JP2003302979A - Sound field reproducing device and control method therefor, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sound field reproducing device which requires smaller computational quantity needed to switch sound fields than before and can switch the sound fields unlike before, and to provide a control method therefor, a program for controlling the sound field reproducing device, and a recording medium stored with the program. <P>SOLUTION: Assuming a partition surface 40 which gradually moves to a virtual sound source space, the sound field reproducing device sequentially extracts virtual sound source distribution data D1A of one space based upon the partition surface 40 from virtual sound source distribution data D1 before switching at specified time intervals and virtual sound source distribution data D3A of the other space from virtual sound source distribution data D3 after the switching, sequentially generates impulse responses based upon intermediate virtual sound source distribution data DM consisting of those extracted pieces of data, and sequentially performs convolutional operations for a sound signal to be reproduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sound field reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing a plurality of sound fields based on a plurality of virtual sound source distribution data obtained by measuring and simulating a sound field such as a hall, and a control method thereof. The present invention relates to a program and a recording medium recording this program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In concert halls, theaters, churches and the like, in addition to the direct sound directly transmitted from the sound source to the audience, there is a reflected sound reflected from the wall surface. The reflected sound changes depending on the strength of the sound when transmitted to the audience and the distance, shape and material of the wall or ceiling on which the delay time is reflected.When the reflected sound is small and the delay time is relatively short, it is called the initial reflected sound. It greatly affects the image and sound quality. Conventionally, in order to reproduce the sound field as if it was a concert hall in each home, or to reproduce the acoustic effect as if it were an indoor hall in an outdoor concert, the reflected sound of the actual sound field and the rear reverberation sound are reproduced. There is provided a sound field reproducing device which adds reflected sound (that is, reverberant sound) to an acoustic signal to be reproduced by using sound field data obtained by measurement and outputs the sound signal.

The sound field is measured, for example, by the near four-point sound collecting method. The proximity four-point sound collection method collects reflected sound with four omnidirectional microphones arranged on the xyz axis and at the origin, detects the same reflected sound by correlation processing, and determines the position and strength of the virtual sound source. To decide. As the sound field data, for example, data represented by a virtual sound source distribution as shown in FIG. 10 (hereinafter referred to as “virtual sound source distribution data”) is used.

The center of the figure shows the sound receiving point (measurement position), and the concentric circles centering on the sound receiving point are scales showing the delay time until the reflected sound reaches the sound receiving point. In this figure, each of the small circles that exist in large numbers indicates the sound source of the reflected sound. This sound source is called a virtual sound source because it is thought that the sound source of the reflected sound was on an extension of the direction in which the reflected sound finally reaches the sound receiving point. The center of these small circles show the position of the virtual source,
The size of the circle indicates the intensity (level) of the reflected sound. That is, the virtual sound source having a longer delay time is located farther from the sound receiving point. From this virtual sound source distribution, it is possible to observe the difference in the spatial structure of the initial reflected sound due to the difference in the spatial shape of the sound field.

Although FIG. 10 shows the virtual sound source distribution when the virtual sound source is projected on the xy plane (the sound field is from the upper side to the lower side), the virtual sound source is from the yz plane (from the left (L) of the sound field). It is also possible to grasp the virtual sound source distribution in a three-dimensional space by projecting to the right (R)) and the xz plane (back to front). Conventionally, the sound field reproducing device calculates an impulse response divided from this virtual sound source distribution data in an arbitrary direction and time, and performs convolution calculation of the impulse response on the acoustic signal to be reproduced, thereby producing a reverberant sound. The applied acoustic signal can be generated and output.

[0006]

By the way, in the conventional sound field reproducing apparatus, the sound field to be reproduced can be switched by switching the virtual sound source distribution data to be used to another virtual sound source distribution data. There is. In addition, this kind of sound field playback device that can switch the sound field is compatible with the sound field before and after the switching in order to prevent a feeling of strangeness even if the sound field is switched during the playback of the song. It is also proposed to calculate intermediate virtual sound source distribution data of the virtual sound source distribution data to be reproduced, and to reproduce the intermediate sound field of the sound field before and after switching based on this intermediate virtual sound source distribution data. There is.

Specifically, the sound field reproducing apparatus obtains the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data by a weighted average of both the virtual sound source distribution data corresponding to the sound fields before and after the switching,
At this time, the weighting ratio is changed stepwise from 1: 0 to 0: 1 according to time. That is, the virtual sound source distribution data that smoothly changes from the virtual sound source distribution data before switching to the virtual sound source distribution data after switching is calculated. However, the above sound field switching method has a problem in that the calculation amount is large because all virtual sound sources of the two virtual sound source distribution data are targeted for calculation.

Further, conventionally, the only method of gradually switching the sound field is to change the weighted average ratio of the entire virtual sound source distribution data, so that a sound field switching method other than this can be selected. There wasn't.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and the amount of calculation required for switching the sound field is smaller than that of the conventional one, and the switching of the sound field which has never existed until now is performed. An object of the present invention is to provide a sound field reproducing apparatus and a control method thereof, a program for controlling the sound field reproducing apparatus, and a recording medium recording the program.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 provides a sound field reproducing apparatus, comprising:
A storage unit that stores a plurality of virtual sound source distribution data representing a virtual sound source distribution arranged in the virtual sound source space in association with a sound field, an input unit that inputs an instruction of a sound field to be reproduced, and the input unit. Based on the sound field instructions entered by
Virtual sound source distribution data output means for reading and outputting virtual sound source distribution data associated with the instructed sound field from the storage means, and an impulse response from the virtual sound source distribution data output from the virtual sound source distribution data output means And a convolution calculation means for convolutively calculating and outputting the impulse response to the acoustic signal to be reproduced, and the virtual sound source distribution data output means,
Virtual sound source distribution data (hereinafter, referred to as first virtual sound source) associated with the instructed sound field (hereinafter, referred to as first sound field) from the storage unit based on the sound field instruction input by the input unit. When the input means inputs an instruction of a sound field different from the first sound field (hereinafter referred to as the second sound field) after reading out and outputting the distribution data), the second means is stored in the storage means. Virtual sound source distribution data (hereinafter referred to as second virtual sound source distribution data) associated with the sound field is read out, and virtual sound source distribution data corresponding to one space with the partition surface assumed as the virtual sound source space as a boundary is obtained. While extracting from the first virtual sound source distribution data, virtual sound source distribution data corresponding to the other space is extracted from the second virtual sound source distribution data, and the entire virtual sound source space is represented from the extracted virtual sound source distribution data. After generate an intermediate virtual sound source distribution data output to the computing means, it is characterized by having a virtual sound source distribution data generating means for outputting said second virtual sound source distribution data to said calculating means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the sound field reproducing apparatus according to the first aspect, the virtual sound source distribution data generation means gradually expands the virtual sound source space by the partition surface and gradually reduces the virtual sound source space. Virtual sound source distribution data corresponding to a gradually decreasing space at each time point is sequentially extracted from the first virtual sound source distribution data, and a virtual sound source distribution corresponding to the gradually expanding space at each time point. Data is sequentially extracted from the second virtual sound source distribution data, and the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data is sequentially generated and output.

