sound generated by the vibration sound generation unit 8, and the pitch of the speaking voice of the user 10 changes from a medium pitch to a higher pitch. Then, the process proceeds to step S105.

[0032] On the other hand, if the moving direction of the head 12 of the user 10 is downward ("downward" in S103), the control unit 18 reduces the frequency of the pulse signal below the fundamental frequency (S106). This reduces the frequency of the vibration sound generated by the vibration sound generation unit 8, and the pitch of the speaking voice of the user 10 changes from a medium pitch to a lower pitch. Then, the process proceeds to step S105.

[0033] After step S104 or S106, if the control unit 18 continues generating the pulse signal (NO in S105), the process returns to step S101, and the above-described steps S101 to S106 are executed again.

[0034] On the other hand, if the control unit 18 stops generating the pulse signal (YES in S105), the process of the flowchart in FIG. 4 ends.

[0035] [1-3.Effects] In this embodiment, user 10 can change the pitch of his / her speaking voice in a higher or lower direction by tilting head 12 upward or downward at an appropriate timing while moving articulatory organs such as lips and tongue, thereby imparting intonation to the speaking voice without occupying user 10's hands.

[0036] For example, when user 10 utters the affirmative phrase "It's delicious," user 10 can give the speech a falling intonation by keeping head 12 upright in the first half of the utterance and tilting head 12 downward in the second half of the utterance.

[0037] For example, when user 10 utters the question "Is it delicious?", user 10 can give the speech an intonation with a rising ending by keeping head 12 upright in the first half of the utterance and tilting head 12 upward in the second half of the utterance.

[0038] (Embodiment 2) [2-1. Configuration of the electrolarynx] The configuration of an electric artificial larynx 2A according to embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the state of use of an electric artificial larynx 2A according to embodiment 2. Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an electric artificial larynx 2A according to embodiment 2. In this embodiment, the same components as those in embodiment 1 above are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in an electrolarynx 2A according to the second embodiment, the configurations of a sensor section 4A and a control unit 6A differ from those in the first embodiment.

[0040] The sensor unit 4A is, for example, a bending sensor, and is attached to the neck 26 of the user 10. Specifically, the sensor unit 4A is attached to the back side of the neck 26 of the user 10, and curves in response to upward and downward tilting of the head 12 of the user 10. In this way, the sensor unit 4A detects the movement of the head 12 of the user 10 based on the curvature of the sensor unit 4A. Note that, similar to the first embodiment, the sensor unit 4A detects, as the movements of the head 12 of the user 10, (i) upward tilting of the head 12, (ii) upright movement of the head 12, and (iii) downward tilting of the head 12.

[0041] Based on the detection signal from the sensor unit 4A, the control unit 18A of the control unit 6A generates a pulse signal corresponding to the movement of the head 12 of the user 10 detected by the sensor unit 4A. Specifically, the control unit 18A changes the amplitude of the pulse signal according to the movement of the head 12 of the user 10 detected by the sensor unit 4A, for example, by pulse amplitude modulation (PAM), thereby changing the volume of the vibration sound generated by the vibration sound generating unit 8.

[0042] When sensor unit 4A detects that head 12 of user 10 is standing upright, control unit 18A controls the amplitude of the pulse signal to a basic amplitude. Note that the basic amplitude is an amplitude that causes user 10 to speak at a medium volume when a pulse signal is output to vibration sound generation unit 8, as will be described later. In the present embodiment, the frequency of the pulse signal generated by control unit 18A is constant.

[0043] Furthermore, when sensor unit 4A detects an upward tilting motion of head 12 of user 10, control unit 18A increases the amplitude of the pulse signal from the basic amplitude. At this time, control unit 18A continuously increases the amplitude of the pulse signal from the basic amplitude as head 12 of user 10 tilts upward from an upright posture.

[0044] Note that control unit 18A may discontinuously increase the amplitude of the pulse signal from the basic amplitude as head 12 of user 10 tilts upward from an upright posture. Conversely, control unit 18A may decrease the amplitude of the pulse signal from the basic amplitude when sensor unit 4A detects an upward tilting motion of head 12 of user 10.

