JP5292946B2 - Speaker array device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a speaker array unit enabling sounding by appropriately deciding the number of audio beams and a sounding range according to a distribution of users based on their positions and the number of users. <P>SOLUTION: The speaker array unit 1 has a plurality of speakers SP on the front. Also, the speaker array unit 1 has a human detection sensor 12, and calculates the distribution 5 of users based on a detection result, when the human detection sensor 12 detects the users' positions and the number of users. For example, only the user 20 exists in a living room 3, thus allowing the speaker array unit 1 to emit audio beams according to the distribution 5 of users based on the position of the user 20, to decide one audio beam, and to decide the narrow sounding range of the audio beams. The speaker array unit 1 decides a focus position O of the audio beams based on the decision. The speaker array unit 1 matches the focus of the audio beams with the decided focus position O to emit the audio beams according to the distribution 5 of users. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a speaker array device that changes a focal position of an audio beam according to a distribution of users.

  Conventionally, various techniques for controlling directivity by forming a plurality of sound beams using a speaker array including a plurality of speakers have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The speaker array device of Patent Document 1 includes a speaker array composed of a plurality of speakers, and can freely change the angle of the formed sound beam by controlling the delay amount of the sound signal output to each speaker. The speaker array device sweeps from 0 degrees to 180 degrees in front of its own apparatus, emits an audio beam, and picks up the direct sound or reflected sound of the audio beam with an omnidirectional microphone installed at the listening point. . The speaker array device analyzes the sound data collected by the microphone, and sets the angle at which each symmetrical peak is detected as the angle at which the sound beam for each channel of the surround sound is output. That is, in the speaker array device, the output angle of the sound beam is set according to the listening point so that an optimum surround environment can be realized according to the shape and installation position of the room where the device is installed. .
JP 2006-013711 A

  However, the speaker array device of Patent Document 1 has a problem that an optimum surround environment cannot be obtained when the user moves to another listening point.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a speaker array device that changes the focal position of an audio beam according to the distribution of users at that time even if the user position or the number of users changes.

  The speaker array device according to the present invention includes a speaker array including a plurality of speakers, and a sensor that is a detection unit that detects a user position and the number of users. The speaker array device calculates a distribution of users indicating the user presence range based on the user position and the number of users detected by the sensor. The speaker array apparatus controls the delay amount of the audio signal output to each speaker so as to emit an audio beam toward a range where the user exists according to the distribution of the user. For example, when there are a plurality of users and the interval between the users is equal to or greater than a certain value, the speaker array apparatus delays the audio signal so as to emit an audio beam for each user. Further, the speaker array apparatus delays the audio signal so that one audio beam is emitted to all users when there are a plurality of users and the interval between the users is less than a certain value. Furthermore, when the user is moving within a predetermined range, the audio signal is delayed so that the audio beam is emitted toward the predetermined range in which the user moves.

  Thereby, the speaker array apparatus can emit the sound beam toward the range where the user exists. Moreover, even if a user moves or increases / decreases, the speaker array apparatus can emit sound beams according to the distribution of users after movement or after increase / decrease.

  In addition, the speaker array device of the present invention determines the number of audio beams and the focal position according to the calculated user distribution. For example, in the speaker array apparatus, when there are a plurality of users and the interval between the users is equal to or greater than a certain value, the number of the sound beams and the focal positions of the sound beams are To decide. Further, the speaker array device sets the focal position of the sound beam so that one sound beam is emitted to all users when there are a plurality of users and the interval between the users is less than a certain value. decide. Further, when the user is moving within a predetermined range, the focal position of the sound beam is determined so that one sound beam is emitted toward the predetermined range in which the user moves. Then, the speaker array device controls the delay amount of the audio signal output to each speaker by focusing the audio beam on the determined focal position.

  Thereby, the speaker array apparatus can appropriately determine the number of sound beams and the focal position according to the detected number of users and the distance between users, and emit sound toward the user.

  Furthermore, the speaker array device of the present invention may be configured to emit a sound beam according to the distribution of the user after the movement when the sensor detects that the user has moved.

  Thus, when the speaker array device detects the movement of the user, the focal position of the sound beam is changed based on the position of the user after the movement, so that the sound beam can be emitted following the movement of the user. .

  In addition, the speaker array device according to the present invention provides an audio signal to be output to each speaker so that the sound volume heard by the user is constant even if the focal position of the sound beam to be emitted is changed due to an increase or decrease in the number of users. Adjust the level.

  Thereby, the speaker array device changes the sound emission range when the focal position is changed. At this time, if the level of the audio signal output to each speaker remains constant, the sound volume heard by the user changes. In order to prevent this, the speaker array device adjusts the level of the audio signal output to each speaker so that the sound volume heard by the user is constant, so that the user can hear sound without discomfort even if the sound emission range is changed. I can listen comfortably.

