JP6228388B2 - Acoustic signal reproduction device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to audio signal reproducing apparatus of a multi-channel sound system having a plurality of layered sound field.

  In addition to the two-channel and 5.1-channel sound systems currently being produced, multiple sound systems such as the “three-dimensional (three-dimensional) sound system” that exceed the 5.1-channel sound systems such as 7.1 and 22.2 channels are proposed. Has been. The ITU-R, an international standardization organization related to audio, has set requirements (non-patent document 1) for a three-dimensional acoustic system (advanced multichannel audio system) beyond the 5.1 channel acoustic system as an ITU-R recommendation. It is expected that a plurality of acoustic methods will be proposed. By expressing these acoustic systems in a common format, it can be applied to a next-generation audio system and can be a flexible system that can be used in various fields.

"Performance requirements for an advanced multichannel stere ophonic sound system for use with or without accompanying picture", ITU-R recommendation BS. 1909

  As a common format capable of expressing various acoustic systems, “acoustic signals having a single acoustic space layer” are being studied. Here, a sound constructed by a plurality of spatially arranged channel signals is defined as a single acoustic space layer. In conventional program production, all the sounds required for a program are arranged in a single acoustic space layer. Dividing the acoustic space layer that has been integrated into several layers into several layers, producing an audio program, and using the format of "acoustic signal with multiple acoustic space layers", the recipient at the time of program exchange In addition, it is possible to easily transform, convert, and replace the received acoustic signal according to the home environment. Hereinafter, the “multi-channel acoustic system” will be described as intended to be an “acoustic system having a plurality of acoustic spatial layers”.

  For example, a broadcast program broadcast using a multi-channel audio system is produced by various audio systems and reproduced in various reproduction environments. Viewers' preferences and viewing styles are subdivided into various categories, such as watching sports as if they are in the cheering seat of their favorite baseball team, or making corrections according to the playback environment such as an environment with a lot of living sounds or outdoors There is a demand. In order to satisfy these requirements, as many broadcast programs as the number of requests are required, and transmission costs are increased.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention made in view of such a point is to support a multi-channel sound system having a plurality of sound space layers, and to select and reproduce a desired sound space layer without increasing the transmission cost as much as possible. It is to provide a signal reproducing apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an acoustic signal reproducing device according to the present invention is a multichannel acoustic signal reproducing device in which a plurality of acoustic space layers are grouped by role, and is included in the multichannel acoustic signal. Based on the generated metadata, the decoding unit that switches on / off reproduction for each group, and the group in which reproduction is on selects an acoustic space layer from the group and decodes an acoustic channel signal included in the acoustic space layer Is provided.

  In addition, it is preferable that a user interface that accepts a voice switching input from a user is provided, and the decoding unit switches between on / off of reproduction for each group and an acoustic space layer to be decoded based on the switching input.

  The metadata includes link information from a predetermined acoustic space layer to another acoustic space layer of another group, and the decoding unit decodes the predetermined acoustic space layer, It is preferable to decode the other acoustic space layer in another group.

  The metadata includes link information from a predetermined acoustic channel signal to another acoustic channel signal. When the decoding unit decodes the predetermined acoustic channel signal, the metadata is used as the predetermined acoustic channel. Preferably, the other acoustic channel signal is decoded.

According to the audio signal reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, it supports multi-channel sound system having a plurality of layered sound field, select the desired acoustic space layer without increasing the transmission costs can be reproduced.

It is a figure which shows an example of the acoustic space layer grouped for every role. It is a figure which shows the structure of the acoustic signal reproducing | regenerating apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the acoustic space layer contained in a multichannel acoustic signal. It is a figure which shows an example of the acoustic channel signal and metadata in a multichannel acoustic signal. It is a figure which shows an example of the acoustic space layer contained in a multichannel acoustic signal. It is a figure which shows an example of the acoustic channel signal and metadata in a multichannel acoustic signal. It is a figure which shows an example of the acoustic channel signal and metadata in a multichannel acoustic signal. It is a figure which shows the structure of the acoustic signal production apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, the present invention corresponds to a multi-channel acoustic signal that is an “acoustic signal having a plurality of acoustic spatial layers”. The applicant has filed a Korean patent application (10-2012-0112984) for “acoustic signals having a single acoustic space layer” and a Japanese patent for “acoustic signals having multiple acoustic space layers”. An application has been filed (Japanese Patent Application 2013-010544).