Further, in the sound field reproducing apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of virtual sound source distribution data, which are arranged in the virtual sound source space and represent the virtual sound source distribution with respect to the sound receiving point, are associated with the sound field. Based on the sound field instruction input by the input means, the storage means associated with the sound field instructed from the storage means is associated with the sound field instructed by the input means. Virtual sound source distribution data output means for reading and outputting the virtual sound source distribution data, and calculation means for calculating an impulse response from the virtual sound source distribution data output from the virtual sound source distribution data output means,
Convolution calculation means for convolutively calculating and outputting the impulse response to the acoustic signal to be reproduced, and the virtual sound source distribution data output means, based on the sound field instruction input by the input means, the storage means. After reading out and outputting virtual sound source distribution data (hereinafter, referred to as first virtual sound source distribution data) associated with the instructed sound field (hereinafter, referred to as first sound field) from the first sound field. When the input unit inputs an instruction of a sound field different from the above (hereinafter referred to as a second sound field), virtual sound source distribution data (hereinafter referred to as a second virtual field) associated with the second sound field from the storage unit. Sound source distribution data) and reads the position of each virtual sound source included in the second virtual sound source distribution data from the first virtual sound source distribution data.
The position difference vector between the sound receiving point of the virtual sound source distribution data and the sound receiving point of the second virtual sound source distribution data is moved, and each virtual sound source included in the first virtual sound source distribution data, and the moved virtual sound source A set of virtual sound sources in which the distance between the virtual sound sources of each virtual sound source included in the second virtual sound source distribution data is within a predetermined range is extracted, and synthetic virtual sound source distribution data is generated from the extracted set of each virtual sound source. Then, the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data representing the entire virtual sound source space is generated from the generated synthetic virtual sound source distribution data and the moved second virtual sound source distribution data, and the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data is output to the calculation means, and then the second virtual sound source distribution data is output. It is characterized in that it has a virtual sound source distribution data generating means for outputting the virtual sound source distribution data to the computing means.

The invention according to claim 4 is the same as claim 3
In the sound field reproducing device described in the paragraph 1, the synthetic virtual sound source distribution data includes a virtual sound source (hereinafter, referred to as a first virtual sound source) included in the first virtual sound source distribution data of the set of extracted virtual sound sources, and a second virtual sound source. It is characterized in that the virtual sound source (hereinafter referred to as a second virtual sound source) included in the virtual sound source distribution data is replaced with a synthetic virtual sound source obtained by weighted averaging the position and the strength.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the control method for a sound field reproducing apparatus, a plurality of virtual sound source distribution data representing virtual sound source distributions arranged in a virtual sound source space are stored in association with sound fields. A sound source stored in the storage means, an input step of inputting an instruction of a sound field to be reproduced, and a virtual sound source associated with the instructed sound field from the storage means based on the input sound field instruction. An output step of reading and outputting the distribution data, an operation step of calculating an impulse response from the virtual sound source distribution data output in the output step, and a convolution operation of convoluting the impulse response with an acoustic signal to be reproduced and outputting the result. And a calculation step, wherein the output step is instructed from the storage means based on the input sound field instruction. After the virtual sound source distribution data (hereinafter, referred to as the first virtual sound source distribution data) associated with the field (hereinafter, referred to as the first sound field) is read out and output, a sound field different from the first sound field (hereinafter, referred to as the first sound field) is output. , Second sound field) is input by the input means, the virtual sound source distribution data associated with the second sound field from the storage means (hereinafter referred to as second virtual sound source distribution data). And extracting virtual sound source distribution data corresponding to one space with a partition surface assumed in the virtual sound source space as a boundary from the first virtual sound source distribution data, and calculating virtual sound source distribution data corresponding to the other space. After extracting from the second virtual sound source distribution data, generating intermediate virtual sound source distribution data representing the entire virtual sound source space from the extracted virtual sound source distribution data and outputting the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data to the computing means, the second virtual sound Is characterized by outputting the distributed data to said calculating means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the control method of the sound field reproducing apparatus, the sound field reproducing apparatus is arranged in a virtual sound source space,
A storage step of storing a plurality of virtual sound source distribution data representing a virtual sound source distribution for a sound receiving point in a storage means in association with each sound field, an input step of inputting an instruction of a sound field to be reproduced, and an input sound Based on the field instruction, an output step of reading and outputting virtual sound source distribution data associated with the instructed sound field from the storage means, and an impulse response from the virtual sound source distribution data output in the output step. There is a calculation step for calculating, and a convolution calculation step for convolutively calculating and outputting the impulse response to the acoustic signal to be reproduced, and in the output step, the storage means is based on the input sound field instruction. The sound field designated by the above (hereinafter, the first
Sound field. ), The virtual sound source distribution data (hereinafter referred to as the first virtual sound source distribution data) associated with (1) is read out and output, and then a sound field different from the first sound field (hereinafter referred to as the second sound field) is designated. When the input means inputs, virtual sound source distribution data associated with the second sound field (hereinafter referred to as second virtual sound source distribution data) is read from the storage means, and the second virtual sound source distribution data is read. The position of each virtual sound source included in the first virtual sound source distribution data is moved by a difference vector between the sound receiving point of the first virtual sound source distribution data and the sound receiving point of the second virtual sound source distribution data. A set of virtual sound sources included in the data and a set of virtual sound sources in which the distance between the virtual sound sources of the respective virtual sound sources included in the second virtual sound source distribution data after movement is extracted and extracted Synthesis from each virtual sound source set The virtual sound source distribution data is generated, intermediate virtual sound source distribution data representing the entire virtual sound source space is generated from the generated synthetic virtual sound source distribution data and the moved second virtual sound source distribution data, and is output to the calculation means. After that, the second virtual sound source distribution data is output to the calculation means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in a program, a computer for switching a sound field being reproduced to another sound field is used, and a plurality of virtual sound sources representing a virtual sound source distribution arranged in a virtual sound source space. The storage means stores the distribution data in association with each sound field, the input means for inputting an instruction of the sound field to be reproduced, and the storage means based on the instruction of the sound field input by the input means. Virtual sound source distribution data output means for reading and outputting virtual sound source distribution data associated with the designated sound field, and calculating means for calculating an impulse response from the virtual sound source distribution data output from the virtual sound source distribution data output means. And a program for causing convolution calculation of the impulse response with respect to the acoustic signal to be reproduced and outputting the convolution calculation, Serial virtual sound source distribution data output means,
Virtual sound source distribution data (hereinafter, referred to as first virtual sound source) associated with the instructed sound field (hereinafter, referred to as first sound field) from the storage unit based on the sound field instruction input by the input unit. When the input means inputs an instruction of a sound field different from the first sound field (hereinafter referred to as the second sound field) after reading out and outputting the distribution data), the second means is stored in the storage means. Virtual sound source distribution data (hereinafter referred to as second virtual sound source distribution data) associated with the sound field is read out, and virtual sound source distribution data corresponding to one space with the partition surface assumed as the virtual sound source space as a boundary is obtained. While extracting from the first virtual sound source distribution data, virtual sound source distribution data corresponding to the other space is extracted from the second virtual sound source distribution data, and the entire virtual sound source space is represented from the extracted virtual sound source distribution data. After generate an intermediate virtual sound source distribution data output to the computing means, is characterized in that to function as a virtual sound source distribution data generating means for outputting said second virtual sound source distribution data to said calculating means.

