JP2015179986A - Audio localization setting apparatus, method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to easily set localization of an audio signal according to an arrangement method for a speaker.SOLUTION: A display unit 13 displays a first setting screen 100 for setting parameter information for controlling localization of an audio signal. The first setting screen 100 comprises a first coordination plane 105 associated with a first coordination system, where the parameter information is variably set in a form compliant to the first coordination system. The parameter information set on the first setting screen 100 is converted into a form compliant to a second coordination system differing from the first coordination system. The display unit 13 displays the converted parameter information on a second setting screen 200. The second setting screen 200 comprises a second coordination plane 205 associated with the second coordination system, where the parameter information is variably set in a form compliant to the second coordination system.

Description

  The present invention relates to an audio localization setting device, method, and program for setting parameter information for controlling localization of an audio signal, and in particular, parameter information for controlling localization of a plurality of channels of audio signals for surround reproduction. Related to setting.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a digital audio mixing apparatus (hereinafter also simply referred to as “mixer”) that processes an audio signal of one or more channels by digital signal processing is known. A conventional mixer has a surround pan function for setting the localization of audio signals of a plurality of channels for surround reproduction, and for automatically moving the localization of the audio signals of the plurality of channels according to an arbitrary trajectory (for example, non-display). (See Patent Document 1). Hereinafter, “channel” is abbreviated as “ch”.

  The non-patent document 1 describes a point 700 on a coordinate plane 605 in an orthogonal coordinate system as shown in FIG. 9 as a graphical user interface (GUI) for setting parameter information for controlling localization of an audio signal. A setting screen 600 configured to set parameter information according to a position is disclosed. The parameter information expresses the localization of the audio signal by binary values of a value in the horizontal axis direction (left and right direction in FIG. 9) on the coordinate plane 605 and a value in the vertical axis direction (up and down direction in FIG. 9). FIG. 9 shows, as an example, a setting screen 600 that assumes a so-called “5.1ch surround” surround playback environment. In this case, the front left channel speaker 500 at the left end, the front center channel speaker 501 at the center, and the front right channel at the right end along one side of the substantially square coordinate plane 605 (upper side in FIG. 9). The three speakers 502 are associated with each other, and the left rear channel speaker 503 is associated with the left end and the right rear channel speaker 504 is associated with the right end along one side (the lower side in FIG. 9) facing the side. Thus, the reproduction environment is expressed. Note that the speaker 505 for the low-frequency sound effect ch (“LFE” in FIG. 9; LFE is an abbreviation for Low Frequency Effect) does not need to be considered in the localization, and therefore does not need to be associated with the coordinate plane 605.

  However, in the method of Non-Patent Document 1 described above, it is difficult to set parameter values when the speaker arrangement of the speakers 500 to 504 displayed on the setting screen 600 is different from the arrangement of the speakers actually used. was there. For example, the ITU-R BS.775-3 standard standardizes an ideal arrangement method of speakers for 5.1ch surround reproduction. In this method, five speakers for front left ch, front center ch, front right ch, rear left ch, and rear right ch are arranged on a circumference centered on the listening position (Non-patent Document 2). reference). When setting the position of the surround pan in a reproduction environment in which a plurality of speakers are arranged in a substantially circular shape according to this standard, using the setting screen 600 as shown in FIG. 9, the five speakers 500 to 500 represented on the setting screen 600 are displayed. Since the position 504 and the substantially circular speaker arrangement are far from each other, it is difficult for the operator to set the localization of the audio signal as intended.

  In the first place, localization of audio signals of a plurality of channels in a surround playback environment is a parameter that realizes a sense of direction and a sense of distance of the sound that is heard at the listening position. Therefore, there is also a problem that it is difficult to accurately express in a format according to the orthogonal coordinate system as described in Non-Patent Document 1 above.

  Conventionally, there is a virtual surround technique as one of techniques for performing surround reproduction using audio signals of a plurality of channels. This is to create a virtual surround space by controlling the sound characteristics of an audio signal and generating a virtual sound source. For example, Patent Document 1 acquires actual speaker position information and listening position information, and distributes audio signals to be supplied to each speaker based on the acquired speaker position information, listening position information, and virtual sound source localization information. It is described that the ratio is calculated to form an appropriate sound field. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 localizes an audio signal in a three-dimensional manner based on position information of a plurality of speakers, position information of sound receiving points of audio signals output from the speakers, and position information of a virtual sound source. Is described.

  If the virtual surround technology of Patent Documents 1 and 2 is used, even if the arrangement method of a plurality of speakers assumed for the sound source to be reproduced differs from the arrangement of the plurality of speakers actually used for reproduction of the sound source, Will be able to get a great surround effect. However, the virtual surround techniques of Patent Documents 1 and 2 are intended to create a virtual surround space when reproducing an audio signal, and are not related to setting parameter information for controlling the localization of the audio signal. Therefore, for example, the usability of the setting screen as shown in Non-Patent Document 1 cannot be improved. In addition, the virtual surround technology disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 needs to measure an actual speaker position and an actual listening position using a test signal, or perform a complicated calculation using a measurement result. Is complicated.

JP 2009-44261 A JP 2009-38641 A

"YAMAHA PM5D DIGITAL MIXING CONSOLE DSP5D DIGITAL MIXING SYSTEM PM5D / PM5D-RH V2 DSP5D Instruction Manual", [online], Yamaha Corporation, 2004, [Search on July 8, 2013] : //www2.yamaha.co.jp/manual/pdf/pa/japan/mixers/pm5dv2_om_ja_h0.pdf> "Recommendation ITU-R BS. 775-3 (08/2012) Multichannel stereophonic sound system with and without accounting picture", [online], 8 months of Heisei 8 years, 20 years of Heisei , Internet <URL: http://www.itu.int/dms_pubrec/itu-r/rec/bs/R-REC-BS.775-3-201208-I!!PDF-E.pdf>

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has improved usability of a function for setting parameter information for controlling the localization of an audio signal, and can easily set the parameter information. It is an object to provide a method and a program.

