Earphone control method, computer program, and computer device

Abstract

An earphone control method, a computer program, and a computer device are provided. [Solution] According to one embodiment, an earphone control method includes applying minimum audible level information for each frequency band of a user to an earphone, and controlling an output sound output by the earphone based on the applied minimum audible level information for each frequency band.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The following embodiments relate to an earphone control method, a computer program, and a computer device. [Background technology]

[0002] Thanks to the dramatic advances in medical engineering technology in recent years, patients who have not been able to feel significant benefits from wearing hearing aids can now experience significant improvements in their hearing by choosing and wearing the appropriate hearing aid.

[0003] Hearing aids, which are worn on the body at all times, are among the most advanced medical devices. They require continuous maintenance as hearing changes, and after-sales service is required if they are damaged by moisture or foreign objects in the ear. Therefore, hearing aids can be said to be one of the most important medical engineering technologies.

[0004] While conventional hearing aids have been in the form of trumpet-shaped sound amplifiers, in recent years, electric hearing aids that support sound amplification have been used. Electric hearing aids work by receiving sound waves with a microphone, converting them into electrical vibrations, amplifying them, and then converting them back into sound waves with earphones so that they can be heard. Prior art on battery-powered hearing aids is described in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0133790.

[0005] However, such conventional electronic hearing aids have limitations in that they can only provide limited functions.

[0006] This has led to a demand for devices that combine the functions of hearing aids and earphones. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] One embodiment proposes a device that combines the functionality of a hearing aid and an earphone.

[0008] More specifically, one embodiment proposes earphones, an earphone control platform, and a control method thereof that apply minimum audible level information for each frequency band of a user to individually control the output volume for each frequency band of environmental sound or content sound.

[0009] In this case, one embodiment proposes an earphone, an earphone control platform, and a control method thereof, which obtain minimum audible level information for each frequency band of a user used for earphone control based on a hearing test result through the earphone control platform.

[0010] In addition, one embodiment proposes an earphone, an earphone control platform, and a control method thereof that maximize user convenience by initially applying initial audible level information for each user's frequency band to the earphone and then maintaining the application state.

[0011] In addition, one embodiment proposes an earphone, an earphone control platform, and a control method thereof, which control the application of initial audible level information for each user's frequency band to the earphone in real time according to user input generated on the earphone control platform.

[0012] In addition, one embodiment proposes earphones, an earphone control platform, and a control method thereof that support individual control of output volume for each frequency band in which environmental sound is output, stepwise cut-off adjustment of output volume for all frequency bands in which environmental sound is output, adjustment of output volume for all frequency bands in which environmental sound is output separately for the left and right units of earphones, selective elimination of feedback sound generated during the output sound output process, and control of output volume for each frequency band in which content sound is output, all on a single page of the earphone control platform.

[0013] Furthermore, one embodiment proposes an earphone, an earphone control platform, and a control method thereof that measures and reports the noise level, occurrence count, and occurrence time of environmental sounds in real time.

[0014] However, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention should not be limited to the above, but may be variously expanded within the scope of the technical idea and scope of the present invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] According to one embodiment, a method for controlling earphones executed by a computer device including at least one processor may include applying minimum audible level information for each frequency band of a user to an earphone, and controlling an output sound output by the earphone based on the applied minimum audible level information for each frequency band.

[0016] According to one aspect, the controlling step may include individually controlling an output volume for each frequency band of the environmental sound collected from the external environment of the earphone based on the applied minimum audible level information for each frequency band.

[0017] According to another aspect, the controlling step may include a step of outputting content sound related to content being played by a user terminal paired with the earphone, and simultaneously controlling the output volume of the environmental sound for each frequency band individually based on the minimum audible level information for the applied frequency band, thereby outputting the environmental sound.

[0018] According to another aspect, the controlling step may further include adjusting the attenuation of an output volume of an entire frequency band of the environmental sound in stages based on an attenuation adjustment input of the user generated in an earphone control platform loaded on a user terminal paired with the earphone.

[0019] According to another aspect, the controlling step may further include adjusting output volumes of the entire frequency band of the environmental sound separately for the left and right units of the earphones based on adjustment inputs for the left and right units of the user generated in an earphone control platform loaded on a user terminal paired with the earphones.

