JP2020080510A - Communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a communication system allowing passengers to easily talk with each other.SOLUTION: A communication system 10 includes: a sound collection device 20 for collecting sounds uttered by a plurality of passengers by distinguishing for each passenger; a plurality of speakers 40 provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the passengers; a path switching unit 54 for switching a path for giving a sound signal uttered by each of the passengers to the speakers 40; a command determination unit 58 for receiving a conversation start command for setting a first passenger and a second passenger of the passengers in a conversation-enabled state; and a path control unit 60 for controlling the path switching unit 54 so that a first sound signal representing a sound uttered by the first passenger is output from a second speaker of the speakers 40 corresponding to the second passenger and a second sound signal representing a sound uttered by the second passenger is output from the first speaker of the speakers 40 corresponding to the first passenger, when the conversation start command is received.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to communication systems.

  In a vehicle, there is known a system in which a driver's voice is output from a speaker and heard by a passenger. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a voice output system that outputs a driver's voice from a speaker installed near a specific occupant.

JP, 2017-094928, A

  By the way, the space inside the vehicle during traveling is hermetically sealed, and various noises are generated. For this reason, in a running vehicle, it is difficult to hear conversations between passengers, and it tends to be loud. Therefore, it may be difficult for passengers to have a conversation with each other in the moving vehicle.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a communication system that allows passengers to easily talk with each other in a moving body.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the communication system according to the present invention distinguishes voices uttered by a plurality of passengers sitting in a plurality of seats inside a moving body for each passenger. A sound collecting device that collects sound, a plurality of speakers provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of passengers, and a plurality of audio signals representing voices uttered by the plurality of passengers, respectively. A route switching unit that switches a route given to the speaker, a command determination unit that receives a conversation start command that makes the first passenger and the second passenger among the plurality of passengers in a conversation-enabled state, and the conversation start command. When accepted, the first voice signal representing the voice uttered by the first passenger is output from the second speaker of the plurality of speakers, which corresponds to the second passenger, and the second passenger is output. A route control unit that controls the route switching unit so as to output a second audio signal representing a voice uttered by the user from a first speaker of the plurality of speakers that corresponds to the first passenger. ..

  According to the present invention, passengers can easily have a conversation in a moving body.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle 12 and a communication system 10 applied to the vehicle 12 when viewed from the side. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the vehicle 12 and the communication system 10 applied to the vehicle 12 as viewed from the top side. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the communication system 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing at the start of conversation in the communication system 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the conversation enabled state in the communication system 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the communication system 10 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the conversation enabled state in the communication system 10 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the communication system 10 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a first example of an image displayed on the display unit 80. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second example of the image displayed on the display unit 80. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of the communication system 10 according to the fourth embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the communication system 10 according to the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
1 and 2 are diagrams showing a vehicle 12 and a communication system 10 applied to the vehicle 12.

  The communication system 10 according to the first embodiment supports conversation between passengers in the vehicle 12. Note that the communication system 10 may be applied to a moving body other than the vehicle 12 as long as a plurality of passengers can board. For example, the communication system 10 may be applied to an aircraft, a ship, or the like.

  The communication system 10 includes a sound collecting device 20, a processing device 30, and a plurality of speakers 40.

  The sound collecting device 20 collects sounds uttered by a plurality of passengers sitting in a plurality of seats 14 inside the vehicle 12 for each passenger. For example, the sound collection device 20 may have a plurality of microphones 22 provided in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of seats 14. In this case, the microphone 22 is provided in the vicinity of the corresponding seat 14 and collects the voice uttered by the passenger sitting in the corresponding seat 14.

  Further, for example, the sound collection device 20 is provided at an intermediate position between the two seats 14 and includes a single microphone 22 that collects sounds by distinguishing sounds produced by two passengers sitting in these two seats 14. You may have. In this case, the microphone 22 collects voice with directivity by the beamforming technique. In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the microphone 22 is provided at an intermediate position between the two seats 14 on the ceiling.

  The processing device 30 includes an analog circuit and a digital circuit. The processing device 30 is provided inside the vehicle 12. The processing device 30 acquires a voice signal representing the voice collected by the sound collection device 20. The processing device 30 performs signal processing, information processing, and the like on the acquired audio signal to generate a plurality of audio signals that individually represent the sounds uttered by the plurality of passengers. Then, the processing device 30 outputs a voice signal representing the voice of any passenger to any of the plurality of speakers 40.

