JP2009088922A - Sound processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sound processor enabling diverse sound communication and sounding by selecting a mode. <P>SOLUTION: The sound processors 1(1a-1c) have a plurality of modes (music, open, and intercom modes) having different communication and sounding forms. The music mode is used to sound a music piece signal inputted from a music piece reproducing unit 5. The open mode is used for sound communication among all sound processors 1. The intercom mode is used for one-to-one sound communication among specified sound processors 1. The sound processors 1 select and execute modes, thus selecting and executing the sounding of the music piece signal, the sound communication among all the sound processors, and sound communication with the specified sound processors, and hence performing the diverse sound communication and sounding by the sound processors 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a voice processing apparatus that performs voice communication in various modes according to a mode by switching modes, and selects and emits a voice signal according to the mode.

Conventionally, a voice processing device having a voice communication function and a sound emission and collection function has been devised (see Patent Document 1). In the intercom system of Patent Literature 1, when voice communication is started, a call is made from one interphone to all the remaining interphones, and a one-to-one voice communication is performed with the interphone that first responds to the call.
JP 2002-199110 A

  In the intercom system of Patent Document 1, since the one-to-one voice communication is always performed with the interphone that responds first, voice communication cannot be performed between three or more interphones. In addition, voice communication cannot be performed using an audio signal other than the collected audio signal.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, in addition to one-to-one voice communication, communication is performed between three or more voice processing devices, or voice communication is performed using an externally input music signal in addition to the collected voice signal. It is an object of the present invention to provide a voice processing device that can perform the above processing.

  The sound processing apparatus according to the present invention collects sound around the own device and generates a sound collecting signal, input means for inputting the sound signal as an external input signal, and communication signals with other devices. Communication means, sound emission means for emitting a sound emission signal, and mode selection means for selecting a mode to be executed from a plurality of modes, wherein the mode selection means uses the collected sound signal as a communication signal. An open mode in which a communication signal transmitted to another device and received from another device is emitted as the sound emission signal, and a communication received by transmitting the sound collection signal to a specific other device as a communication signal and received from the specific other device An interphone mode that emits a signal as the sound emission signal, a distribution mode that transmits the external input signal as a communication signal to another device and emits the external input signal or the communication signal received from the other device as the sound emission signal. De, and selects the mode to be executed from within.

  With this configuration, the sound processing device has a general sound emission and collection function, an external input function for inputting a sound signal reproduced by a sound source reproduction device such as an audio player, and a communication function for communicating with other devices. When the voice processing device selects the open mode, the voice processing device performs voice communication with a plurality of other devices. Further, when the interphone mode is selected, the voice processing apparatus performs one-to-one voice communication with a specific other apparatus. Further, when the sound processing apparatus selects the distribution mode, the sound processing apparatus emits an external input signal input from the sound source reproduction apparatus. The external input signal is not limited to an external input signal reproduced by a sound source reproduction device connected to the own device, but also includes an external input signal reproduced by a sound source reproduction device connected to another device. Thereby, the audio processing device can select and execute audio communication between a plurality of devices, one-to-one audio communication, and sound emission of the audio signal reproduced by the sound source reproducing device. The voice processing apparatus can perform a wide variety of voice communication and sound emission.

  The speech processing apparatus of the present invention further includes speech detection means for detecting speech when the sound collection means picks up sound, and detecting silence when speech detection is not performed even after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the mode selection The means is characterized in that the open mode is selected when the speech detection is performed during the execution of the distribution mode, and the distribution mode is selected when the silence detection is performed during the execution of the open mode.

  With this configuration, the speech processing apparatus selects the open mode from the delivery mode when detecting an utterance, and selects the delivery mode from the open mode when detecting silence. Thereby, the speech processing apparatus can select an appropriate mode according to the presence or absence of an utterance.

  Furthermore, the speech processing apparatus of the present invention further comprises a receiving unit for receiving mode designation and designation cancellation. When the receiving unit receives the mode designation, the mode selecting unit selects the designated mode and receives the mode. When the means accepts the cancellation of the mode designation, the mode selected immediately before is selected.

  In this configuration, the voice processing device selects a mode corresponding to an operation input from the user, and cancels the mode selected by the operation input from the user. When the mode is canceled, the speech processing apparatus selects the mode that was being executed immediately before. Thereby, the voice processing apparatus can select a mode by a user's operation input, and can select a mode desired by the user.

  In addition, when the mode is selected, the sound processing apparatus of the present invention fades out the sound being emitted in the running mode and fades in the sound emitted in the selected mode.