[0020] According to another aspect, the controlling step may include individually controlling an output volume of the environmental sound for each frequency band based on an adjustment input for each frequency band of the user generated in an earphone control platform loaded on a user terminal paired with the earphone.

[0021] According to another aspect, the applying step may include initially applying initial audible level information for each frequency band of the user to the earphone based on an application input of the user generated by an earphone control platform loaded on a user terminal paired with the earphone, and then maintaining the application state.

[0022] According to another aspect, the controlling step may further include selectively removing a feedback sound generated in the process of outputting the output sound, based on a removal input from the user generated in the earphone control platform loaded on a user terminal paired with the earphone.

[0023] According to another aspect, the minimum audible level information for each frequency band of the user may be acquired based on a hearing test result of the user for a plurality of frequency bands via an earphone control platform loaded on a user terminal paired with the earphone.

[0024] According to another aspect, the controlling step may include individually controlling an output volume for each frequency band of a content sound associated with content played by a user terminal paired with the earphone, based on the applied minimum audible level information for each frequency band.

[0025] According to another aspect, the earphone control method may further include measuring a noise level, a number of occurrences, and a duration of occurrence of the output sound in real time, and reporting the noise level, the number of occurrences, and the duration of occurrence of the output sound measured in real time through an earphone control platform loaded on a user terminal paired with the earphone.

[0026] According to another aspect, the measuring step may be a step of measuring in real time the noise level, the number of occurrences, and the duration of occurrence of environmental sounds collected from an external environment of the earphones and content sounds associated with content played by a user terminal paired with the earphones, and the reporting step may be a step of separately reporting the noise level, the number of occurrences, and the duration of occurrence of the environmental sounds and the content sounds.

[0027] According to yet another aspect, the measuring step may further include providing a notification to the user through an earphone control platform loaded on a user terminal paired with the earphone or a notification sound output from the earphone, when the noise level, the number of occurrences, and the duration of occurrence of the output sound measured in real time are equal to or greater than predetermined thresholds.

[0028] According to one embodiment, in a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a computer program for causing a computer device to execute an earphone control method, the earphone control method may include applying minimum audible level information for each frequency band of a user to an earphone, and controlling an output sound output by the earphone based on the applied minimum audible level information for each frequency band.

[0029] According to one embodiment, a computer device that performs the earphone control method may include at least one processor configured to execute computer-readable instructions, and the at least one processor may include an application unit that applies minimum audible level information for each frequency band of a user to an earphone, and a control unit that controls an output sound output by the earphone based on the applied minimum audible level information for each frequency band. [Effects of the Invention]

[0030] One embodiment proposes a device that combines the functionality of a hearing aid and an earphone.

[0031] More specifically, one embodiment proposes earphones, an earphone control platform, and a control method thereof that apply minimum audible level information for each frequency band of a user to individually control the output volume for each frequency band of environmental sound or content sound.

[0032] In this case, one embodiment proposes an earphone, an earphone control platform, and a control method thereof, which obtain minimum audible level information for each frequency band of a user used for earphone control based on a hearing test result through the earphone control platform.

[0033] In addition, one embodiment proposes an earphone, an earphone control platform, and a control method thereof that maximize user convenience by initially applying initial audible level information for each user's frequency band to the earphone and then maintaining the application state.

[0034] In addition, one embodiment proposes an earphone, an earphone control platform, and a control method thereof, which control the application of initial audible level information for each user's frequency band to the earphone in real time according to user input generated on the earphone control platform.

[0035] In addition, one embodiment proposes earphones, an earphone control platform, and a control method thereof that support individual control of output volume for each frequency band in which environmental sound is output, step-by-step cutoff adjustment of the output volume for the entire frequency band in which environmental sound is output, adjustment of the output volume for each left and right unit of the earphone for the entire frequency band in which environmental sound is output, selective elimination of feedback sound generated during the output sound output process, and control of the output volume for each frequency band in which content sound is output, all on a single page of the earphone control platform.

[0036] Furthermore, one embodiment proposes an earphone, an earphone control platform, and a control method thereof that measures and reports the noise level, occurrence count, and occurrence time of environmental sounds in real time.

[0037] However, the effects of the present invention should not be limited to those described above, and may be variously expanded within the scope of the technical idea and scope of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a network environment in one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a computing device, according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of components that may be included in the processor shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 3 is a flowchart illustrating an earphone control method that can be executed by the computer device shown in FIG. 2. [Figures 5a-5j] 5 is a diagram illustrating a screen of a user terminal loaded with an earphone control platform utilized when the earphone control method illustrated in FIG. 4 is executed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention should not be limited to the embodiments. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same elements.