  The plurality of speakers 40 are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of passengers. The speaker 40 acquires an audio signal from the processing device 30 and outputs an audio according to the acquired audio signal. The speaker 40 is provided at a position where the corresponding passenger can hear the sound, but the sound cannot reach the other passengers. In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the speaker 40 is provided on the inner side surface of the vehicle 12 near the corresponding passenger. The speaker 40 may be provided in the headrest of the seat 14 in which the corresponding passenger sits.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the communication system 10 according to the first embodiment. The processing device 30 includes a voice processing unit 52, a route switching unit 54, a plurality of output processing units 56, a command determination unit 58, and a route control unit 60.

  The voice processing unit 52 acquires the voice signal collected by the sound collector 20. The voice processing unit 52 performs processing such as noise removal on the obtained voice signal, and generates a plurality of voice signals that individually represent the voice uttered by each of the plurality of passengers. The voice processing unit 52 sends a plurality of voice signals to the route switching unit 54 and the command determination unit 58.

  Under the control of the route control unit 60, the route switching unit 54 switches the route for providing the plurality of speakers 40 with a plurality of audio signals that individually represent the sounds uttered by the plurality of passengers. For example, the path switching unit 54 is a cross point switch that can apply each of the plurality of audio signals to any of the plurality of speakers 40.

  The plurality of output processing units 56 are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of speakers 40. The output processing unit 56 acquires the audio signal to be given to the corresponding speaker 40 from the path switching unit 54. The output processing unit 56 outputs the sound from the corresponding speaker 40 by performing signal processing on the acquired sound signal and giving it to the corresponding speaker 40.

  The command determination unit 58 receives a conversation start command that sets the first passenger and the second passenger of the plurality of passengers in a conversation-enabled state. The first passenger is any one of the passengers designated by the conversation start command among the plurality of passengers. The second passenger is any one of the plurality of passengers other than the first passenger designated in the conversation start command. The first occupant and the second occupant may be seated on any seats 14 in the vehicle 12.

  Further, the command determination unit 58 receives a conversation end command for ending the conversation-enabled state in the conversation-enabled state between the first passenger and the second passenger.

  In the present embodiment, the command determination unit 58 accepts commands such as a conversation start command and a conversation end command by recognizing each of the plurality of audio signals. The command determination unit 58, for example, uses the keyword “start a conversation with the second passenger” included in the voice signal uttered by the first passenger to talk between the first passenger and the second passenger. Accepted as a conversation start command to enable the conversation. In addition, the command determination unit 58, for example, in the state where the first passenger and the second passenger can talk with each other, the command judgment unit 58 includes “End conversation” included in the voice signal uttered by the first passenger or the second passenger The keyword "masu" is accepted as a conversation end command. The conversation start command and the conversation end command are not limited to such keywords and may be any term. The command determination unit 58 may also accept a conversation start command and a conversation end command by operating a button or the like.

  The route control unit 60 controls the route switching unit 54 according to the command received by the command determination unit 58. More specifically, when the route control unit 60 receives a conversation start command that makes the first passenger and the second passenger have a conversation enabled state, the first voice signal representing the voice uttered by the first passenger. Is output from the second speaker 40-2 corresponding to the second occupant of the plurality of speakers 40, and a second audio signal representing the voice uttered by the second occupant is output from the plurality of speakers 40. The path switching unit 54 is controlled so as to output from the first speaker 40-1 corresponding to the first passenger.

  Here, the first speaker 40-1 outputs a sound that can be heard by the first passenger but cannot be heard by other passengers. The second speaker 40-2 outputs a sound that can be heard by the second passenger but cannot be heard by other passengers. Therefore, the route control unit 60 can cause the first passenger and the second passenger to have a conversation in a state where other passengers cannot hear the voice.

  Further, when the route control unit 60 receives a conversation end command for ending the conversation-enabled state between the first passenger and the second passenger, the route controller 60 stops the output of the first audio signal from the second speaker 40-2. In addition, the path switching unit 54 is controlled so as to stop the output of the second audio signal from the first speaker 40-1. Thereby, the route control unit 60 can end the conversation between the first passenger and the second passenger.

