JP2008072165A - Acoustic apparatus for seat audio system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an acoustic apparatus for a seat audio system allowing a vibration generating means to generate resonance preferred by a user in a seat, irrespective of the type of audio source media. <P>SOLUTION: This acoustic apparatus 1 for the seat audio system has: a vibration generating means 3 provided on the backrest of the seat to generate vibration in response to the signal level of an acoustic signal; an acoustic signal selecting means 11 for selecting an acoustic signal from among a plurality of acoustic signals to be outputted from the different types of audio source media and outputting the selected acoustic signal to the vibration generating means 3; and a control means 14 for controlling a vibration quantity by the vibration generating means 3 in response to the audio source medium of the acoustic signal selected by the acoustic signal selecting means 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention selects one acoustic signal from acoustic signals output from a plurality of sound source media, for example, CD, DVD, MD, radio, etc., and outputs an acoustic signal according to the selected sound source media of the acoustic signal. The present invention relates to a sound apparatus for seat audio that performs control.

  Conventionally, by providing a vibration device on the seat, etc., or by providing a woofer or the like that outputs low-frequency output sound at a high level, vibration corresponding to the output level of the image or music is generated on the seat, and the sound output is applied to the body. There has been proposed a sensory device that can be felt by the user (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Thus, by converting the output sound into vibration and outputting the output sound together with the vibration, the user can feel a sense of realism and a sense of unity higher than before through the seat.
JP 2001-86580 A (page 5-7, FIG. 1)

  In the device that converts the output sound into vibration and feels it as described above, the strength of the vibration is determined according to the signal level of the acoustic signal. For this reason, if the signal level of the reproduced acoustic signal is the same, vibration will occur with the same vibration intensity.

  However, in today's acoustic devices, it is possible to reproduce a large number of sound source media, and there are cases in which the signal level of an acoustic signal output for each sound source medium varies.

  For example, since a CD tends to be recorded at a relatively high volume, the signal level of an acoustic signal reproduced by the CD tends to show a high level. On the other hand, since the DVD tends to be recorded at a low volume as a whole, the signal level of the sound signal reproduced by the DVD tends to be lower than that of the CD. Such a tendency is not limited to only CD and DVD, and the same tendency may be exhibited by MD and radio (AM / FM).

  For this reason, even when the user listens to the same music, the signal level of the acoustic signal differs for each sound source medium, so the amount of vibration experienced by the user via the seat differs, and the user feels uncomfortable and uncomfortable. There was a problem that there was a risk of being.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a sound device for seat audio that can generate vibrations suitable for a user by a vibration generating means in a seat regardless of the type of sound source media. Is an issue.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a sound device for seat audio according to the present invention includes a vibration generating unit that is installed on a backrest portion of a seat and generates vibration according to a signal level of the sound signal, and a different type of sound source medium. An acoustic signal selection means for selecting one acoustic signal from the plurality of acoustic signals to be output and outputting the selected acoustic signal to the vibration generating means, and an acoustic signal selected by the acoustic signal selection means Control means for controlling the amount of vibration by the vibration generating means according to the sound source medium.

  The acoustic apparatus for seat audio includes a vibration amount recording unit that records a vibration amount of the vibration generating unit corresponding to the selected acoustic signal as control information, and the control information recorded in the vibration amount recording unit. Setting changing means capable of setting and changing the amount of vibration, and the control means determines the vibration amount for each acoustic signal based on the control information recorded in the vibration amount recording means. The vibration amount of the vibration generating means may be controlled.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the vibration generating means is provided at a position facing the spine of the user seated on the seat in the backrest portion.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the speaker which outputs the acoustic signal selected by the said acoustic signal selection means is provided in the backrest part upper part or headrest part of the said sheet | seat.

  Furthermore, it has genre judgment means for judging the music genre of the acoustic signal selected by the acoustic signal selection means, and the control means is a vibration amount of the vibration generation means according to the music genre judged by the genre judgment means. It may be one that controls.