  With this configuration, when the mode is selected, the audio processing device gradually decreases the volume of the audio signal that has been emitted immediately before, and gradually increases the volume of the newly selected audio signal. Switch. Thereby, since the sound processing apparatus does not immediately switch the sound signal to be emitted together with the mode selection, it does not give an unpleasant impression to the user.

  According to the present invention, by selecting a mode, the sound processing device selects and executes sound communication between a plurality of devices, one-to-one sound communication, and sound emission of the sound signal reproduced by the sound source reproduction device. can do. As a result, the voice processing apparatus can perform a wide variety of voice communication and sound emission by selecting a mode.

  The outline | summary of the audio processing apparatus 1 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a usage pattern of the audio processing device.

  The voice processing device 1 (1a to 1c) includes a plurality of modes (music mode, open mode, and intercom mode) that are different in communication target and sound output target. The music mode (corresponding to the distribution mode of the present invention) is a mode for emitting a music signal input from the music playback device 5. The open mode is a mode in which voice communication is performed between all the voice processing devices 1. The intercom mode is a mode in which one-to-one audio communication is performed between specific audio processing apparatuses 1.

  The selection of the execution mode is performed by an operation input of the user 2, a notification from another voice processing device, or the like. The voice processing device 1 selects and executes the sound output of the music signal, the voice communication between all the voice processing devices, and the voice communication with a specific voice processing device by selecting and executing the mode. be able to. As a result, the voice processing device 1 can perform a wide variety of voice communication and sound emission.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the speech processing apparatus 1 is installed in the living room 3 (3a-3c), respectively, and the user 2 (2a-2c) exists in each living room 3, respectively. Each audio processing device 1 is connected via a transmission line 4 and is capable of audio communication. A music signal is input to the audio processing device 1a from the music playback device 5 connected to the device itself. Note that the number of audio processing devices 1 connected to the transmission line 4 is not limited to three.

  Next, the function and configuration of the speech processing apparatus 1a will be described with reference to FIG. The voice processing devices 1a to 1c have the same functional configuration. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating functions and configurations of the audio processing apparatus. The audio processing apparatus 1 includes a stereo speaker 11 (11a, 11b), a microphone 12 (12a to 12c), an operation unit 13, a storage unit 14, a control unit 15, a sound collection control unit 16, an echo cancellation unit 17, and a communication control unit 18. , A communication input / output I / F 19, an audio input I / F 20, and a sound emission control unit 21.

  The stereo speaker 11 converts the individual sound output sound signal for each stereo speaker 11 input from the sound output control unit 21 described later into sound and emits the sound.

  Each of the microphones 12 electrically converts the collected sound to generate a sound collection signal and outputs the sound collection signal to the sound collection control unit 16.

  The operation unit 13 receives an operation input from the user 2 and outputs the operation input content to the control unit 15. The operation input content includes, for example, mode designation and designation cancellation, voice communication partner designation, sound collection sensitivity adjustment, volume adjustment, and the like.

  The storage unit 14 stores mode transition information. The mode transition information is referred to by the control unit 15 when examining the mode executed immediately before the mode selection is canceled.

  The control unit 15 controls the sound collection control unit 16, the communication control unit 18, and the sound emission control unit 21 based on the operation input content input from the operation unit 13. More specifically, the control unit 15 controls the sound collection control unit 16 based on the sound collection sensitivity adjustment instruction input from the operation unit 13 and controls the sound emission control unit 21 based on the volume adjustment instruction. Further, the control unit 15 receives the mode designation instruction input from the operation unit 13, the mode designation instruction input from the communication control unit 18, and the speech detection signal and silence detection signal input from the sound collection control unit 16. Based on this, mode selection processing is performed, and the communication control unit 18 and the sound emission control unit 21 are controlled. Details of the mode selection process will be described later.

  The sound collection control unit 16 includes an amplifier (not shown), an A / D conversion unit (not shown), a delay (not shown), and an addition unit (not shown). The sound collection control unit 16 performs various processes on the sound collection signals input from the microphones 12a to 12c based on instructions from the control unit 15, and generates sound beam signals having sound collection directivity for each of a plurality of directions. Generate. The sound collection control unit 16 acquires a sound beam signal having a signal level equal to or higher than a threshold value from the generated sound beam signals, and outputs the sound beam signal to the echo cancellation unit 17. At this time, when there are a plurality of sound beam signals having a signal level equal to or higher than the threshold value, these sound beam signals are synthesized and output. The sound collection control unit 16 deletes the sound beam signal whose signal level is equal to or lower than the threshold value as noise at the time of sound collection, and does not output it to the echo cancellation unit 17.