  It should be noted that the command determination unit 58, when the first passenger and the second passenger can communicate with each other, the third passenger and the fourth passenger, which are different from the first passenger and the second passenger, among the plurality of passengers. It is also possible to accept a conversation start command that sets the passenger in a conversation-enabled state. When the command determination unit 58 receives a conversation start command that allows the third passenger and the fourth passenger to talk with each other, the route control unit 60 outputs a third voice signal representing the voice uttered by the third passenger. The fourth speaker 40-4 corresponding to the fourth passenger outputs the fourth voice signal representing the voice uttered by the fourth passenger from the third speaker 40-3 corresponding to the third passenger. Thus, the route switching unit 54 is controlled.

  In this case, the path control unit 60 outputs the first audio signal from the second speaker 40-2 and outputs the second audio signal from the first speaker 40-1 in parallel with the third audio signal. The path switching unit 54 is controlled so that the fourth speaker 40-4 outputs the fourth audio signal from the third speaker 40-3. Accordingly, the route control unit 60 can cause the third passenger and the fourth passenger to have a conversation while the first passenger and the second passenger have a conversation.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing at the start of conversation in the communication system 10 according to the first embodiment. The communication system 10 executes the process according to the flow shown in FIG. 4 at the start of conversation.

  First, in S11, the command determination unit 58 determines whether or not a conversation start command has been received. For example, the command determination unit 58 performs voice analysis on each of the plurality of voice signals. Then, the command determination unit 58 determines that the conversation start command has been accepted when the voice signal of any of the passengers includes information indicating that the conversation is started. For example, the command determination unit 58 determines that the conversation start command is accepted when the voice signal of any of the passengers includes a pre-registered keyword indicating the start of the conversation. For example, when the voice signal of any of the passengers includes the keyword "start a conversation", the command determination unit 58 determines that the conversation start command is accepted.

  When the conversation start command is not received (No in S11), the command determination unit 58 waits for the process in S11. When the command determination unit 58 receives the conversation start command (Yes in S11), the process proceeds to S12.

  In S12, the command determination unit 58 identifies the two target passengers. For example, the command determination unit 58 identifies the passenger who has uttered the keyword indicating the start of the conversation as one of the two target passengers. In addition, for example, the command determination unit 58 identifies the other passenger of the two target passengers based on the name included in the voice signal together with the keyword.

  For example, when the passenger sitting in the passenger seat utters an audio signal such as "Start conversation with passengers in the right seat in the third row", the command determination unit 58 determines that the two passengers are the target passengers. As, the passenger in the passenger seat and the passenger in the right seat in the third row are identified. When the seat name and the unique name of the passenger are stored in advance in association with each other, the command determination unit 58 determines the other of the two passengers of interest based on the unique name included in the audio signal. Passengers may be specified.

  The command determination unit 58 is not limited to such a method, and may specify the two target passengers by any method. After finishing the process of S12, the instruction determination unit 58 advances the process to S13.

  In S13, the route control unit 60 controls the route switching unit 54 so that the two identified passengers are in the conversation enabled state. More specifically, the route control unit 60 corresponds the audio signal of one passenger of the two specified passengers to the other passenger of the specified two passengers. The route switching unit 54 is controlled so that the speaker 40 outputs the voice signal of the other passenger and the speaker 40 corresponding to the one passenger outputs the audio signal. Accordingly, the route control unit 60 can cause the two target passengers to start a conversation. After finishing the process of S13, the route control unit 60 returns the process to S11.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the conversation enabled state in the communication system 10 according to the first embodiment. The communication system 10 according to the first embodiment executes the process shown in FIG. 5 for each group of passengers in the conversation enabled state.

  First, in S21, the command determination unit 58 determines whether or not a conversation end command has been received. For example, the command determination unit 58 performs voice analysis on each of the voice signals of the two target passengers. Then, the command determination unit 58 determines that the conversation end command is accepted when the voice signals of the two target passengers include information indicating that the conversation is ended. For example, the command determination unit 58 determines that the conversation end command has been received when the voice signals of the two target passengers include a pre-registered keyword indicating the end of the conversation. For example, when the voice signal of either one of the two target passengers includes the keyword “end the conversation”, the instruction determination unit 58 determines that the conversation end instruction is accepted. ..