  According to the sound output device of the present invention, since the vibration amount is controlled by the vibration generating unit in accordance with the sound source medium of the sound signal selected by the sound signal selecting unit, the user manually controls the vibration amount of the vibration generating unit. It is not necessary to perform switching or the like, and it is possible to reduce the burden of adjusting the vibration amount by the user.

  In addition, since the vibration amount is automatically controlled by the vibration generating means, the vibration state varies depending on the sound source media, and the user feels uncomfortable or uncomfortable when listening to music. Is possible.

  Further, since the control means determines the control information recorded in the vibration amount recording means for each acoustic signal and controls the vibration amount of the vibration generating means, by changing the control information recorded in the vibration amount recording means Vibration generation control according to the user's preference can be performed.

  Further, since the vibration generating means is provided at a position opposite to the user's spine seated on the seat backrest portion, the user can experience the vibration of the vibration generating means as bone conduction through the spine throughout the body. It becomes possible.

  In particular, when a speaker that outputs the acoustic signal selected by the acoustic signal selection means is provided on the backrest portion or the headrest portion of the seat, the air conduction sound that is sensed by the speaker through the ear drum and the bone Music can be sensed by body resonance (bone conduction sound) that is felt through conduction, so that the user can feel music throughout the body and can clearly sense sound through bone conduction.

  Furthermore, since the vibration of the vibration generating means can be transmitted as bone conduction through the user's spine, intentionally generating strong vibrations or abnormal noises from the vibration generating means can prevent the user from falling asleep or have a relaxing effect. It is also possible to heal the fatigue of the user by giving the user a light vibration from the vibration generating means using a certain music.

  In addition, when a speaker that outputs the acoustic signal selected by the acoustic signal selection means is provided on the backrest part or the headrest part of the seat, even if the music is low volume, it is neatly passed through the speaker. Sound can be delivered to the user's ear. For this reason, when the seat audio apparatus is used in a vehicle, it is possible to easily determine the conversation in the vehicle and information from the outside while listening to the music, and it has the effect of being less tired of listening to the music.

  In addition, if the speaker is provided on the back of the seat, etc., it will be easier to listen to music even in an open car or a vehicle running with a window open, and clear by using bone conduction. It is possible to listen to music.

  Further, when the control unit controls the vibration amount of the vibration generating unit according to the music genre determined by the genre determining unit, it is possible to provide the user with the optimum vibration according to the music genre.

  Hereinafter, a seat audio apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a sound apparatus 1 for sheet audio. The sheet audio apparatus 1 includes two speakers 2 (2a, 2b), a woofer (vibration generating means) 3, and an apparatus main body 4.

  The speaker 2 is provided as a pair on the left and right in the upper part of the backrest part 5a of the seat 5, specifically in the vicinity of the shoulder, and outputs an acoustic signal acquired from the apparatus main body part 4 as an output sound (sound output). . The output sound corresponding to the R channel acoustic signal is output from the left speaker 2a in front view of the seat 5, and the output sound corresponding to the L channel acoustic signal is output from the right speaker 2b in front view of the seat 5. Is output. The speaker 2 is configured by a unit composed of a cone, a magnet, a voice coil, and the like, like a general speaker.

  The woofer 3 is provided at a position opposite to the spine (spinal cord) of the user seated on the seat 5 in the left and right center portion of the backrest portion 5a. The woofer 3 is a speaker that allows a user to experience an acoustic signal acquired from the apparatus body 4 as vibration. As the woofer 3, a speaker capable of reproducing mainly a low frequency (several hundred Hz) is used. The woofer 3 may be provided with a high-pass filter, a low-pass filter, or the like in order to limit the frequency used as vibration at the input stage.