  In addition, when the sound collection control unit 16 generates an audio beam signal whose signal level is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the sound collection control unit 16 outputs an utterance detection signal to the control unit 15. The signal is output to the control unit 15.

  The echo cancellation unit 17 removes the echo from the sound beam signal input from the sound collection control unit 16 and outputs it to the communication control unit 18.

  Based on an instruction from the control unit 15, the communication control unit 18 selects and receives an audio beam signal from another device via the communication input / output I / F 19. The communication control unit 18 receives a music signal reproduced by the music reproducing device 5 via the audio input I / F 20. Furthermore, the communication control unit 18 transmits at least one of the audio beam signal and the music signal to the other device via the communication input / output I / F 19 based on an instruction from the control unit 15.

  In addition, the communication control unit 18 of the audio processing devices 1b and 1c to which the music reproducing device 5 is not connected is connected to the audio beam signal of the other device via the communication input / output I / F 19 based on the instruction of the control unit 15. Receive music signal. Further, based on an instruction from the control unit 15, an audio beam signal is transmitted to another device via the communication input / output I / F 19.

  The sound emission control unit 21 includes a delay (not shown), a D / A conversion unit (not shown), and an amplifier (not shown). When the communication control unit 18 inputs an audio beam signal or a music signal, the sound emission control unit 21 performs various processes based on instructions from the control unit 15 and generates individual sound emission audio signals for each of the stereo speakers 11a and 11b. And it outputs to each stereo speaker 11a, 11b. The virtual sound source can also be set by controlling the delay and the level, and the time difference and volume difference of the sound reaching the user's both ears. Further, if a plurality of speakers are further installed, the sound emission can be given directivity.

  Next, modes provided in the voice processing device 1 and selection processing of the modes will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of modes provided in the speech processing apparatus. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining mode switching between the sound processing apparatuses. 4A shows a state where the mode is a music mode, FIG. 4B shows a state where the mode is an open mode, and FIGS. 4C and 4D show that the mode is an interphone mode. Indicates the state. The case where the mode is selected by the voice processing device 1a will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the audio processing device 1a has three types of modes, a music mode, an open mode, and an intercom mode, where the music mode is the lowest priority and the intercom mode is the highest priority. Further, the voice processing device 1a executes the open mode by default. Furthermore, the voice processing device 1a selects an appropriate mode based on the presence / absence of the utterance of the user 2a and the operation input of the user 2a.

  For example, the voice processing device 1a executing the open mode selects the music mode when detecting that it is silent for a predetermined time (silence detection). The audio processing device 1a that has selected the music mode emits a stereo-format music signal reproduced by the music reproducing device 5 and transmits the music signal to the audio processing devices 1b to 1c.

  In addition, when the audio processing device 1a executing the music mode detects the utterance of the user 2a (utterance detection), the open mode is selected. The voice processing device 1 a that has selected the open mode performs voice communication with all the voice processing devices 1 b and 1 c connected via the transmission line 4.

  Furthermore, in the voice processing device 1a, the interphone mode, the open mode, and the music mode are designated by the operation input of the user 2a. For example, when the intercom mode is designated by the user 2a operation input, the voice processing device 1a that is executing the open mode selects the intercom mode. The audio processing device 1a that has selected the interphone mode performs, for example, one-to-one audio communication with the specific audio processing device 1b. In addition, when the interphone mode is canceled by the user 2a operation input, the voice processing device 1a that is executing the intercom mode selects the open mode that was executed immediately before. Note that the mode selection based on the above-described speech detection and silence detection is not performed after the mode is designated by the operation input of the user 2.

  As described above, the voice processing device 1a executes the mode selected based on the operation input of the user 2a and the presence or absence of speech. At this time, the voice processing device 1a notifies the selected mode to the voice processing devices 1b and 1c. When receiving the mode notification, the voice processing devices 1b and 1c select the mode notified as appropriate. Thereby, the voice processing devices 1a, 1b and 1c can execute the mode selected by the voice processing device 1a.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the audio processing device 1a selects the interphone mode with the audio processing device 1b in the state in which the music mode is being executed, the audio processing device 1a, 1b sets the interphone mode. Perform the selection process. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4C, the audio processing devices 1a and 1b execute the interphone mode. At this time, all the voice processing apparatuses (voice processing apparatus 1c) except the voice processing apparatuses 1a and 1b execute the music mode.