  Moreover, the speaker array apparatus of this invention is good also as a structure which expands a sound emission range and emits a sound, if it detects that a user is absent by a sensor. For example, a focal position is provided on the back side of the speaker array device (on the opposite side of the sound beam emission direction with respect to the own device), a focal position is provided near the front of the speaker array device, or no beam is formed. Set to emit sound with directivity.

  As a result, since the sound emission range of the speaker array device is widened, even when the user returns again, the sound can be heard immediately, and since the sound is always emitted, depending on the detected user position. By resetting the focus position, it is possible to immediately return to the original sound emission setting.

  Furthermore, the speaker array device includes setting means for setting a specific user as a sound emission target. If it is determined that the specific user has moved, the speaker array apparatus emits an audio beam according to the distribution of users calculated based on the specific user after the movement.

  Accordingly, when the speaker array device determines that the specific user to be sounded out of the plurality of detected users has moved, the focal position of the sound beam is changed based on the position of the specific user after the movement. The sound beam can be emitted by following only the user to be emitted.

  According to the speaker array device of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately determine the number of sound beams and the sound emission range according to the distribution of users and emit the sound.

“First Embodiment”
A speaker array device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the function and configuration of the speaker array device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing functions and configurations of the speaker array device. As shown in FIG. 1, the speaker array device 1 includes a remote controller 4, and includes an operation unit 11, a human sensor 12, a control unit 13, an input I / F 14, a signal processing unit 15, a digital / analog conversion unit (hereinafter referred to as D / D). (Referred to as an A conversion unit) 16, an amplifier 17, and a speaker array 18.

  The remote controller 4 receives the operation input from the user and transmits the operation input content to the control unit 13. The operation input content is, for example, an instruction to start a tracking my beam that emits a sound beam following the movement of the user.

  The operation unit 11 receives an operation input from the user and outputs the operation input content to the control unit 13. The operation input content is, for example, a sound emission start instruction or a sound emission stop instruction.

  The human sensor 12 is a sensor that detects a user position and the number of users and outputs a detection result to the control unit 13. For example, the human sensor 12 is preferably an infrared sensor that detects a change in the amount of heat rays emitted from the user.

  The control unit 13 controls the signal processing unit 15 based on the operation input content from the remote controller 4 and the operation unit 11 and the detection result from the human sensor 12. Specifically, the control unit 13 calculates a user distribution (hereinafter simply referred to as a distribution) 5 (see FIG. 2) indicating a range in which the user exists based on a detection result from the human sensor 12. . The control unit 13 determines the number of sound beams and the sound emission range according to the distribution 5.

  For example, when there are a plurality of users and the interval between the users is equal to or greater than a certain value, it is determined that each user emits a narrow directivity sound beam having a narrow sound emission range. When there are a plurality of users and the interval between the users is less than a certain value, it is determined to emit a single sound beam with a wide directivity with a wide sound emission range for all users. Further, when the user is moving within a specific range, it is determined to emit a sound beam with a wide directivity toward the specific range where the user is moving.

  And the control part 13 determines the focus position O (refer FIG. 2) of an audio beam based on the number and the sound emission range of an audio beam. The control unit 13 controls the signal processing unit 15 based on the focal position O of the sound beam.

  The input I / F 14 includes an audio input terminal. The input I / F 14 is connected to a music playback device (not shown) via an audio input terminal, and inputs an audio signal from the connected music playback device.

  The signal processing unit 15 performs a delay process on the audio signal input from the input I / F 14 based on an instruction from the control unit 13. The audio signal after the delay processing is converted from a digital format to an analog format by the D / A converter 16, amplified by the amplifier 17, and input to each speaker SP constituting the speaker array 18. As a result, the speaker array device 1 emits a sound beam from the speaker array 18.

  Next, the operation of the speaker array apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the speaker array apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 2, the speaker array device 1 includes a plurality of speakers SP constituting the speaker array 18 on the front surface. These speakers SP are arranged in a line shape, a matrix shape, a staggered shape, or the like. In addition, the speaker array device 1 includes a human sensor 12, and when the human sensor 12 detects the user position and the number of users, the distribution 5 is calculated based on the detection result. For example, since only the user 20 exists in the living room 3, the speaker array apparatus 1 calculates a range of 1 m ² as the distribution 5 around the detected position of the user 20.