[0045] Furthermore, when sensor unit 4A detects a downward tilting motion of head 12 of user 10, control unit 18A reduces the amplitude of the pulse signal from the basic amplitude. At this time, control unit 18 continuously reduces the amplitude of the pulse signal from the basic amplitude as head 12 of user 10 tilts downward from an upright posture.

[0046] Note that control unit 18 may discontinuously decrease the amplitude of the pulse signal from the basic amplitude as head 12 of user 10 tilts downward from an upright position. Conversely, control unit 18A may increase the amplitude of the pulse signal from the basic amplitude when sensor unit 4A detects a downward tilting motion of head 12 of user 10.

[0047] The vibration sound generating section 8 converts the pulse signal from the amplifier section 20 of the control unit 6A into vibrations having a frequency corresponding to the frequency of the pulse signal and an amplitude corresponding to the amplitude of the pulse signal.

[0048] [2-2. Operation of the electrolarynx] The operation of the electroartificial larynx 2A according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the electroartificial larynx 2A according to the second embodiment.

[0049] 7, first, the control unit 18A generates a pulse signal corresponding to the movement of the head 12 of the user 10 detected by the sensor unit 4A based on the detection signal from the sensor unit 4A (S201). Note that when the operation of the electrolarynx 2A starts, the head 12 of the user 10 is maintained in an upright position, and the control unit 18A controls the amplitude of the pulse signal to the basic amplitude.

[0050] Next, the sensor unit 4A detects the movement of the head 12 of the user 10 (S202).

[0051] Next, the control unit 18A determines the movement direction of the tilting movement of the head 12 of the user 10 based on the detection signal from the sensor unit 4A (S203).

[0052] If the moving direction of the head 12 of the user 10 is upward ("upward" in S203), the control unit 18A increases the amplitude of the pulse signal above the basic amplitude (S204). This increases the volume of the vibration sound generated by the vibration sound generating unit 8, and the volume of the speaking voice of the user 10 changes from a medium volume to an increasing volume. Then, the process proceeds to step S205.

[0053] On the other hand, if the movement direction of the head 12 of the user 10 is downward ("downward" in S203), the control unit 18A reduces the amplitude of the pulse signal below the basic amplitude (S206). This reduces the volume of the vibration sound generated by the vibration sound generation unit 8, and the volume of the speaking voice of the user 10 changes from a medium volume to a decreasing volume. Then, the process proceeds to step S205.

[0054] After step S204 or S206, if the control unit 18A continues generating the pulse signal (NO in S205), the process returns to step S201, and the above-described steps S201 to S206 are executed again.

[0055] On the other hand, if the control unit 18A stops generating the pulse signal (YES in S205), the process of the flowchart in FIG. 7 ends.

[0056] [2-3. Effects] In this embodiment, user 10 can increase or decrease the volume of the speaking voice by tilting head 12 upward or downward at an appropriate timing during speech while moving articulatory organs such as lips and tongue. This allows intonation to be added to the speaking voice without occupying user 10's hands, as in the first embodiment.

[0057] (Addendum) (Technology 1) 1. An electrolarynx comprising: a sensor unit that is attached to the head or neck of a user and detects head movement of the user; a control unit that generates a pulse signal in response to the head movement of the user detected by the sensor unit; and a vibration sound generation unit that generates a vibration sound in the oral cavity of the user by converting the pulse signal from the control unit into vibration.

[0058] According to Technology 1, the control unit generates a pulse signal in response to the movement of the user's head detected by the sensor unit, and the vibration sound generating unit converts the pulse signal from the control unit into vibration, thereby generating vibration sound in the user's oral cavity. This allows the user to change, for example, the pitch or volume of their speaking voice by moving their head at an appropriate timing while moving their articulatory organs, such as their lips and tongue. As a result, intonation can be added to their speaking voice without occupying their hands.

[0059] (Technology 2) The electrolarynx according to technology 1, wherein the sensor unit is attached to a position on the user's head where the detection result of the sensor unit does not fluctuate according to the movement of the user's mandible.

