JP2005094159A - Voice reproducer and voice reproducing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a voice reproducer and a voice reproducing method capable of providing an optimal sound field environment through a simple arrangement. <P>SOLUTION: The voice reproducer arranged with a plurality of speakers to surround a specified listening position comprises a means for supplying a voice signal to each speaker, an operating means for specifying a desired surround system among a plurality of kinds of surround system depending on user operation, and a switching means provided between the signal supply means and each speaker and switching connection only of a speaker corresponding to the surround system specified by the operating means to on state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an audio reproducing apparatus and an audio reproducing method, and is suitable for application to, for example, a multi-channel surround system.

  Conventionally, in this type of multi-channel surround system, speakers corresponding to a plurality of channels are arranged so as to surround the user so that the direction of the original signal can be preserved with a sense of breadth for the listening user. By creating a simple three-dimensional sound field environment, the user is given a sense of realism.

In recent years, AV (Audio / Visual) surround systems that integrate not only audio but also video have become widespread, and multiple types of surround systems combining a television receiver and multiple speakers have been proposed and commercialized. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-367290 A (pages 6 to 7, FIG. 13)

  However, since the optimum realistic sensation differs for each genre of video and audio that the user views, there is a risk that an unnatural feeling may be felt based on the difference in the sound field environment if the arrangement state of all the speakers is fixed.

  For example, the required sound field environment is completely different between movie appreciation and music appreciation. In other words, in the case of watching a movie, it is necessary to obtain a sense of presence as if in a movie hall, so it is preferable to arrange as many speakers as possible around the user. On the other hand, in the case of listening to music, it is often preferable to arrange speakers in front and on both sides of the user because it is necessary to obtain a sense of presence as if listening to a performance in a concert hall ( Depending on audio recording conditions).

  In order to compensate for such a difference in the sound field environment, there can be considered a method in which the user moves the arrangement positions of a plurality of speakers constituting the AV surround system each time between movie appreciation and music appreciation.

  However, there is a problem that it takes time and effort for the user to move the arrangement positions of a plurality of speakers to an optimal place every time the genre of video / audio changes in an AV surround system actually installed in a general home. . Of these, the speakers placed on the left and right sides of the user are preferably placed on the floor so as to be faithful to the original sound while listening to the music while the speakers are hung on the wall so as to produce a broadening of the sound field. The burden on the user due to the movement of the speaker was particularly large.

  As a method of solving this problem, as many speakers as possible corresponding to all the audio / video genres desired by the user are arranged at desired positions, and the wiring of each speaker is changed every time the genre is different. A method has been proposed in which the output of an amplifier of each speaker is adjusted, and the corresponding wirings are connected as necessary.

  However, even if it is easier than moving the speakers, it is still inconvenient in practice to change the wiring and adjust the amplifier each time the audio / video genre changes. There were insufficient problems.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to propose an audio reproducing apparatus and an audio reproducing method capable of providing an optimum sound field environment with a simple configuration.

  In order to solve such a problem, according to the present invention, in a sound reproducing device in which a plurality of speakers are arranged so as to surround a predetermined listening position, a signal supply unit that supplies a sound signal to each speaker, and a user operation The operation means for designating a desired surround sound system among a plurality of types of surround sound systems, the signal supply means, and each speaker are provided between the speakers corresponding to the surround sound system designated by the operation means. And switching means for switching to the state.

  As a result, in this audio reproduction device, the user can change the surround sound system by simply performing a simple operation when selecting a desired video / audio genre. It is possible to avoid the complexity of performing amplifier adjustment and the like.

  According to the present invention, in the sound reproduction method in which a plurality of speakers are arranged so as to surround a predetermined listening position, after specifying a desired surround sound method among a plurality of types of surround sound methods in accordance with a user operation. Only the speakers corresponding to the designated surround sound system are switched to the ON state so as to supply the audio signal.