  The present invention sets parameter information for controlling localization of an audio signal in a format according to one coordinate system of at least two different coordinate systems, and parameter information set by the setting unit. An audio localization setting device comprising: a conversion unit that converts to a format according to another coordinate system out of the at least two coordinate systems.

  The audio localization setting device according to the above invention is configured so that parameter information set in a format according to one coordinate system out of at least two different coordinate systems can be converted into a format according to another coordinate system. The parameter information for controlling the localization of the audio signal can be set in a format according to any of the two coordinate systems. Therefore, the parameter information can be easily set in accordance with various speaker arrangement methods and reproduction environments as compared with the conventional technique. Therefore, usability of a function for setting parameter information for controlling the localization of the audio signal is improved. For example, the operator of the audio localization setting device can convert a parameter value set in a certain coordinate system into a format that conforms to another coordinate system that is closer to, for example, the speaker placement method actually used.

  In the audio localization setting device according to an embodiment, the setting unit is configured to be able to variably set the parameter information by a user operation, and the format conforms to the other coordinate system converted by the conversion unit. The parameter information can be further changed by a user operation via the setting unit. Furthermore, in the audio localization setting device according to an embodiment, the setting unit is configured to be able to set and change the parameter information by a user operation using a GUI screen, and the GUI screen includes the at least 2 When setting the parameter information according to the one coordinate system of one coordinate system, a setting screen specific to the one coordinate system is displayed, and the parameter information is converted into a format according to the other coordinate system by the conversion unit. When converted, it is switched to display a setting screen specific to the other coordinate system.

  Further, the present invention sets the parameter information for controlling the localization of the audio signal in a format according to one coordinate system out of at least two different coordinate systems, and the parameter information set by the setting unit. And an audio localization setting method comprising the step of converting the at least two coordinate systems into a format conforming to another coordinate system. Alternatively, the parameter information for controlling the localization of the audio signal is set in a format according to one coordinate system of at least two different coordinate systems, and the parameter information set by the setting unit is the at least 2 The step of converting the coordinate system into a format conforming to another coordinate system out of one coordinate system can be configured and implemented as an invention of a program that causes a computer to execute.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the usability of a function for setting parameter information for controlling the localization of an audio signal, and to obtain an excellent effect that the parameter information can be easily set.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an audio localization setting device according to the present invention. In the digital audio mixing apparatus to which the audio localization setting apparatus according to the present invention is applied, it is an example of a setting screen for setting parameter information for controlling localization of an audio signal, and (a) follows the first coordinate system. The figure which shows the 1st setting screen which sets the said parameter information in a format, (b) is a figure which shows the 2nd setting screen for setting the said parameter information in the format according to a 2nd coordinate system. The block diagram which shows the electrical hardware structural example of the digital audio mixing apparatus to which the audio localization setting apparatus which concerns on this invention is applied. The block diagram which shows the structure of the signal processing function in the digital audio mixing apparatus of FIG. The figure for demonstrating the process which converts the 1st parameter value of the format according to a 1st coordinate system into the 2nd parameter value of the format according to a 2nd coordinate system. (A) is a figure explaining the angle of the point A-the point F in a 1st setting screen, (b) is a figure explaining the angle of the point A-the point F in a 2nd setting screen. The graph which shows an example of the function (f) which prescribes | regulates the correspondence of angle (theta) 'represented by the 1st coordinate system, and angle (theta) represented by the 2nd coordinate system. The figure explaining the example of a change of the said function (f). The figure explaining the conventional surround pan setting screen.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an audio localization setting apparatus according to the present invention. The audio localization setting device 1 sets parameter information for controlling localization of an audio signal in a format according to one coordinate system out of at least two different coordinate systems, and is set by the setting unit A conversion unit 3 that converts the parameter information into a format that conforms to another coordinate system of the at least two coordinate systems. The setting unit 2 sets the parameter information expressed in a certain coordinate system. The conversion unit 3 converts the parameter information expressed by the certain coordinate system set by the setting unit 2 into a format according to another coordinate system. Therefore, according to the audio localization setting device 1, parameter information in a format according to a certain coordinate system set by the setting unit 2 can be used for localization control of the audio signal, and is converted by the conversion unit 3. Also, parameter information in a format according to another coordinate system can be used for localization control of the audio signal.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which an audio localization setting device 1 according to the present invention is applied to a digital audio mixing device 10 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  A digital audio mixing device (hereinafter also simply referred to as “mixer”) 10 is a device that processes an audio signal of one or a plurality of channels by digital signal processing, and has a “surround pan function” as one of its functions. The surround pan function is a function for setting the localization of a plurality of channels of audio signals for surround reproduction and automatically moving the localization of the audio signals along an arbitrary trajectory. In the following description, “localization of a plurality of channels of audio signals for surround reproduction” is referred to as “surround pan”. Also, a 6-channel audio signal for so-called “5.1ch surround” playback is assumed as the “multiple-channel audio signal for surround playback”. The term “channel” is abbreviated as “ch”. The mixer 10 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to convert parameter information set in one coordinate system out of at least two different coordinate systems into parameter information expressed in another coordinate system.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a setting screen for the operator to set the surround pan in the mixer 10. FIG. 2A is an example of a setting unit that sets parameter information for controlling the surround pan in a format according to one coordinate system of at least two different coordinate systems. 3 shows an example of the first setting screen 100 displayed by (indicated by reference numeral 13 in FIG. 3). The first setting screen 100 is a GUI screen on which parameter information can be set and changed by a user operation.