According to the invention described in claim 8, in a program, a computer for switching a sound field being reproduced to another sound field is used, and a virtual sound source distribution with respect to a sound receiving point is arranged in a virtual sound source space. Based on the sound field instruction input by the input means for inputting an instruction of the sound field to be reproduced, a storage means that stores a plurality of virtual sound source distribution data that are associated with the sound field, respectively, Virtual sound source distribution data output means for reading and outputting virtual sound source distribution data associated with the instructed sound field from the storage means, and an impulse response from the virtual sound source distribution data output from the virtual sound source distribution data output means And a processor for functioning as a convolutional calculation means for convolutively calculating and outputting the impulse response to the acoustic signal to be reproduced. The virtual sound source distribution data output means corresponds to the sound field instructed from the storage means (hereinafter referred to as the first sound field) based on the sound field instruction input by the input means. After reading out and outputting the attached virtual sound source distribution data (hereinafter, referred to as first virtual sound source distribution data), an instruction of a sound field different from the first sound field (hereinafter, second sound field) is input. When the means inputs, the virtual sound source distribution data (hereinafter referred to as the second virtual sound source distribution data) associated with the second sound field is read from the storage means and included in the second virtual sound source distribution data. The position of each virtual sound source is moved by the difference vector of the position between the sound receiving point of the first virtual sound source distribution data and the sound receiving point of the second virtual sound source distribution data, and is included in the first virtual sound source distribution data. Each virtual sound source Wherein after moving the second
A distance between virtual sound sources of each virtual sound source included in the virtual sound source distribution data is extracted as a set of virtual sound sources, and synthetic virtual sound source distribution data is generated from the set of extracted virtual sound sources, After generating the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data representing the entire virtual sound source space from the generated synthetic virtual sound source distribution data and the moved second virtual sound source distribution data, and outputting the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data to the arithmetic means, the second virtual sound source It is characterized in that it functions as virtual sound source distribution data generation means for outputting distribution data to the calculation means.

The invention according to claim 9 is characterized in that the program according to claim 7 or 8 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

According to the first, second, fifth, seventh, and ninth configurations, the first virtual sound source distribution data corresponding to one space bounded by the partition surface assumed in the virtual sound source space is switched to the first virtual sound source distribution data. The virtual sound source distribution data is extracted from the virtual sound source distribution data, the virtual sound source distribution data corresponding to the other space is extracted from the second virtual sound source distribution data before switching, and the intermediate virtual sound source representing the entire virtual sound source space from the extracted virtual sound source distribution data. Since the distribution data is generated and output to the calculation means, an intermediate virtual sound source corresponding to an intermediate sound field between the sound field corresponding to the first virtual sound source distribution data and the sound field corresponding to the second virtual sound source distribution data. Distribution data can be generated. Then, after that, the second virtual sound source distribution data is output to the calculating means, so that the sound field corresponding to the first virtual sound source distribution data can be gradually changed to the sound field corresponding to the second virtual sound source distribution data. Is. Further, since the virtual sound source is extracted from the first virtual sound source distribution data and the second virtual sound source distribution data so that the spatial positions do not overlap with each other, the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data is generated. It is possible to avoid an enormous increase in the amount of calculation used for switching the sound field without significantly increasing the number of sound sources.

According to the third, fourth, sixth, eighth, and ninth configurations, the position of each virtual sound source included in the second virtual sound source distribution data is changed to the position of the first virtual sound source distribution data after switching. The virtual sound source included in the first virtual sound source distribution data is moved by the difference vector of the position between the sound receiving point and the sound receiving point of the second virtual sound source distribution data before switching, and the second virtual sound source after the movement.
Extracting a set of virtual sound sources in which the distance between virtual sound sources of each virtual sound source included in the virtual sound source distribution data is within a predetermined range, generating synthetic virtual sound source distribution data from each of the extracted sets of virtual sound sources, and generating Since the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data representing the entire virtual sound source space is generated from the synthesized virtual sound source distribution data and the second virtual sound source distribution data after the movement, the sound field corresponding to the first virtual sound source distribution data and the second virtual sound source distribution data are generated. Intermediate virtual sound source distribution data corresponding to a sound field intermediate to the sound field corresponding to the virtual sound source distribution data can be generated. Then, after that, the second virtual sound source distribution data is output to the calculating means, so that the sound field corresponding to the first virtual sound source distribution data can be gradually changed to the sound field corresponding to the second virtual sound source distribution data. Is. Also, a set of virtual sound sources in which the distance between each virtual sound source included in the first virtual sound source distribution data and the virtual sound source of each virtual sound source included in the second virtual sound source distribution data after movement is within a predetermined range. Is extracted and intermediate virtual sound source distribution data is generated, it is not necessary to calculate all virtual sound sources included in the first virtual sound source distribution data, and the amount of calculation required for switching the sound field increases enormously. It is possible to avoid

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below show one aspect of the present invention, and do not limit the present invention, and can be arbitrarily modified within the scope of the present invention.

(1) First Embodiment (1.1) Configuration of Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a sound field reproducing apparatus 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG. In the figure, the CPU
The (Central Processing Unit) 11 is a ROM (Read On
In accordance with a program stored in the ly memory) 12, each unit connected via the bus 13 is controlled. ROM
12 includes a system program for controlling the entire sound field reproducing device 10 and a plurality of virtual sound source distribution data Dk (1 ≦ k
≦ m, where m is an integer), and the two virtual sound source distribution data D stored in the sound field table 14
An acoustic processing program for generating intermediate virtual sound source distribution data DM from k is stored.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the contents of the sound field table 14. As shown in the figure, the sound field table 14 has a plurality of sound fields (HALL1, HALL2, CHURCH, ...
A record is created for each ...)
The delay time (t) and the direction vector (θx, θy, θ) of the virtual sound source for each virtual sound source (virtual sound sources 1, 2, ...).
z), virtual sound source distribution data Dk composed of the strength (L) of the virtual sound source are stored.

Here, the virtual sound source distribution data Dk is
Although it is data obtained by actual measurement or acoustic simulation, in the case of actual measurement data, data measured by the so-called proximity 4-point sound collection method or the like is used. The proximity four-point sound collection method is to collect reflected sound with four omnidirectional microphones arranged on the xyz axis and at the origin, detect the same reflected sound by correlation processing, and detect the position of the virtual sound source. This is a method of calculating strength. Here, the x axis is set in the width direction of the sound field, the y axis is set in the depth direction of the sound field, and the z axis is set in the height direction of the sound field.

A RAM (Random Access Memory) 15 is
It is a volatile memory, is used as a work area of the CPU 11, and is a virtual sound source distribution data Dk to be reproduced.
In addition, virtual sound source distribution data Dk before and after switching when the sound field is switched are stored.

