JP2006033615A - Sound-collecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sound-collection device for conveniently collecting sound without much time or labor, by which an appropriate recording mode is automatically selected for collecting sound only, by merely making the direction of a microphone match with the direction corresponding to purpose. <P>SOLUTION: A microphone unit 20 including a first microphone 23 and a second microphone 24 is freely and movably attached to a sound collecting deice main body 11. The sound-collecting device 10 detects the position of the microphone unit 20 relative to the sound collecting device body 11 through the use of a switch, for example. Then the microphone to be used is selected between the first microphone 23 and the second microphone 24 according to the detected position of the microphone unit 20. Thus, the sound is collected in the monaural mode or the stereo mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a sound collection device such as an IC recorder or a microcassette recorder having a stereo microphone.

  There are sound collection devices such as an IC recorder and a microcassette recorder that have a stereo microphone and can record the collected sound in stereo. This type of sound pickup device is usually capable of switching between a stereo mode for performing stereo recording and a monaural mode for performing monaural recording. And, for example, when recording a meeting or the like, select the stereo mode, perform the recording with a sense of presence by pointing the microphone to the left and right with respect to the target sound source, select the monaural mode when recording an interview, The user appropriately uses the microphone, for example, to make a clearer recording with the microphone directed at the target sound source.

As a conventional technique related to such a sound collecting device, a microphone portion in which a first microphone having directivity and a second microphone having no directivity are housed is stored in a housing position and a device body housed in the device body. A technique has already been known in which the sensitivity and directivity of a microphone can be switched by switching between a storage position and a protruding position by allowing movement between the protruding positions.
JP 2002-335594 A

  However, the conventional sound pickup device capable of switching between stereo recording and monaural recording has the following technical problems that cannot be solved by the conventional technology as described above.

  That is, this type of conventional sound collecting device is provided with a switch for switching the recording mode, and the user manually switches the switch to record in the stereo mode or the monaural mode. Was selected. In addition, the direction of the sound collection device is adjusted so that the microphone faces the target sound source when performing stereo recording, and the microphone faces the target sound source when performing monaural recording.

  For this reason, it is necessary for the user to manually switch the switch according to the application to select the recording mode and to pick up the sound according to the direction of the microphone according to the situation. The usability was also bad. In addition, since it is difficult to visually understand which recording mode is currently selected, the recording mode and the direction of the microphone may be used incorrectly.

  The present invention has been made based on such circumstances. The purpose of the present invention is to automatically select an appropriate recording mode and pick up sound by adjusting the direction of the microphone according to the application. Therefore, it is intended to provide a sound collecting device that is easy and easy to use.

  The sound collection device of the present invention includes a microphone unit having a first microphone and a second microphone, which is movably attached to the sound collection device body, and a position detection means for detecting the position of the microphone unit with respect to the sound collection device body. And a microphone selection means for selecting a microphone to be used from the first microphone and the second microphone according to the position of the microphone unit detected by the position detection means.

  By taking such means, as one embodiment, for example, if the position of the microphone unit detected by the position detection means is suitable for monaural recording, either the first microphone or the second microphone is used. The selected monaural recording is performed, and if the position of the microphone unit detected by the position detection means is a position suitable for stereo recording, both the first microphone and the second microphone can be selected for stereo recording. It becomes possible.

  In the present invention, it is desirable that both the first microphone and the second microphone are directional microphones.

  Further, it is convenient that the microphone unit is held rotatably with respect to the sound collecting device main body.

  That is, the microphone unit has a first position where a line connecting the centers of the first microphone and the second microphone is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the sound pickup device main body, the first microphone and the first microphone. It is desirable that a line connecting the centers of the two microphones is held automatically between a second position substantially orthogonal to a line parallel to the longitudinal direction of the sound collecting device main body.

  In the present invention, the microphone selection means selects either the first microphone or the second microphone when the microphone unit is in the first position, and the first microphone when the microphone unit is in the second position. It is effective to select both the second microphone and the second microphone.