  The first setting screen 100 displays a first coordinate plane 105 associated with an orthogonal coordinate system (referred to as a “first coordinate system”) and a localization image 300 indicating the current position of the surround pan. The first coordinate plane 105 represents the reproduction environment as a square. The reproduction environment represented by the first coordinate plane 105 assumes a speaker arrangement method in which five speakers for 5.1ch surround are arranged along the periphery of the coordinate plane 105. Specifically, in FIG. 2A, the speaker arrangement method is such that a front left (“LF”) channel speaker 400 is located at the left end of the upper side, and a front center (“FC”; abbreviation of Front Center) is located at the center. The channel speaker 401 and the front right (“FR”) front channel speaker 402 are arranged in a row at the right end thereof, and the rear left (“ SL ”(abbreviation of“ Surround Left ”) channel speaker 403, and rear right (“ SR ”: abbreviation of“ Surround Right ”) channel speaker 404 are arranged at the right end. Around the first coordinate plane 105, images showing the speakers 400 to 404 are displayed in association with the speaker arrangement method. Note that a low-frequency effect sound (referred to as “LFE”; LFE is an abbreviation of Low Frequency Effect) ch is not included in the surround pan, and therefore it is not necessary to associate the LFE speaker 405 with the first coordinate plane 105.

  The first setting screen 100 is configured to set parameter information for controlling the surround pan according to the coordinates indicating the current position of the localization image 300 on the first coordinate plane 105. The parameter information set on the first setting screen 100 is surround in a format according to an orthogonal coordinate system (first coordinate system), that is, a binary value x in the horizontal axis 110 direction and a value y in the vertical axis 120 direction. Represents the position of the pan. The parameter information expressed in the first coordinate system is referred to as “first parameter value”. The operator can set and change parameter information for controlling surround panning by changing the position of the localization image 300 on the first coordinate plane 105 by an operation using the first setting screen 100. Therefore, the operator can control the position of the surround pan while visually confirming the mutual relationship between the positions of the speakers 400 to 404 and the position of the localization image 300.

  FIG. 2B is an example of a setting unit that sets parameter information for controlling the surround pan in a format according to another coordinate system among at least two different coordinate systems. 3 shows an example of the second setting screen 200 displayed at 13). The second setting screen 200 is a GUI screen on which parameter information can be set and changed by a user operation.

  The second setting screen 200 displays a second coordinate plane 205 associated with a polar coordinate system (referred to as a “second coordinate system”) and a localization image 300 indicating the current position of the surround pan. The second coordinate plane 205 represents the reproduction environment as a circle. As a reproduction environment represented by the second coordinate plane 205, for example, a speaker arrangement method for 5.1ch surround reproduction defined in the ITU-R BS.775-3 standard is assumed. Specifically, the speaker arrangement method is that five speakers 400 to 404 are arranged on a circumference centered on the listening position 210, and among the five speakers 400 to 404, the FCch speaker 401 is arranged. In front of the listening position 210 (0 degree from the reference line 220), the LFch speaker 400 is 30 degrees to the left from the reference line 220, and the FR speaker 402 is 30 degrees to the right from the reference line 220. The SLch speaker 403 is arranged in the range of 100 to 120 degrees to the left from the reference line 220, and the SRch speaker 404 is arranged in the range of 100 to 120 degrees to the right from the reference line 220. Is. Around the second coordinate plane 205, images indicating the speakers 400 to 404 are displayed in association with the speaker arrangement method. Also on the second setting screen 200, the arrangement position of the LFEch speaker 405 need not correspond to the second coordinate plane 205.

  The second setting screen 200 is configured to set parameter information for controlling the surround pan according to the coordinates indicating the current position of the localization image 300 on the second coordinate plane 205. The parameter information set on the second setting screen 200 is in the form according to the polar coordinate system (second coordinate system), that is, the position of the surround pan by the binary value of the distance r from the origin 210 and the angle θ from the reference line 220. Express. For example, the angle θ is a positive value counterclockwise from the reference line 220. The parameter information expressed in the second coordinate system is referred to as “second parameter value”. The operator can set and change parameter information for controlling surround panning by changing the position of the localization image 300 on the second coordinate plane 205 by an operation using the second setting screen 200. Therefore, the operator can control the position of the surround pan while visually confirming the mutual relationship between the positions of the speakers 400 to 404 and the position of the localization image 300.

  The mixer 10 can use either the first setting screen 100 or the second setting screen 200 as a GUI screen for setting and changing the parameter information. In addition, as will be described in detail later, the mixer 10 receives the parameter information expressed in one of the first coordinate system or the second coordinate system set on either the first setting screen 100 or the second setting screen 200. The parameter information can be converted into parameter information expressed in the other of the first coordinate system or the second coordinate system. When the parameter information is converted from a certain coordinate system into a format according to another coordinate system, the setting screen displayed on the display unit 13 of the mixer 1 is switched to a setting screen unique to the other coordinate system. For example, when converting the parameter information of the first parameter value into the parameter information of the second parameter value, the setting screen displayed on the display unit 13 is switched from the first setting screen 100 to the second setting screen 200, and the operator By the operation using the second setting screen 200, the parameter information of the converted second parameter value can be further changed.

  In addition to the components shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the first setting screen 100 and the second setting screen 200 include, for example, various button images, cursor images, and current positions of surround pans as numerical values. Components not shown in the figure, such as a display unit for display, may be provided as appropriate.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the mixer 10. The mixer 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11, a memory 12, a display unit 13, an operation unit 14, and a signal processing unit 15 (MIX unit). The mixer 10 may appropriately include other configurations (communication I / F, etc.) not shown.

  The CPU 11, the memory 12, the display unit 13, the operation unit 14, and the MIX unit 15 are connected via a communication bus 16 and can communicate various control signals between the CPU 11 and the units 12 to 15. The MIX unit 15 can input or output an analog audio signal or a digital audio signal to / from an input device such as a microphone or a playback device, or an output device such as an amplifier or a speaker.

  The CPU 11 executes various programs stored in the memory 12 and controls the overall operation of the mixer 10. The memory 12 stores various programs executed by the CPU 11 and various data in a nonvolatile manner, and is used for a load area and a work area for programs executed by the CPU 11. The memory 12 may be configured by appropriately combining various memory devices such as a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, and a hard disk. The program includes a program for executing the operations of the setting unit 2 and the conversion unit 3 shown in FIG. The operations of the setting unit 2 and the conversion unit 3 shown in FIG. 1 are realized by the CPU 11 executing the program.