The input section 16 is provided with various operating elements such as a power switch, a sound field selecting button, a sound field switching setting button, and a volume adjusting knob. When the user operates these operating elements, operation information is displayed. Output to the CPU 11. Here, the sound field selection button is an operation button for selecting a sound field to be reproduced from the sound fields stored in the sound field table 14. The sound field switching setting button gradually switches the sound field being reproduced (hereinafter, referred to as “wipe”) or instantaneously as in the conventional case (hereinafter, referred to as “wipe”).
It is an operation button for selecting "Normal".

In the present embodiment, a case where a sound field selection button is provided for each sound field will be described. However, in addition to this, for example, the sound field selection button is composed of two operation buttons, Each time one operation button is operated, the sound field can be selected in a predetermined feed order, while when the other operation button is operated, the sound field can be sequentially selected in the reverse order. Good. Similarly, a case where the sound field switching selection buttons are provided for “normal” selection and “wipe” selection will be described. However, the sound field switching selection button is configured by one operation button, and the operation button is operated. The selection may be alternately switched to “normal” and “wipe” each time the setting is performed. Further, not only the operation by these operators but also a so-called remote control operation may be received. In this case, a remote controller receiving unit may be provided in the operation unit, and a configuration for outputting operation information from the reception result of the remote controller receiving unit may be added.

Here, the CPU 11 has a sound field selection button for selecting any one of the sound fields after the power is turned on,
By operating the sound field switching selection button that selects either "Normal" or "Wipe", for example, "HALL"
When the “1” sound field and the “normal” sound field switching are selected, the RAM 15 is displayed in a predetermined area in FIG.
The setting file F shown in (A) is generated. In addition, when the sound field selection button or the sound field switching setting button is operated again, the CPU 11 causes the “CHUR
When the sound field of "CH" and the sound field of "wipe" are selected, the contents of the setting file F are rewritten to those after selection as shown in FIG. 3 (B). In this case, in the setting file F, the sound field ("HALL1") immediately before selecting "CHURCH" is described. In this way, the CPU 11 generates in the RAM 15 the setting file F describing the currently selected sound field, the method of switching the currently set sound field (“wipe” or “normal”), and the sound field before selection. Has been done.

The display section 17 comprises a liquid crystal display panel and a drive circuit for controlling the drive of the liquid crystal display panel, and displays various information under the control of the CPU 11. Specifically, the display unit 17 displays the currently selected sound field name, reproduction volume, and the like. As a result, the user can
The display information of 7 allows confirmation of the currently selected sound field and whether or not the desired sound field has been selected.

The input / output interface 18 includes an analog audio signal input terminal for inputting the audio signal SA0, a digital audio signal input terminal, a speaker terminal, a headphone terminal and the like. The sound field reproducing device according to the present embodiment outputs the acoustic signal SA1 in four channels of front (L) (R) and rear (L) (R), and includes front speakers (L) (R) and rear speakers. Speaker (L)
A speaker terminal corresponding to each of (R) is provided. In addition, a microphone and a CD (Co
mpact Disk) player, analog record player, MD player, and other various playback devices such as audio signals are input.

The A / D conversion circuit 19 converts the analog acoustic signal SA0 input via the analog acoustic signal input terminal of the input / output interface 18 into a digital acoustic signal, and transfers it to the acoustic processing unit 20 via the bus 13. Output.
The digital audio signal SA0 input to the digital audio signal input terminal is transmitted via the bus 13 to the audio processing unit 2
It is output directly to 0.

The acoustic processing section 20 is composed of an impulse response calculation section 21 and a convolution calculation section 22 provided for each reproduction channel. Impulse response calculator 21
Under the control of the CPU 11, generates the impulse response divided for each reproduction channel from the virtual sound source distribution data Dk stored in the sound field table 14 for each reproduction channel and outputs it to each convolution operation unit 22. Each convolution operation unit 22
Convolves the impulse response corresponding to each reproduction channel with the acoustic signal input via the input / output interface 18, and outputs it to the D / A conversion circuit 23.

The D / A conversion circuit 23 includes a convolution operation unit 2
The digital acoustic signals respectively output from 2 are output as analog acoustic signals SA1 and output to the amplifier 24. Under the control of the CPU 11, the amplifier 24 amplifies the input analog acoustic signal SA1 to a predetermined level and outputs it to each speaker terminal of the input / output interface 18.
As a result, each speaker 25 outputs the acoustic signal SA1 to which the reverberant sound corresponding to the designated sound field is added, and the sound field can be reproduced.

(1.2) Operation of the Embodiment Next, the operation of the sound field reproducing apparatus 10 will be described. First, FIG.
The main routine of the processing executed in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the sound field reproducing apparatus 10, when the power switch of the operation panel is turned on, the CPU 11 reads the operation program of the main routine from the ROM 12 and executes it to acquire the operation information of the operation panel and respond to the operation information. An operation detection process for generating the setting file F to be performed in the RAM 15 is performed (step S1). Here, it is assumed that the "HALL1" sound field is selected by operating the operation button on the operation panel, and the "normal" sound field switching is selected. In this case, the setting file F shown in FIG.
Generated in M15.

Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the sound field has been selected (step S2). Here, since the sound field (HALL1) is selected, the CPU 11
Advances the processing to step S3, and determines whether the sound field switching of the setting file F is “normal” or “wipe”. Here, since it is determined as “normal”, the CP
U11 advances the process to step S4. Step S4
In the above, the CPU 11 reads the virtual sound source distribution data D1 corresponding to the currently selected sound field (here, “HALL1”) in the setting file F from the sound field table 14 stored in the ROM 12, and via the bus 13. Sound processing unit 2
Output to 0. At this time, the CPU 11 causes the sound processing unit 20 to
On the other hand, a command signal for executing acoustic processing for adding reverberation to the acoustic signal SA0 input via the input / output interface 18 is output.

When the acoustic processing section 20 receives the command signal from the CPU 11, the impulse response calculating section 21 generates an impulse response for each reproduction channel based on the input virtual sound source distribution data D1 and corresponds to each reproduction channel. It outputs to the convolution operation unit 22.

When each impulse response is input from the impulse response operation unit 21, each convolution operation unit 22 inputs the digital acoustic signal SA0 input via the input / output interface 18, and convolves the impulse response with this acoustic signal SA0. Calculate Thereby, the acoustic signal S in which the impulse response is reproduced by each convolution operation unit 22.
It is possible to generate the acoustic signal SA1 to which the reverberation sound of A1, that is, “HALL1” is added. As a result, the acoustic signal SA1 is digital-analog converted by the D / A conversion circuit 23, and then the speaker 2 connected to the speaker terminal corresponding to each reproduction channel via the amplifier 24.
By being output to 5, the sound as if the acoustic signal SA0 was reproduced in the sound field corresponding to "HALL1" is emitted.

On the other hand, the CPU 11 outputs the virtual sound source distribution data D1 to the acoustic processing unit 20 and the acoustic processing unit 2 as well.
When the command signal is output to 0, the process proceeds to step S1 and the operation detection process is performed (step S1). This allows you to select a sound field by operating the operation buttons on the operation panel,
Alternatively, when the sound field switching is selected, the CPU 11
Updates the contents of the setting file F generated in the RAM 15. Specifically, when the sound field of “CHURCH” is selected, the CPU 11 sets the currently selected sound field of the setting file F generated in the RAM 15 to “CHURCH”.
CH and "HALL" in the sound field before selection.
1 ”is described. Further, when the selection of the sound field switching of “wipe” is performed, the CPU 11 describes “wipe” in the sound field switching of the setting file F generated in the RAM 15.