  As a result, in this audio reproduction method, the user can change the surround sound system simply by performing a simple operation when selecting a desired video / audio genre. It is possible to avoid the complexity of performing amplifier adjustment and the like.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the sound reproducing device in which the plurality of speakers are arranged so as to surround the predetermined listening position, the signal supply means for supplying the sound signal to each speaker, and the user's operation, An operation unit that designates a desired surround sound method among a plurality of types of surround sound methods, a signal supply unit, and a speaker that are provided between the speakers and that are connected to each speaker corresponding to the surround sound method designated by the operation unit are turned on. And the switching means for switching to the above, the user can change the surround sound system simply by performing a simple operation when selecting the desired video and audio genre, and thus with a simple configuration. An audio playback device that can provide an optimal sound field environment can be realized.

  According to the present invention, in the sound reproduction method in which a plurality of speakers are arranged so as to surround a predetermined listening position, a desired surround sound method is designated among a plurality of types of surround sound methods in accordance with a user operation. After that, since the connection is switched on so that only the speakers corresponding to the designated surround sound system supply audio signals, the user can easily select a desired audio / video genre. The surround sound system can be changed only by performing a simple operation, and thus a sound reproduction method capable of providing an optimum sound field environment with a simple configuration can be realized.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(1) Configuration of AV Surround System According to this Embodiment In FIGS. 1A and 1B, reference numeral 1 denotes an AV surround system according to this embodiment as a whole, one television receiver 2 and a plurality of Nine types of speakers SP1 to SP9 and the television receiver 2 and the AV controller 3 for controlling all the speakers SP1 to SP9 are arranged in a predetermined arrangement state according to the user's specification. It is constituted by.

  In the AV surround system 1, the nine speakers SP1 to SP9 include a center speaker SP1 at the front center, a left front speaker SP2 positioned on the left and right of the center speaker SP1, and a viewing position of a user who is a viewer. Right front speaker SP3, wall mounted surround left upper speaker SP4 and surround upper right speaker SP5 located on the left and right above the viewing position, floor-mounted surround lower left speaker SP6 and surround right located on the left and right sides of the viewing position It consists of a lower speaker SP7, and a surround left back speaker SP8 and a surround right back speaker SP9 located on the left and right rear of the viewing position.

  As for the arrangement state of these nine speakers SP1 to SP9, for example, arrangement positions corresponding to various surround systems (hereinafter referred to as surround sound systems) based on the international standard ITU-R or the like are determined in advance. In the case of the multi-channel AV surround system 1 according to the embodiment, a method based on the digital audio standard of the 7.1ch method for watching movies or the 5.1ch method for watching music can be used according to the user's selection. The arrangement position is predetermined.

  Examples of the 7.1 channel system include a system in which the rear speaker output components in each 6.1 channel system of DOLBY DIGITAL SURROUND EX (trademark) and DTS EXTENDED SURROUND (trademark) are distributed to two systems. For this reason, the surround upper left speaker SP4, the surround left back speaker SP8, the surround upper right speaker SP5 and the surround right back speaker SP9 are arranged on the same plane, and a sound field environment that can provide a more realistic sensation for movies is constructed. It is made to be able to do.

  For example, in the case of the 7.1ch system for movie viewing, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A, in the AV surround system 1, a center speaker SP1, a left front speaker SP2, a right front speaker SP3, By outputting the reproduced sound from the five speakers, the surround upper left speaker SP4 and the surround upper right speaker SP5, it is possible to give the user a realistic feeling as if they were in the movie theater.

  In the case of the 5.1ch system for listening to music, as shown in FIGS. 2 (B) and 3 (B), the center speaker SP1, the left front speaker SP2, the right front speaker SP3, the surround in the AV surround system 1 are provided. By outputting the reproduced sound from the five speakers, the lower left speaker SP6 and the surround lower right speaker SP7, it is possible to give the user a sense of presence as if he / she listened to the performance in the concert hall.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, in practice, in order to realize the 7.1ch method and the 5.1ch method as described above, a super woofer (Super Woofer) for low frequency enhancement (LFE) is used. ) The SPW is arranged at the user's desired position, and in each case, it is designed to satisfy 0.1 ch.