  The display unit 13 is, for example, a liquid crystal display provided on the operation panel, an associated interface circuit, and the like, and displays various information based on a display control signal given from the CPU 11 by various images, character strings, and the like. The first setting screen 100 and the second setting screen 200 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B are displayed on the display unit 13.

  The operation unit 14 is a group of operation elements arranged on the operation panel and related interface circuits. The operator performs operations for setting and changing various parameters using various operators of the operation unit 14. CPU11 acquires the detection signal according to operation of the operation part 14 by an operator, and controls operation | movement of the mixer 10 based on a detection signal.

  The MIX unit 15 is configured by, for example, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The MIX unit 15 executes a signal processing program to perform signal processing on one or more audio signals supplied from an input device (not shown), and outputs the processed audio signal to an output device (not shown). The signal processing executed by the MIX unit 15 includes mixing processing that mixes at least a plurality of audio signals. The signal processing is controlled based on various parameter values stored in the working area of the memory 12.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the signal processing function (module) of the mixer 10. The operation of each module shown in FIG. 4 is realized exclusively by signal processing by the MIX unit 15. The input channel 30 receives the audio signal supplied from the input device, and performs processing such as adjustment of sound characteristics on the audio signal based on the values of various parameters set for the input channel.

  Each input channel 30 supplies the processed audio signal to one or a plurality of MIX buses 40 via a pan 39. The mixer 10 includes a plurality of MIX buses 40 (at least six in this embodiment corresponding to each channel of 5.1 ch surround), and each MIX bus 40 has a one-to-one correspondence with the output ch 50 in the subsequent stage. It is attached. Each MIX bus 40 mixes the supplied output signals of one or more input channels 30 and supplies the mixed signals to one corresponding output channel 50.

  The output channel 50 outputs the audio signal supplied from the corresponding MIX bus 40 to the output device by performing processing such as adjustment of sound characteristics based on the values of various parameters set for the output channel.

  The surround pan function of the mixer 10 will be described. The mixer 10 uses the necessary number of MIX buses 40 (for example, six in the case of 5.1ch surround) among the plurality of MIX buses 40 as surround ch buses. The pan 39 of the input channel 30 functions as a module for controlling the surround pan.

  The six MIX buses 40 used as surround ch buses include a front left (FL), a front center (FC), a front right (FR), a rear left (SL), a rear right (SR), and an LFE, respectively. Each surround channel corresponds. The pans 39 of the input ch 30 are five corresponding to FL, FC, FR, SL, and SR based on the value of parameter information that is held in the working area of the memory 12 and controls the pan 39 of the input ch. By adjusting the transmission level of the audio signal to the surround ch bus, the volume balance between the surround ch corresponding to each bus is controlled. Note that the transmission level to the LFEch bus is adjusted by a single LEFch. The working area of the memory 12 stores parameter information values for controlling the pan 39 corresponding to each of the plurality of input channels 30.

  As described above, the parameter information for controlling the pan 39 is the first parameter value (value x in the horizontal axis 110 direction, value y in the vertical axis 120 direction) expressed in the first coordinate system or the second coordinate system. It is expressed in any form of the expressed second parameter value (distance r, angle θ). When the CPU 11 sets the current position of the surround pan using the first setting screen 100, the CPU 11 stores the first parameter value in the working area of the memory 12, while using the second setting screen 200, the position of the surround pan Is set, the second parameter value is stored in the working area of the memory 12. In another embodiment, the first parameter value expressed in the first coordinate system and the second parameter value expressed in the second coordinate system are used as parameter information for controlling the pan 39 of each input channel 30. Both may be stored in the working area of the memory 12 at the same time.

  The parameter information for controlling the pan 39 is added with identification information for identifying whether the information is expressed in the first parameter value or the second parameter value. The CPU 11 identifies whether the parameter information is expressed in the first parameter value or the second parameter value based on the identification information, and performs processing according to the identification result. As processing according to the identification result, for example, processing for displaying either the first setting screen 100 or the second setting screen 200 on the display unit 13, and localization at a position corresponding to the parameter information in the coordinate system of the displayed setting screen The CPU 11 performs a process of displaying the image 300 or a process of determining an audio signal transmission level instruction value to the six surround ch buses 40 in the pan 39.

  Next, a procedure for setting and changing parameter information for controlling surround panning using the first setting screen 100 or the second setting screen 200 will be described. The operator selects one input channel 30 for which surround panning is desired to be set from a plurality of input channels 30 using the operator of the operation unit 14 and instructs to activate the surround pan function related to the selected input channel 30. In response to the activation of the surround pan function, the CPU 11 displays the first setting screen 100 or the second setting screen 200 related to the selected input channel 30 on the display unit 13. Which of the first setting screen 100 and the second setting screen 200 is displayed on the display unit 13 may be arbitrarily selected by the operator, or when the function is activated, the first setting screen 100 or the second setting screen 200 may be selected. Any one of the screens 200 may be determined to be fixedly displayed. Alternatively, for example, based on the identification information added to the parameter information stored in the working area of the memory 12, the CPU 11 automatically selects either the first setting screen 100 or the second setting screen 200. May be. Hereinafter, a case where the first setting screen 100 is displayed on the display unit 13 will be described as an example.

  When the operator selects an input channel 30 for which surround panning is desired to be set and instructs activation of the surround pan function, the CPU 11 displays the first setting screen 100 related to the input channel 30 selected by the operator on the display unit 13 and The localization image 300 is displayed on the first coordinate plane 105 of the 1 setting screen 100 based on the parameter information stored in the working area of the memory 12. It is assumed that the first parameter value expressed in the first coordinate system is stored as parameter information in the working area of the memory 12.