  In addition, it is desirable that the microphone selection means selects the microphone on the side facing the target sound source from the first microphone or the second microphone when the microphone unit is in the first position.

  Further, according to the present invention, the microphone unit is disposed on the sound collecting device main body, and the first microphone or the second microphone is provided on one surface of the sound collecting device main body with an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the sound collecting device main body as a center. Also included are those that are automatically held between a first position facing the provided display section side and a second position rotated approximately 90 degrees from the first position.

  In the present invention, the microphone selection means also selects either the first microphone or the second microphone when the microphone unit is at the first position, and the first when the microphone unit is at the second position. It is desirable to select both the first microphone and the second microphone.

  The present invention further comprises recording means for recording sound picked up in monaural mode when the microphone unit is in the first position, and recording sound picked up in stereo mode when the microphone unit is in the second position. Good.

  According to the present invention in which such measures are taken, by adjusting the direction of the microphone to the direction according to the application, an appropriate recording mode can be automatically selected and picked up, which is convenient and easy to use. A sound collecting device can be provided.

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

(First embodiment)
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment is a case where the present invention is applied to an IC recorder which is an example of a sound collecting device.

  1 to 3 are schematic external views of the IC recorder 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view seen from the front right side, FIG. 2 is a front view, and FIG.

  In the IC recorder 10 of the present embodiment, an operation in which various operation buttons such as a liquid crystal display 12 and a recording button, a playback button, a stop button, a fast-forward button, and a fast-rewind button are arranged on the front surface of the apparatus body 11. Part 13 is provided. A microphone unit 20 is movably attached to the upper back of the apparatus body 11. The microphone unit 20 includes a cylindrical microphone portion 21 and a tongue piece portion 22 extending from the center of the microphone portion 21 to one side, and a first microphone 23 is provided at one end portion of the microphone portion 21. The second microphone 24 is provided at the other end. Both the first microphone 23 and the second microphone 24 are directional microphones.

  A rotary shaft 25 is attached to the tip of the tongue piece portion 22, and the tongue piece portion 22 has a substantially inverted L shape when viewed from the back side of the apparatus body 11 around the rotary shaft 25. It is supported so as to be rotatable along the surface of the notched portion 14 that is notched. Then, when the microphone unit 20 is rotated until one side 22a of the tongue piece portion 22 comes into contact with the stepped portion 14a of the cutout portion 14 in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the apparatus main body 11, the microphone portion 21 is moved. A line connecting the centers of the first microphone 23 and the second microphone 24 located substantially on the right side when viewed from the front side of the apparatus body 11 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the apparatus body 11. The position of the microphone unit 21 at this time is defined as a first position.

  On the other hand, when the microphone unit 20 is rotated until the other side 22b of the tongue piece portion 22 abuts on the step portion 14b of the cutout portion 14 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the device main body 11, the microphone portion 21 becomes the device. A line located on the upper surface of the main body 11 and connecting the centers of the first microphone 23 and the second microphone 24 is substantially orthogonal to a line parallel to the longitudinal direction of the apparatus main body 11. The position of the microphone unit 21 at this time is the second position. Incidentally, the upper surface part of the apparatus main body 11 is a curved surface so that the microphone part 21 rotates along the surface.

  The rotating shaft 25 extends inside the apparatus main body 11. An operation element 26 of the switch 15 built in the apparatus main body 11 is integrally attached to the distal end portion. As shown in FIG. 4, the operating element 26 turns off the switch 15 when the microphone portion 21 of the microphone unit 20 is positioned at the first position. As shown in FIG. When positioned at position 2, the switch 15 is turned on. Here, the switch 15 constitutes a position detecting means for detecting the position of the microphone unit 20 with respect to the apparatus main body 11.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the IC recorder 10 in the present embodiment. That is, the IC recorder 10 includes a pair of microphone amplifiers (AMP) 31a and 31b, a low-pass filter (LPF) 32a, in addition to the display 12, the operation unit 13, the first and second microphones 23 and 24, and the switch 15. 32b, analog / digital converters (A / D) 33a, 33b, digital / analog converters (D / A) 34a, 34b, low-pass filters (LPF) 35a, 35b, power amplifiers (AMP) 36a, 36b And speakers 37a and 37b, a digital signal processor (DSP) 38, a main controller (CPU) 39, a built-in memory 40, a drive circuit 41 of the display 12, and a recording medium 42. .