  In particular, a multi-channel acoustic signal according to the present invention is reproduced as sound by a plurality of acoustic spatial layers being grouped by role, switching on / off of reproduction for each group, or combining acoustic spatial layers selected from the group to be reproduced. It is something to do. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an acoustic space layer grouped for each role. In FIG. 1, Sound Essence that is metadata of a multi-channel acoustic signal includes three Field Classes as a group for each role. Field Class 01 is a group of acoustic space layers having a role of Narration (explanation, narration, etc.), and includes four acoustic space layers (Sound Fields 01 to 04). Field Class 02 is a group of acoustic space layers having the role of Music (background sound, music, etc.), and includes two acoustic space layers (Sound Fields 05 to 06). Field Class 03 is a group of acoustic space layers having the role of Audience (such as audience cheers) and includes three acoustic space layers (Sound Field 07 to 09). The acoustic space layer included in each group includes acoustic channel signals (Channels 01 to 20) corresponding to the number of channels of each acoustic space layer. The present invention selects, for example, one acoustic space layer from a group of acoustic space layers having roles of Narration, Music (background sound), and Audience, and combines the selected acoustic space layers. It is played as a sound of sports programs. Thereby, it becomes possible to reduce transmission cost compared with the case where each combination of acoustic space layers is transmitted as an independent program. Note that, for a certain acoustic space layer group, the sound space layer may not be reproduced, and reproduction may be turned off (silence).

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an acoustic signal reproduction device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The acoustic signal reproduction device 10 includes a demultiplexer 11 (DEMUX), a decoding unit 12, a reproduction channel conversion unit 13, and an audio switching IF 15 (user interface). An output signal of the acoustic signal reproduction device 10 is a speaker. 14 is reproduced as sound.

  The demultiplexer 11 separates the input multi-channel audio data stream into metadata and audio channel signals. The demultiplexer 11 outputs the acoustic channel signal to the decoding unit 12 and outputs the metadata to the decoding unit 12 and the reproduction channel conversion unit 13.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an acoustic space layer included in a multichannel acoustic signal (acoustic data stream) in the present embodiment. The multi-channel acoustic signal shown in FIG. 3 includes five acoustic spatial layers. The first acoustic space layer 200 is a five-channel acoustic channel (210-250), the second acoustic space layer 300 is a stereo (2ch) acoustic channel (310, 320), and the third acoustic space layer 400 is a stereo. System (2ch) acoustic channels (410, 420), fourth acoustic space layer 500 is stereo (2ch) acoustic channels (510, 520), and fifth acoustic space layer 600 is monaural (1ch) sound. Channel (610).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an acoustic channel signal and metadata of the acoustic space layer illustrated in FIG. The metadata (Sound Essence 000) in FIG. 4 describes that the multi-channel sound signal is a sound of a drama (Drama) having three sound space layer groups (Field). The first acoustic space layer 200 (Sound Field 01) is turned on or off (off), and the second group is the second acoustic space layer 300 (Sound Field 02) or the third acoustic space layer 400 (Sound Field 03). ) Is reproduction on or reproduction off (off), and the third acoustic space layer 500 (Sound Field 04) or the fifth acoustic space layer 600 (Sound Field 05) is selected and the third group is always reproduced (reproduction). ON). Here, the second group having a plurality of acoustic space layers relates to music. For example, the second acoustic space layer 300 is a standard BGM (Back Ground Music), and the third acoustic space layer 400 is used. Is a BGM in which the dynamic range and frequency characteristics are adjusted so that it can be listened to different music to meet the taste of the viewer and outdoors with a lot of background sounds. The third group relates to sound. For example, the fourth acoustic space layer 500 is a standard sound signal, and the fifth acoustic space layer 600 is a sound adjusted to be easy to hear, Other languages, commentary broadcasts, emergency information such as earthquake information.

  The first acoustic space layer 200 (Sound Field 01), which is the first group, is a five-channel environmental sound, and the initial state in the group is selected (On), and each sound The channel number (Channel 01-05) and the channel label (LRC BL BR) of the channel signals 210 to 250 are described.

  The second acoustic space layer 300 (Sound Field 02), which is the second group, is a 2-channel standard BGM (Music original), and the initial state in the group is selected (On), and each acoustic channel The channel number (Channel 06-07) and the channel label (LR) of the signals 310 to 320 are described. In addition, when the second acoustic space layer 300 is selected from the second group, it is linked to the fourth acoustic space layer 500 (Sound Field 04) which is the third group. The acoustic space layer 500 is automatically selected.