[0040] Furthermore, the terminology used herein is intended to appropriately describe preferred embodiments of the present invention, but may vary depending on the intentions of viewers and operators, or the practices of the field to which the present invention pertains. Therefore, definitions of these terms must be based on the overall content of this specification. For example, in this specification, singular expressions also include plural expressions unless otherwise specified in the context. Furthermore, the terms "comprise" and / or "comprising" used herein do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, operations, and / or elements to the referenced components, steps, operations, and / or elements.

[0041] It should also be understood that although the various embodiments of the present invention are different from one another, they are not necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, a particular shape, structure, and characteristic described in this specification may be implemented in a different embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It should also be understood that within each category of presented embodiments, the position, arrangement, or configuration of individual components may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0042] In the following embodiments, a device that combines the functions of a hearing aid and an earphone (hereinafter referred to as "earphone"), an earphone control platform used to control this device, and a control method thereof will be described.

[0043] The earphones may be controlled based on the earphone control platform described below, and the subject thereof may be a server or an electronic device (user terminal) that executes the earphone control method.

[0044] The earphone control platform may be implemented in the form of a dedicated application installed on a user terminal paired with the earphones, and may operate as an interface for receiving user input during execution of the earphone control method. Such earphone control platform may operate on the user terminal under the control of a computer program installed and executed on at least one computer device constituting the user terminal.

[0045] The earphone control method may be executed by at least one computer device implementing a server or electronic device (e.g., a user terminal) described below in response to a user input generated on the earphone control platform. That is, at least one computer device included in the server or electronic device described below may constitute an earphone control system that executes the earphone control method. The computer device implementing the earphone control system may execute the earphone control method according to the embodiment under the control of an executed computer program. The above-described computer program may be combined with a computer device and recorded on a computer-readable recording medium to cause the computer device to execute the earphone control method. The computer program described herein may be in the form of an independent program package, or may be in the form of an independent program package that is pre-installed on a computer device and interacts with an operating system or other program packages.

[0046] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a network environment according to an embodiment of the present invention. The network environment in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of electronic devices 110, 120, 130, and 140, a plurality of servers 150 and 160, and a network 170.

[0047] 1 is merely an example for explaining the invention, and the number of electronic devices and the number of servers are not limited to those shown in Fig. 1. Furthermore, the network environment in Fig. 1 is merely an example of an environment applicable to this embodiment, and the environment applicable to this embodiment is not limited to the network environment in Fig. 1.

[0048] The electronic devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 may be fixed or mobile terminals implemented by computers. Examples of the electronic devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 include smartphones, mobile phones, navigation systems, personal computers (PCs), notebook PCs, digital broadcasting terminals, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), and tablets. While FIG. 1 illustrates a smartphone as an example of the electronic device 110, in embodiments of the present invention, the electronic device 110 may represent one of a variety of physical computer devices capable of communicating with the other electronic devices 120, 130, and 140 and / or the servers 150 and 160 via the network 170 using a substantially wireless or wired communication method.

[0049] In particular, the electronic devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 are user terminals that are paired with the earphones 111, 121, 131, and 141, respectively, via near-field wireless communication, and refer to devices that are executed by the earphone control platform described below.

[0050] Each of the earphones 111, 121, 131, and 141 is controlled by an entity (e.g., each of the multiple electronic devices 110, 120, 130, and 140, or the servers 150 and 160) that executes an earphone control method based on the earphone control platform, and may be a device that has both a hearing aid function (a function to output environmental sound collected from the external environment of the space in which the earphones are located) and an earphone function (a function to output content sound related to content played by a user terminal paired with the earphones). The hearing aid function and the earphone function may operate independently, but are not limited to this, and may also operate simultaneously.

[0051] The communication method between the electronic devices 110, 120, 130, 140 and the servers 150, 160 is not limited and may include not only a communication method utilizing a communication network (e.g., a mobile communication network, a wired Internet, a wireless Internet, or a broadcast network) that the network 170 may include, but is not limited to, short-range wireless communication between the devices. For example, the network 170 may include one or more of a personal area network (PAN), a local area network (LAN), a campus area network (CAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a broadband network (BBN), the Internet, etc. Furthermore, the network 170 may include any one or more of a network topology, including, but not limited to, a bus network, a star network, a ring network, a mesh network, a star-bus network, a tree network, or a hierarchical network.