(2) Configuration of AV Controller FIG. 4 shows a partial configuration of the AV controller 3 in the present embodiment. The CPU 10 compresses audio signals S1 _{A to} S1 compressed based on various compression formats supplied from the outside. _N is decoded by the decoder 11 into the original audio signal, and when the audio signal is a 7.1ch system for watching a movie, it is converted into digital audio signals S2 _{A to} S2 _G for 7 channels, while listening to music in the case of 5.1ch system use is converted into a digital audio signal _S2 B _{~S2 F} of 5 channels.

Subsequently CPU10 is a digital audio signal _S2 A _{~S2 G} of the channels output from the decoder 11, respectively D / A (digital / analog) analog audio signal _S3 via the converter 12A to 12G A to S3 _G After the conversion, the variable resistors 13A to 13G and the subsequent amplifiers 14A to 14G are amplified.

Of the analog audio signal _S3 A to S3 _G of each of these channels, the analog audio signal _{S3 D, S3 C, S3 E} is sent as a corresponding center speaker SP1, the left front speaker SP2 and right front speakers SP3, analog audio signal _{S3 a, S3 B, S3 F} , S3 G is sent to the corresponding switching circuits 15a to 15f.

  All of these switch circuits 15A to 15F are controlled by the CPU 10, and a 7.1ch system for watching movies or a 5.1ch system for listening to music using the operation unit 16 consisting of a push button group by the user. By selectively designating the sound system, the CPU 10 gives a switching control signal S10 corresponding to the designated surround sound system to the corresponding switch circuits 15A to 15F.

  Each of the switch circuits 15A to 15F has a configuration of one input and one output terminal, and the output terminals are a surround left back speaker SP8, a surround lower left speaker SP6, a surround upper left speaker SP4, a surround upper right speaker SP5, a surround lower right speaker SP7, and a surround. It is connected to the right back speaker SP9.

  In the actual AV surround system 1, when the user selects the 7.1ch system for watching a movie using the operation unit 16, the CPU 10 in the AV controller 3 causes the output terminals of the switch circuits 15A, 15C, 15D, and 15F to be output. Is switched on, while the switching control signal S10 is sent to switch the output ends of the switch circuits 15B and 15E to the off state.

  On the other hand, when the user uses the operation unit 16 to select the 5.1ch system for listening to music, the CPU 10 in the AV controller 3 switches the output terminals of the switch circuits 15A, 15C, 15D, and 15F to the OFF state. A switching control signal S10 is sent to switch the output terminals of the switch circuits 15B and 15E to the on state.

Here speaker SP1~SP5 corresponding to 7.1ch system for movie, in a state where SP8 and SP9 is selected, when an audio signal _S1 A _{~S1 N} in accordance with the 7.1ch system is input , 7 channels of digital audio signal _S2 a _~S2 speaker SP1~SP5 stay corresponding to _G, but is audio output through the SP8 and SP9, the audio signal _S1 a _{~S1 N} input in accordance with the 5.1ch system In this case, the outputs of both the surround upper left speaker SP4 and the surround left back speaker SP8, and the surround upper right speaker SP5 and the surround right back speaker SP9 are configured so that one speaker is constructed by two each. The variable resistor 13A is used so that the level of the combined synthesized speech is lowered by a predetermined level (for example, 3 [dB]). 13B and 13F, is adapted to adjust the 13G.

Speaker SP1~SP3 this corresponding to 5.1ch system for music appreciation hand, in a state where the SP6 and SP7 is selected, if the audio signal _S1 A _{~S1 N} in accordance with the 5.1ch system is input the speaker SP1~SP3 to directly corresponding digital audio signal _S2 B _{~S2 F} 5 channels, SP6 and SP7. However the sound output through the audio signal corresponding to the 7.1ch system _S1 a _{~S1 N} Is input, the outputs of the speakers SP8 and SP9 are turned off without generating the sound components of the surround left back speaker SP8 and the surround right back speaker SP9.

