JP2022101074A - Partition panel - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable control of sound image localization in a space partitioned by a partition panel.SOLUTION: A partition panel 100 is provided with a plurality of first sound emitting units 21 to 24. Each of the first sound emitting units 21 to 24 includes a flat speaker capable of controlling the radius of curvature of a sound emitting surface. Further, the partition panel 100 is arranged with second sound emitting units 31 and 32 composed of flat speakers. Then, the partition panel 100 includes a localization control unit that controls the sound image localization of a sound emitted from the plurality of sound emitting units by controlling the gain balance of a plurality of amplifiers that supply sound signals to the plurality of sound emitting units, or controls the sound image localization of the sound emitted from the plurality of sound emitting units by controlling the balance of a delay time in which the sound signals supplied to the plurality of sound emitting units is delayed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a partition panel that provides a comfortable acoustic space to the user.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for realizing an acoustic space in which the confidentiality of conversation is enhanced by using a simple partition panel.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-91777

In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the voice of the other party is emitted to the user by the flat speaker in the space partitioned by the partition panel. Here, the sound emitted by the flat speaker reaches a wide area in the space separated by the partition panel. However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it is difficult to control the sound image localization of the sound heard by the user in the space.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technical means capable of controlling sound image localization in a space partitioned by a partition panel.

In the present invention, sound is emitted from the plurality of sound emitting units by controlling the balance between the plurality of sound emitting units arranged at different positions and the gain for amplifying and supplying the sound signal to the plurality of sound emitting units. Provided is a partition panel including a localization control unit for controlling the sound image localization of the sound to be performed.

Further, in the present invention, the plurality of sound emitting units are controlled by controlling the balance between the plurality of sound emitting units arranged at different positions and the delay time for delaying and supplying the sound signal to the plurality of sound emitting units. Provided is a partition panel including a localization control unit for controlling the sound image localization of the sound emitted from the sound.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the acoustic apparatus which used the partition panel which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the computer in the same embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the 1st specific example of the 1st sound emitting part in the same embodiment. It is a top view which shows the structure of the movable speaker part in the 1st specific example. It is a top view which shows the acoustic environment of the same embodiment. It is a top view which shows the structure of the movable speaker part in the 2nd specific example of the 1st sound emitting part of the same embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the 3rd specific example of the 1st sound emitting part of the same embodiment. It is a top view which shows the structure of the movable speaker part in the 3rd specific example. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the 4th specific example of the 1st sound emitting part of the same embodiment. It is a top view which shows the structure of the delay control speaker part in the 4th specific example. It is a block diagram which illustrates the functional structure for sound image localization control in the same embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 1st specific example of the sound image localization control in the same embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 2nd specific example of the sound image localization control in the same embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 3rd specific example of the sound image localization control in the same embodiment. It is a side view which shows the structure of the partition panel which is another embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the flat speaker in another embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an acoustic device 1 using a partition panel 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The acoustic device 1 includes a partition panel 100 formed by connecting a plurality of panels 101 to 105 surrounding a conference booth 110, which is an acoustic space, and a plurality of sound emitting units arranged in the partition panel 100 (in the illustrated example, the sound device 1 is used. It includes a first sound emitting unit 21 to 24 and a second sound emitting unit 31 and 32), and a computer 60 as a control unit that controls a plurality of sound emitting units.

As shown in FIG. 1, the partition panel 100 is formed by connecting rectangular panels 101, 102, 103, 104 and 105 having uniform heights in the width direction. Here, in the panels 101, 102, 103, 104 and 105, adjacent ones in the width direction form a right angle, and surround the rectangular parallelepiped conference booth 110. Further, the panels 101 and 105 are separated from each other, and the gap between the panels 101 and 105 serves as an entrance / exit 120 to the conference booth 110.

A desk 130 is arranged in the center of the floor in the conference booth 110. Further, on the floor surface in the conference booth 110, two sofas are arranged so as to face each other with the desk 130 in between. One is a sofa 141 with a panel 102 on its back, and the other is a sofa 142 with a panel 104 on its back.

In the present embodiment, in a remote conference, a display 10, four first sound emitting units 21 to 24 capable of directivity control, and two second sound emitting units having fixed (or fixed) directivity are used. Units 31 and 32, a plurality of (four in the illustrated example) sound collecting units 41 to 44, a plurality of (two in the illustrated example) masker sound emitting units 51 and 52, and a computer 60 such as a notebook PC. And are used.

The display 10 is a means for displaying an image of a call partner or the like in a remote conference, and is arranged in the upper center of the inner wall surface of the panel 103. The first sound emitting units 21 to 24 are means for emitting the voice of the other party in a remote conference, and include flat speakers capable of controlling the radius of curvature of the sound emitting surface. Further, in the present embodiment, each of the flat speakers of the first sound emitting units 21 to 24 can control both the radius of curvature and the inclination of the sound emitting surface. In the illustrated example, the first sound emitting unit 21 is arranged in the upper center of the panel 101, and the first sound emitting unit 22 is arranged on the right side of the display 10 in the upper part of the panel 103, respectively, of the user sitting on the sofa 141. Sound is emitted in the direction of the left and right ears. Further, the first sound emitting unit 23 is arranged on the left side of the display 10 in the upper part of the panel 103, and the first sound emitting unit 24 is arranged in the center of the upper part of the panel 105, and the left and right ears of the user sitting on the sofa 142, respectively. Sound is emitted in the direction of.