[0052] Servers 150, 160 may each be implemented by one or more computing devices that communicate with multiple electronic devices 110, 120, 130, 140 via network 170 to provide instructions, code, files, content, services, etc. For example, server 150 may be a system that implements control of earphones 111, 121, 131, 141 through an earphone control platform that is installed and executed on multiple electronic devices 110, 120, 130, 140 connected via network 170.

[0053] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a computer device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Each of the electronic devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 and each of the servers 150 and 160 described above may be realized by a computer device 200 shown in FIG.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 2 , such a computer device 200 may include a memory 210, a processor 220, a communication interface 230, and an input / output interface 240. The memory 210 is a computer-readable recording medium and may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), and a persistent mass storage device such as a disk drive. Here, a persistent mass storage device such as a ROM or a disk drive may be included in the computer device 200 as a separate persistent storage device distinct from the memory 210. The memory 210 may also store an operating system and at least one program code. Such software components may be loaded into the memory 210 from a computer-readable recording medium separate from the memory 210. Such separate computer-readable recording medium may include a computer-readable recording medium such as a floppy drive, a disk, a tape, a DVD / CD-ROM drive, or a memory card. In another embodiment, the software components may be loaded into the memory 210 through a communication interface 230, which is not a computer-readable recording medium. For example, the software components may be loaded into the memory 210 of the computing device 200 based on a computer program installed by a file received over the network 170 .

[0055] Processor 220 may be configured to process computer program instructions by performing basic arithmetic, logic, and input / output operations. The instructions may be provided to processor 220 by memory 210 or by communication interface 230. For example, processor 220 may be configured to execute instructions received according to program code stored in a storage device such as memory 210.

[0056] The communication interface 230 may provide a function for the computer device 200 to communicate with other devices (e.g., the above-mentioned storage device) via the network 170. For example, requests, instructions, data, files, etc. generated by the processor 220 of the computer device 200 in accordance with program code stored in a storage device such as the memory 210 may be transmitted to other devices via the network 170 under the control of the communication interface 230. Conversely, signals, instructions, data, files, etc. from other devices may be received by the computer device 200 via the communication interface 230 of the computer device 200 via the network 170. The signals, instructions, data, etc. received via the communication interface 230 may be transmitted to the processor 220 or the memory 210, and files, etc. may be recorded on a storage medium (e.g., the above-mentioned permanent storage device) that the computer device 200 may further include.

[0057] The input / output interface 240 may be a means for interfacing with the input / output device 250. For example, the input device may include a device such as a microphone, keyboard, or mouse, and the output device may include a device such as a display or speaker. As another example, the input / output interface 240 may be a means for interfacing with a device that integrates input and output functions into one, such as a touch screen. The input / output device 250 may be configured as a single device together with the computer device 200.

[0058] Also, in other embodiments, computing device 200 may include fewer or more components than those shown in Figure 2. However, most prior art components need not be explicitly shown in the figures. For example, computing device 200 may be implemented to include at least some of the input / output devices 250 described above, and may further include other components such as a transceiver, a database, etc.

[0059] Specific embodiments of an earphone control method and system, and an earphone control platform are described below.

[0060] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of components that can be included in the processor shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an earphone control method that can be executed by the computer device shown in FIG. 2, and FIGS. 5a to 5i are diagrams showing screens of a user terminal loaded with an earphone control platform that is utilized when the earphone control method shown in FIG. 4 is executed. Explaining in more detail, FIG. 5a is a diagram showing the main screen of the earphone control platform in one embodiment, FIGS. 5b to 5e are diagrams illustrating a hearing test being performed through the earphone control platform in one embodiment, FIG. 5f is a diagram illustrating controlling the output volume of environmental sound for each frequency band based on the user's minimum audible level information for each frequency band through the earphone control platform in one embodiment, FIG. 5g is a diagram illustrating controlling the output volume of environmental sound for each frequency band based on user input generated in the earphone control platform in one embodiment, FIG. 5h is a diagram illustrating adjusting the blocking of environmental sound and eliminating feedback through the earphone control platform in one embodiment, FIG. 5i is a diagram illustrating adjusting the output volume of environmental sound for each left and right unit of the earphone through the earphone control platform in one embodiment, and FIG. 5j is a diagram illustrating reporting information related to environmental sound through the earphone control platform in one embodiment.