  Thereafter, the sound processing device 1a cancels the selection of the intercom mode. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4A, the sound processing devices 1a to 1c execute the music mode that was executed immediately before.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the voice processing device 1a selects the interphone mode with the voice processing device 1b in the state in which the open mode is executed, the voice processing devices 1a and 1b perform interphones. Perform mode selection processing. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4D, the audio processing devices 1a and 1b execute the interphone mode. At this time, all the voice processing apparatuses (voice processing apparatus 1c) except the voice processing apparatuses 1a and 1b execute the open mode. In the present embodiment, since the voice processing device 1c does not have a partner voice processing device that communicates in the open mode, no voice signal is transmitted or received.

  As described above, when the mode selection is canceled, the speech processing apparatus 1 selects the mode that was being executed immediately before. At this time, the voice processing device 1 refers to the mode transition information and checks the mode executed immediately before. Hereinafter, the mode transition information will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of mode transition information. FIG. 5A shows a default state, and FIG. 5B shows a state in which an intercom mode is designated.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the mode transition information includes a selection mode and presence / absence of mode designation. Whether or not the mode is specified defaults to OFF, and is turned ON when the mode is specified by an operation input by the user 2. The mode transition information registers the selected mode every time a mode is selected. The mode transition information deletes the corresponding mode when the selected mode is canceled.

  For example, in the mode transition information, when the interphone mode is designated by the operation input of the user 2 from the default state (FIG. 5A), as shown in FIG. The interphone mode (No. 2) is added. Further, when the designation of the intercom mode is canceled by the operation input of the user 2, the intercom mode (No. 2) is deleted, and the state returns to the state shown in FIG.

  Next, mode selection processing and selection cancellation processing will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a mode selection process. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the mode selection canceling process.

  First, the mode selection process will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, when the mode is designated by the operation input of the user 2a (S101: Yes), the speech processing apparatus 1a selects the designated mode (hereinafter referred to as designated mode) (S102). ) The selected mode is notified to the other voice processing apparatuses 1b and 1c (S108).

  If the mode is not designated (S101: No), the speech processing apparatus 1a checks whether the mode being executed is the designated mode (S103). When the designated mode is being executed (S103: Yes), the speech processing apparatus 1a executes the mode being executed as it is (S104). The reason for checking whether or not the designation mode is being executed is to give priority to designation by the user 2 operation input. In the case where priority is not given to the designation by the user 2's operation input, the processing in step S103 is omitted.

  When a mode other than the designated mode is being executed (for example, the default open mode, the open mode based on speech detection, the music mode based on silence detection is being executed) (S103: No), whether or not the music mode is being executed is determined. Check (S105). When a mode other than the music mode is being executed (S105: No), the speech processing apparatus 1a executes the mode being executed as it is (S104).

  When the music mode is being executed (S105: Yes), the speech processing apparatus 1a checks whether or not an utterance is detected (S106). If there is speech detection (S106: Yes), the open mode is selected (S107), and the selected open mode is notified to the other speech processing apparatuses 1b and 1c (S108). If there is no utterance detection (S106: No), the mode being executed is executed as it is (S104).

  When receiving the notification of the mode selected by the voice processing device 1a (S121: Yes), the voice processing devices 1b and 1c check whether the priority of the received mode is higher than the priority of the mode being executed (S123). . When the priority of the received mode is low (S123: No), the mode being executed is executed as it is (S122). If the priority of the received mode is high (S123: Yes), the voice processing device 1a is notified that the received mode is to be executed (S124), and the received mode is selected and executed (S125). At this time, the sound corresponding to the mode executed immediately before is faded out, and the sound corresponding to the received mode is faded in. For example, when the sound processing device 1b receives the interphone mode notification during the execution of the music mode, the sound processing device 1b gradually lowers the signal level of the music signal and emits sound, and gradually decreases the signal level of the sound beam signal of the sound processing device 1a. Raise it up and release it.

  Until the mode notification is received from the voice processing device 1a (S121: No), the voice processing devices 1b and 1c execute the mode being executed as they are (S122).

  When the voice processing device 1a receives information indicating that the mode received by the voice processing devices 1b and 1c is to be executed (S109: Yes), the voice processing device 1a executes the selected mode (S110). At this time, the sound corresponding to the mode executed immediately before is faded out, and the sound corresponding to the received mode is faded in.