The second sound emitting units 31 and 32, like the first sound emitting units 21 to 24, are means for emitting the voice of the other party in a remote conference. In the present embodiment, the second sound emitting units 31 and 32 are configured by a flat speaker having strong directivity. In the illustrated example, the second sound emitting portion 31 is arranged on the inner wall of the panel 102 over substantially the entire area above the backrest of the sofa 141, and is arranged on the back surface of the head of the user sitting on the sofa 141. Sounds in the direction. Further, the second sound emitting portion 32 is arranged on the inner wall of the panel 104 over substantially the entire area above the backrest of the sofa 142, and emits sound toward the back of the head of the user sitting on the sofa 142. Make a sound.

The sound collecting units 41 to 44 are composed of microphones or the like, are arranged on the desk 130 in a remote conference, and function as a means for collecting the voice of the user in the conference booth 110. The masquerade sound emitting units 51 and 52 are composed of speakers and the like, and when the sound generated in the conference booth 110 leaks out of the conference booth 110, a masking sound that makes it difficult to hear the leaked sound is generated. It is a means to do. In the present embodiment, the masker sound emitting units 51 and 52 are arranged at positions near the doorway 120 at the top of the panels 101 and 105, and are located in the direction opposite to the direction toward the display 10, specifically, the conference booth 110. A masquerade sound is emitted toward the lower part of the outside. In the present embodiment, the display 10 not only displays an image of the other party of the call, but also guides the user in the direction opposite to the sound emitting direction of the masker sound, and plays a role of enhancing the masking effect.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the computer 60 in the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the computer 60 has an application program installed for remote conferencing. The computer 60 functions as a remote conference control unit 61 and an in-booth control unit 62 by executing this application program.

The remote conference control unit 61 is a means for connecting the computer 60 and the conference terminal of the other party via a network such as the Internet and controlling bidirectional transmission of images and voices between the two.

The booth control unit 62 includes a display control unit 621, a call control unit 622, a position detection unit 623, a directivity control unit 624, a localization control unit 625, and a masker sound control unit 626. The display control unit 621 is a means for acquiring an image from the conference terminal of the other party via the remote conference control unit 61 and displaying it on the display 10. The call control unit 622 transmits the user's voice picked up by the sound collecting units 41 to 44 to the conference terminal of the other party via the remote conference control unit 61, and also transmits the voice of the other party via the remote conference control unit 61. This is a means for emitting sound received from the conference terminal from the first sound emitting units 21 to 24 and the second sound emitting units 31 and 32.

The position detection unit 623 is a means for detecting the position of the user's head, which is a sound source, based on the level and phase of the sound collected by the sound collection units 41 to 44. The directivity control unit 624 controls the directivity of the first sound emitting units 21 to 24, and the first sound emitting units 21 to 24 and the second sound emitting unit based on the position of the user's head detected by the position detection unit 623. It is a means for controlling the sound emission level of units 31 and 32.

The localization control unit 625 is a voice to be heard by the user when the voice of the other party is emitted by a plurality of sound emitting units of the first sound emitting units 21 to 24 and the second sound emitting units 31 and 32. It is a means for controlling sound image localization. There are two modes in controlling this sound image localization. In the first aspect, the localization control unit 625 controls the sound image localization of the sound emitted from the plurality of sound emitting units by controlling the balance of the gain that amplifies and supplies the sound signal to the plurality of sound emitting units. do. In the second aspect, the localization control unit 625 determines the sound image localization of the sound emitted from the plurality of sound emitting units by controlling the balance of the delay time for delaying and supplying the sound signal to the plurality of sound emitting units. Control. In the first aspect and the second aspect, only one of them may be executed, or both may be executed. The control of sound image localization performed by the localization control unit 625 will be described in detail later with reference to specific examples.

The masquerade sound control unit 626 measures the background noise level in the conference booth 110 when no one is speaking by the sound collection units 41 to 44, and based on this background noise level, the masquerade sound generation units 51 and 52. It is a means to control the level of the masker sound emitted from.

Hereinafter, in FIG. 1, the X-axis from the panel 104 side to the panel 102 side, the Y-axis from the panel 101 side to the panel 103 side, and the Z-axis orthogonal to the horizontal plane including the X-axis and the Y-axis are composed of 3 Assuming a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, the directional control of the first sound emitting units 21 to 24, which is the first specific example of the first sound emitting unit in the present embodiment, will be described.

In the present embodiment, in the directivity control unit 624, the sound radiated from each sound emitting surface of the first sound emitting units 21 to 24 is the user's head based on the position of the user's head detected by the position detection unit 623. Directivity control information that controls the directivity of the first sound emitting units 21 to 24 so as to reach within the unit region is generated.

This directional control information includes first inclination angle information, second inclination angle information, and radius of curvature information. Here, the first tilt angle information and the second tilt angle information are information for designating the tilt angle around the Z axis and the tilt angle around the X axis of each sound emitting surface of the first sound emitting portions 21 to 24, respectively. This is tilt angle information for directing the normal at the center of each sound emitting surface toward the center of the user's head. Further, the radius of curvature information is information for designating the radius of curvature of each sound emitting surface for converging the sound radiated from each sound emitting surface of the first sound emitting units 21 to 24 in the vicinity of the user's head. In the first sound emitting units 21 to 24, the inclination angle around the Z axis, the inclination angle around the X axis, and the radius of curvature of each sound emitting surface are determined based on the directivity control information given to each of the directivity control units 624. It is controlled so that the sound radiated from each sound emitting surface reaches the user's head.