  When the operator performs an operation of changing the position of the localization image 300 on the first coordinate plane 105 using the operation unit 14, the CPU 11 performs a new operation on the localization image 300 in accordance with the changing operation by the operator. The position is specified, the parameter information of the input channel 30 corresponding to the working area is overwritten and updated with the first parameter value corresponding to the specified position, and the localization image 300 is specified based on the updated parameter information. The new position is displayed.

  The operation of changing the position of the localization image 300 can be directed in the left-right direction (the direction of the horizontal axis 110 in FIG. 2A) and the front-back direction (the direction of the vertical axis 120 in FIG. 2A), for example. This operation is performed using appropriate operation keys such as a simple cursor key, a mouse operation button, a track pad, a rotary operation type knob operation member, and a joystick. As an example, a knob operator with a push function that can be pushed in the rotation axis direction can be used. When adjusting the position of the surround pan with the first parameter value expressed in the first coordinate system using the knob operator with push function, for example, the CPU 11 performs a rotation operation with the operator pushing the knob operator. In this case, the value x in the direction of the horizontal axis 110 (hereinafter also referred to as “left and right position”) x of the first parameter value is changed according to the rotation operation, and the rotation operation is performed without pushing the knob operator. In this case, the CPU 11 changes the value (hereinafter also referred to as “front-rear position”) y in the direction of the vertical axis 120 in the first parameter value in accordance with the rotation operation. By using the knob operator with a push function, two values representing the position of the surround pan can be adjusted by operating only one operator.

  Next, referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, the parameter information of the first parameter value expressed in the first coordinate system set on the first setting screen 100 displayed on the display unit 13 is converted into the second coordinate system. The procedure for converting to the parameter information of the second parameter value represented by The conversion procedure is executed in accordance with, for example, an operator instruction. When the operator gives an instruction to switch the coordinate system, the CPU 11 determines the first parameter value (left and right position) regarding the input ch 30 corresponding to the first setting screen 100 currently displayed on the display unit 13 according to the operator's instruction. The parameter information of x, the front-rear position y) is read from the working area of the memory 12, and the parameter information of the read first parameter value is converted into the second parameter value (distance r, angle θ) expressed in the second coordinate system. ) Is converted into parameter information. Details of the method of converting the parameter information of the first parameter value into the second parameter value expressed in the second coordinate system will be described later. The CPU 11 stores the second parameter value acquired by the conversion process in the working area of the memory 12 and changes the setting screen displayed on the display unit 13 from the first setting screen 100 related to the input ch 30 to the second value related to the input ch 30. Switching to the setting screen 200, the localization image 300 is displayed at a position on the second coordinate plane 205 of the second setting screen 200 based on the parameter information of the second parameter value.

  After the setting screen displayed on the display unit 13 is switched from the first setting screen 100 related to the input ch 30 to the second setting screen 200 related to the input ch 30, the operator uses the operation unit 14 on the second coordinate plane 205. By changing the position of the localization image 300, the surround pan localization can be set and changed with the second parameter value expressed in the converted second coordinate system. The CPU 11 updates the parameter information of the corresponding input ch 30 in the working area of the memory 12 in accordance with the operation to be changed by the operator, and displays the localization image 300 on the second setting screen 200 based on the parameter information. When adjusting the localization of the surround pan by the second parameter value expressed in the second coordinate system using the knob operator with push function described above, the CPU 11 is rotated after the knob operator is pushed in, for example. In this case, according to the rotation operation, the value of the distance r is controlled from among the second parameter values. On the other hand, when the knob operator is rotated without being pushed in, the second parameter value is adjusted according to the rotation operation. Of the parameter values, the value of the angle θ is controlled.

  Thus, for example, there is a speaker arrangement method in which the operator sets parameter values expressed in the first coordinate system (orthogonal coordinate system) using the first setting screen 100, while actually using the surround pan settings. , The first parameter value expressed in the first coordinate system is the second parameter value in a situation where the arrangement is a circular shape according to the ITU-R BS.775-3 standard expressed in the second coordinate system (polar coordinate system). It can be easily converted into the second parameter value expressed in the coordinate system, and the surround pan can be displayed, set and changed using the second setting screen 200 suitable for the speaker placement method actually used.

  Next, a specific example of a method for converting the first parameter value expressed in the first coordinate system into the second parameter expressed in the second coordinate system will be described. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the coordinates on the first coordinate plane 105 are “P1” and the coordinates on the second coordinate plane 205 are “P2”. Since the assumed reproduction environment shape (coordinate plane shape) is different between the first coordinate plane 105 and the second coordinate plane 205, the first parameter values (left and right position x, front and rear position) expressed in the first coordinate system are different. It is not possible to express all the coordinates P1 in the first coordinate plane 105 by the coordinates P2 of the second coordinate plane 205 by simply converting y) into a distance and an angle from the origin 115. In view of this point, the CPU 11 of the mixer 10 converts all the coordinates P1 (x, y) in the first coordinate plane 105 into the coordinates P2 (r, θ) in the second coordinate plane 205 by the method described below. So that the first parameter value is converted into the second parameter value.

式１により求めた角度θ´に対応する、第２座標系で表現されたθは下記式２のようにθ´の関数として表すことができる。

First, an example of a method for obtaining the angle θ of the second parameter value from the first parameter value will be described. FIG. 5 shows the coordinate plane 105 and the coordinate plane 205 in an overlapping manner. As shown in FIG. 5, when the coordinate of the origin 115 of the coordinate plane 105 is (0, 0), the angle θ ′ formed by the line segment OP and the horizontal axis can be obtained by the following equation 1.

The θ expressed in the second coordinate system corresponding to the angle θ ′ obtained by Equation 1 can be expressed as a function of θ ′ as shown in Equation 2 below.