(3) Operation and effect according to the present embodiment In the above configuration, in the AV surround system 1, when the 7.1ch system for watching a movie is selected in accordance with a user operation, the AV controller 3 While switching the output ends of 15A, 15C, 15D, and 15F to the on state, the output ends of the switch circuits 15B and 15E are switched to the off state, so that reproduced audio is output from the speakers SP1 to SP5, SP8, and SP9 surrounding the user. As a result, it is possible to give the user a feeling of being in the movie hall.

  On the other hand, when the 5.1ch system for listening to music is selected according to the user's operation, the AV controller 3 switches the output terminals of the switch circuits 15A, 15C, 15D, and 15F to the OFF state, while the switch circuit 15B, By switching the output end of 15E to the on state, it is possible to output the playback sound from only the speakers SP1 to SP3, SP6, SP7 on the front and both sides of the user, and as a result, it is as if listening to the performance in the concert hall A realistic sensation can be given to the user.

  In particular, when the reproduction output sound quality of the surround left lower speaker SP6 and the surround lower right speaker SP7 which are placed on the floor is much higher than the surround upper left speaker SP4, the surround upper right speaker SP5, the surround left back speaker SP8 and the surround right back speaker SP9. The fidelity to the original sound can be further increased.

  Thus, in this AV surround system 1, the user can change the surround sound system simply by operating a button when selecting a desired video / audio genre. It is possible to avoid the complexity of performing amplifier adjustment and the like.

  According to the above configuration, in the AV surround system 1, when the surround sound system is selected according to the user's operation, the reproduced sound is output only from the speaker corresponding to the surround sound system. Thus, it is possible to avoid the complexity of performing wiring replacement, amplifier adjustment, and the like, and thus it is possible to realize an AV surround system 1 that can provide an optimal sound field environment with a simple configuration.

(4) Configuration of Other Embodiments As described above, in the present embodiment, the audio playback device in which a plurality of speakers SP1 to SP9 are arranged so as to surround a predetermined listening position has the configuration shown in FIG. Although the case where the AV surround system 1 is applied has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the main point is a configuration in which a plurality of speakers are arranged so as to realize a plurality of types of surround sound systems. For example, the present invention can be widely applied to audio reproducing apparatuses having various configurations.

In the present invention, the decoder 11 in the AV controller 3 is applied as a signal supply means for supplying the audio signals S1 _{A to} S1 _N to the speakers SP1 to SP9, based on various compression formats supplied from the outside. Although the case where the compressed audio signals S1 _{A to} S1 _N are decoded into the original audio signal has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the externally supplied audio signal is changed to a designated surround sound system. As long as it can be converted into digital audio signals for the corresponding channels, it may be widely applied to signal supply means of various other configurations.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the operation unit 16 in the AV controller 3 is applied as an operation means for designating a desired surround sound method among a plurality of types of surround sound methods in accordance with a user operation. Although the case has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be widely applied to operation means having various configurations as long as a desired surround sound system can be designated with a simple operation.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, only the speakers corresponding to the surround sound system designated by the operation unit (operation means) 16 provided between the decoder (signal supply means) 11 and the speakers SP1 to SP9 are turned on. The case where a plurality of switch circuits 15A to 15F and the CPU 10 are applied as the switching means for switching to the state has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and if only the corresponding speaker can be switched to the on state, In addition, the present invention may be widely applied to switching means having various configurations.

  Further, the arrangement position corresponding to the 7.1ch system for watching movies is not limited to the seven speakers SP1 to SP5, SP8 and SP9 in the AV surround system 1 in the present embodiment, but the upper left of the surround as shown in FIG. The AV surround system 20 including nine speakers in which the surround left front speaker SP10 and the surround right front speaker SP11 are formed on the same plane in front of the speaker SP4 and the surround right upper speaker SP5 may be constructed.