[0060] According to the second technique, it is possible to prevent intonation from being unintentionally added to the speech when the user moves articulatory organs such as the lips and tongue to speak.

[0061] (Technology 3) The electrical artificial larynx according to claim 2, wherein the sensor unit is an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor.

[0062] According to the third technique, for example, tilting of the user's head can be easily detected.

[0063] (Technology 4) The electrolarynx according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit is a bending sensor attached to the neck of the user.

[0064] According to the fourth technique, for example, tilting of the user's head can be easily detected.

[0065] (Technology 5) 5. The electroartificial larynx according to any one of techniques 1 to 4, wherein the control unit generates the pulse signal based on laryngeal original sound data calculated from real voice data of the user.

[0066] According to Technology 5, a user can use an electro-artificial larynx to produce a speaking voice that is similar to the user's speaking voice before the user had their larynx removed, for example.

[0067] (Technology 6) 6. The electroartificial larynx according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit changes the frequency of the vibration sound by changing the frequency of the pulse signal in accordance with the movement of the user's head detected by the sensor unit.

[0068] According to Technique 6, a user can change the pitch of their speaking voice by moving their head at the appropriate timing while moving their articulatory organs, such as their lips and tongue, to increase or decrease the pitch of their voice.

[0069] (Technology 7) The control unit (i) increases the frequency of the pulse signal when the sensor unit detects an upward tilting motion of the user's head, and (ii) decreases the frequency of the pulse signal when the sensor unit detects a downward tilting motion of the user's head.

[0070] According to Technology 7, a user can change the pitch of their speaking voice by moving their articulatory organs, such as their lips and tongue, and tilting their head upward or downward at the appropriate timing when speaking.

[0071] (Technology 8) 6. The electroartificial larynx according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit changes the volume of the vibration sound by changing the amplitude of the pulse signal in accordance with the movement of the user's head detected by the sensor unit.

[0072] According to Technique 8, a user can increase or decrease the volume of their speech by moving their head at the appropriate timing while moving their articulatory organs such as lips and tongue.

[0073] (Technology 9) The control unit (i) increases the amplitude of the pulse signal when the sensor unit detects an upward tilting motion of the user's head, and (ii) decreases the amplitude of the pulse signal when the sensor unit detects a downward tilting motion of the user's head.

[0074] According to Technology 9, a user can increase or decrease the volume of their speech by tilting their head upward or downward at the appropriate timing during speech while moving their articulatory organs such as their lips and tongue.

[0075] (Other embodiments) As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to these, and can be applied to embodiments in which appropriate modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in the above embodiments to create new embodiments.

[0076] Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

[0077] In the above-mentioned embodiment 1, the sensor unit 4 detected the following movements of the head 12 of the user 10: (i) an upward tilting movement of the head 12, (ii) a movement of the head 12 being upright, and (iii) a downward tilting movement of the head 12. In addition to these movements, the sensor unit 4 may also detect (iv) a leftward tilting movement of the head 12, and (v) a rightward tilting movement of the head 12.

[0078] In this case, the control unit 18 may change the frequency of the vibration sound generated by the vibration sound generating unit 8 by (i) changing the frequency of the pulse signal, and (ii) changing the amplitude of the pulse signal, in accordance with the movement of the head 12 of the user 10 detected by the sensor unit 4, thereby changing the volume of the vibration sound generated by the vibration sound generating unit 8.

[0079] Specifically, when the sensor unit 4 detects that the head 12 of the user 10 is standing upright, the control unit 18 controls the amplitude of the pulse signal to the fundamental amplitude. Furthermore, when the sensor unit 4 detects that the head 12 of the user 10 is tilting upward, the control unit 18 increases the frequency of the pulse signal above the fundamental frequency. Furthermore, when the sensor unit 4 detects that the head 12 of the user 10 is tilting downward, the control unit 18 decreases the frequency of the pulse signal below the fundamental frequency. Furthermore, when the sensor unit 4 detects that the head 12 of the user 10 is tilting leftward, the control unit 18 increases the amplitude of the pulse signal above the fundamental amplitude. Furthermore, when the sensor unit 4 detects that the head 12 of the user 10 is tilting rightward, the control unit 18 decreases the amplitude of the pulse signal below the fundamental amplitude.