When a plurality of users use the conference booth 110, the four first sound emitting units 21 to 24 share the provision of audio to the plurality of users, and the two second sound emitting units 31 and the two second sound emitting units 31 and 32 shares the provision of voice to a plurality of users.

For example, assume that the first user is seated on the sofa 141 and the second user is seated on the sofa 142. In this case, for example, the first sound emitting units 21 and 22 and the second sound emitting unit 31 provide voice to the first user, and the first sound emitting units 23 and 24 and the second sound emitting unit 32 provide voice to the second user. I will provide a. The directivity control unit 624 performs the directivity control of the first sound emitting units 21 to 24 in order to share the provision of the sound to the first user and the provision of the sound to the second user in this way. Further, in the directivity control unit 624, the sound radiated from the second sound emitting unit 31 mainly reaches the first user, and the sound radiated from the second sound emitting unit 32 mainly reaches the second user. , Controls the output volume of the second sound emitting units 31 and 32.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the first sound emitting unit 21, which is a first specific example of the first sound emitting unit. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first sound emitting portion 21 as viewed from the X-axis direction. Further, although not shown, the other first sound emitting units 22 to 24 have the same configuration as the first sound emitting unit 21.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first sound emitting unit 21 includes a first housing 211, a second housing 212, and a movable speaker unit 213. Here, the first housing 211 is a tray-shaped housing that houses the second housing 212, and is arranged or embedded in the inner wall surface of the panel 101. The second housing 212 is a tray-shaped housing that houses the movable speaker unit 213, and is supported by the inner wall of the first housing 211 by two shafts 211Z extending in the Z-axis direction. The second housing 212 is rotatable around the shaft 211Z. The movable speaker unit 213 has a sound emitting surface of the first sound emitting unit 21, and is supported by the inner wall of the second housing 212 by two shafts 212X extending in the X-axis direction. The movable speaker unit 213 is rotatable around the shaft 212X.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the first sound emitting unit 211 has a first inclination control unit 214 and a second inclination control unit 215. Actually, the second tilt control unit 215 is interposed between the first housing 211 and the second housing 212, but in FIG. 3, in order to prevent the drawing from becoming complicated, the first housing It is shown on the opposite side of the second housing 212 in the body 211.

The directivity control unit 624 provides the first inclination control unit 214 with information on the inclination angle that specifies the inclination angle of the sound emitting surface of the first sound emitting unit 21 around the axis 211Z. The first tilt control unit 214 has a built-in step motor, and by rotationally driving the second housing 212 by this step motor, the sound of the first sound emitting unit 21 is emitted by the angle indicated by the first tilt angle information. Tilt the surface around the shaft 211Z.

The directivity control unit 624 provides the second inclination control unit 215 with the second inclination angle information that specifies the inclination angle around the axis 212X of the first sound emitting unit 21. The second tilt control unit 215 has a built-in step motor, and by rotationally driving the movable speaker unit 213 by this step motor, the sound emitting surface of the first sound emitting unit 21 is driven by the angle indicated by the second tilt angle information. Is tilted around the axis 212X.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the movable speaker unit 213. As shown in FIG. 4, the movable speaker unit 213 includes a radius of curvature control unit 216, a flexible flat speaker 217, and a plurality of support plates 218 protruding from the radius of curvature control unit 216 to support the flat speaker 217. Have.

The flat speaker 217 is a flexible thin flat plate speaker. The flat speaker 217 is, for example, an electrostatic speaker.

The radius of curvature control unit 216 incorporates a plurality of step motors for driving the plurality of support plates 218. Further, the radius of curvature control unit 216 has a built-in memory, and the memory has a plurality of supports for realizing a cylindrical sound emitting surface having the radius of curvature in association with various radii of curvature. Information about the protrusion length of the plate 218 is stored.

The radius of curvature control unit 216 is provided with radius of curvature information that specifies the radius of curvature of the sound emitting surface of the first sound emitting unit 21, that is, the sound emitting surface of the movable speaker unit 213, from the directivity control unit 624. The radius of curvature control unit 216 reads information on the protrusion lengths of the plurality of support plates 218 associated with the radius of curvature information given from the directional control unit 624 from the memory, and the plurality of support plates 218 according to the information read from the memory. Controls the protrusion length of. In this way, the sound emitting surface of the flat speaker 217 of the movable speaker unit 213 becomes a sound emitting surface having a radius of curvature specified by the radius of curvature information. As a result, the sound emitted from the sound emitting surface of the flat speaker 217 of the movable speaker unit 213 converges on the central axis of the cylindrical shape which is the sound emitting surface.

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating the acoustic environment realized in the conference booth 110 in the present embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the head of the user 71 is located between the desk 130 and the second sound emitting unit 31. The position detection unit 623 detects the position of the user's head 71, which is a sound source, based on the voices collected by the sound collection units 41 to 44. The first sound emitting units 21 and 22 and the second sound emitting unit 31 emit sound from the other party of the remote conference. At that time, the directivity control unit 624 controls the directivity of the first sound emitting units 21 and 22 and outputs the second sound emitting unit 31 based on the position of the head of the user 71 detected by the position detection unit 623. Control the volume. As a result of this control, the voice of the other party reaches the head region of the user 71 from each of the cylindrical sound emitting surfaces of the first sound emitting unit 21 and 22, and the other party also talks from the second sound emitting unit 31. The sound from is delivered as a plane wave.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the voice of the other party can be emitted to the optimum area (that is, the area where the head of the user 71 is located) in the space partitioned by the partition panel 100. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the leakage of the call voice to the outside of the space partitioned by the partition panel 100.