  The switch 15 is interposed between the second microphone 24 and the microphone amplifier 31b. The switch 15 connects the second microphone 24 and the microphone amplifier 31b in the on state, and the second microphone in the off state. 24 and the microphone amplifier 31b are separated.

  Of the first and second microphones 23 and 24 provided at both ends of the microphone unit 21, the audio signal input to one of the first microphones 23 is converted into an electric signal and amplified by the microphone amplifier 31a. . The amplified signal is converted to a digital signal by the analog / digital converter 33a after unnecessary high frequency components are removed by the low-pass filter 32a, and input to the digital signal processing unit 38. . Also, the audio signal input to the other second microphone 24 is converted into an electric signal only when the switch 15 is on, and is amplified by the microphone amplifier 31b. The amplified signal is converted to a digital signal by the analog / digital converter 33b after unnecessary high frequency components are removed by the low-pass filter 32b, and input to the digital signal processing unit 38. .

  Here, the signal system from the first and second microphones 23 and 24 to the digital signal processing unit 38 has the first microphone 23 and the first microphone 23 according to the position of the microphone unit 20 detected by the position detection means (switch 15). Microphone selection means for selecting a microphone to be used from the second microphone 24 is configured. Specifically, when the microphone unit 20 is in the first position, the switch 15 is turned off, so one of the first microphone 23 and the second microphone 24 is selected, and the microphone unit is selected. When 20 is in the second position, the switch 15 is turned on, so that both the first microphone 23 and the second microphone 24 are selected.

  The digital signal processing unit 38 is controlled by the main control unit 39 during recording, encodes the audio signal digitally converted by the analog / digital converters 33a and 33b, and the encoded audio signal is stored in the recording medium 42. Record. That is, when the microphone unit 20 is in the first position, only the first microphone 23 is selected, so that recording of the sound picked up by the first microphone 23, that is, recording of sound picked up in the monaural mode is performed. When the microphone unit 20 is in the second position, since both the first microphone 23 and the second microphone 24 are selected, the sound picked up by the first and second microphones 23 and 24 is selected. Recording, that is, recording of the sound collected in the stereo mode (recording means).

  The main control unit 39 detects the on / off state of the switch 15 and determines whether to perform recording in the monaural mode or in the stereo mode.

  Further, the digital signal processing unit 38 is controlled by the main control unit 39 at the time of reproduction, decodes the encoded audio signal recorded on the recording medium 42, and converts the decoded audio signal to digital / analog conversion. To the devices 34a and 34b. The audio signals converted into analog signals by these digital / analog converters 34a and 34b are amplified by power amplifiers 36a and 36b after unnecessary quantization noise is removed by low-pass filters 35a and 35b, respectively. The sound is output from 37a and 37b.

  In the IC recorder 10 according to the present embodiment configured as described above, the microphone unit 20 is rotated in the clockwise direction when viewed from the front of the apparatus main body 11 to move the microphone unit 21 to the first position, that is, the apparatus main body 11. When positioned on the right side surface, the switch 15 is turned off, so that only the first microphone 23 having directivity is selected on the upper surface side of the apparatus main body 11, and audio recording in the monaural mode is performed. On the other hand, when the microphone unit 20 is rotated in the reverse direction and the microphone unit 21 is positioned at the second position, that is, the upper surface portion of the apparatus main body 11, the switch 15 is turned on. The first and second microphones 23 and 24 each having directivity on the surface side are selected, and audio recording in the stereo mode is performed.