  Further, the vibration generating structure used in the woofer 3 is not limited to a structure constituted only by a speaker, and may include an element that converts an output signal into vibration in accordance with the output level of the acoustic signal. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus body 4 includes a plurality of sound source media output devices (reproduction devices) 10 (10a to 10e) and an acoustic signal selection circuit (acoustic signal selection means) to which output signals of the respective sound source media are input. ) 11, DSP 12 (Digital Signal Processor) that performs acoustic processing on the acoustic signal, power amplifier 13 that amplifies the signal level of the acoustic signal, and the acoustic signal selection circuit 11, DSP 12, and power amplifier 13 are controlled. A control unit (control unit, setting change unit) 14 to perform, a control information recording unit (vibration amount recording unit) 15 in which information necessary for control in the control unit 14 is recorded, and an output signal (acoustic signal) of the sound source medium A music genre determination unit (music genre determination unit) 16 that determines a music genre, and an operation unit (setting change unit) for selecting a sound source medium of the acoustic signal selection circuit 11 And a 17.

  In this embodiment, output devices 10 such as an FM radio 10a, an AM radio 10b, a CD player 10c, a DVD player 10d, and an MD player 10e are provided as a plurality of sound source media output devices 10. The output device 10 such as a CD player 10c, a DVD player 10d, or an MD player 10e reads sound source data (sound source) recorded on each sound source medium (for example, a recording medium such as a CD, DVD, or MD) as an output signal. have. Further, the output device 10 such as the FM radio 10a or the AM radio 10b has a role of outputting an acoustic signal received via radio waves as an output signal. The output signal output from each output device 10 is input to the acoustic signal selection circuit 11.

  The sound source media in the output device 10 is not limited to those used in the output device 10 described above. For example, a sound source medium (recording medium) such as a cassette tape recorder or a hard disk drive may be used.

  The acoustic signal selection circuit 11 has a role of selecting one output device from a plurality of connected output devices 10 and outputting only the output signal (acoustic signal) of the selected output device 10 to the DSP 12. The selection process of the output device 10 in the acoustic signal selection circuit 11 is performed based on an instruction from the control unit 14.

  The DSP 12 has a role of performing signal processing of the output signal selected by the acoustic signal selection circuit 11. The DSP 12 is composed of an IC (integrated circuit) that enables extremely high-definition processing without degrading the music signal. By performing acoustic processing on the output signal based on an instruction from the control unit 14, a high-level processing is performed. Sound field / sound quality control can be realized. In particular, when the seat audio apparatus 1 is used in a vehicle, it is possible to construct a natural or specific acoustic environment by releasing environmental constraints in a closed space unique to the vehicle by acoustic processing.

  The power amplifier 13 amplifies the signal level of the output signal acoustically processed by the DSP 12 and outputs the amplified signal level to the speakers 2 (2a, 2b) and the woofer 3. The power amplifier 13 is controlled individually by the speaker 2 and the woofer 3 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 14. By the signal level control in the power amplifier 13, the vibration amount control of the output sound by the woofer 3 is performed.

  The music genre determination unit 16 has a role of determining the music genre of the output signal (sound source data) selected by the acoustic signal selection circuit 11. Specifically, the music genre determination unit 16 determines the music genre according to the sound quality or output level of the sound source data in the sound source signal output from the acoustic signal selection circuit 11 to the DSP 12, or the output device 10 uses the sound source media. The music genre is determined based on the information of the read sound source data. For example, based on CDDB (CD DataBase) information recorded in advance or CDDB information acquired via a network, it is possible to determine the music genre of the sound source data by obtaining the song name / artist name of the sound source data. The music genre information determined by the music genre determination unit 16 is output to the control unit 14.

  The operation unit 17 is an input device on which an operation related to the operation of the seat audio device 1 is performed by the user. The operation of starting / stopping the sound signal output in each output device 10 and the ON / OFF setting of vibration generation in the woofer 3 are performed. In addition, a selection operation or the like of favorite sound processing (for example, sound effect processing such as stadium mode or theater mode) in the DSP 12 is performed. The user can also directly input a music genre via the operation unit 17. Information set by the operation unit 17 is output to the control unit 14.