Various aspects can be considered for the first sound emitting units 21 to 24 of the present embodiment. In the second specific example of the first sound emitting unit 21 to 24, the movable speaker unit 213 (see FIG. 4) is replaced with the movable speaker unit 213a shown in FIG. In the first specific example, a flexible thin plate-shaped flat speaker 217 was provided in the movable speaker portion 213 (see FIG. 4). On the other hand, in the second specific example, the movable speaker portion 213a is provided with a flat speaker 217a'in which a plurality of narrow strip-shaped flat speakers 217a are connected in the width direction.

In the flat speaker 217a', the plurality of strip-shaped flat speakers 217a function as a plane sound source that radiates a plane wave because the sound emitting surface is a plane. However, each flat speaker 217a constituting the flat speaker 217a'is rotatable relative to the adjacent flat speaker 217a.

Then, in the embodiment in which the second specific example is adopted, the radius of curvature control unit 216 controls the plurality of planar speakers 217a, specifically, the position and inclination of the plurality of planar speakers 217a to control the first sound emission. The directivity of the movable speaker unit 213a of the unit 21 as a whole is controlled.

More specifically, the radius of curvature control unit 216 controls the protrusion lengths of the plurality of support plates 218 that support the planar speaker 217a'based on the radius of curvature information given from the directivity control unit 624. As a result, the position and inclination of each sound emitting surface of the plurality of planar speakers 217a are controlled, and each sound emitting surface of the plurality of planar speakers 217a has a cylindrical sound emitting surface having a radius of curvature indicated by the radius of curvature information as a whole. It becomes a plane.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the first sound emitting unit 21b, which is a third specific example of the first sound emitting unit. In this third specific example, the first sound emitting units 21 to 24, which is the first specific example, are replaced with the configuration shown in FIG. 7. In the first sound emitting unit 21b, the movable speaker unit 213 in the first sound emitting unit 21 (see FIG. 4), which is the first specific example, is replaced with the movable speaker unit 213b shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the configuration of the movable speaker unit 213b. As shown in FIG. 8, the movable speaker unit 213b has a base end fixed to a third tilt control unit 216b, a plurality of strip-shaped flat speakers 217b, and a third tilt control unit 216b, and each tip thereof is fixed. It has a plurality of support plates 218b that support the center of each flat speaker 217b. The third tilt control unit 216b incorporates a plurality of step motors that tilt the plurality of flat speakers 217b around the support axis (around the Z axis in the illustrated example) at the tips of the plurality of support plates 218b.

The third tilt control unit 216b controls the plurality of flat speakers 217b, specifically, by controlling the tilt of each flat speaker 217b, the directivity of the movable speaker unit 213b of the first sound emitting unit as a whole is controlled.

Radius of curvature information is given to the third inclination control unit 216b from the directivity control unit 624. The third inclination control unit 216b controls the inclination angle around the Z axis of the plurality of planar speakers 217b based on the radius of curvature information.

More specifically, the third tilt control unit 216b is a normal line from the center line of the sound emitting surface of the central flat surface speaker 217b (the center line extending in the longitudinal direction of the flat surface speaker 217b) among the plurality of flat surface speakers 217b. A straight line separated by the radius of curvature (that is, the focal distance) indicated by the radius of curvature information in the direction is defined as a straight line at which the sound converges (hereinafter, referred to as a convergence line for convenience). Then, the third tilt control unit 216b controls the tilt angle around the Z axis of each flat speaker 217b so that the normal group in the center line of the sound emitting surface of the other flat speaker 217b passes through this convergence line. By doing so, all the sounds radiated from the plurality of flat speakers 217b of the movable speaker unit 213b will converge to the convergence line determined by the radius of curvature information.

In the third specific example, since the sound wave emitting surface of the plurality of flat speakers 217b is not a cylindrical sound wave emitting surface, when the same sound signal is applied to the plurality of flat surface speakers 217b, the convergence line is reached from each flat surface speaker 217b. There may be a phase difference in the sound waves. Therefore, it is preferable to perform delay processing on the sound signal supplied to each flat speaker 217a to compensate for such a phase difference.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the first sound emitting unit 21c, which is a fourth specific example of the first sound emitting unit. In the first sound emitting unit 21c, the movable speaker unit 213 in the first sound emitting unit 21 (see FIG. 4) of the first specific example is replaced with the delay control speaker unit 213c shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the configuration of the delay control speaker unit 213c. As shown in FIG. 10, the delay control speaker unit 213c includes a delay control unit 216c and a plurality of narrow strip-shaped flat speakers 217c. Here, since the flat speaker 217c has a narrow width, the sound generated by the vibration of the sound emitting surface is all around the center line of the sound emitting surface (the center line extending in the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped flat speaker 217b). Propagate in the direction. That is, the flat speaker 217c having a narrow width functions as a line sound source that radiates a sound wave having a cylindrical wavefront to the surroundings.

The delay control unit 216c controls a plurality of planar speakers 217c, specifically, by controlling the delay time of the sound signal given to each planar speaker 217c, the directivity of the delay control speaker unit 213c of the first sound emitting unit 21 as a whole. Control sex.

Radius of curvature information is given to the delay control unit 216c from the directivity control unit 624. The delay control unit 216c is a means for supplying a plurality of delayed sound signals that are delayed from the sound signal to be emitted to the plurality of flat speakers 217c, and the sound radiated from the plurality of flat speakers 217c is determined by the radius of curvature information. It is a means for controlling the delay time of each delayed sound signal so that the convergence line is reached in the same phase.