[0061] In an embodiment of the present invention, the computer device 200 may provide a user with a service for controlling earphones (e.g., the earphone 111 paired with the electronic device 110) by executing an earphone control method described below in response to a user input generated in an earphone control platform, which is a dedicated application installed on a user terminal (e.g., the electronic device 110). To this end, an earphone control system that executes the earphone control method may be configured in the computer device 200. For example, the earphone control system may be implemented in the form of a program that operates independently, or may be configured in the form of an in-app for a dedicated application so as to be operable on the dedicated application.

[0062] The processor 220 of the computing device 200 may be implemented as components for executing the earphone control method shown in FIG. 4. As an example, the processor 220 may include an application unit 310 and a control unit 320, as shown in FIG. 3, to execute steps 410 to 420 shown in FIG. 4. Depending on the embodiment, the components of the processor 220 may be selectively included in the processor 220 or may be excluded from the processor 220. Also, depending on the embodiment, the components of the processor 220 may be separated or combined to express the functions of the processor 220.

[0063] Such processor 220 and components of processor 220 may control computer device 200 to execute steps 410-420 included in the earphone control method of Fig. 4. For example, processor 220 and components of processor 220 may be implemented to execute instructions from operating system code and at least one program code contained in memory 210.

[0064] Here, the components of processor 220 may represent different functions executed by processor 220 according to instructions provided by program code stored in computing device 200. For example, controller 320 may be used as a functional representation of processor 220 controlling computing device 200 such that the output sound output by the earphones is controlled by the user.

[0065] The processor 220 may read necessary instructions from the memory 210, which has been loaded with instructions related to the control of the computer device 200. In this case, the read instructions may include instructions for controlling the processor 220 to execute steps 410 to 420, which will be described below.

[0066] Steps 410 to 420 described below may be performed in an order different from that shown in the figure, some of steps 410 to 420 may be omitted, or additional processes may be included.

[0067] In step 410, the processor 220 (more precisely, the application unit 310 included in the processor 220) may apply the minimum audible level information for each frequency band of the user to the earphone.

[0068] In this case, the minimum audible level information for each frequency band of the user may be obtained based on the results of a hearing test of the user for multiple frequency bands through an earphone control platform loaded on a user terminal paired with the earphone.

[0069] For example, referring to FIGS. 5a and 5b to 5e, when a user inputs a setting icon 501 on a main screen 500 of the earphone control platform, the processor 220 may load a setting screen 510 of the earphone control platform as shown in FIG. 5b. Next, in response to a user inputting a sound optimization icon 511 on the setting screen 510 of the earphone control platform, the processor 220 may output test sounds for each of the left and right units of the earphones while adjusting the volume for each frequency band, and receive input regarding whether the user heard the test sounds through the earphone control platform as shown in FIGS. 5c and 5d, thereby testing the user's hearing ability for multiple frequency bands. The test sounds may be output with the volume adjusted to 0 to 54 dB for each frequency band at 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 1 kHz, 1.5 kHz, 2 kHz, 3 kHz, 4 kHz, 6 kHz, and 8 kHz. The results of the user's hearing test may be provided to the user through the earphone control platform as shown in FIG. 5e. The provided hearing test result, which is the minimum audible level information for each frequency band of the user, may be immediately applied to the earphone in response to the user's application input generated by the application icon 512, as shown in FIG. 5e.

[0070] In this manner, step 410 of applying the user's minimum audible level information for each frequency band to the earphones may mean applying the user's initial audible level information for each frequency band to the earphones only once based on the user's application input generated by the earphone control platform, and then maintaining the application state. Maintaining the application state may continue unless the user generates an individual control input for the output volume for each frequency band in the earphone control platform.

[0071] In step 420, the processor 220 (more precisely, the control unit 320 included in the processor 220) may control the output sound output by the earphone based on the minimum audible level information for each frequency band applied in step 410.

[0072] Here, the output sound may include environmental sound collected from the external environment of the earphone and content sound associated with content played by a user terminal paired with the earphone.