  If the voice processing devices 1b and 1c do not receive the execution of the received mode even after a predetermined time has elapsed (S109: No), the voice processing device 1a executes the mode being executed as it is (S104). ). Thus, the mode selection process is completed.

  Next, a case where the selected mode is canceled by the mode selection process described above will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, when the mode designation is canceled by the operation input of the user 2a (S131: Yes), the voice processing device 1a notifies the other voice processing devices 1b and 1c of a mode selection release notification. (S136). Then, the voice processing device 1a refers to the mode transition information and selects and executes the mode executed immediately before (S137).

  If the mode designation is not canceled by the operation input of the user 2a (S131: No), the voice processing device 1a refers to the mode transition information and checks whether the mode being executed is the designated mode (S132). ). If the designated mode is being executed (S132: Yes), the designated mode being executed is executed as it is (S134). The reason for checking whether or not the designation mode is being executed is to give priority to designation by the user 2 operation input. In the case where priority is not given to the designation by the user 2's operation input, the process of step S132 is omitted.

  When a mode other than the designated mode is being executed (S132: No), it is checked whether the open mode is being executed (S133). When a mode other than the open mode is being executed (S133: No), the voice processing devices 1b and 1c execute the mode being executed as it is (S134).

  When the open mode is being executed (S133: Yes), the voice processing device 1a checks whether or not silence is detected (S135). When there is silence detection (S135: Yes), the processing from step S136 described above is performed. If no silence is detected, that is, if an utterance is detected (S135: No), the currently executed mode is executed as it is (S134).

  When receiving the mode selection cancellation notification (S141: Yes), the speech processing apparatuses 1b and 1c select and execute the mode that was executed immediately before with reference to the mode transition information (S142). Until the mode selection cancellation notification is received (S141: No), the currently executed mode is executed as it is (S143). This completes the mode selection canceling process.

  As described above, the voice processing device 1 can select a mode according to the operation input of the user 2 or the presence or absence of speech. The audio processing device 1 selects a mode to perform audio communication between three or more audio processing devices in addition to one-to-one audio communication, and in addition to audio beam signals received through audio communication, Etc. can be emitted. Also, by canceling the selected mode, the voice processing device 1a can return to the mode that was being executed immediately before and execute it.

  Next, audio transmission / reception processing corresponding to the selected mode will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing audio transmission / reception processing. 8A shows the transmission processing of the voice processing device 1a, and FIG. 8B shows the reception processing of the voice processing devices 1b and 1c.

  First, the process of the audio processing apparatus 1a that transmits the music signal and the audio beam signal will be described. As shown in FIG. 8A, when the execution mode of the sound processing apparatus 1a is the music mode (S151: music mode), the audio processing apparatus 1a inputs a stereo format music signal from the music playback apparatus 5 (S152). The sound is emitted (S153) and the music signal is transmitted to the sound processing devices 1b and 1c (S154).

  When the execution mode of the own device is the open mode (S151: open mode), the sound processing device 1a generates a sound beam signal by surrounding sound collection (S155) and transmits the sound beam signal to the sound processing devices 1b and 1c (S156). ).

  When the execution mode of the own device is the interphone mode (S151: interphone mode), the sound processing device 1a generates a sound beam signal by collecting surrounding sound (S157), and generates a stereo format music signal from the music playback device 5. Input (S158). The sound processing device 1a transmits the generated sound beam signal and music signal to the sound processing devices 1b and 1c (S159).

  Next, processing of the audio processing devices 1b and 1c that receive at least one of the music signal and the audio beam signal from the audio processing device 1a will be described. As shown in FIG. 8B, when the execution mode of the own device is the music mode (S171: music mode), the audio processing devices 1b and 1c select and receive the music signal (S172) and emit the sound. (S173).

  When the execution mode of the sound processing device 1b, 1c is the open mode (S171: open mode), the sound processing device 1b, 1c receives the sound beam signal (S174) and emits the sound (S175).

  When the execution mode of the own device is the interphone mode (S171: interphone mode), the sound processing devices 1b and 1c select and receive the sound beam signal from the specific sound processing device of the communication partner (S176), and emit the sound. (S177).

  As described above, the sound processing device 1a transmits the music signal and the sound beam signal to the sound processing devices 1b and 1c. The audio processing devices 1b and 1c select and receive an audio beam signal or a music signal according to the mode being executed.