More specifically, the delay control unit 216c is in the normal direction from the center line of the sound emitting surface of the central flat surface speaker 217c (the center line extending in the longitudinal direction of the flat surface speaker 217c) among the plurality of flat surface speakers 217c. A straight line separated by the radius of curvature (that is, the focal distance) indicated by the radius of curvature information is defined as a convergence line at which the sound converges. Then, the delay time of the delayed sound signal supplied to the central flat speaker 217c is set to a predetermined maximum value.

Next, the delay control unit 216c determines the path difference between the path from the flat speaker 217c to the convergence line and the sound path from the central flat speaker 217c to the convergence line for each flat speaker 217c other than the central flat speaker 217c. Is obtained, and the delay time of the line difference is subtracted from the maximum value of the delay time to obtain the delay time of the delayed sound signal supplied to the plane speaker 217c.

The delay control unit 216c obtains the delay time of the delayed sound signal supplied to each flat speaker 217c in this way, and generates each delayed sound signal from the sound signal to be emitted. By doing so, all the sounds radiated from the plurality of flat speakers 217c of the delay control speaker unit 213c will converge to the convergence line determined by the radius of curvature information.

Next, a specific example will be given to explain the control of sound image localization performed in the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a first specific example of control for sound image localization in the present embodiment. Further, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an mode of sound image localization processing in the first specific example.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the first specific example, in the panel 102, the first sound emitting unit 25 tilted diagonally is arranged on the second sound emitting unit 31. Further, in the first specific example, in the panel 104, the first sound emitting unit 26 tilted diagonally is arranged on the second sound emitting unit 32. These first sound emitting units 25 and 26 are preferably speakers capable of directivity control, such as a flat speaker capable of controlling the radius of curvature of the sound emitting surface described above. In the first specific example, the first sound emitting unit 26 of the panel 104 and the second sound emitting unit 31 of the panel 102 emit the voice of the other party to the user 71 sitting on the sofa 141. Further, in the first specific example, the first sound emitting unit 25 of the panel 102 and the second sound emitting unit 32 of the panel 104 emit the voice of the other party to the user 72 sitting on the sofa 142.

A sound signal to be emitted is supplied to the panels 102 and 104 from the D / A converter 61e of the computer 60 (see FIG. 1). In the panel 102, under the control of the localization control unit 625, the sound signal supplied from the D / A converter 61e is delayed by the delay time td1, amplified by the gain G1, and supplied to the first sound emitting unit 25. Further, in the panel 102, under the control of the localization control unit 625, the sound signal supplied from the D / A converter 61e is delayed by the delay time td2, amplified by the gain G2, and supplied to the second sound emitting unit 31. .. Further, in the panel 104, under the control of the localization control unit 625, the sound signal supplied from the D / A converter 61e is delayed by the delay time td3, amplified by the gain G3, and supplied to the first sound emitting unit 26. .. Further, in the panel 104, under the control of the localization control unit 625, the sound signal supplied from the D / A converter 61e is delayed by the delay time td4, amplified by the gain G4, and supplied to the second sound emitting unit 32. ..

In the present embodiment, the localization control unit 625 (see FIG. 2) controls the balance between the delay time td3 or the gain G3 and the delay time td2 or the gain G2 based on the sound image position of the voice heard by the user 71, and the user. The balance between the delay time td1 or the gain G1 and the delay time td4 or the gain G4 is controlled based on the sound image position of the sound heard by 72.

Specifically, by increasing the gain G3 with respect to the gain G2, the sound image position of the sound heard by the user 71 moves to the front of the user 71. Further, by making the delay time td3 shorter than the delay time td2, the sound image position of the sound heard by the user 71 moves to the front of the user 71. The same applies to the sound image position of the sound heard by the user 72, and depends on the relationship between the delay time td1 or the gain G1 and the delay time td4 or the gain G4.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a second specific example of the control of sound image localization performed in the present embodiment. In this second embodiment, the panel 106 forming the ceiling surface is provided above the user 71. The first sound emitting unit 27 is arranged so as to straddle the boundary portion between the panel 106 and the panel 102 behind the user 71. The sound emitting surface of the first sound emitting unit 27 faces the head of the user 71 diagonally downward.

In this embodiment, the first sound emitting unit 27 and the second sound emitting unit 31 emit the voice of the other party to be heard by the user 71. In the second specific example, under the control of the localization control unit 625, the sound signal to be emitted is delayed by the delay time td6, amplified by the gain G6, and supplied to the first sound emission unit 27. Further, in the second specific example, under the control of the localization control unit 625, the same sound signal is delayed by the delay time td2, amplified by the gain G2, and supplied to the second sound emitting unit 31.

In this embodiment, the computer 60 (see FIG. 1) controls the sound image localization of the sound heard by the user 71 by controlling the balance of the gains G6 and G2 or the balance of the delay times td6 and td2. Specifically, by making the gain G6 larger than the gain G2, the sound image position of the sound heard by the user 71 moves above the head of the user 71. Further, even when the delay time td6 is shortened as compared with the delay time td2, the sound image position of the sound heard by the user 71 moves above the head of the user 71.