[0073] More specifically, the processor 220 may individually control the output volume of the environmental sound for each frequency band in real time based on the applied minimum audible level information for each frequency band. For example, the processor 220 may individually control the output volume of the environmental sound for each frequency band in real time in proportion to the user's minimum audible level information for each frequency band.

[0074] As another example, processor 220 may control the output volume for each frequency band according to a preset listening mode, in response to a user selection input generated from any one of listening mode icons 502, 503, and 504 on earphone control platform main screen 500, under the condition that the user's minimum audible level information for each frequency band is satisfied. As a more specific example, when listening mode icon 502 corresponding to a "rich mode" in which the volume of bass frequencies is increased more than the volume of treble frequencies is selected, the output volume for each frequency band of environmental sounds may be controlled so that the volume of bass frequencies is greater than the volume of treble frequencies, under the condition that the user's minimum audible level information for each frequency band is satisfied. As shown in FIG. 5F, when listening mode icon 503 corresponding to a "normal mode" in which the volumes of bass frequencies and treble frequencies are uniform, the output volume for each frequency band of environmental sounds may be controlled so that the volumes of bass frequencies and treble frequencies are uniform, under the condition that the user's minimum audible level information for each frequency band is satisfied.

[0075] In this case, the output volume of the environmental sound for each frequency band may be individually controlled in real time based on the minimum audible level information for the applied frequency band, regardless of whether the content sound is being output. That is, the processor 220 may individually control the output volume of the environmental sound for each frequency band in real time based on the minimum audible level information for the applied frequency band while outputting the content sound. Therefore, the user can hear the environmental sound whose output volume has been controlled for each frequency band at the same time as listening to the content sound, thereby eliminating safety hazards caused by wearing earphones.

[0076] Furthermore, the processor 220 may not be limited or restricted to controlling the output volume of the environmental sound for each frequency band based on the applied user's minimum audible level information for each frequency band, but may also control the output volume of the environmental sound for each frequency band based on the user's adjustment input for each frequency band generated in the earphone control platform.

[0077] For example, in response to a user input generated from a listening EQ (Equalizing) icon 505 on the main screen 500 of the earphone control platform, the processor 220 may load a listening EQ screen 520 as shown in FIG. 5g, and then receive input from the user regarding the user's preferred volume for each of a plurality of frequency bands for each of the left and right units of the earphones, thereby controlling the output volume of the environmental sound for each frequency band in proportion to the inputted user's adjustment input for each frequency band. In particular, the processor 220 may control the output volume of the environmental sound for each frequency band in proportion to the inputted user's adjustment input for each frequency band under the condition that the user's minimum audible level information for each frequency band is satisfied, thereby satisfying the user's preferred volume for each frequency band and preventing hearing loss at the same time.

[0078] While the earphone control method for individually controlling the output volume of environmental sounds for each frequency band has been described above, the output volume of content sounds for each frequency band can also be individually controlled using a similar method. For example, the processor 220 may individually control the output volume of content sounds for each frequency band based on the user's minimum audible level information for each frequency band.

[0079] In step 420, the processor 220 may control the output volume of each frequency band of the environmental sound, adjust the cutoff of the output volume of the entire frequency band of the environmental sound in stages, or selectively remove feedback sounds that occur during the process of outputting the environmental sound.

[0080] For example, processor 220 may load noise setting screen 530 as shown in FIG. 5h in response to a user selection input made on noise setting icon 506 on main screen 500 of the earphone control platform, and may adjust the attenuation of the output volume of the entire frequency band of environmental sound in stages based on the user's attenuation adjustment input made on noise adjustment icon 531 on loaded noise setting screen 530. The attenuation of the output volume of the entire frequency band of environmental sound may be adjusted in stages, such as one stage ("noise reduction" off), two stages ("noise reduction" on 1), three stages ("noise reduction" on 2), and four stages ("noise reduction" on 3).

[0081] 5h, processor 220 may turn on or off the function to remove feedback sound based on a user's removal input generated by feedback removal icon 532 on noise setting screen 530. In addition to removing feedback of environmental sound, processor 220 may also turn on or off the function to remove feedback sound of content sound based on a user's removal input generated by feedback removal icon 532 when content sound is being output.

[0082] In addition, in step 420, the processor 220 may control the output volume of the environmental sound for each frequency band, and may also adjust the output volume of the environmental sound for the entire frequency band separately for the left and right units of the earphones. Alternatively, the output volume of the environmental sound for the entire frequency band may be adjusted collectively instead of being adjusted separately for the left and right units.