  In general, the monaural mode is suitable for recording such as interviews. For example, in the case of an interview, the microphone is directed toward the other party of the interview, that is, the target sound source, so that a clearer recording is attempted. Therefore, a user who conducts an interview using the IC recorder 10 of the present embodiment may perform recording while moving the microphone unit 21 to the first position and then directing the upper surface of the apparatus main body 11 toward the interview partner. . By doing so, the first microphone 23 facing the target sound source is selected and sound is picked up in monaural mode, so that clear recording can be realized.

  On the other hand, the stereo mode is suitable for recording such as a meeting. For example, when recording a conference, the microphones are directed to the left and right of the conference room, that is, to the left and right with respect to the target sound source, thereby attempting to perform recording with a sense of presence. Therefore, a user who records a conference using the IC recorder 10 of the present embodiment moves the microphone unit 21 to the second position, and then faces the front of the apparatus main body 11 to the near side, that is, the liquid crystal display 12. Can be recorded by placing the operation unit 13 in a direction in which the user can confirm the displayed content and can easily operate the operation unit 13. By doing this, since both the first microphone 23 and the second microphone 24 facing left and right with respect to the target sound source are selected and sound is collected in the stereo mode, recording with a sense of reality can be realized. Can do.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by adjusting the direction of the microphone unit 21 of the microphone unit 20 to the direction according to the application, an appropriate recording mode can be automatically selected and collected. Therefore, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use IC recorder 10. Also, when the microphone unit 21 is in the first position, the monaural mode is selected, and when the microphone unit 21 is in the second position, the stereo mode is selected, so it is possible to see which recording mode is currently selected. It is also easy to understand.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment is also a case where the present invention is applied to an IC recorder which is an example of a sound collecting device, and the same reference numerals are given to parts common to the first embodiment, and detailed description is omitted. To do.

  7 to 8 are schematic external views of the IC recorder 10 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view seen from the front right side, FIG. 8 is a top view, and FIG. FIG.

  In the present embodiment, a microphone unit 50 is movably provided on the upper surface portion of the apparatus main body 11 in the IC recorder 10. The microphone unit 50 includes a cylindrical microphone unit 51 and a rotating shaft 52 extending from the center of the microphone unit 51 to one side, and a first microphone 53 is provided at one end of the microphone unit 51. A second microphone 54 is provided at the other end. Both the first microphone 53 and the second microphone 54 are directional microphones.

  The rotary shaft 52 passes through a hole 61 drilled in the approximate center of the upper surface of the apparatus main body 11, and is attached to the inner surface side of the apparatus main body 11 to prevent the apparatus main body 11 from coming off. It is supported so as to be rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction. Then, when the microphone unit 50 is rotated so that the second microphone 54 faces the front side where the liquid crystal display 12 or the like of the apparatus main body 11 is provided, as shown in FIG. The rotation is restricted by the restriction member 63, and the line connecting the centers of the first microphone 53 and the second microphone 54 is substantially parallel to the vertical line connecting the front surface to the back surface of the apparatus body 11. The position of the microphone unit 51 at this time is defined as a first position.

  On the other hand, the microphone unit 50 is rotated approximately 90 degrees counterclockwise as viewed from the upper surface side of the apparatus main body 11 from the first position, and the first microphone 53 and the second microphone 54 are respectively left and right of the apparatus main body 11. When facing both side surfaces, as shown in FIG. 10B, the rotation of the cam 62 is regulated by the regulating member 63, and lines connecting the centers of the first microphone 53 and the second microphone 54 are formed. It is substantially orthogonal to a vertical line connecting the front surface to the back surface of the apparatus main body 11. The position of the microphone unit 51 at this time is defined as a second position.

  The operation shaft 55 of the switch 15 built in the apparatus main body 11 is integrally attached to the tip of the rotary shaft 52. The operator 55 turns off the switch 15 when the microphone unit 51 of the microphone unit 50 is positioned at the first position as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, and the operator 55 turns on the same as shown in FIGS. When the microphone unit 51 is positioned at the second position, the switch 15 is turned on. Here, the switch 15 constitutes a position detecting means for detecting the position of the microphone unit 50 with respect to the apparatus main body 11.