  When the conversation end command is not received (No in S21), the command determination unit 58 waits for the process in S21. When the command determining unit 58 receives the conversation end command (Yes in S21), the process proceeds to S22.

  In S22, the route control unit 60 controls the route switching unit 54 to end the conversation-enabled state. More specifically, the route control unit 60 outputs the voice signal of one of the two passengers in the conversation-enabled state from the speaker 40 corresponding to the other passenger. The route switching unit 54 is controlled so as to stop and stop outputting the voice signal of the other passenger from the speaker 40 corresponding to the one passenger. Accordingly, the route control unit 60 can end the conversation between the two passengers. The route control unit 60 ends the present flow after finishing the process of S22.

  As described above, the communication system 10 according to the present embodiment outputs the audio signal of the first passenger from the second speaker 40-2 corresponding to the second passenger inside the vehicle 12 and the second passenger. Is output from the first speaker 40-1 corresponding to the first passenger. As a result, according to the communication system 10 according to the present embodiment, the first passenger and the second passenger can easily have a conversation even if a lot of noise is included.

(Second embodiment)
The communication system 10 according to the second embodiment has substantially the same function and configuration as the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, components having substantially the same functions and configurations as those already described are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted except for differences. The same applies to the third and subsequent embodiments.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the communication system 10 according to the second embodiment. The processing device 30 according to the second embodiment further includes a plurality of combining units 70.

  In the second embodiment, the path switching unit 54 outputs one or more audio signals corresponding to each of the plurality of speakers 40. For example, the route switching unit 54 can simultaneously output two or more audio signals corresponding to the first speaker 40-1 corresponding to the first passenger.

  The plurality of synthesis units 70 are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of speakers 40. The synthesizing unit 70 acquires one or more audio signals given to the corresponding speaker 40 from the route switching unit 54.

  When one audio signal is output corresponding to the corresponding speaker 40, the synthesizing unit 70 gives the audio signal as it is to the corresponding output processing unit 56. When two or more audio signals are simultaneously output corresponding to the corresponding speaker 40, the synthesizing unit 70 synthesizes the two or more audio signals and gives them to the output processing unit 56 as one audio signal.

  The output processing unit 56 acquires the audio signal from the corresponding synthesis unit 70. The output processing unit 56 performs signal processing on the acquired audio signal and supplies the processed audio signal to the corresponding speaker 40 to output the audio from the corresponding speaker 40.

  The command determination unit 58 accepts a conversation start command that puts N passengers (an integer of 2 or more) into a conversation-enabled state. When the command determination unit 58 receives the conversation start command, the route control unit 60 excludes the voice signal representing the voice generated by each of the N target passengers from the N passengers other than the person himself/herself. The route switching unit 54 is controlled so that the speakers 40 corresponding to all the passengers are output. Accordingly, the route control unit 60 can cause N passengers to have a conversation.

  In addition, the command determination unit 58 receives a conversation end command for ending the conversation-enabled state of the N passengers in the conversation-enabled state of the N passengers. When receiving the conversation end command, the route control unit 60 controls the route switching unit 54 so as to stop the output of the voice signals of the N passengers. As a result, each of the N passengers cannot hear the voice uttered by the other passengers. As a result, the route control unit 60 can end the conversation by the N passengers.

  In addition, the command determination unit 58 accepts an additional command to add another passenger when N passengers are in a conversation-enabled state. When the route control unit 60 receives the additional command, the route control unit 60 outputs an audio signal representing the voice generated by each of the N+1 passengers including the other passengers added by the additional command to the N+1 passengers out of the N+1 passengers. The route switching unit 54 is controlled so that the speakers 40 corresponding to all the passengers other than the person himself/herself output. Thereby, the route control unit 60 can add another passenger to the conversation enabled state.

  For example, the command determination unit 58 can accept an additional command to add the third passenger of the plurality of passengers when the first passenger and the second passenger are in a conversation-enabled state. When the route control unit 60 receives such an additional command, the route control unit 60 outputs the second voice signal and the third voice signal representing the voice uttered by the third passenger from the first speaker 40-1. The switching unit 54 is controlled. Further, the route control unit 60 controls the route switching unit 54 so that the first audio signal and the third audio signal are output from the second speaker 40-2. Further, the route control unit 60 controls the route switching unit 54 so that the first audio signal and the second audio signal are output from the third speaker 40-3 of the plurality of speakers 40 corresponding to the third passenger. To do. Accordingly, the route control unit 60 can add the third passenger to the conversation between the first passenger and the second passenger.