In the present embodiment, three or more sound emitting portions may be involved in sound image localization. In the third specific example shown in FIG. 14, the first sound emitting unit 101 arranged on the panel 101, the first sound emitting unit 102 arranged on the panel 103, and the second sound emitting unit 31 arranged on the panel 102. However, the voice of the other party to be heard by the user 71 is emitted. In the third specific example, under the control of the localization control unit 625, the sound signal to be emitted is delayed by the delay time td7, amplified by the gain G7, and supplied to the first sound emission unit 21. Further, under the control of the localization control unit 625, the same sound signal is delayed by the delay time td8, amplified by the gain G8, and supplied to the first sound emitting unit 22. Further, under the control of the localization control unit 625, the same sound signal is delayed by the delay time td2, amplified by the gain G2, and supplied to the second sound emitting unit 31.

In this embodiment, the localization control unit 625 (see FIG. 1) of the computer 60 controls the balance of the gains G7, G2 and G8 or the balance of the delay times td7, td2 and td8, so that the sound image of the sound heard by the user 71 can be heard. Control localization. Specifically, when the gain G2 is smaller than the gain G8 and the gain G7 is smaller than the gain G2, the sound image position of the sound heard by the user 71 moves to the display 10 side. Further, even when the delay time td2 is shorter than the delay time td7 and the delay time td8 is shorter than the delay time td2, the sound image position of the sound heard by the user 71 moves to the display 10 side.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to control the sound image localization of the sound to be heard by the user by controlling the plurality of sound emitting units arranged on the partition panel 100. Therefore, in a remote conference, it is possible to reproduce sound in a sound image localization that is comfortable for the user.

<Other embodiments>
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, there may be other embodiments of the present invention. For example:

(1) FIG. 15 is a side view showing the configuration of the partition panel 100d, which is another embodiment of the present invention. The partition panel 100d in the present embodiment is configured by connecting the panels 101d to 105d shown in FIG. 15 in the width direction so that adjacent ones are at right angles to each other.

Each of the panels 101d to 105d is provided with a panel control unit 160 and an in-panel wiring 170. The wiring 170 in the panel may be one wiring or a plurality of wirings. The in-panel wirings 170 of the panels 101d to 105d are connected to each other by connecting the panels 101d to 105d with connectors provided in each of the panels 101d to 105d. Further, the panel control unit 160 of the panels 101d to 105d is connected to the panel control unit 160 of another panel via the wiring 170 in the panel.

In each of the panels 101d to 105d, for example, one or more of the first sound emitting units 21 to 24, the second sound emitting units 31 and 32, and the display 10 in the above embodiment are arranged. The panel control unit 160 of the panels 101d to 105d controls the devices arranged in each panel. That is, the panel control unit 160 of the panel on which the first sound emission unit is arranged functions as the first panel control unit that controls the first sound emission unit. Further, the panel control unit 160 of the panel on which the second sound emitting unit is arranged functions as a second panel control unit that controls the second sound emitting unit.

In the present embodiment, the panel control unit 160 and the in-panel wiring 170 of the panels 101d to 105d form a LAN (Local Area Network) by connecting the panels 101d to 105d via connectors provided in each of the panels 101d to 105d. ..

Here, one of the panel control units 160 of the panels 101d to 105d functions as a master control unit, and the other functions as a slave control unit. The panel control unit 160, which is a master control unit, is connected to the computer 60 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1), and a sound signal or a sound signal is transmitted to the panel control unit 160, which is a slave control unit, via the wiring 170 in the panel. It supplies various control information.

For example, it is assumed that the computer 60 in FIG. 1 is connected to the panel control unit 160 of the panel 103d. When the computer 60 sends the directivity control information to the first sound emitting unit 21, the panel control unit 160 of the panel 103d, which is the master control unit, receives the directivity control information from the computer 60 and the slave control unit. It is sent to the panel control unit 160 of the panel 101d. Then, the panel control unit 160 of the panel 101d controls the directivity of the first sound emitting unit 21 based on the received directivity control information.

Also in this embodiment, the same effect as that of the above embodiment can be obtained. Further, according to the present embodiment, since the panel control units 160 of the panels 101d to 105d control the devices arranged in each panel, there is an advantage that the control load of the computer 60 (see FIG. 1) is reduced.

(2) The number of the first sound emitting part and the number of the second sound emitting part provided in the partition panel are arbitrary.

(3) In the above embodiment, the partition panel is composed of five panels, but the number of panels constituting the partition panel is also arbitrary.

(4) In the fourth specific example of the first sound emitting unit, the convergence line at which the sound radiated from the delay control speaker unit 213c converges is directed to the normal direction of the sound emitting surface of the central one of the plurality of planar speakers 217c. Although it is positioned, the convergence line may be positioned in a direction inclined from this normal direction by the processing of the delay control unit 216c. In this case, the first tilt control unit 214 in FIG. 9 may be omitted.

(5) The first sound emitting portion arranged on the panel of the partition panel 100 may be configured to be rotatable in a plane parallel to the wall surface of the panel. In this case, it is possible to rotate the convergence line at which the sound radiated from the sound emitting surface of the first sound emitting unit converges, and it is possible to obtain the effect of increasing the degree of freedom in directivity control of the first sound emitting unit.