  The electrical configuration of the IC recorder 10 in the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. That is, the switch 15 is interposed between the second microphone 54 and the microphone amplifier 31b, and connects the second microphone 54 and the microphone amplifier 31b when in the on state, and the second microphone 54 when in the off state. The microphone 54 and the microphone amplifier 31b are separated.

  Here, the signal system from the first and second microphones 53 and 54 to the digital signal processing unit 38 is connected to the first microphone 53 and the first microphone 53 according to the position of the microphone unit 50 detected by the position detecting means (switch 15). Microphone selection means for selecting a microphone to be used from the second microphone 54 is configured. Specifically, when the microphone unit 50 is in the first position, the switch 15 is turned off, so the first microphone 53 is selected. When the microphone unit 50 is in the second position, the switch 15 is turned on. Therefore, both the first microphone 53 and the second microphone 54 are selected.

  In the IC recorder 10 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the microphone unit 51 is rotated in the clockwise direction when viewed from the upper surface of the apparatus main body 11, and the microphone unit 51 is moved to the first position, that is, the second microphone. When 54 is positioned on the surface side of the apparatus main body 11 on which the liquid crystal display 12 is provided, the switch 15 is turned off, so that the first microphone 53 having directivity on the back side of the apparatus main body 11 is provided. Only is selected, and audio recording in monaural mode is performed. On the other hand, when the microphone unit 50 is rotated approximately 90 degrees in the reverse direction so that the microphone unit 51 is positioned at the second position, the switch 15 is turned on. The first and second microphones 53 and 54 having directivity are selected, and audio recording in the stereo mode is performed.

  Therefore, also in this second embodiment, when performing an interview using the IC recorder 10, the user moves the microphone unit 51 to the first position and then touches the back side of the apparatus main body 11 with the partner of the interview. You can record towards By doing so, the first microphone 53 facing the target sound source is selected and sound is picked up in monaural mode, so that clear recording can be realized. In this case, since the front surface of the apparatus main body 11 faces the front side, the user can record while confirming the display content of the liquid crystal display 12.

  Further, when recording a conference using the IC recorder 10, after the microphone unit 51 is moved to the second position, recording is performed with the front of the apparatus main body 11 facing forward as in the case of monaural recording. Good. By doing this, since both the first microphone 53 and the second microphone 54 facing the left and right with respect to the target sound source are selected and the sound is collected in the stereo mode, recording with a sense of reality can be realized. Can do.

  Therefore, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved in the second embodiment.

  The present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage.

  For example, in the first embodiment, the microphone unit 20 has a first position on the right side as viewed from the front side of the apparatus body 11 and a second position on the upper surface side of the apparatus body 11. However, the first position may be the left side when viewed from the front side of the apparatus main body 11. In this case, the microphone selected when the microphone unit 20 is positioned at the first position is the second microphone 24 facing the upper surface side of the apparatus body 11, that is, the target sound source.

  Further, the rotation range of the microphone unit 20 with respect to the apparatus main body 11 is set to approximately 180 degrees from the right side to the left side when viewed from the front side of the apparatus main body 11, and the positions of both the left and right side surfaces are the first. As the position, the first microphone 23 may be selected when the microphone unit 20 is located on the right side surface, and the second microphone 24 may be selected when located on the left side surface. In this way, when sound is picked up in the monaural mode, it can be turned in either the left or right direction, so that the line connecting the centers of the first microphone 23 and the second microphone 24 is the longitudinal direction of the apparatus main body 11. Since it suffices to make it substantially parallel to the direction, the usability can be further improved.

  In the first embodiment, the inverted L-shaped cutout portion 14 is formed on the back surface of the apparatus main body 11, and the tongue piece portion 22 of the microphone unit 20 is in contact with the step portions 14a and 14b. Although the rotation range of the unit 20 is restricted, the structure for restricting the rotation range is not limited to this. For example, by restricting the rotation range of the operation element 26, the microphone unit 20 is the first one. You may make it rotate freely between a position and a 2nd position.