Next, the CPU 11 determines in step S2 whether or not the sound field has been selected. If it is determined that the sound field has not been selected, the process proceeds to step S1 again. In contrast, the sound field (for example, "CHURC
H ”) is selected, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, the CPU 11
When it is determined that the sound field switching of the setting file F is “normal”, the virtual sound source distribution data D3 corresponding to the currently selected sound field (“CHURCH”) of the setting file F is read out as described above. And outputs the command signal to the sound processing unit 20 (step S4).

As a result, the acoustic processing unit 20 generates an impulse response for each reproduction channel based on the newly input virtual sound source distribution data D3, performs convolution operation with the input digital acoustic signal SA0, and CHUR
Digital acoustic signal SA1 with reverberation sound of "CH"
By generating and outputting
It is possible to emit a sound as if the acoustic signal SA0 was reproduced in the sound field corresponding to "HURCH". In this way, when "normal" is selected as the sound field switching, the sound space corresponding to the selected sound field is switched to the sound space instantly.

On the other hand, in step S3, the CPU 11
When it is determined that the sound field switching of the setting file F is “wipe”, the sound field switching processing is performed (step S5). FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a sound field switching processing procedure executed by the CPU 11. in this case,
First, the CPU 11 first selects the sound field currently selected in the setting file F, which is the sound field after the sound field is switched (here, "CHURC
H ”), the virtual sound source distribution data D3 corresponding to
Is read from the sound field table 14 stored in the RAM 1
5 (step S10).

Next, the CPU 11 initializes a variable n for designating the position of the partition surface 40 assumed in the virtual sound source space 30 to "1" (step S11), and uses the variable n to define the partition surface 40. Find the position Fy (step S1)
2). Here, the virtual sound source space 30 is a reference space in which virtual sound source distributions corresponding to the respective virtual sound source distribution data Dk are arranged, and in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the x coordinate (corresponding to the space width). Is assumed to be −150 to 150, and the y coordinate (corresponding to the longitudinal length of the space) is assumed to be 100 to −150. Further, as shown in the figure, the partition surface 40 is assumed to be a surface that gradually moves in parallel from before the virtual sound source space 30 is divided to the rear. Here, since n is “1”, Fy (y coordinate) is set to “50”.

Next, the CPU 11, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 7, is the virtual sound source distribution data of the currently selected "CHURCH" which is the virtual sound source distribution data after switching (hereinafter,
It is called virtual sound source distribution data after switching. ) From D3, F
Virtual sound source distribution data D3A in the range of y (= 50) ≦ y ≦ 100 is extracted (step S13). Also, CPU1
As shown in FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes virtual sound source distribution data of “HALL1” before selection, which is virtual sound source distribution data before switching (hereinafter, referred to as virtual sound source distribution data before switching) D.
Virtual sound source distribution data D1A in the range of −150 ≦ y <Fy (= 50) is extracted from 1 (step S14). Here, the virtual sound source distribution shown in FIG. 7 shows only the position of the virtual sound source and does not show the strength (level) for the sake of easy understanding. In addition, each virtual sound source distribution data D1, D3
The y coordinate of the virtual sound source at is the delay time t of each sound field,
It can be calculated from the direction vector (θx, θy, θz).

Then, the CPU 11 uses the extracted two virtual sound source distribution data D3A and D1A as one intermediate virtual sound source distribution data DM via the bus 13 for the acoustic processing unit 2.
In addition to being output to 0, a command signal for executing the acoustic processing of adding the reverberation sound is output to the acoustic processing unit 20 (step S15). Accordingly, the acoustic processing unit 20 adds the reverberation sound to the acoustic signal SA0 based on the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data DM and outputs the acoustic signal SA0, whereby the space on the forefront side of “CHURCH” (the space where the y coordinate is 50 to 100). And "HALL
The reverberant sound that reproduces the virtual sound source distribution consisting of the virtual sound source in the space (the y coordinate is the space from −150 to 50) excluding the frontmost side of “1” is output from the speaker 25.

Next, when the CPU 11 outputs the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data DM to the acoustic processing unit 20, the variable n is incremented by "1" (step S16), and the variable n indicates that the position of the partition surface 40 is the virtual sound source. It is determined whether or not the value is larger than a value 5 indicating that the space 30 is located at the rearmost position (y coordinate is −150) (step S17). If this determination result is "NO", the CPU 11 performs a timer process (step S18), and returns the process to step S12 in order to reproduce the next intermediate sound field after a lapse of a predetermined time.
In step S12, as shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 11 again obtains the position Fy of the partition surface 40 using the variable n (here, since N = 2, Fy = 0), and then the virtual sound source distribution data D3. From the virtual sound source distribution data D3A in the range of Fy ≦ y ≦ 100 (step S1
3), -150 ≦ y <Fy from the virtual sound source distribution data D1
The virtual sound source distribution data D1A in the range is extracted, and the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data DM including the two virtual sound source distribution data D3A and D1A is output to the acoustic processing unit 20.

As a result, the acoustic processing unit 20 adds reverberation to the acoustic signal based on the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data DM and outputs the acoustic signal, whereby the space in front of "CHURCH" (y coordinate is 0 to 100). Space) and "HALL
The reverberant sound that reproduces the virtual sound source distribution in the space excluding the front side of “1” (the space where the y coordinate is −150 to 0) can be output from the speaker 25.

In this way, the CPU 11 repeats the processing from step S12 to step S18 until the variable n is determined to be larger than the value 5 in step S17, thereby setting the position Fy of the partition surface 40 to 5
0 (n = 1) → 0 (n = 2) → -50 (n = 3) → -1
It is sequentially changed from 00 (n = 4) to −150 (n = 5). Thereby, the CPU 11 can reproduce the sound field gradually changing from the sound field corresponding to the virtual sound source distribution data D1 to the sound field corresponding to the virtual sound source distribution data D3 by the sound processing unit 20. . And CPU
If the variable 11 determines in step S17 that the variable n has become larger than the value 5, the process ends. That is,
The CPU 11 uses the virtual sound source distribution data D to reproduce the sound field.
When the sound field corresponding to No. 1 (“HALL1”) is switched to the sound field corresponding to the virtual sound source distribution data D3 (“CHURCH”), the process ends to maintain the sound field.