[0083] For example, when the collective control icon 507 on the main screen 500 of the earphone control platform is activated and a user inputs an adjustment using either the left earphone unit icon 508 or the right earphone unit icon 509, the processor 220 may simultaneously adjust the output volume of the entire frequency band of the environmental sound for the left and right units of the earphones.

[0084] As another example, as shown in FIG. 5i, when the collective control icon 507 on the main screen 500 of the earphone control platform is inactivated and a user inputs an adjustment to either the left earphone unit icon 508 or the right earphone unit icon 509, the processor 220 may adjust the output volume of the entire frequency band of the environmental sound only for the unit where the input occurred.

[0085] The processor 220 may also measure the noise level, occurrences, and duration of the output sound in real time and report them to the user through the earphone control platform.

[0086] More specifically, processor 220 may measure the noise level, number of occurrences, and duration of occurrence of the environmental sound and the content sound in real time, and report the noise level, number of occurrences, and duration of occurrence of each of the environmental sound and the content sound separately to the user. For example, in response to a user's input to report icon 541 on main screen 500 of the earphone control platform, processor 220 may load report screen 540 as shown in FIG. 5j, and display and report to the user via report screen 540 real-time noise level 542 of the environmental sound, occurrence time and average noise level during the occurrence time 543 of the environmental sound, and occurrence time and average noise level during the occurrence time 544 of the content sound.

[0087] Here, if the noise level, occurrence count, and occurrence duration of the output sound measured in real time are equal to or greater than preset thresholds, the processor 220 may notify the user by a notification sound output from the earphone control platform or the earphones, thereby encouraging the user to selectively stop using the earphones through the notification to protect their hearing.

[0088] In this way, the output volume for each frequency band of environmental sound can be individually controlled, the output volume for all frequency bands of environmental sound can be cut off in stages, the output volume for all frequency bands of environmental sound can be adjusted separately for the left and right earphone units, feedback sound generated during the output sound output process can be selectively removed, and the output volume for each frequency band of content sound can be individually controlled in response to a user's input generated on the main screen 500 of the earphone control platform. That is, the earphone control platform supports individual control of the output volume for each frequency band in which environmental sound is output, step-by-step cut-off adjustment of the output volume for all frequency bands in which environmental sound is output, adjustment of the output volume for all frequency bands in which environmental sound is output separately for the left and right earphone units, selective removal of feedback sound generated during the output sound output process, and individual control of the output volume for each frequency band in which content sound is output, all on a single page, thereby maximizing the convenience of earphone control for users.

[0089] The above-described devices may be realized using hardware components, software components, and / or a combination of hardware and software components. For example, the devices and components described in the embodiments may be realized using one or more general-purpose or special-purpose computers, such as a processor, a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic unit (PLU), a microprocessor, or various devices capable of executing and responding to instructions. The processing device may execute an operating system (OS) and one or more software applications running on the OS. The processing device may also access, record, manipulate, process, and generate data in response to the execution of the software. For convenience of understanding, a single processing device may be described. However, those skilled in the art will understand that a processing device may include multiple processing elements and / or multiple types of processing elements. For example, a processing device may include multiple processors or one processor and one controller. Other processing configurations, such as parallel processors, are also possible.

[0090] Software may include a computer program, code, instructions, or a combination of one or more of these, and may configure a processing device to operate as desired or instruct the processing device, either individually or collectively. The software and / or data may be embodied in any type of machine, component, physical device, computer storage medium, or device to be interpreted by or to provide instructions or data to a processing device. The software may be distributed, stored, and executed in a distributed manner across computer systems connected by a network. The software and data may be stored on one or more computer-readable storage media.

[0091] Methods according to embodiments may be implemented in the form of program instructions executable by various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable medium. In this case, the medium may continuously record a computer-executable program or may temporarily record the program for execution or download. The medium may be various recording or storage means in the form of a single piece of hardware or multiple pieces of hardware combined together. It may be a medium directly connected to a computer system or distributed over a network. Examples of media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes; optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as floptical disks; and media configured to record program instructions, such as ROMs, RAMs, and flash memories. Other examples of media include recording media or storage media managed by app stores that distribute applications, or by websites or servers that provide or distribute various software.