(6) Each panel constituting the partition panel may be configured such that the first sound emitting portion or the second sound emitting portion can be easily attached. For example, a first engaging portion such as a protrusion is provided on the back surface of the first sound emitting portion or the second sound emitting portion. Then, each panel constituting the partition panel is provided with a second engaging portion that engages with the first engaging portion, and the first engaging portion is engaged with the second engaging portion to generate a first sound. The part or the second sound emitting part is attached to the panel. In this case, it is preferable to have a configuration in which the mounting mode of the first sound emitting unit or the second sound emitting unit can be easily changed to the panel. For example, the panel is provided with a rail that accommodates the protrusions of the first sound emitting portion or the second sound emitting portion and supports the first sound emitting portion or the second sound emitting portion. According to this aspect, after the first sound emitting part or the second sound emitting part is attached to the panel, the first sound emitting part or the second sound emitting part can be slid along the rail of the panel. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily control the directivity of the first sound emitting unit or the second sound emitting unit.

(7) In the above embodiment, the directivity control unit 624 automatically controls the directivity of the first sound emitting units 21 to 24 and the like based on the detection result of the user's head position by the position detection unit 623. .. However, instead of doing so, the directivity of the first sound emitting units 21 to 24 and the like may be manually controlled by manually controlling the inclination of the flat speaker.

(8) The partition panel 100 may be provided with means for automatically controlling the volume and frequency characteristics of the plurality of speakers constituting the first sound emitting units 21 to 24 and the like and the second sound emitting units 31 and 32.

(9) In the above embodiment, the position detection unit 623 detects the position of the user's head based on the voices collected by the sound collection units 41 to 44. However, instead of doing so, the position detection unit 623 may detect the position of the user's head by taking an image of the user with a camera and performing recognition processing of the image which is the image pickup result.

(10) A ceiling surface panel may be provided on the partition panel 100, and a sound emitting portion having a sound collecting function may be arranged on the inner wall of the ceiling surface panel. As a sound emitting unit having such a sound collecting function, the flat speaker 140 shown in FIG. 16 can be considered.

As shown in FIG. 16, the flat speaker 140 has fixed electrodes 141 and 142 and a diaphragm 143, which are thin plates having conductivity, respectively. Here, a spacer 144 made of an insulator is sandwiched between the fixed electrode 141 and the diaphragm 143 and between the fixed electrode 142 and the diaphragm 143, and the fixed electrode 141, the diaphragm 143 and the fixed electrode 142 are mutually. It keeps a state of being separated from each other.

The fixed electrodes 141 and 142 are connected to both ends of the secondary coil 152 of the transformer 150. The diaphragm 143 is connected to the midpoint of the secondary coil 152 via the DC power supply 153.

The transformer 150 has primary coil 151a and 151b. A sound signal indicating the voice waveform of the other party is given to the primary coil 151a. As a result, an AC voltage corresponding to the sound signal is generated in the secondary coil 152. Here, when the polarity of the AC voltage generated in the secondary coil 152 is positive, the electric field strength from the diaphragm 143 to the fixed electrode 141 decreases, and the electric field strength from the diaphragm 143 to the fixed electrode 142 increases. Therefore, the diaphragm 143 moves to the fixed electrode 142 side. Further, when the polarity of the AC voltage generated in the secondary coil 152 is negative, the electric field strength from the diaphragm 143 to the fixed electrode 141 increases, and the electric field strength from the diaphragm 143 to the fixed electrode 142 decreases. , The diaphragm 143 moves to the fixed electrode 141 side. Therefore, the diaphragm 143 vibrates in response to the sound signal, and a plane wave is radiated in the normal direction of the plate surface of the diaphragm 143.

When an external sound vibrates the diaphragm 143, an AC voltage corresponding to the vibration of the diaphragm 143 is generated between the fixed electrodes 141 and 142, and an AC voltage corresponding to this AC voltage is generated in the primary side coil 151b. do. The subtraction unit 155 subtracts the sound signal given to the primary coil 151a from the AC voltage generated in the primary coil 151b, and supplies the sound signal as the subtraction result to the computer 60 as a sound pickup result.

(11) In the above embodiment, the sound collecting units 41 to 44 may be connected to the computer 60 with a cable, and the sound collecting units 41 to 44 may be moved to the vicinity of the user by pulling the cable.

(12) The flat speakers constituting the second sound emitting units 31 and 32 may be divided into two, and the sound may be radiated from the two divided flat speakers in opposite phases. Further, any of the sound collecting units 41 to 44 may be arranged between the two divided flat speakers.
The inner wall of the panel may be absorbed.

(13) The first sound emitting units 21 to 24 or the second sound emitting units 31 and 32 may be detachable from the partition panel 100 so that wireless power can be supplied.

(14) The partition panel 100 of the above-described embodiment has a self-standing supportive shape, but by installing each panel constituting the above-mentioned partition panel 100 on the inner wall of the frame surrounding the acoustic space, the acoustic of the above-described embodiment can be obtained. The device 1 may be configured.

(15) The mixed sound of the voice of the other party and the masker sound may be emitted from the first sound emitting units 21 to 24 or the second sound emitting units 31 and 32.

(16) In the above embodiment, the display 10 plays a role of guiding the user in the direction opposite to the sound emitting direction of the masker sound, but a means other than the display 10, for example, a whiteboard may play this role.

(17) In the above embodiment, the flat speaker is installed only inward of the partition panel, but it may be installed outward to reproduce the masker sound. In that case, three modes can be considered.

In the first aspect, when there is only one space surrounded by the partition panel, flat speakers are arranged on the back surfaces of the first sound emitting units 21 to 24 and the second sound emitting units 31 and 32, and these are arranged. Plays the masker sound with the flat speaker. This enhances the confidentiality of the conversation in the space.