  An example of the function f will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first setting screen 100 and the second setting screen 200 of FIGS. 6A and 6B, the center position is the origin “O”, the FCch speaker position is the point “A”, and the FLch speaker position is the point “ B ”, the position of the speaker for SLch is“ C ”, the position of 180 ° from the FCch speaker is“ D ”, the position of the SRch speaker is“ E ”, and the position of the FRch speaker is“ F ” To do.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, when the position of the point A is 0 degree (reference line) on the first setting screen 100, the point B is 45 degrees to the left from the reference line, and the point C is to the left of the reference line. 135 degrees, point D is 180 degrees from the reference line, point F is 45 degrees to the right from the reference line, and point E is 135 degrees to the right from the reference line. That is, the angles θ ′ of the points A to F with respect to the reference line are clockwise from the point A, the point A = 0 degrees (360 degrees), the point B = 45 degrees, the point C = 135 degrees, and the point D = 180. Degrees, point E = 225 degrees, and point F = 315 degrees.

  On the other hand, since the second setting screen 200 assumes the speaker tooth position according to the TU-R BS.775-3 standard as described above, the point C is set to 120 degrees from the reference line (point A) to the left and the point E is set to the left. Assuming 120 degrees to the right from the reference line, the angle θ of points A to F on the second setting screen 200 with respect to the reference line is point A = 0 degrees clockwise from point A as shown in FIG. (360 degrees), point B = 30 degrees, point C = 120 degrees, point D = 180 degrees, point E = 240 degrees, and point F = 330 degrees.

  The angle θ ′ of the points A to F expressed in the first coordinate system shown in FIG. 6A and the angle of the points A to F expressed in the second coordinate system shown in FIG. The function f is defined by defining the correspondence with θ. FIG. 7 shows a correspondence relationship between the angle θ ′ and the angle θ of the points A to F shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, the horizontal axis represents the angle θ ′ in the first coordinate system, and the vertical axis represents the angle θ in the second coordinate system. By interpolating (for example, linear interpolation) the points A to F shown in FIG. 7, all the angles θ ′ from 0 degrees to 360 degrees and the angles θ of all the second coordinate systems from 0 degrees to 360 degrees are obtained. And the function f is defined. For example, when θ ′ = 135 corresponding to the point C, f (θ ′) = 120.

  For example, a data table or a calculation formula (program) corresponding to the function f shown in FIG. 7 is stored in advance in an appropriate memory 12 of the mixer 10. The CPU 11 acquires the angle θ corresponding to the angle θ ′ using the data table or the calculation formula. As described above, the CPU 11 of the mixer 10 obtains the angle θ ′ based on the first parameter value expressed in the first coordinate system by the above formula 1, and corresponds to the angle θ ′ from the function f shown in FIG. The angle θ to be acquired is acquired.

式３により求めた距離ｒ´に対応する第２座標系での距離ｒは下記式４のようにｒ´の関数として表すことができる。

ここで、「Ｗ」は第２座標平面２０５の半径（言い換えれば第１座標平面１０５における値域）に対応する固定値である。また。「Ｒ」は、原点Ｏから座標Ｐを通り、第１座標平面１０５の辺に交わる線分（すなわち第１座標平面１０５の辺に接する線分ＯＰの延長線）の長さを表す。Ｒの値は、前述のθ´、つまり座標Ｐ１（ｘ，ｙ）に応じてＷ（θ´＝０度または９０度）からＷ√２（θ´＝４５度）の範囲で変化する。図５から明らかなように、第１座標平面１０５の座標Ｐ１のｘ又はｙの少なくとも一方が最大値のとき（つまり座標Ｐが第１座標平面１０５の辺の上に位置するとき）、ｒ´＝Ｒとなる。上記の式４によれば、ｒ´＝Ｒの場合に、Ｇ（ｒ´）＝Ｗとなる。すなわち、式４で示した関数ｇは、ｒ´にＲに対するＷの比を乗算することで、ｒ´を第２座標系の範囲内（半径Ｗの範囲）に収まるｒに変換する。例えば、ミキサ１０の適宜のメモリ１２に、式４に示す関数Ｇに対応するデータテーブル又は計算式（プログラム）を予め記憶しておく。ＣＰＵ１１は、該データテーブル又は計算式を用いて、距離ｒ´に対応する距離ｒを取得する。このように、ミキサ１０のＣＰＵ１１は、上記式３により第１座標系で表された第１パラメータ値に基づく距離ｒ´を求め、そして、上記式４に示す関数ｇから、距離ｒ´に対応する距離ｒを取得する。 Next, an example of a method for obtaining the distance r of the second parameter value from the first parameter value will be described. As shown in FIG. 5 described above, if the distance from the origin 115 on the first coordinate system to an arbitrary coordinate P1 (x, y) is r ′, r ′ is expressed by the following Equation 3.

The distance r in the second coordinate system corresponding to the distance r ′ obtained by Expression 3 can be expressed as a function of r ′ as shown in Expression 4 below.

Here, “W” is a fixed value corresponding to the radius of the second coordinate plane 205 (in other words, the value range in the first coordinate plane 105). Also. “R” represents the length of a line segment passing from the origin O through the coordinate P and intersecting the side of the first coordinate plane 105 (that is, an extension line of the line segment OP in contact with the side of the first coordinate plane 105). The value of R varies within the range of W (θ ′ = 0 degrees or 90 degrees) to W√2 (θ ′ = 45 degrees) according to the aforementioned θ ′, that is, the coordinates P1 (x, y). As is apparent from FIG. 5, when at least one of x and y of the coordinate P1 of the first coordinate plane 105 is the maximum value (that is, when the coordinate P is located on the side of the first coordinate plane 105), r ′ = R. According to the above equation 4, when r ′ = R, G (r ′) = W. That is, the function g shown in Expression 4 multiplies r ′ by the ratio of W to R to convert r ′ into r that falls within the range of the second coordinate system (range of radius W). For example, a data table or a calculation formula (program) corresponding to the function G shown in Formula 4 is stored in advance in an appropriate memory 12 of the mixer 10. The CPU 11 acquires the distance r corresponding to the distance r ′ using the data table or the calculation formula. As described above, the CPU 11 of the mixer 10 obtains the distance r ′ based on the first parameter value expressed in the first coordinate system by the above equation 3, and corresponds to the distance r ′ from the function g shown in the above equation 4. The distance r to be acquired is acquired.