  In the present embodiment, the command determination unit 58 accepts the additional command by recognizing the voice signal by voice. For example, the command determination unit 58 adds the keyword “I participate in the conversation between the first passenger and the second passenger” included in the audio signal uttered by the third passenger to the third passenger. Accept as an additional command. The instruction determination unit 58 may accept an additional instruction by operating a button or the like.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the conversation enabled state in the communication system 10 according to the second embodiment. The communication system 10 according to the second embodiment executes the process shown in FIG. 7 for each set in the conversation enabled state.

  First, in S31, the command determination unit 58 determines whether or not a conversation end command has been received. For example, the command determination unit 58 performs voice analysis on each of the voice signals of the target N passengers. Then, the command determination unit 58 determines that the conversation end command has been received when the voice signals of the N passengers of interest include information indicating that the conversation is ended. For example, the command determination unit 58 determines that the conversation end command has been received when the voice signals of the target N passengers include a pre-registered keyword indicating the end of the conversation.

  When the command determination unit 58 receives the conversation end command (Yes in S31), the process proceeds to S32. In S32, the route control unit 60 controls the route switching unit 54 to end the conversation-enabled state. More specifically, the route control unit 60 controls the route switching unit 54 so as to stop the output of the audio signal from the speaker 40 corresponding to each of the N passengers in the conversation enabled state. .. Thereby, the route control unit 60 can end the conversation of the N passengers. After finishing the process of S32, the route control unit 60 ends this flow.

  When the conversation end command is not received (No in S31), the command determination unit 58 advances the process to S33. In S33, the instruction determination unit 58 determines whether or not the additional instruction has been accepted. For example, the command determination unit 58 analyzes each of the plurality of audio signals. Then, when the voice signal of any of the passengers includes information indicating that passengers other than the N passengers in the conversation are added to the conversation, the command determination unit 58 issues an additional command. Judged as accepted. For example, the command determination unit 58 determines that the addition command is accepted when the voice signal of any of the passengers includes a pre-registered keyword indicating that a new passenger is added. For example, when the voice signal of any passenger includes the keyword “add a new passenger to the conversation”, the command determination unit 58 determines that the additional command is accepted.

  If the additional instruction is not received (No in S33), the instruction determining unit 58 returns the processing to S31 and repeats the processing from S31. When the instruction determining unit 58 receives the additional instruction (Yes in S33), the processing proceeds to S34.

  In S34, the command determination unit 58 identifies the passenger to be added. For example, when the voice signals of passengers other than the N passengers in the conversation enabled state include a keyword indicating addition, the command determination unit 58 adds the passenger who has uttered the keyword. Specify as a passenger to In addition, for example, when the voice signal of any of the N passengers in the conversation enabled state includes a keyword indicating addition, the command determination unit 58 adds the keyword included in the voice signal to the name or the like. Based on this, the passengers to be added are specified. For example, if any of the N passengers who are in the conversation-enabled state utters the keyword “add a passenger in the right seat in the third row”, the command determination unit 58 determines the right side in the third row. Identify the passenger in the seat as the passenger to be added.

  The command determination unit 58 is not limited to such a method, and may use any method to specify the passenger to be added. After finishing the process of S34, the instruction determination unit 58 advances the process to S35.

  In S35, the route control unit 60 controls the route switching unit 54 so that the N passengers and the passengers to be added can talk. More specifically, the route control unit 60 outputs an audio signal representing the voice generated by each of N+1 passengers including other passengers added by the addition command to the person among the N+1 passengers. The route switching unit 54 is controlled so as to output from the speakers 40 corresponding to all passengers other than. Then, when the process of S35 ends, the route control unit 60 returns the process to S31.

  As described above, the communication system 10 according to the present embodiment outputs the respective voice signals of N passengers from the speaker 40 corresponding to passengers other than the passenger inside the vehicle 12. As a result, according to the communication system 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily make N passengers have a conversation even if a lot of noise is included. Furthermore, the communication system 10 according to the present embodiment can add a new passenger to the state where N passengers can talk.