As described above, according to the sound field reproducing apparatus 10 of this embodiment, when the sound field being reproduced is gradually changed (in the case of “wipe”), the partition surface assumed in the virtual sound source space 30 is used. The virtual sound source distribution data in one space with 40 as a boundary is extracted from the virtual sound source distribution data before switching, and the virtual sound source distribution data in the other space is extracted from the virtual sound source distribution data after switching, and these extracted data Is supplied to the acoustic processing unit 20 as intermediate virtual sound source distribution data DM. Therefore, since the intermediate sound field before and after the switching is reproduced, each virtual sound source gradually changes in the switching of the virtual sound source, so that the sound field which is natural to the listener can be switched. Then, the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data DM corresponding to the position of the partition surface 40 at each time point when the position of the partition surface 40 is moved is sequentially generated, and the sound field to be reproduced is changed. In other words, the virtual sound source space 3
0 is divided into a gradually expanding space and a gradually contracting space, virtual sound source distribution data corresponding to the gradually decreasing space at each time point is sequentially extracted, and is supplied to the acoustic processing unit 20 as intermediate virtual sound source distribution data DM. By doing so, the reproduced sound field is changed. This makes it possible to switch the sound field as if the sound field being reproduced gradually changes from one place (here, the front side) to another sound field. The effect can be realized.

Further, when generating intermediate virtual sound source distribution data by weighted averaging of two conventional virtual sound source distribution data, all virtual sound sources included in the two virtual sound source distribution data need to be calculated. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the partition surface is set from the two virtual sound source distribution data so that the spatial positions do not overlap, the virtual sound source is extracted, and the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data DM is generated. The number of virtual sound sources included in the distribution data DM does not increase significantly. Therefore, the sound field reproducing device 10 of the present embodiment
Can reduce the amount of calculation required to calculate the impulse response in the case of gradually switching the sound field, as compared with the related art. Further, since the sound field reproducing apparatus 10 can select “normal” for instantaneously switching the sound field and “wipe” for gradually switching the sound field, the user can freely select a desired switching method. It is possible.

(2) Second Embodiment A sound field reproducing apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment is different from the sound field reproducing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment in that an intermediate sound field is generated when the sound field is gradually switched. Virtual sound source distribution data DM
On the basis of the difference between the positions of the sound receiving points of the two virtual sound source distribution data before and after the switching, and is generated by a weighted average of the positions and intensities of the virtual sound sources included in these virtual sound source distribution data. Here, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the virtual sound source distribution data includes the positions of the sound receiving points, and the positions of the sound receiving points of the two virtual sound source distribution data before and after the switching are different. ing.

Specifically, in the sound field reproducing apparatus 100, the CPU 110 corresponds to "CHURCH" when performing the sound field switching process for switching the sound field of "HALL1" to the sound field of "CHURCH", for example. After switching the virtual sound source distribution data D3 after switching from the sound field table 14 stored in the ROM 12, from the sound receiving point of the virtual sound source distribution data after switching D3, the virtual sound source distribution data D1 before switching corresponding to "HALL1" The difference vector of the position to the sound receiving point is calculated. This difference vector corresponds to a vector that corrects the movement of the sound receiving point. Then, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 9, the CPU 110 determines the positions of all the virtual sound sources included in the switched virtual sound source distribution data D3.
Move only the calculated difference vector (indicated by the arrow in the figure),
The position of each virtual sound source after the movement is compared with the position of each virtual sound source included in the virtual sound source distribution data D1 before switching,
A set of virtual sound sources whose distances are within a predetermined range is searched for.

At this time, the CPU 110 has, within the virtual sound source included in the pre-switching virtual sound source distribution data D1, within the band-shaped range (the range indicated by the diagonal lines in the figure) centered at the sound receiving point and extending in the direction of the difference vector. Only the virtual sound source of is compared. Here, only the virtual sound source within the band-shaped range extending in the direction of the difference vector with the sound receiving point as the center is compared and compared. The moving amount of the sound receiving point with respect to the virtual sound source is the moving direction. This is because it is more than in the horizontal direction, and it is possible to sufficiently include the characteristics of the change in the sound field due to the movement even with only the virtual sound source within the range of the movement direction.

Next, the CPU 110 makes the virtual sound source of the post-switching virtual sound source distribution data D3 and the virtual sound source in the strip-shaped range of the pre-switching virtual sound source distribution data D1 that are close to each other. For each set of virtual sound sources of, one synthetic virtual sound source is obtained for each set by performing a weighted average of position and strength. And the CPU 110
Extracts virtual sound source distribution data outside the band range from the switched virtual sound source distribution data D3 after movement, and combines the extracted virtual sound source distribution data and the synthetic virtual sound source data to obtain the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data. Bus 13 as DM
Is output to the sound processing unit 20 via.

In this way, the CPU 110 is adapted to calculate the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data DM corresponding to the virtual sound source distribution between the post-switching virtual sound source distribution data D3 and the pre-switching virtual sound source distribution data D1. . Also,
The CPU 110 uses the virtual sound source distribution data D3 after switching.
And the virtual sound source distribution data D1 before switching within the band-like range, the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data DM is obtained by sequentially changing the ratio of the weighted average performed for each set of virtual sound sources whose distances are close to each other. After the switching, it gradually approaches the virtual sound source distribution data D3. Accordingly, the acoustic processing unit 20 adds a reverberation sound to the acoustic signal SA0 based on the sequentially input intermediate virtual sound source distribution data DM and outputs the acoustic signal SA0, whereby the virtual source distribution of “HALL1” to “CHURCH” is output. The speaker 25 can output a sound that reproduces a reverberant sound that gradually switches to the virtual sound source distribution.

As described above, in the sound field reproducing apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment, of the two virtual sound source distribution data before and after the switching, the position and the strength of each set of virtual sound sources whose distances are close to each other. A virtual sound source included in the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data DM is obtained by obtaining a synthetic virtual sound source by a weighted average of the above and generating intermediate virtual sound source distribution data DM based on this synthetic virtual sound source and the switched virtual sound source distribution data. An intermediate sound field can be reproduced without increasing the number of. Therefore, when the virtual sound source is switched, the position and strength of each virtual sound source gradually change, so that it is possible to switch the sound field that is natural to the sense of hearing.

Therefore, also in the sound field reproducing apparatus 100, as in the sound field reproducing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, compared with the conventional case, it is possible to calculate the impulse response when the sound fields are gradually switched. It is possible to reduce the amount of calculation required. Further, by limiting the virtual sound source to be compared and contrasted when obtaining the intermediate virtual sound source, it is possible to reduce the calculation amount of the processing when the CPU 110 calculates the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data. Further, since the virtual sound source is obtained in consideration of the movement of the sound receiving point, the sound field can be reproduced along with the movement of the sound receiving point. Also, the sound field before and after the movement of the sound receiving point may be switched using one virtual sound source distribution data.

(3) Modifications The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but various modifications as exemplified below are possible.

(3.1) Modification 1 In the first embodiment described above, when the sound field is reproduced based on the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data DM, the reflected sound from the virtual sound source near the partition surface 40 is faded in. You may make it fade out. In this case, when the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data DM is generated, a process of changing the strength of the virtual sound source in the vicinity of the partition surface 40, or a fade-in / fade-out process at the time of audibleization (such as a convolution operation) is performed. I'll do it. Further, the timing and time of fade-in and fade-out may be different on both sides of the partition surface 40.

(3.2) Modification 2 In the above-described first embodiment, the case where the partition surface 40 for moving the virtual sound source space 30 is a flat surface has been described, but the partition surface 40 may be a curved surface. Also, the partition surface 40
May be deformed according to the elapsed time. Also,
Not only when the partition surface 40 is moved in parallel from the front to the rear of the virtual sound source space 30, but it may be moved in any direction,
You may make it move with rotation. Further, a plurality of partition surfaces 40 may be set.