  By the method described above, the first parameter values corresponding to all the coordinates within the range of the first coordinate plane 105 can be converted into the second parameter values (r, θ) in a format according to the second coordinate system.

前記距離ｒ´及び角度θ´に対応する第１座標系の第１パラメータ値は、ｘ＝r´ cosθ´,ｙ＝r´ sinθ´で表すことができる。そして、ＣＰＵ１１は、前記変換の結果として取得した第１座標系で表された第１パラメータ値（ｘ、ｙ）のパラメータ情報を、メモリ１２のワーキング領域に記憶すると共に、表示部１３に表示する設定画面を、当該入力ｃｈ３０に関する第２設定画面２００から当該入力ｃｈ３０に関する第１設定画面１００に切り替えて、該第１設定画面１００の第１座標平面１０５に、該変換された第１パラメータ値のパラメータ情報に基づく定位画像３００を表示する。オペレータは、表示部１３に表示された第１設定画面１００を用いたオペレータ操作により、第１座標系で表した第１パラメータ値のパラメータ情報を、更に変更できる。 In the description so far, the first parameter value (x, y) expressed in the first coordinate system (orthogonal coordinate system) is changed to the second parameter value (r, θ) expressed in the second coordinate system (polar coordinate system). However, the second parameter value (r, θ) expressed in the second coordinate system can be converted into the first parameter value (x, y) expressed in the first coordinate system. . That is, when the second setting screen 200 is displayed on the display unit 13 and the operator gives an instruction to switch the coordinate system, the CUP 11 responds to the second display currently displayed on the display unit 13. The parameter information of the second parameter value (r, θ) relating to the input channel 30 corresponding to the setting screen 200 is read from the working area of the memory 12, and the parameter information of the read second parameter value is read in the first coordinate system. A process of converting the parameter information of the represented first parameter value (x, y) is performed. In this case, for example, the angle θ ′ in the first coordinate system corresponding to the angle θ in the second coordinate system can be acquired from the function f in FIG. Further, the distance r ′ in the first coordinate system corresponding to the distance r in the second coordinate system can be expressed as a function of r from the following equation (5).

The first parameter value of the first coordinate system corresponding to the distance r ′ and the angle θ ′ can be expressed as x = r ′ cos θ ′, y = r ′ sin θ ′. Then, the CPU 11 stores the parameter information of the first parameter value (x, y) expressed in the first coordinate system acquired as a result of the conversion in the working area of the memory 12 and displays it on the display unit 13. The setting screen is switched from the second setting screen 200 related to the input channel 30 to the first setting screen 100 related to the input channel 30, and the converted first parameter value is displayed on the first coordinate plane 105 of the first setting screen 100. A localization image 300 based on the parameter information is displayed. The operator can further change the parameter information of the first parameter value expressed in the first coordinate system by an operator operation using the first setting screen 100 displayed on the display unit 13.

  As described above, according to the mixer 10 of the present embodiment, surround can be performed using either the first parameter value represented by the first coordinate system or the second parameter value represented by the second coordinate system. Parameter information for controlling panning can be set. Therefore, parameter information can be easily set according to various speaker arrangement methods and playback environments. Therefore, the usability of the function for setting the surround pan is improved. For example, the operator converts a parameter value set in a certain coordinate system into a format that conforms to a coordinate system that is closer to, for example, a speaker placement method that is actually used, and is simpler in accordance with the speaker placement method that is actually used. Surround pan control can be performed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the first setting screen 100 is configured by a setting screen unique to the orthogonal coordinate system, so that a conventional mixer (for example, described in Non-Patent Document 1) that employs a surround pan setting screen of the orthogonal coordinate system. Data compatibility with a mixer having a surround pan function. Therefore, for example, the mixer 10 can easily express the parameter information of the first parameter value (orthogonal coordinate system) set by the conventional mixer adopting the surround pan setting screen of the orthogonal coordinate system in the second coordinate system. Can be converted to parameter information of parameter values. Therefore, the present embodiment also has an excellent effect in terms of ensuring compatibility with past parameter information set in the orthogonal coordinate system and improving usability of past data by data conversion in accordance with the speaker arrangement method.

  The definition of the function f that defines the correspondence between the angle θ ′ of the first coordinate system and the angle θ of the second coordinate system is not limited to the example of FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the definition of the function f. A coordinate plane 205 (second coordinate system) shown in FIG. 8 has a point A corresponding to the front center ch speaker 401 at 0 degrees from the reference line and a point B corresponding to the front left ch speaker 400 from the reference line. 45 degrees to the left, point C corresponding to the rear left channel speaker 403 is 135 degrees to the left from the reference line, point D is 180 degrees from the reference line, and point F corresponding to the rear left channel speaker 404 is the reference The point E corresponding to the right side of the speaker 402 is 45 degrees to the right side from the line and 135 degrees to the right side from the reference line. In this case, for example, when θ ′ = 135 corresponding to the point C, f (θ ′) = 135. In other words, in this case, the angle θ ′ in the format according to the first coordinate system obtained by the above-described equation 1 can be used as it is as the angle θ expressed in the second coordinate system, and therefore the process of converting the angle θ ′ to the angle θ. Becomes easier.

  The details of the process of converting the first parameter value described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7 into the second parameter are merely an example. The conversion method may be any method as long as the first parameter value can be converted into the second parameter.