(Third Embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the communication system 10 according to the third embodiment. The communication system 10 according to the third embodiment further includes a plurality of display units 80.

  The plurality of display units 80 are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of passengers. The display unit 80 acquires an image signal from the processing device 30 and displays an image according to the acquired image signal. The display unit 80 can provide an image to the corresponding passenger, but is provided at a position where the image is difficult for other passengers to see.

  In the third embodiment, the processing device 30 further includes a plurality of display control units 82. The plurality of display control units 82 are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of display units 80. The display control unit 82 acquires the information output to the corresponding display unit 80 from the route control unit 60. The display control unit 82 generates an image signal representing an image including the information received from the route control unit 60. The display control unit 82 supplies the generated image signal to the corresponding display unit 80 to display the information given from the route control unit 60 on the corresponding display unit 80.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a first example of an image displayed on the display unit 80. For example, when any of the N passengers is in a conversation-enabled state, the route control unit 60 displays on the display unit 80 corresponding to each of the N passengers other than the N passengers. Display information about passengers.

  For example, when the first passenger and the second passenger are in a conversation-enabled state, the route control unit 60 displays the second display on the first display unit 80-1 corresponding to the first passenger among the plurality of display units 80. Information indicating that a conversation with the passenger is displayed, and information indicating that the second passenger 80-2 corresponding to the second passenger among the plurality of display units 80 is in the conversation with the first passenger Is displayed. For example, when the passenger in the passenger seat and the passenger in the right seat in the third row are in a conversation-enabled state, the route control unit 60 displays the display unit 80 corresponding to the passenger in the right seat in the third row in FIG. Display information as shown.

  As described above, according to the communication system 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to notify a plurality of passengers in a conversation-enabled state which passengers they are talking to.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second example of the image displayed on the display unit 80. For example, the route control unit 60 may cause at least one of the plurality of display units 80 to display information indicating the set of passengers in the conversation enabled state.

  For example, when the first passenger and the second passenger are in a conversation-enabled state, the route control unit 60 causes the display unit 80 corresponding to the passengers other than the first passenger and the second passenger to make the first boarding. Information indicating that the passenger and the second passenger are in a conversation may be displayed. For example, the route control unit 60 allows the passenger in the passenger seat and the passenger in the right seat in the third row to have a conversation with each other, and the passenger in the left seat in the second row and the passenger in the left seat in the third row. Is in the conversation-enabled state, the route control unit 60 causes the display unit 80 corresponding to all passengers who are not in the conversation-enabled state to display information as shown in FIG. In addition, the route control unit 60 may display such information on a specific display unit 80 of the plurality of display units 80 in the vehicle 12.

  As described above, according to the communication system 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to notify a passenger or the like who is not in the conversation-enabled state which group of passengers is capable of the conversation.

(Fourth Embodiment)
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of the communication system 10 according to the fourth embodiment. The communication system 10 according to the fourth embodiment further includes an imaging device 88 and a plurality of display units 80.

  The imaging device 88 images a plurality of passengers. The imaging device 88 may include a plurality of cameras 90 provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of seats 14. In this case, the camera 90 is provided in front of the corresponding seat 14 and images the occupant sitting in the corresponding seat 14. Further, the imaging device 88 may be a wide-angle camera capable of simultaneously imaging a plurality of passengers. For example, the wide-angle camera is provided at an intermediate position between the two seats 14 and simultaneously images two passengers sitting in the two seats 14.

  In the fourth embodiment, the processing device 30 further includes an image processing unit 92, an image switching unit 94, and a plurality of display control units 82.

  The image processing unit 92 acquires the image signal imaged by the imaging device 88. The image processing unit 92 performs a predetermined process on the acquired image signal to generate a plurality of image signals obtained by individually capturing the plurality of passengers. The image processing unit 92 sends a plurality of image signals to the image switching unit 94.

  Under the control of the route control unit 60, the image switching unit 94 switches the route for providing the plurality of display units 80 with the plurality of image signals representing the images of the plurality of passengers. For example, the image switching unit 94 is a cross point switch that can apply each of the plurality of image signals to any of the plurality of display units 80.