In the second aspect, a plurality of spaces surrounded by partition panels are connected in the X-axis direction in FIG. 1, and the back surface of the second sound emitting portions 31 and 32, that is, the second sound emitting for the adjacent space. Flat speakers are arranged at the positions of units 31 and 32, and the voice of the other party of the remote conference in the adjacent space and the above-mentioned masker sound are mixed and reproduced. As a result, it is possible to enhance the confidentiality between adjacent booths while also serving as a speaker for reproducing the voice of the other party in the remote conference and a speaker for reproducing the masked sound.

In the third aspect, the partition panel is composed of a single panel that is provided with flat speakers on the front and back sides and moves independently by the leg members. In this case, in the panel, the flat speaker on the side where the user is present reproduces the voice of the other party of the remote conference, and the flat speaker on the opposite side reproduces the masker sound. This makes it possible to provide a space where conversations can be held more easily and confidentially than at booths.

In the third aspect, there may not be a flat speaker that reproduces the voice of the other party in the remote conference. Further, the display or the whiteboard surface may be arranged on the surface opposite to the surface on which the flat speaker for reproducing the masker sound is arranged. As a result, the speaker can be naturally guided to the position opposite to the flat speaker that reproduces the masker sound simply by randomly distributing the self-supporting panels in the open space.

100, 100d ... Partition panel, 101-105, 101d-105d ... Panel, 110 ... Conference booth, 120 ... Doorway, 130 ... Desk, 141, 142 ... Sofa, 10 ... Display, 21- 27 ... 1st speaker, 31, 32 ... 2nd speaker, 41-44 ... Sound pickup, 51, 52 ... Masker speaker, 60 ... Computer, 61 ... Remote conference control Unit, 62 ... Booth control unit, 621 ... Display control unit, 622 ... Call control unit, 623 ... Position detection unit, 624 ... Directional control unit, 625 ... Localization control unit, 626 ... Masker Sound control unit, 71, 72 ... user, 211 ... first housing, 212 ... second housing, 213, 213a, 213b ... movable speaker unit, 216 ... radius of curvature control unit, 216b ... 3 Tilt control unit, 217, 217a, 217a', 217b ... Flat speaker, 213c ... Delay control speaker unit, 216c ... Delay control unit, 218 ... Support plate, 211Z, 212X ... Axis, 160, 162e, 164e ... Panel control unit, 170 ... Panel wiring, 61e ... D / A converter, 140 ... Flat speaker, 141, 142 ... Fixed electrode, 143 ... Vibration plate, 144 ... Spacer, 150 ... ... transformer, 151a, 151b ... primary side coil, 152 ... secondary side coil, 153 ... DC power supply, 155 ... subtraction unit.

Claims (16)

Multiple sound emitting parts arranged at different positions from each other,
A localization control unit that controls the sound image localization of the sound emitted from the plurality of sound emitting units by controlling the balance of the gain that amplifies and supplies the sound signal to the plurality of sound emitting units.
Partition panel including. Multiple sound emitting parts arranged at different positions from each other,
A localization control unit that controls the sound image localization of the sound emitted from the plurality of sound emitting units by controlling the balance of the delay time for delaying and supplying the sound signal to the plurality of sound emitting units.
Partition panel including. The partition panel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of sound emitting units include a first sound emitting unit including a flat speaker capable of controlling the radius of curvature of the sound emitting surface. The partition panel according to claim 3, wherein the first sound emitting unit is a partition panel whose directivity is controlled by controlling the radius of curvature and the inclination of the sound emitting surface of the flat speaker. The partition panel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of sound emitting units include a first sound emitting unit including a plurality of flat speakers. The partition panel according to claim 5, wherein the first sound emitting unit is the partition panel according to claim 5, wherein the directivity as a whole is controlled by controlling the plurality of flat speakers. The partition panel according to claim 6, wherein the first sound emitting unit is the partition panel according to claim 6, wherein the directivity as a whole is controlled by controlling the inclination of the sound emitting surface of the plurality of flat speakers. The partition panel according to claim 6, wherein the first sound emitting unit is a partition panel whose directivity as a whole is controlled by controlling the positions and inclinations of the plurality of flat speakers. The first sound emitting unit is any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the directivity as a whole is controlled by controlling the delay time for delaying each sound signal for driving the plurality of planar speakers. Partition panel described in. A position detector that detects the position of the user's head,
A directivity control unit that controls the directivity of the first sound emitting unit based on the detection result of the head position of the user,
The partition panel according to any one of claims 4, 6 to 9, wherein the partition panel comprises. The partition panel according to claim 10, wherein the position detection unit picks up a voice produced by the user and detects the head position based on the picked up voice. The partition panel according to claim 10, wherein the position detection unit detects the head position by taking an image of the user with a camera and performing recognition processing of an image which is an image pickup result. The partition panel according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the plurality of sound emitting units include a second sound emitting unit including a second sound emitting unit including a flat speaker that emits sound in the direction of the back surface of the user's head. The partition panel is made by connecting a plurality of panels.
The localization control unit includes a panel control unit arranged on a panel in which the first sound generation unit is arranged, and the panel control unit controls any one of claims 1 to 12. Partition panel as described in the section. The partition panel is made by connecting a plurality of panels.
The partition panel according to claim 13, wherein the localization control unit includes a panel control unit arranged on a panel in which the second sound generation unit is arranged, and the panel control unit controls the second sound generation unit. A partition panel made by connecting multiple panels that surround the acoustic space,
A plurality of sound emitting parts arranged on the partition panel, and
An acoustic device including a control unit that controls the plurality of sound emitting units.

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