  Further, the third acoustic space layer 400 (Sound Field 03), which is the second group, is a 2-channel adjusted BGM (Music adjusted), and the initial state in the group is not selected (Off). In addition, the channel number (Channel 08-09) and the channel label (LR) of each of the acoustic channel signals 410 to 420 are described. In addition, when the third acoustic space layer 400 is selected from the second group, it is linked to the fifth acoustic space layer 600 (Sound Field 05) which is the third group. The acoustic space layer 600 is automatically selected.

  The fourth acoustic space layer 500 (Sound Field 04), which is the third group, is 2-channel Japanese speech (Dialogue Japanese), and the initial state within the group is selected (On), and each sound The channel number (Channel 10-11) and the channel label (LR) of the channel signals 510 to 520 are described. When the fourth acoustic space layer 500 is selected from the third group, the second acoustic space layer 300 (Sound Field 02), which is the second group, is linked. It is described that the acoustic space layer 300 is automatically selected.

  In addition, the fifth acoustic space layer 600 (Sound Field 05), which is the third group, is one-channel Japanese speech (Dialogue Japanese), and the initial state in the group is not selected (Off). The channel number (Channel 12) and the channel label (C) of the acoustic channel signal 610 are described. When the fifth acoustic space layer 600 is selected from the third group, the third acoustic space layer 400 (Sound Field 03) which is the second group is linked. The acoustic space layer 400 is automatically selected.

  The decoding unit 12 switches reproduction on / off for each group based on metadata included in the multi-channel acoustic signal, and the group in which reproduction is on selects an acoustic space layer to be decoded from the group, and the acoustic space Decode the acoustic channel signal contained in the layer. Also, the decoding unit 12 can switch on / off of reproduction for each group and the acoustic space layer to be decoded based on the audio switching input from the audio switching IF 15. For example, in the metadata illustrated in FIG. 4, the first acoustic space layer 200, the second acoustic space layer 300, and the fourth acoustic space are used as initial values of the acoustic space layers of the first group to the third group. Each layer 500 is defined. Therefore, the decoding unit 12 can decode the acoustic space layer described as the initial value in the metadata when the acoustic signal reproduction device 10 is activated. The decoding unit 12 also displays information such as user preferences (whether BGM is adjusted or desired language, etc.), reproduction environment information (number of speaker channels, indoor / outdoor, etc.), and the acoustic space layer selected immediately before. The sound space layer to be decoded can be selected and decoded based on the information. Further, when receiving a voice switching input from the voice switching IF 15, the decoding unit 12 switches the acoustic space layer to be decoded based on the input. When a link to the acoustic space layer of another group is set in the metadata of the acoustic space layer input from the user, the decoding unit 12 switches the acoustic space layer even in the group in which the link is set. To decrypt.

  The voice switching IF 15 (user interface) is an input device such as a remote controller operated by the user, for example, and receives a switching input from the user to the acoustic space layer of each group. Note that the audio switching IF 15 may display information on the groups included in the multi-channel acoustic signal, reproduction on / off of each group, and information on the acoustic space layer on a built-in or external display or touch panel. The voice switching IF 15 outputs a voice switching input from the user to the decoding unit 12.

  The reproduction channel conversion unit 13 combines the acoustic space layers of each group decoded by the decoding unit 12 into one acoustic space, and outputs it to each reproduction speaker.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the decoding unit 12 switches playback on / off for each group based on the metadata included in the multi-channel acoustic signal, and the group in which playback is on The layer is selected to decode the acoustic channel signal included in the acoustic space layer. Thereby, it is possible to select and reproduce a desired acoustic space layer without increasing the transmission cost, corresponding to a multi-channel acoustic system having a plurality of acoustic space layers. In other words, after receiving multi-channel sound signals at home, it is possible to generate a single program by selecting and combining desired sound space layers from each group, and combining each sound space layer as an independent program. The transmission cost can be reduced as compared with the case of transmission.

  Also, the decoding unit 12 switches between on / off of reproduction for each group and an acoustic space layer to be decoded based on a switching input from the audio switching IF 15. Thereby, it becomes possible to reproduce | regenerate as a sound combining the acoustic space layer which a user desires.