[0092] Although the embodiments have been described above based on limited examples and drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations may be made from the above description. For example, the described techniques may be performed in an order different from that described, and / or the described system, structure, device, circuit, or other element may be coupled or combined in a manner different from that described, or may be substituted or replaced by other elements or equivalents, and still achieve suitable results.

[0093] Therefore, different embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims, provided that they are equivalent to the claims.

Claims

1. 1. A method for controlling earphones executed by a computing device including at least one processor, comprising: applying the minimum audible level information for each frequency band of the user to the earphone; controlling an output sound output from the earphone based on the applied minimum audible level information for each frequency band; An earphone control method comprising:

2. The controlling step includes: and individually controlling an output volume for each frequency band of the environmental sound collected from the external environment of the earphone based on the applied minimum audible level information for each frequency band. The earphone control method according to claim 1 , comprising:

3. The controlling step includes: outputting a content sound related to the content being played by the user terminal paired with the earphone, and simultaneously controlling the output volume of the environmental sound for each frequency band individually based on the minimum audible level information for each applied frequency band, and outputting the environmental sound; The earphone control method according to claim 2, comprising:

4. The controlling step includes: adjusting the output volume of the entire frequency band of the environmental sound in stages based on the user's attenuation adjustment input generated in an earphone control platform loaded on a user terminal paired with the earphone; The earphone control method according to claim 2, further comprising:

5. The controlling step includes: adjusting the output volume of the entire frequency band of the environmental sound separately for the left and right units of the earphones based on the user's adjustment input for each of the left and right units generated in an earphone control platform loaded on a user terminal paired with the earphones; The earphone control method according to claim 2, further comprising:

6. The controlling step includes: and individually controlling the output volume of the environmental sound for each frequency band based on the user's adjustment input for each frequency band generated in an earphone control platform loaded on a user terminal paired with the earphone. The earphone control method according to claim 2, comprising:

7. The applying step comprises: applying initial audible level information for each frequency band of the user to the earphones based on an application input of the user generated in an earphone control platform loaded on a user terminal paired with the earphones, and then maintaining the application state. The earphone control method according to claim 1 , comprising:

8. The controlling step includes: Selectively removing a feedback sound generated in the process of outputting the output sound based on the user's removal input generated in an earphone control platform loaded on a user terminal paired with the earphone. The earphone control method of claim 1 , further comprising:

9. The minimum audible level information for each frequency band of the user is The earphone control method of claim 1, wherein the earphone control information is acquired based on the user's hearing test results for a plurality of frequency bands through an earphone control platform loaded on a user terminal paired with the earphone.

10. The controlling step includes: and individually controlling an output volume for each frequency band of a content sound related to content played by a user terminal paired with the earphone based on the applied minimum audible level information for each frequency band. The earphone control method according to claim 1 , comprising:

11. measuring the noise level, number of occurrences, and duration of occurrence of the output sound in real time; reporting the noise level, occurrence number, and occurrence time of the output sound measured in real time through an earphone control platform loaded on a user terminal paired with the earphone; The earphone control method of claim 1 , further comprising:

12. The measuring step includes: measuring in real time the noise level, occurrence count, and occurrence time of each of environmental sounds collected from an external environment of the earphones and content sounds related to content played by a user terminal paired with the earphones; The reporting step includes: The earphone control method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of separately reporting the noise level, the number of occurrences, and the duration of occurrence of the environmental sound and the content sound.

13. The measuring step includes: When the noise level, the number of occurrences, and the duration of occurrence of the output sound measured in real time are equal to or greater than the respective preset thresholds, providing a notification to the user through an earphone control platform loaded on a user terminal paired with the earphone or a notification sound output from the earphone. The earphone control method of claim 11, further comprising:

14. A computer-readable recording medium having a computer program recorded thereon for causing a computer device to execute an earphone control method, The earphone control method includes: applying the minimum audible level information for each frequency band of the user to the earphone; controlling an output sound output from the earphone based on the applied minimum audible level information for each frequency band; A computer-readable recording medium comprising:

15. A computer device that executes an earphone control method, at least one processor configured to execute computer-readable instructions; Including, The at least one processor an application unit that applies minimum audible level information for each frequency band of the user to the earphone; a control unit that controls an output sound output from the earphone based on the minimum audible level information for each applied frequency band; 2. A computer device comprising:

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