  In this embodiment, the sound collection control unit 16 generates a sound beam signal having sound collection directivity, and the sound emission control unit 21 generates an individual sound emission sound signal corresponding to the stereo speaker 11. However, the sound collection directivity and the sound output directivity may or may not be provided.

  In this embodiment, the music signal reproduced by the music reproducing device 5 is input to the audio processing device 1a. For example, the audio processing device 1a inputs an audio signal input from another sound source such as a radio or a television. May be.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the audio processing device 1 on the transmission side transmits the music signal and the audio signal to all the audio processing devices 1 on the reception side. In the audio processing device 1 on the receiving side, the music signal is selected and received in the music mode, the audio beam signal is selected and received in the open mode, and the specific audio processing device is selected in the interphone mode. The sound beam signal from is selected and received. However, the audio processing apparatus 1 on the transmission side may select an audio processing apparatus that is executing the music mode and transmit the music signal individually. In this case, when the audio processor on the transmission side is in the open mode, it transmits the audio beam signal to all other audio processors, and when in the interphone mode, it transmits the audio beam signal only to the communication partner audio processor. do it.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, when the sound processing device 1a detects silence, the sound processing device 1a notifies the other sound processing devices 1b and 1c of deselection of the open mode and executes the music mode. Then, the voice processing devices 1b and 1c that have received the open mode selection cancellation notification execute the music mode. However, each of the voice processing devices 1a to 1c may perform silence detection and each may execute the music mode.

  In the present embodiment, when the voice processing devices 1a and 1b execute the interphone mode while the voice processing devices 1a to 1c are executing the music mode, the voice processing device 1c executes the music mode as it is. However, when the voice processing devices 1a and 1b execute the interphone mode, the voice processing device 1c may stop the music mode and stop receiving and emitting the music signal. Similarly, if the voice processing devices 1a and 1b execute the interphone mode while the voice processing devices 1a to 1c are in the open mode, the voice processing device 1c switches to the open mode if there is a communication partner voice processing device. Run as is. However, when the voice processing devices 1a and 1b execute the intercom mode, the voice processing device 1c may stop the open mode and stop sending and receiving voice signals.

It is explanatory drawing explaining the usage pattern of a speech processing unit. It is a block diagram which shows the function and structure of a speech processing unit. It is explanatory drawing of the mode with which a speech processing unit is provided. It is explanatory drawing explaining the mode switch between audio processing apparatuses. It is explanatory drawing of mode transition information. It is a flowchart which shows the selection process of a mode. It is a flowchart which shows the mode selection cancellation | release process. It is a flowchart which shows the transmission / reception process of an audio | voice.

Explanation of symbols

1-voice processing device, 2-user, 3-room, 4-transmission line, 5-music playback device, 11-stereo speaker, 12-microphone, 13-operation unit, 14-storage unit, 15-control unit, 16 -Sound collection control unit, 17-Echo cancellation unit, 18-Communication control unit, 19-Communication input / output I / F, 20-Audio input I / F, 21-Sound emission control unit

Claims (4)

Sound collection means for collecting sound around the device and generating a sound collection signal;
Input means for inputting an audio signal as an external input signal;
Communication means for transmitting and receiving communication signals with other devices;
A sound emission means for emitting a sound emission signal;
Mode selection means for selecting a mode to be executed from a plurality of modes,
The mode selection means includes
An open mode in which the sound collection signal is transmitted to another device as a communication signal, and the communication signal received from the other device is emitted as the sound emission signal;
An interphone mode for transmitting the sound collection signal as a communication signal to a specific other device and emitting a communication signal received from the specific other device as the sound emission signal;
A delivery mode for transmitting the external input signal as a communication signal to another device and emitting the external input signal or the communication signal received from the other device as the sound emission signal;
A speech processing device for selecting a mode to be executed from the above. Utterance detection is performed when the sound collection means picks up sound, and further includes speech detection means for detecting silence when the utterance detection is not performed even after a predetermined time has elapsed,
The speech processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mode selection unit selects the open mode when the speech detection is performed during execution of the distribution mode, and selects the distribution mode when the silence detection is performed during execution of the open mode. . A receiving means for receiving mode designation and de-designation;
The mode selection unit selects a designated mode when the receiving unit accepts a mode designation, and selects a mode that was executed immediately before when the accepting unit accepts a mode designation cancellation. Or the speech processing apparatus of Claim 2.   The said mode selection means will fade out the audio | voice currently sounded in the mode in execution, and will fade in the audio | voice emitted in the selected mode, if a mode is selected. The voice processing apparatus according to 1.

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