  In addition, when the metadata includes link information from a predetermined acoustic space layer to another acoustic space layer of another group, the decoding unit 12 is configured to decode a predetermined acoustic space layer. Other groups also decode other acoustic space layers. This makes it possible to simultaneously switch related acoustic space layers between different groups, such as an acoustic space layer for indoor viewing and an acoustic space layer for outdoor viewing. Note that even when a link is set in the acoustic space layer, for example, in the case of a special acoustic space layer such as emergency information, the switching of the acoustic space layer may not necessarily be linked.

  FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating an example of a multi-channel audio signal of a sports broadcast program having groups of three acoustic space layers. For example, in a sports broadcast program or the like, it may be possible to define a group of cheering spectators and include cheering on the home team side and cheering on the away team side as different acoustic space layers.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an acoustic space layer included in the multichannel acoustic signal according to the present embodiment. The multi-channel acoustic signal shown in FIG. 5 includes four acoustic spatial layers. The first acoustic space layer 200 has five channels (210-250), the second acoustic space layer 300 has four channels (310-340), and the third acoustic space layer 400 has four channels. The channels (410 to 440) and the fourth acoustic space layer 500 are monophonic (1ch) acoustic channels (510).

  6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an acoustic channel signal and metadata of the acoustic space layer illustrated in FIG. The metadata (Sound Essence 000) in FIG. 6 describes that the multi-channel sound signal is the sound of a sports program (Football) having three sound space layer groups (Field). The first acoustic space layer 200 (Sound Field 01) is always turned on, and the second acoustic space layer 300 (Sound Field 02) or the third acoustic space layer 400 (Sound Field 03) is turned on in the second group. In the third group, it is defined that the fourth acoustic space layer 500 (Sound Field 04) is turned on or off (off). FIG. 6 shows the number of channels of each acoustic space layer 200 to 500, the role of the channel, the initial state within the group, each acoustic channel signal, the channel number, and the channel label. Here, the second group having a plurality of acoustic space layers relates to the cheering of the audience seat. For example, the second acoustic space layer 300 is the cheering of the audience seat on the home team side, and the third sound The space layer 400 is a cheer of the audience seat on the away team side.

  In this case, the decoding unit 12 decodes the first acoustic space layer 200 of the first group based on the metadata included in the multi-channel acoustic signal, assuming that playback is always on as a sound effect. In addition, for the second group, the decoding unit 12 selects either the second acoustic space layer 300 that is the cheer on the home team side or the third acoustic space layer 400 that is the cheer on the away team side. Can be decrypted. In addition, for the third group, the decoding unit 12 may decode the fourth acoustic space layer 500 that is the comment of the announcer or the commentator or turn off the playback according to the input from the user. it can. In the present embodiment, only the third group can be set to play off, but other groups can be set as necessary.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of sharing of acoustic channel signals in a plurality of acoustic space layers. The metadata shown in FIG. 7 (Sound Essence 000) describes that the multi-channel sound signal is a sound of a sports program (Football) having one acoustic space layer group (Field). In the group, any one of the first acoustic space layer 200 (Sound Field 01), the second acoustic space layer 300 (Sound Field 02), and the third acoustic space layer 400 (Sound Field 03) is turned on. It is prescribed. In FIG. 7, the number of channels of each acoustic space layer 200 to 400, the role of the channel, the initial state in the group are described, and the channel number and the channel label of each acoustic channel signal are described.

  Further, each acoustic channel signal in FIG. 7 describes link information to other acoustic channel signals. For example, the acoustic channel signals 310 to 340 of the second acoustic space layer 300 (Sound Field 02) and the acoustic channel signals 410 to 440 of the third acoustic space layer 400 (Sound Field 03) are other acoustic channel signals. No link is established (Unlinked), and each acoustic channel signal includes independent acoustic signal data.

  On the other hand, the acoustic channel signal 210 of the second acoustic space layer 300 is used for the acoustic channel signal 210 of the first acoustic space layer 200, and the acoustic channel signal of the third acoustic space layer 400 is used for the acoustic channel signal 220. 420 (Channel 11), the acoustic channel signal 240 is the acoustic channel signal 330 (Channel 08) of the second acoustic space layer 300, and the acoustic channel signal 250 is the acoustic channel signal 430 (Channel 12) of the third acoustic space layer 400. ) Link to each. In this case, the multi-channel acoustic signal uses the linked acoustic channel signals for the acoustic channel signals 210, 220, 240, and 250 of the first acoustic space layer 200, and the acoustic signals of the respective acoustic channel signals are individually used. It is possible to transmit without including. In this example, the acoustic channel signals are linked one to one, but a plurality of acoustic channel signals can be linked.