  In the above-described embodiment, the parameter value is set on the first setting screen 100 or the second setting screen 200 and then the conversion process is manually executed according to the operator's instruction. The timing to perform is not limited to the case where there is an instruction from the operator. As an example, when the CPU 11 displays the first setting screen 100 or the second setting screen 200 on the display unit 13, the parameter information stored in the working area of the memory 12 is either the first coordinate system or the second coordinate system. When the parameter information coordinate system does not match the coordinate system of the setting screen to be displayed this time, the parameter information coordinate system is automatically converted to the coordinate system of the setting screen. You can do it.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first setting screen 100 is configured to represent the reproduction environment associated with the orthogonal coordinate system (the first coordinate plane 105) in a square shape, and the second setting screen 200 is the polar coordinate system ( The reproduction environment associated with the second coordinate plane 205) is expressed in a substantially circular shape. However, the reproduction environments shown in the first setting screen 100 and the second setting screen 200 are limited to a square shape or a circular shape, respectively. Instead, it may be expressed in any plane shape. Also, reproduction environments associated with different coordinate systems (orthogonal coordinate system and polar coordinate system) may be expressed in a common shape.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first coordinate system of the first setting screen 100 is an orthogonal coordinate system in which the first parameter value is represented by the binary value of the left and right position x and the front and rear position y, and the second coordinate of the second setting screen 200 Although an example in which the system is a polar coordinate system that represents the second parameter value by binary values of the distance r and the angle θ has been described, any type of coordinate system may be applied as long as the coordinate systems are different from each other. . The coordinate system in the present invention is also related to the assumed speaker arrangement (playback environment), and the first coordinate system of the first setting screen 100 and the second coordinate system of the second setting screen 200 are common expressions. It may be. For example, the first coordinate system may be a polar coordinate system having the speaker arrangement shown in FIG. 6B, and the second coordinate system may be the polar coordinate system having the speaker arrangement shown in FIG.

  In the above-described embodiment, both the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system for setting parameter information are planar coordinate systems that specify coordinates by a combination of two values, but the coordinate system for setting parameter information is: For example, it may be other than a two-dimensional coordinate system such as a three-dimensional coordinate system.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which two different coordinate systems are prepared by the first setting screen 100 (first coordinate system) and the second setting screen 200 (second coordinate system) has been described. In the present invention, two or more coordinate systems for setting parameter values may be prepared. By preparing a large number of coordinate system options, it is possible to provide a setting screen suitable for various speaker arrangement methods.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the setting unit 2 is the first setting screen 100 and the second setting screen 200 configured to be able to display, set, and change parameter values by a user operation using the GUI screen. As described above, the setting unit 2 is not limited to the configuration using the GUI screen. The setting unit 2 is configured to be able to variably set parameter information by a user operation using, for example, a simple display unit that can display only letters and numbers, and a physical operator that increases or decreases parameter values. Also good.

  In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that “5.1ch surround” is set as the surround playback environment, and surround panning for 5.1ch surround is set. However, in the present invention, for example, “3.1ch surround” is set. It can also be applied to surround pan settings in a surround playback environment of an arbitrary number of channels such as “6.1ch surround”. Further, the present invention is not limited to a so-called surround playback environment, and is also applicable to an audio localization setting device that sets parameter information for controlling localization of an audio signal in any reproduction environment such as 2ch stereo reproduction and 4ch stereo reproduction. Can be applied.

  In the above-described embodiment, an embodiment in which the audio localization setting device of the present invention is applied to a digital audio mixing device has been described. However, the audio localization setting device of the present invention is executed by, for example, a general-purpose personal computer. The present invention can be applied to any device including a function for controlling the localization of an audio signal, such as a software program for controlling a digital audio signal and a control device for controlling signal processing for a digital audio signal. The present invention can also be configured and implemented as a setting method invention for setting parameter information for controlling localization of an audio signal. The present invention can also be configured and implemented as a program invention that causes a computer to execute processing for setting parameter information for controlling localization of an audio signal.

  Note that the setting device of the present invention is not limited to the use of setting parameter information for controlling the localization of audio signals of a plurality of channels, and the parameter information is in a format according to one coordinate system out of at least two different coordinate systems. Any setting device can be used as long as the setting device is set. The present invention, for example, sets parameter information (for example, two items of ratio and gain) for controlling a compressor, which is one function of audio signal processing, and parameter information (for example, a frequency band and the like) for controlling an equalizer. It can be applied to the setting of two items (gain and gain).

1 localization setting device, 10 mixer, 11 CPU, 12 memory, 13 operation section, 14 display section, 15 MIX section, 30 input channels, 39 surround pan, 40 MIX bus, 50 output channels, 100 first setting screen, 105 first 1 coordinate plane, 115 origin, 110 horizontal axis, 120 vertical axis, 200 setting screen, 205 coordinate plane, 210 origin, 220 reference line, 300 localization image, 400 to 405 speaker

Claims (6)

A setting unit for setting parameter information for controlling the localization of the audio signal in a format according to one of at least two different coordinate systems;
An audio localization setting device comprising: a conversion unit that converts parameter information set by the setting unit into a format that conforms to another coordinate system of the at least two coordinate systems. The setting unit is configured to be able to variably set the parameter information by a user operation,
The audio localization setting device according to claim 1, wherein the parameter information in a format according to the other coordinate system converted by the conversion unit can be further changed by a user operation via the setting unit. The setting unit is configured to be able to set and change the parameter information by a user operation using a GUI screen,
When the parameter information is set according to the one coordinate system of the at least two coordinate systems, the GUI screen displays a setting screen specific to the one coordinate system, and
The audio localization setting device according to claim 2, wherein when the parameter information is converted into a format according to the other coordinate system by the conversion unit, the audio localization setting device is switched to display a setting screen unique to the other coordinate system.   4. The audio according to claim 1, wherein one of the at least two different coordinate systems is an orthogonal coordinate system, and the other of the at least two different coordinate systems is a polar coordinate system. Localization setting device. Setting parameter information for controlling the localization of the audio signal in a format according to one of at least two different coordinate systems;
An audio localization setting method comprising: converting parameter information set by the setting unit into a format according to another coordinate system of the at least two coordinate systems. Setting parameter information for controlling the localization of the audio signal in a format according to one of at least two different coordinate systems;
A program for causing a computer to execute the step of converting parameter information set by the setting unit into a format according to another coordinate system of the at least two coordinate systems.

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