[0080] This allows the user 10 to change the pitch of their voice in a higher or lower direction and increase or decrease the volume of their voice by tilting their head 12 upward, downward, leftward, or rightward at an appropriate timing while moving their articulatory organs such as their lips and tongue, thereby imparting a more natural intonation to their voice.

[0081] Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the vibration sound generating unit 8 generates a mechanical vibration sound, but this is not limiting. For example, the vibration sound generating unit 8 may generate a vibration sound that simulates the laryngeal original sound of the user 10 before the larynx is removed. In this case, the control unit 18 (18A) may generate a pulse signal based on laryngeal original sound data calculated by artificial intelligence (AI) or the like from the real voice data of the user 10 recorded before the larynx is removed. This allows the user 10 to use the electro-artificial larynx 2 (2A) to produce a speaking voice that is similar to the speaking voice of the user 10 before the larynx is removed.

[0082] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the sensor unit 4 (4A) detects the tilting movement of the head 12 as the movement of the head 12 of the user 10, but this is not limited to this, and the sensor unit 4 (4A) may detect any movement of the head 12, such as the rotation of the head 12 or the movement of turning the face to the side.

[0083] As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technology in the present disclosure, and for that purpose, the accompanying drawings and detailed description have been provided.

[0084] Therefore, the components shown in the accompanying drawings and detailed description may include not only essential components for solving the problem, but also components that are not essential for solving the problem in order to illustrate the above technology. Therefore, the fact that these non-essential components are shown in the accompanying drawings or detailed description should not be interpreted as immediately indicating that these non-essential components are essential.

[0085] Furthermore, since the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. may be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. [Industrial Applicability]

[0086] The present disclosure is applicable, for example, to an electrolarynx that can add intonation to speech. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 2,2A Electric Artificial Larynx 4,4A Sensor section 6,6A control unit 8 Vibration noise generating unit 10 users 12 Head 14 Mandible 16 Ears 18,18A Control unit 20 Amplifier section 22 throat 24 Oral cavity 26 Neck

Claims

1. a sensor unit that is attached to the user's head or neck and detects the movement of the user's head; a control unit that generates a pulse signal in response to the movement of the user's head detected by the sensor unit; a vibration sound generating unit that converts the pulse signal from the control unit into vibration to generate a vibration sound in the oral cavity of the user. Electrolarynx.

2. The sensor unit is attached to a position on the user's head where the detection result of the sensor unit does not fluctuate according to the movement of the user's mandible.

2. The electrolarynx according to claim 1.

3. The sensor unit is an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor.

3. The electrolarynx according to claim 2.

4. The sensor unit is a bending sensor attached to the neck of the user.

2. The electrolarynx according to claim 1.

5. The control unit generates the pulse signal based on laryngeal original sound data calculated from the user's real voice data.

2. The electrolarynx according to claim 1.

6. The control unit changes the frequency of the vibration sound by changing the frequency of the pulse signal in accordance with the movement of the user's head detected by the sensor unit. The electroartificial larynx according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The control unit (i) increases the frequency of the pulse signal when the sensor unit detects an upward tilting motion of the user's head, and (ii) decreases the frequency of the pulse signal when the sensor unit detects a downward tilting motion of the user's head.

7. The electrolarynx according to claim 6.

8. The control unit changes the amplitude of the pulse signal in accordance with the movement of the user's head detected by the sensor unit, thereby changing the volume of the vibration sound. The electroartificial larynx according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

9. The control unit (i) increases the amplitude of the pulse signal when the sensor unit detects an upward tilting motion of the user's head, and (ii) decreases the amplitude of the pulse signal when the sensor unit detects a downward tilting motion of the user's head.

9. The electrolarynx according to claim 8.

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