  When the metadata includes link information from a predetermined acoustic channel signal to another acoustic channel signal, the decoding unit 12 selects another acoustic channel signal as a predetermined acoustic channel when decoding the predetermined acoustic channel signal. Is decrypted. Thus, by sharing the acoustic channel signal in the plurality of acoustic space layers, it is not necessary to transmit each acoustic signal as independent acoustic signal data, and it is possible to reduce transmission cost. That is, by sharing a small number of audio channel signals and enabling switching on the receiving side, program exchange and viewing of programs that suit the viewer's preference can be realized with low transmission costs.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of an acoustic signal creation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The acoustic signal generation device 20 includes a mixer 21, an encoding unit 22, and a multiplexer 23 (MUX).

  The mixer 21 mixes a plurality of acoustic signals, and outputs them to the encoding unit 22 as acoustic channel signals for each acoustic space layer.

  The encoding unit 22 encodes the acoustic channel signal of each acoustic space layer from the mixer 21 and outputs it to the multiplexer 23.

  The multiplexer 23 (multiplexing unit) multiplexes the acoustic channel signal of each acoustic space layer, and the metadata including the group for each role of the acoustic space layer and the on / off information of the reproduction of the group. The multi-channel sound signal having a plurality of sound space layers is created by multiplexing the metadata input by the producer or the like and the encoded sound channel signal. The multiplexer 23 multiplexes the multi-channel sound signal and transmits it to a remote place such as a home by radio wave or IP line in order to transmit the multi-channel sound signal by broadcasting or transmission.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the multiplexer 23 multiplexes the acoustic channel signal of each acoustic space layer and the metadata including the group for each role of the acoustic space layer and the on / off information of the reproduction of the group. . As a result, the acoustic signal reproduction apparatus can support a multi-channel acoustic system having a plurality of acoustic space layers, and can select and reproduce a desired acoustic space layer without increasing the transmission cost. In other words, after receiving multi-channel sound signals at home, it is possible to generate a single program by selecting and combining desired sound space layers from each group, and combining each sound space layer as an independent program. The transmission cost can be reduced as compared with the case of transmission.

  Further, the multiplexer 23 can include, in the metadata, link information between a predetermined acoustic space layer and another acoustic space layer of another group. As a result, on the acoustic signal reproduction device side, for example, an acoustic space layer for indoor viewing and an acoustic space layer for outdoor viewing can be simultaneously switched between different groups such as an acoustic space layer for outdoor viewing.

  Further, the multiplexer 23 can include, in the metadata, link information from a predetermined acoustic channel signal to another acoustic channel signal. Thereby, it is possible to share and switch a small number of sound channel signals on the sound signal reproduction device side, and it is possible to realize program exchange and program viewing that suits the viewer's preference at a low transmission cost.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications and corrections based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these variations and modifications are included in the scope of the present invention. For example, functions included in each member, each means, each step, etc. can be rearranged so as not to be logically contradictory, and a plurality of means, steps, etc. can be combined or divided into one. Is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Acoustic signal reproduction | regeneration apparatus 11 Demultiplexer 12 Decoding part 13 Reproduction | regeneration channel conversion part 14 Speaker 15 IF (user interface) for audio | voice switching
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Acoustic signal production apparatus 21 Mixer 22 Encoding part 23 Multiplexer (multiplexing part)

Claims (4)

A multi-channel acoustic signal reproducing apparatus in which a plurality of acoustic space layers are grouped by role,
Based on metadata included in the multi-channel audio signal, on / off of reproduction is switched for each group, and an audio channel signal included in the acoustic space layer is selected by selecting an acoustic space layer from the group. An audio signal reproducing device comprising a decoding unit for decoding It has a user interface that accepts voice switching input from the user,
The acoustic signal reproduction device according to claim 1, wherein the decoding unit switches on / off of reproduction for each group and an acoustic space layer to be decoded based on the switching input. The metadata includes link information from a predetermined acoustic space layer to another acoustic space layer of another group,
3. The acoustic signal reproduction device according to claim 1, wherein, when the predetermined acoustic space layer is decoded, the decoding unit also decodes the other acoustic space layer in the other group. The metadata includes link information from a predetermined acoustic channel signal to another acoustic channel signal,
The audio signal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the decoding unit decodes the other audio channel signal as the predetermined audio channel when decoding the predetermined audio channel signal. Playback device.

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