(3.3) Modified Example 3 In the second embodiment described above, only virtual sound sources within a predetermined range among virtual sound sources included in the virtual sound source distribution data before switching are targeted for comparison, and after switching. Although the case has been described where the virtual sound sources included in the virtual sound source distribution data are close to each other, the range of the virtual sound source to be compared is not limited to the above range and may be any range. Further, when the number of reflections is known from the virtual sound source data, the virtual sound source to be compared may be limited to the one having a small number of reflections. Further, the virtual sound source to be compared may be limited according to the strength of the virtual sound source.

(3.4) Modification 4 In the above-described embodiment, the sound field reproducing devices 10 and 1 are used.
Although 00 has been described as having four reproduction channels, it may be two channels or 5.1 channels, and the number of reproduction channels is arbitrary.

(3.5) Modification 5 In each of the above-described embodiments, the acoustic processing program for generating the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data DM from the two virtual sound source distribution data has the sound field reproducing apparatus 10, 100 in advance.
The case where it is stored in the ROM 12 of
This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, and a semiconductor recording medium, and is recorded in a PC (Personal Computer), a PDA (Persona).
A computer such as Digital Assistant) may read and execute this program. Also,
This program may be installed by any method, and may be installed in the computer or the sound field reproducing device from the above-mentioned recording medium, or may be downloaded from a server storing this program via a network such as the Internet. However, you may install it.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention, the amount of calculation required for switching the sound field is smaller than in the conventional case,
And you can switch the sound field that has never existed before.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a sound field reproducing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the contents of a sound field table stored in a sound field reproducing device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the contents of a setting file of the sound field reproducing device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the sound field reproducing device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a sound field switching processing procedure of the sound field reproducing apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a virtual sound source space.

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a method of creating intermediate virtual sound source distribution data.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a method of creating intermediate virtual sound source distribution data.

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a method of creating intermediate virtual sound source distribution data in the sound field reproducing device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing virtual sound source components represented by virtual sound source distribution data.