  The plurality of display control units 82 are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of display units 80. The display control unit 82 acquires the image signal given to the corresponding display unit 80 from the image switching unit 94. The display control unit 82 causes the corresponding display unit 80 to display an image by performing signal processing on the acquired image signal and supplying the image signal to the corresponding display unit 80.

  Then, when the first passenger and the second passenger are in a conversation-enabled state, the route control unit 60 according to the present embodiment outputs a plurality of first image signals of the first passenger among the plurality of image signals. Of the display units 80, the second image unit 80-2 corresponding to the second passenger is displayed, and the second image signal of the second passenger captured from the plurality of image signals is displayed on the plurality of display units 80. The image switching unit 94 is controlled so that the image is displayed on the first display unit 80-1 corresponding to the first passenger. This allows the first passenger to visually confirm the second passenger during the conversation. Further, the second passenger can visually confirm the first passenger.

  As described above, according to the communication system 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to display the image of the passenger of the other party who is in the conversation-enabled state to support the conversation.

  Although the embodiment according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and constituent elements can be modified and embodied at the stage of implementation without departing from the scope of the invention. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Further, the above-described respective embodiments and modified examples can be arbitrarily combined.

10 Communication System 12 Vehicle 14 Seat 20 Sound Collecting Device 22 Microphone 30 Processing Device 40 Speaker 52 Voice Processing Unit 54 Route Switching Unit 56 Output Processing Unit 58 Command Judgment Unit 60 Route Control Unit 70 Synthesis Unit 80 Display Unit 82 Display Control Unit 88 Imaging Device 90 Camera 92 Image processing unit 94 Image switching unit

Claims (7)

A sound collection device that collects the sounds uttered by a plurality of passengers sitting in a plurality of seats inside the moving body for each passenger.
A plurality of speakers provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of passengers,
A path switching unit that switches a path to which a plurality of audio signals representing the sounds uttered by each of the plurality of passengers are given to the plurality of speakers;
A command determination unit that receives a conversation start command that sets a first passenger and a second passenger of the plurality of passengers in a conversation-enabled state;
When the conversation start command is received, a first voice signal representing a voice uttered by the first passenger is output from a second speaker of the plurality of speakers, which corresponds to the second passenger, and Route control for controlling the route switching unit so that a second voice signal representing the voice uttered by the second passenger is output from a first speaker of the plurality of speakers, which corresponds to the first passenger. Department,
A communication system equipped with. The command determination unit receives a conversation end command for ending the conversation enabled state,
The path control unit stops the output of the first audio signal from the second speaker and the output of the second audio signal from the first speaker when receiving the conversation end command. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the path switching unit is controlled as described above. The command determination unit accepts an additional command to add a third passenger of the plurality of passengers when the first passenger and the second passenger are in the conversation enabled state,
When the route control unit receives the additional instruction,
Outputting a second voice signal and a third voice signal representing the voice uttered by the third passenger from the first speaker,
Outputting the first audio signal and the third audio signal from the second speaker, and
The route switching unit is controlled so that the first audio signal and the second audio signal are output from a third speaker of the plurality of speakers, which corresponds to the third passenger. Communication system described. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the command determination unit accepts the conversation start command by recognizing each of the plurality of voice signals by voice. Further comprising a plurality of display units provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of passengers,
The route control unit causes the first display unit, which corresponds to the first passenger, of the plurality of display units to display information indicating that the second passenger is in a conversation, The communication system according to claim 1, wherein information indicating that the user is in conversation with the first passenger is displayed on a second display unit corresponding to the second passenger. The communication system according to claim 5, wherein the route control unit causes the information indicating the set of passengers in the conversation-enabled state to be displayed on at least one of the plurality of display units. An imaging device for imaging the plurality of passengers;
A plurality of display units provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of passengers,
An image switching unit that switches a route that gives a plurality of image signals representing images of the plurality of passengers to the plurality of display units,
Further equipped with,
The route control unit displays a first image signal of the first occupant captured from the plurality of image signals on a second display unit corresponding to the second occupant of the plurality of display units, and The image switching unit is configured to display a second image signal of the plurality of image signals, which is obtained by capturing an image of the second passenger, on a first display unit corresponding to the first passenger of the plurality of display units. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the communication system is controlled.

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