  Information necessary for control in the control unit 14 is recorded in the control information recording unit 15. For example, the control information recording unit 15 includes conversion information for DSP control output to the DSP 12 according to the sound processing mode of the DSP 12 selected by the user, the music genre determined by the music genre determination unit 16, or the operation unit. The signal level information (control information) for signal level amplification control to be output to the power amplifier 13 according to the type of the output device 10 (sound source medium) selected by the user using 17 is recorded.

  The control information recording unit 15 automatically stores the conversion information for DSP control set by the user via the operation unit 17 and the signal level information for amplification control in the power amplifier 13, and thereafter. It is possible to reduce the setting burden on the user. Further, the user can freely change the setting of the conversion information for DSP control once stored and the signal level information for amplification control in the power amplifier 13 by operating the operation unit 17.

  The control unit 14 reads the information of the sound source media selected by the user from the operation unit 17 and performs playback start / stop control for the output device 10 of the corresponding sound source media, and the output signal of the selected sound source media is selected. Thus, the acoustic signal selection circuit 11 is controlled.

  Further, the control unit 14 acquires conversion information for DSP control set by the user via the operation unit 17 and signal level information for amplification control in the power amplifier 13, and information recorded in the control information recording unit 15. Update processing is performed.

  Further, the control unit 14 acquires necessary control information from the control information recording unit 15 based on the music genre information received from the music genre determination unit 16 and the information related to the output device of the sound source media selected by the user. Amplification control processing of the signal level in the amplifier 13 is performed.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing signal level amplification control processing by the control unit 14. The signal level amplification control processing in the control unit 14 will be described using this flowchart.

  The control unit 14 acquires the information of the sound source media selected by the user from the operation unit 17 (step S.1), and performs the reproduction operation of the output device 10 of the corresponding sound source media based on the acquired information of the sound source media. In step S.2, the selection of the input signal in the acoustic signal selection circuit 11 is selected by the output signal of the corresponding output device 10 (step S.3).

  And the control part 14 acquires the music genre information of the music source reproduced | regenerated by the output device 10 via the music genre determination part 16 (step S.4). Thereafter, the control unit 14 reads the conversion information for DSP control set by the user from the control information recording unit 15 and causes the DSP 12 to execute acoustic processing (step S.5).

  Then, based on the music genre information acquired by the music genre determination unit 16 and the sound source media information of the output device 10 selected by the acoustic signal selection circuit 11, the control unit 14 receives a power amplifier from the control information recording unit 15. 13 is obtained, and amplification signal processing of output signals to the speaker 2 and the woofer 3 in the power amplifier 13 is performed (step S.6).

  For example, when the amplification control information recorded in the control information recording unit 15 is (1) the output from the woofer 3 is OFF when the sound source medium is a CD, (2) the output from the woofer 3 is output when the sound source medium is a DVD. ON, (3) When the sound source medium is MD, the output from the woofer 3 is ON, (4) When the sound source medium is FM, the output from the woofer 3 is OFF, (5) When the sound source medium is AM, the woofer 3, when the sound source media information of the output device 10 selected by the acoustic signal selection circuit 11 is CD, the control unit 14 is based on the amplification control information (1). The output signal to the woofer 3 in the power amplifier 13 is turned off so that the vibration output is not made by the woofer 3. It performs the control of the pump 13.

  On the other hand, when the sound source media information of the output device 10 selected by the acoustic signal selection circuit 11 is DVD, the control unit 14 turns on the output signal to the woofer 3 in the power amplifier 13 based on the amplification control information (2). The power amplifier 13 is controlled so that vibration is output from the woofer 3.