  In the second embodiment, the rotation range of the microphone unit 50 is restricted to 90 degrees. However, the microphone unit 50 can be rotated 180 degrees or 360 degrees, and either one of the microphones 53 or 54 is connected to the liquid crystal display. The microphone that is not facing the liquid crystal display 12 side may be selected by setting the direction facing the 12 side as the first direction, and recording in monaural mode may be performed. Needless to say, the turning direction of the microphone unit 50 may be opposite to that of the second embodiment.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the IC recorder 10 but can be applied to all sound collecting devices having a stereo microphone such as a microcassette recorder.

  Moreover, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, the constituent elements over different embodiments may be combined.

The perspective view seen from the front right side of the IC recorder which is the 1st embodiment of the present invention. The front view of the IC recorder. The rear view of the IC recorder. The figure explaining a state when the microphone unit of the IC recorder is in the first position. The figure explaining a state when the microphone unit of the IC recorder exists in the 2nd position. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the IC recorder 10. FIG. The perspective view seen from the front right side of the IC recorder which is the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The top view of the IC recorder. The front view which makes the principal part of the IC recorder a cross section. The figure explaining operation | movement of the cam which the IC recorder has. The principal part sectional view explaining a state when the microphone unit of the IC recorder is in the 1st position. The top view explaining a state when the microphone unit of the IC recorder is in the first position. The top view explaining a state when the microphone unit of the IC recorder is in the second position.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... IC recorder, 11 ... Apparatus main body, 12 ... Liquid crystal display, 13 ... Operation part, 15 ... Switch, 20, 50 ... Microphone unit, 21, 51 ... Microphone part, 23, 53 ... 1st microphone, 24, 54 ... 2nd microphone, 38 ... Digital signal processing part, 39 ... Main control part, 42 ... Recording medium.

Claims (9)

A sound collecting device main body;
A microphone unit having a first microphone and a second microphone, the microphone unit being movably attached to the sound collection device body;
Position detecting means for detecting the position of the microphone unit relative to the sound collecting device main body;
Microphone selection means for selecting a microphone to be used from the first microphone and the second microphone according to the position of the microphone unit detected by the position detection means;
A sound collecting device comprising:   The sound collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the first microphone and the second microphone is a directional microphone.   The sound collecting device according to claim 1, wherein the microphone unit is rotatably held with respect to the sound collecting device main body.   The microphone unit includes a first position where a line connecting the centers of the first microphone and the second microphone is substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the sound pickup device main body, That a line connecting the centers of the first microphone and the second microphone is held automatically between a second position substantially orthogonal to a line parallel to the longitudinal direction of the sound collecting device main body. The sound collection device according to claim 3, wherein   The microphone selection means selects either the first microphone or the second microphone when the microphone unit is at the first position, and the microphone selection means when the microphone unit is at the second position. The sound collection device according to claim 4, wherein both the first microphone and the second microphone are selected.   The microphone selection means, when the microphone unit is in the first position, selects a microphone on the side facing the target sound source from the first microphone or the second microphone. Item 6. The sound collecting device according to Item 5.   In the microphone unit, the sound collecting device main body is centered on an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the sound collecting device main body, and either the first microphone or the second microphone is on one surface of the sound collecting device main body. It is characterized in that it is automatically held between a first position facing the provided display unit side and a second position rotated approximately 90 degrees from the first position. The sound collecting device according to claim 3.   The microphone selection means selects either the first microphone or the second microphone when the microphone unit is at the first position, and the microphone selection means when the microphone unit is at the second position. 8. The sound collection device according to claim 7, wherein both the first microphone and the second microphone are selected.   Recording means for recording sound picked up in monaural mode when the microphone unit is in the first position and recording sound picked up in stereo mode when the microphone unit is in the second position. The sound collecting device according to claim 5 or 8, wherein

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