In the case of the 9.1 ch system, when the audio signals S1 _{A to} S1 _N corresponding to the 7.1 ch system for movie viewing are input, the surround upper left speaker SP4 and the surround left front speaker SP10, the surround upper right speaker SP5, A variable resistor is used to lower the level of the synthesized sound that combines both outputs to a predetermined level (for example, 3 [dB]) so that two surround speakers SP11 are constructed for each of the surround right front speakers SP11. A vessel (not shown) or the like may be adjusted.

When audio signals S1 _{A to} S1 _N corresponding to the 5.1ch system for listening to music are input, surround left upper speaker SP4, surround left back speaker SP8 and surround left front speaker SP10, surround right upper speaker SP5, surround right back The variable resistor (not shown) or the like may be adjusted so that the speaker SP9 and the surround right front speaker SP11 are used together and the output of each speaker is lowered by a predetermined level (4.5 [dB]).

  Furthermore, the arrangement position corresponding to the 5.1ch system for music appreciation is not limited to the five speakers SP1 to SP3, SP6, and SP7 in the AV surround system 1 in the present embodiment, but as shown in FIG. AV consisting of seven speakers in which a floor-mounted surround left back speaker SP12 and surround right back speaker SP13, which are the same quality as the speakers SP6 and SP7, are arranged slightly higher than the speaker SP6 and surround lower right speaker SP7. The surround system 30 may be constructed.

  Thus, the point is that the current placement position of each speaker is set to a placement position corresponding to a specific type of surround sound system, and even if an audio signal not corresponding to the surround sound system is input, As long as a plurality of speakers in the vicinity of the position can be used in combination to provide the user with an equivalent sound field environment, various combinations of the speakers may be used.

  The sound reproducing apparatus and the sound reproducing method can be applied to a home theater or a digital sound system.

It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the AV surround system by this Embodiment. It is a rough-line top view with which it uses for description of the arrangement | positioning state of the speaker according to various surround sound systems. It is a rough-line perspective view with which it uses for description of the arrangement | positioning state of the speaker according to various surround sound systems. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of AV controller. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the AV surround system by other embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the AV surround system by other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  1, 20, 30 ... AV surround system, 2 ... TV receiver, 3 ... AV controller, 10 ... CPU, 11 ... decoder, 12A-12G ... D / A converter, 13A-13G ... Variable resistors, 14A to 14G... Amplifier, 15A to 15F... Switch circuit, SP1 to SP13.

Claims (4)

In a sound reproducing device in which a plurality of speakers are arranged so as to surround a predetermined listening position,
Signal supply means for supplying an audio signal to each of the speakers;
An operation means for designating a desired surround sound system among a plurality of types of surround sound systems in accordance with a user operation;
And a switching means provided between the signal supply means and each of the speakers and switching the connection of only the speakers corresponding to the surround sound system designated by the operation means to an ON state. apparatus. The switching means is
2. The speaker according to claim 1, wherein among the plurality of speakers, the speakers in the vicinity of an arrangement position corresponding to the specific type of the surround sound system are used together, and the output of each speaker is lowered by a predetermined level. Audio playback device. In the sound reproduction method in which a plurality of speakers are arranged so as to surround a predetermined listening position,
A first step of designating a desired surround sound method among a plurality of types of surround sound methods in accordance with a user operation;
A sound reproduction method comprising: a second step of switching a connection to an ON state so that only each speaker corresponding to the specified surround sound system supplies an audio signal. In the second step,
4. The speaker according to claim 3, wherein among the plurality of speakers, the speakers in the vicinity of the arrangement position corresponding to the specific type of the surround sound system are used together, and the output of each speaker is lowered by a predetermined level. Audio playback method.

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