  In this case, the control unit 14 controls the vibration amount in the woofer 3 based on the music genre acquired from the music genre determination unit 16. For example, when the music genre determined by the music genre determination unit 16 is rock, action movie music, or the like, the control unit 14 increases the signal level of the output signal in the power amplifier 13 in order to enhance the presence of the user. By performing the amplification, control is performed so that the user can feel a large vibration through the woofer 3.

  In particular, the woofer 3 is installed on the backrest 5 a so as to face the spine of the user seated on the seat 5. For this reason, the vibration output by the woofer 3 is transmitted from the seat 5 to the user's spinal cord, and is transmitted as bone conduction to the entire body of the user to generate body resonance. Since the user can feel the sound through the physical resonance (bone conduction sound) due to this bone conduction and the air conduction sound that is output from the speaker 2 and felt through the eardrum of the ear, it is possible to experience an unprecedented sense. It becomes.

  Further, for example, when the music genre determined by the music genre determining unit 16 is classical music or the like, the control unit 14 is configured so that the user can mainly listen to the music that can be heard from the speaker 2 rather than the vibration output by the woofer 3. In the amplifier 13, the signal level of the output signal is controlled to a low value, and unnecessary vibration (a sense of reality) due to the woofer 3 is reduced. By reducing the vibration in this way, the user can only listen to the sound felt through the eardrum, and can enjoy music in a calm state.

  Then, the control unit 14 determines whether or not the sound source medium for performing sound output has been changed by the operation of the operation unit 17 (step S.7), and when the sound source medium is changed (step S.7). In the case of Yes in FIG. 1 to step S.1. The process up to 6 is repeatedly executed.

  If the sound source medium has not been changed (No in step S.7), the control unit 14 determines whether or not the user has performed a music playback stop process in the output device 10 via the operation unit 17. If it is determined (step S.8) and it is determined that the output device 10 has been stopped by the user (Yes in step S.8), the corresponding sound source media output device 10 is stopped (step S10). S.9), the signal level amplification control process is terminated.

  When it is determined that the user has not stopped the output device 10 via the operation unit 17 (No in step S.8), the control unit 14 determines whether or not the sound source medium has been changed ( Step S.7) is repeated.

  As described above, the control unit 14 performs the signal level amplification control process, so that the ON / OFF control of the woofer 3 is automatically performed according to the type of the sound source medium. It is not necessary to perform ON / OFF control, and the adjustment burden on the user can be reduced.

  In addition, since the ON / OFF control of the woofer 3 is automatically performed, it is possible to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable or uncomfortable when listening to music due to different vibration states for each sound source medium. It becomes.

  Furthermore, since the ON / OFF control of the woofer 3 can be set for each output device 10 of the sound source media and can be freely changed by the user, the control according to the user's preference can be performed.

  On the other hand, even when the woofer 3 is ON, the vibration amount of the woofer 3 can be controlled according to the music genre determined by the music genre determination unit 16, so that the optimum vibration is generated according to the music genre. It can be provided to the user.

  Further, in the acoustic apparatus 1 for seat audio according to the present invention, the user can listen to music by the air conduction sound experienced through the eardrum by the speaker 2 and the body resonance (bone conduction sound) sensed through the bone conduction by the woofer 3. Since it can be experienced, music can be felt throughout the body, and sound can be clearly felt by bone conduction.

  Furthermore, since the speaker 2 is provided on the backrest part 5 a of the seat 5, it is possible to properly deliver sound to the ear through the speaker 2 even for music with a small volume. For this reason, when the seat audio apparatus 1 is used in a vehicle, it is possible to easily determine the conversation in the vehicle and information from the outside while listening to music, and the effect of being less tired of listening to music continues to be heard. .

  In addition, since the speaker 2 is provided on the backrest part 5a of the seat 5, it is easy to listen to music even in an open car or a vehicle running with a window open, and further clear by using bone conduction. It is possible to listen to music.