[Explanation of Codes] 10, 100 ... Sound field reproducing device, 11, 110 ... CP
U, 12 ... ROM, 13 ... bus, 14 ... sound field table, 15 ... RAM, 16 ... input section, 17 ... display section, 18 ... input / output interface, 19 ... A / D
Conversion circuit, 20 ... Acoustic processing section, 21 ... Impulse response calculation section, 22 ... Convolution calculation section, 23 ... D / A conversion circuit, 24 ... Amplifier, 25 ... Speaker, 30 ...
Virtual sound source space, 40 ... Partition surface, Dk ... Virtual sound source distribution data, DM ... Intermediate virtual sound source distribution data.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A storage unit for storing a plurality of virtual sound source distribution data representing a virtual sound source distribution arranged in a virtual sound source space in association with a sound field, and an input unit for inputting an instruction of a sound field to be reproduced. A virtual sound source distribution data output means for reading out and outputting virtual sound source distribution data associated with the instructed sound field from the storage means based on the sound field instruction inputted by the input means; The virtual sound source is provided with a calculating means for calculating an impulse response from the virtual sound source distribution data output from the sound source distribution data output means, and a convolution calculating means for convolutively calculating and outputting the impulse response to an acoustic signal to be reproduced. The distribution data output means, based on the sound field instruction input by the input means, outputs the sound field instructed from the storage means (hereinafter, referred to as a first sound field). The virtual sound source distribution data (hereinafter referred to as the first virtual sound source distribution data) associated with the first sound field is read out and output, and then the sound field different from the first sound field (hereinafter referred to as the second sound field). When the instruction is input by the input unit, virtual sound source distribution data (hereinafter, referred to as second virtual sound source distribution data) associated with the second sound field is read from the storage unit and assumed in the virtual sound source space. Virtual sound source distribution data corresponding to one space with the partition surface as a boundary is extracted from the first virtual sound source distribution data, and virtual sound source distribution data corresponding to the other space is extracted from the second virtual sound source distribution data. Then, after generating intermediate virtual sound source distribution data representing the entire virtual sound source space from these extracted virtual sound source distribution data and outputting the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data to the calculating means, the second virtual sound source distribution data is calculated by the calculating means. Sound field reproducing apparatus characterized by having a virtual sound source distribution data generating means for outputting to. 2. The virtual sound source distribution data generating means divides the virtual sound source space into a space that gradually expands and a space that gradually shrinks by the partition surface, and a virtual space corresponding to a space that gradually shrinks at each time point. The sound source distribution data is sequentially extracted from the first virtual sound source distribution data, and the virtual sound source distribution data corresponding to the gradually expanding space at each time point is sequentially extracted from the second virtual sound source distribution data to obtain the intermediate virtual sound source. The sound field reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distribution data is sequentially generated and output. 3. A storage unit arranged in a virtual sound source space, which stores a plurality of virtual sound source distribution data representing a virtual sound source distribution for a sound receiving point in association with a sound field, and an instruction of a sound field to be reproduced. And a virtual sound source distribution data output for reading and outputting virtual sound source distribution data associated with the instructed sound field from the storage means based on the sound field instruction input by the input means. Means, operation means for calculating an impulse response from the virtual sound source distribution data output from the virtual sound source distribution data output means, and convolution operation means for convolutively calculating and outputting the impulse response to the acoustic signal to be reproduced. The virtual sound source distribution data output means includes a sound field designated by the storage means based on a sound field designation input by the input means (hereinafter referred to as a sound field). , First sound field), and after outputting and outputting virtual sound source distribution data (hereinafter, referred to as first virtual sound source distribution data) associated with the first sound field, a sound field different from the first sound field (hereinafter, second sound field). Sound field) is input by the input means, the virtual sound source distribution data (hereinafter, referred to as second virtual sound source distribution data) associated with the second sound field is read from the storage means, The position of each virtual sound source included in the second virtual sound source distribution data is moved by the difference vector of the position between the sound receiving point of the first virtual sound source distribution data and the sound receiving point of the second virtual sound source distribution data. , Each virtual sound source included in the first virtual sound source distribution data,
A set of virtual sound sources in which the distance between virtual sound sources of each virtual sound source included in the second virtual sound source distribution data after movement is within a predetermined range is extracted, and a synthetic virtual sound source is extracted from the extracted set of each virtual sound source. After generating distribution data, generating intermediate virtual sound source distribution data representing the entire virtual sound source space from the generated synthetic virtual sound source distribution data and the moved second virtual sound source distribution data, and outputting the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data to the computing means. A sound field reproducing device comprising: a virtual sound source distribution data generation unit that outputs the second virtual sound source distribution data to the calculation unit. 4. The synthetic virtual sound source distribution data includes a virtual sound source (hereinafter, referred to as a first virtual sound source) included in the first virtual sound source distribution data of the extracted set of virtual sound sources, and second virtual sound source distribution data. The sound field reproduction according to claim 3, wherein the data is data obtained by replacing the position and the strength of a virtual sound source (hereinafter, referred to as a second virtual sound source) included in the weighted average with a synthetic virtual sound source. apparatus. 5. A storage step of storing a plurality of virtual sound source distribution data representing a virtual sound source distribution arranged in a virtual sound source space in a storage means in association with a sound field, and inputting an instruction of a sound field to be reproduced. And an output step of reading and outputting virtual sound source distribution data associated with the instructed sound field from the storage means based on the input sound field instruction, and output in the output step. There is a calculation step of calculating an impulse response from the virtual sound source distribution data, and a convolution calculation step of convolutively calculating and outputting the impulse response to the acoustic signal to be reproduced, and in the output step, the input sound field A virtual sound source distribution associated with the instructed sound field (hereinafter referred to as the first sound field) from the storage means based on the instruction. In the case where the input means inputs a sound field (hereinafter, second sound field) different from the first sound field after reading and outputting data (hereinafter, first virtual sound source distribution data). , The virtual sound source distribution data (hereinafter, referred to as second virtual sound source distribution data) associated with the second sound field is read out from the storage means, and one of the spaces with the partition surface assumed in the virtual sound source space as a boundary is read out. Is extracted from the first virtual sound source distribution data, virtual sound source distribution data corresponding to the other space is extracted from the second virtual sound source distribution data, and the virtual sound source distribution data is extracted from the extracted virtual sound source distribution data. A sound field characterized by generating intermediate virtual sound source distribution data representing the entire virtual sound source space and outputting it to the calculating means, and then outputting the second virtual sound source distribution data to the calculating means. Method of controlling the raw devices. 6. A storage step of storing a plurality of virtual sound source distribution data, which is arranged in the virtual sound source space and represents a virtual sound source distribution with respect to a sound receiving point, in a storage means in association with each sound field, and a sound to be reproduced. An input step of inputting a field instruction, an output step of reading out virtual sound source distribution data associated with the instructed sound field from the storage means based on the input sound field instruction, and outputting the virtual sound source distribution data; Computation step for computing an impulse response from the virtual sound source distribution data output in step, and a convolution computation step for convolutively computing and outputting the impulse response to the acoustic signal to be played back, and in the output step, Based on the input sound field instruction, the storage means is associated with the instructed sound field (hereinafter referred to as the first sound field). After reading and outputting the generated virtual sound source distribution data (hereinafter, referred to as first virtual sound source distribution data), an instruction of a sound field different from the first sound field (hereinafter, referred to as second sound field) is input by the input unit. Is input, the virtual sound source distribution data (hereinafter, referred to as second virtual sound source distribution data) associated with the second sound field is read from the storage unit, and each is included in the second virtual sound source distribution data. The position of the virtual sound source is moved by the difference vector of the positions of the sound receiving point of the first virtual sound source distribution data and the sound receiving point of the second virtual sound source distribution data, and is included in the first virtual sound source distribution data. With each virtual sound source,
A set of virtual sound sources in which the distance between virtual sound sources of each virtual sound source included in the second virtual sound source distribution data after movement is within a predetermined range is extracted, and a synthetic virtual sound source is extracted from the extracted set of each virtual sound source. After generating distribution data, generating intermediate virtual sound source distribution data representing the entire virtual sound source space from the generated synthetic virtual sound source distribution data and the moved second virtual sound source distribution data, and outputting the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data to the computing means. A method for controlling a sound field reproducing device, characterized in that the second virtual sound source distribution data is output to the calculating means. 7. A computer for switching a sound field being reproduced to another sound field, and stores a plurality of virtual sound source distribution data representing a virtual sound source distribution arranged in a virtual sound source space in association with each sound field. Storage means, input means for inputting an instruction of the sound field to be reproduced, and a virtual sound source associated with the instructed sound field from the storage means based on the instruction of the sound field input by the input means Virtual sound source distribution data output means for reading and outputting distribution data, calculation means for calculating an impulse response from the virtual sound source distribution data output from the virtual sound source distribution data output means, and the impulse response for an acoustic signal to be reproduced. Is a program for functioning as a convolution calculation means for performing a convolution calculation of and outputting the virtual sound source distribution data output means. Virtual sound source distribution data (hereinafter, referred to as first virtual sound source distribution data) associated with the specified sound field (hereinafter, referred to as first sound field) from the storage unit based on the input sound field instruction. .) Is read out and output, and then an instruction of a sound field different from the first sound field (hereinafter referred to as a second sound field) is input by the input means, the storage means outputs the second sound field to the second sound field. The associated virtual sound source distribution data (hereinafter referred to as the second virtual sound source distribution data) is read out, and the virtual sound source distribution data corresponding to one space with the partition surface assumed in the virtual sound source space as the boundary is read as the first virtual sound source distribution data. The virtual sound source distribution data is extracted from the virtual sound source distribution data, the virtual sound source distribution data corresponding to the other space is extracted from the second virtual sound source distribution data, and an intermediate virtual representing the entire virtual sound source space is extracted from the extracted virtual sound source distribution data. A program for causing a virtual sound source distribution data generation unit to generate the sound source distribution data and output the sound source distribution data to the calculation unit, and then output the second virtual sound source distribution data to the calculation unit. 8. A computer for switching a sound field being reproduced to another sound field, and a plurality of virtual sound source distribution data representing a virtual sound source distribution with respect to a sound receiving point, which are arranged in the virtual sound source space, and the sound field, respectively. A storage means for storing in association with each other, an input means for inputting an instruction of a sound field to be reproduced, and a sound field corresponding to the instructed sound field from the storage means based on the instruction of the sound field input by the input means. Virtual sound source distribution data output means for reading and outputting the attached virtual sound source distribution data, calculation means for calculating an impulse response from the virtual sound source distribution data output from the virtual sound source distribution data output means, and sound to be reproduced A program for functioning as a convolution calculation means for convolutively calculating the signal and outputting the impulse response, the virtual sound source distribution data output means Is virtual sound source distribution data (hereinafter, referred to as first sound field) associated with the instructed sound field (hereinafter, referred to as first sound field) from the storage unit based on the sound field instruction input by the input unit. When the input means inputs an instruction of a sound field different from the first sound field (hereinafter referred to as the second sound field) after reading out and outputting the virtual sound source distribution data), The virtual sound source distribution data (hereinafter referred to as the second virtual sound source distribution data) associated with the second sound field is read, and the position of each virtual sound source included in the second virtual sound source distribution data is calculated as the first virtual sound source. Each virtual sound source included in the first virtual sound source distribution data, which is moved by a position difference vector between the sound receiving point of the distribution data and the sound receiving point of the second virtual sound source distribution data;
A set of virtual sound sources in which the distance between virtual sound sources of each virtual sound source included in the second virtual sound source distribution data after movement is within a predetermined range is extracted, and a synthetic virtual sound source is extracted from the extracted set of each virtual sound source. After generating distribution data, generating intermediate virtual sound source distribution data representing the entire virtual sound source space from the generated synthetic virtual sound source distribution data and the moved second virtual sound source distribution data, and outputting the intermediate virtual sound source distribution data to the computing means. A program that causes the second virtual sound source distribution data to function as a virtual sound source distribution data generation unit that outputs the second virtual sound source distribution data to the calculation unit. 9. A computer-readable recording medium in which the program according to claim 7 or 8 is recorded.