  In addition, since the vibration of the woofer 3 can be transmitted as bone conduction through the user's spine, intentionally generating strong vibration or abnormal noise from the woofer 3 prevents the user from falling asleep or has a relaxing effect. It is also possible to heal the fatigue of the user by giving the user a light vibration from the woofer 3 using music.

  Further, since the speaker 2 and the woofer 3 are provided on the seat 5, it is difficult to install a door speaker or the like, and it is difficult to construct a uniform acoustic environment in each seat (for example, a three-row seat vehicle such as a one-box car). ), It is possible to easily construct a suitable acoustic space by using the seat audio device 1 according to the present invention.

  The seat audio apparatus 1 according to the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the sheet audio apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Is done.

  For example, in the acoustic apparatus 1 for seat audio according to the present invention, the music genre determining unit 16 determines the music genre and controls the vibration amount in the woofer 3, but the music genre determining unit 16 is not necessarily provided. Alternatively, only ON / OFF control in the woofer 3 may be performed in accordance with the music media output device 10.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the ON / OFF control in the woofer 3 is performed according to the music media output device 10 has been described as an example. However, the control in the woofer 3 is not necessarily limited to only the ON / OFF control. Alternatively, control may be performed so that the vibration amount of the woofer becomes strong or weak according to the output device 10 of the music media.

  Furthermore, although the speaker according to the present embodiment is installed at the upper part of the seat back portion, the installation position of the speaker is not limited to this position, and may be provided, for example, in a headrest portion or the like. By providing the speaker in the headrest portion, the speaker is installed in the vicinity of the user's ear position, so that the user can easily listen to the sound output from the speaker.

It is the figure which showed schematic structure of the acoustic apparatus for seat audios concerning this embodiment, (a) is a front view, (b) has shown the side view. It is the block diagram which showed schematic structure of the apparatus main-body part in the acoustic apparatus for sheet audios concerning this embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the process of the control part in the sheet audio apparatus which concerns on this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sheet audio apparatus 2, 2a, 2b ... Speaker 3 ... Woofer (vibration generating means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 ... Device main-body part 5 ... Seat 5a ... Backrest part 10 ... Output device 10a ... FM radio 10b ... AM radio 10c ... CD player 10d ... DVD player 10e ... MD player 11 ... Acoustic signal selection circuit (acoustic signal selection means)
12 ... DSP
13: Power amplifier 14: Control unit (control means, setting change means)
15 ... Control information recording unit (vibration amount recording means)
16 ... music genre determination unit (music genre determination means)
17 ... operation unit (setting change means)

Claims (5)

Vibration generating means installed on the back portion of the seat and generating vibration according to the signal level of the acoustic signal;
Acoustic signal selection means for selecting one acoustic signal from the plurality of acoustic signals output from different types of sound source media and outputting the selected acoustic signal to the vibration generating means;
A sound device for seat audio, comprising: control means for controlling a vibration amount by the vibration generating means in accordance with a sound source medium of the sound signal selected by the sound signal selecting means. Vibration amount recording means for recording the vibration amount of the vibration generating means corresponding to the selected acoustic signal as control information;
Setting change means capable of setting and changing the vibration amount of the control information recorded in the vibration amount recording means;
The control means determines the vibration amount for each of the acoustic signals based on the control information recorded in the vibration amount recording means, and controls the vibration amount of the vibration generating means. The sound apparatus for seat audios described in 1.   The acoustic device for seat audio according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vibration generating means is provided at a position facing the spine of the user seated on the seat in the backrest portion. 4. The speaker according to claim 1, wherein a speaker that outputs an acoustic signal selected by the acoustic signal selection unit is provided on an upper portion of a backrest portion or a headrest portion of the seat. Acoustic device for seat audio. Genre judgment means for judging the music genre of the acoustic signal selected by the acoustic signal selection means;
The sheet audio according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control means controls the vibration amount of the vibration generating means in accordance with the music genre determined by the genre determining means. Acoustic device.

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