  Then, the speaker array device 1 calculates a range in which the user exists according to the calculated distribution 5, and combines the sound beams into one so that the sound beam is emitted toward the range in which the user exists. Determine the sound emission range to a narrow range. Thereafter, the speaker array device 1 determines the focal position O based on the number of sound beams and the sound emission range, and emits the sound with the sound beam focused thereon. As described above, the speaker array device 1 calculates the distribution 5 using the human sensor 12 based on the user positions and the number of users existing in the living room 3. Then, the speaker array device 1 controls the directivity based on the distribution 5 to generate and emit sound beams.

  Next, the focal position of the sound beam according to the user distribution will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram regarding the focal position of the sound beam according to the distribution. 3A shows an example in which one user exists in front of the speaker array device, and FIG. 3B shows an example in which one user exists at a position away from the front of the speaker array device. 3C shows a case where there are a plurality of users and the interval between each user is equal to or greater than a certain value, and FIG. 3D shows a case where there are a plurality of users and the interval between each user is a constant value. 3 (E) shows an example in which a user is present near the speaker array device, and FIG. 3 (F) shows an example in which the user moves within a predetermined range.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, when the speaker array device 1 detects one user 20 by the human sensor 12 in front of the front of the device (the side where the speakers SP are arranged), The distribution 5 is calculated based on the detected position of the user 20. The speaker array apparatus 1 then provides a focal position O between the user apparatus 20 and the user 20 in order to emit a narrow directivity sound beam having a narrow sound emission range according to the distribution 5.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, when the speaker array device 1 detects one user 20 with the human sensor 12 at a position deviating from the front in front of its own device, the position of the detected user 20 Based on the above, the distribution 5 is calculated. The speaker array apparatus 1 then provides a focal position O between the user apparatus 20 and the user 20 in order to emit a narrow-directional sound beam according to the distribution 5.

  In FIG. 3B, the sound emitting beam is emitted directly toward the user 20, but the sound beam may be reflected by reflecting the sound beam on the wall surface of the living room 3 without being limited thereto. In this case, the signal level of the audio signal is attenuated when reflected on the wall surface of the living room 3. For this reason, the loudspeaker array apparatus 1 controls the sound signal to be emitted at a constant volume by raising the signal level of the sound signal, since the sound volume heard by the user 20 decreases when the signal level of the sound signal is kept constant. .

  As shown in FIG. 3C, the speaker array device 1 detects that the human sensor 12 detects that the interval between the plurality of users 20 and 21 is equal to or greater than a certain value (for example, the position of the user 20 and When the distance from the position of the user 21 is 1 m or more), the corresponding distributions 5a and 5b are calculated based on the positions of the users 20 and 21, respectively. The speaker array device 1 increases the number of beams and determines the focal position for each in order to emit a sound beam with a narrow directivity according to the distributions 5a and 5b. Specifically, a focal position Oa is provided between the own apparatus and the user 20, and a focal position Ob is provided between the own apparatus and the user 21.

  As shown in FIG. 3D, the speaker array device 1 detects that the human sensor 12 detects that the interval between the users 20 to 23 is less than a certain value (for example, the position of the user 20 and the user). When the distance from the position 21 is within 1 m), the distribution 5 is calculated based on the positions of all the users 20-23. Then, the speaker array device 1 provides a focal position O between itself and the distribution 5 in order to emit a wide directivity sound beam having a wide sound emission range according to the distribution 5.

  Further, in this case, since the sound emission range is expanded and the sound is emitted, the signal level is attenuated. For this reason, since the sound volume heard by each user decreases in this state, the loudspeaker array apparatus controls the sound level for each user so that it does not change before and after the sound emission range is changed.

  As shown in FIG. 3 (E), the speaker array device 1 detects that there are a plurality of users 20 to 23 near the front of the own device and that the interval between the users 20 to 23 is less than a certain value. In the case, the distribution 5 is calculated based on the positions of all the users 20 to 23. Then, the speaker array device 1 provides the focal position O on the back side of the own device in order to emit a wide directivity sound beam according to the distribution 5.

  In this case, since the focal position O is provided on the back side of the speaker array device 1, the distance between the focal position O and all the users 20 to 23 is increased. For this reason, the loudspeaker array apparatus 1 controls the sound signal to be emitted at a constant volume by raising the signal level of the sound signal because the sound volume heard by each user is lowered if the signal level of the sound signal is kept constant. .

  As shown in FIG. 3F, when the speaker array device 1 detects that the user 20 is moving within a predetermined range, the speaker array device 1 calculates the distribution 5 based on the predetermined range in which the user 20 moves. Then, the speaker array apparatus 1 determines the focal position O so as to emit a wide directivity sound beam according to the distribution 5. Thereby, the speaker array apparatus 1 does not need to control the sound beam directivity every time the user 20 moves within a predetermined range, so that the processing load can be reduced. In particular, it is suitable when sound is emitted to a place where the user always moves within a predetermined range such as a kitchen or a bathroom.

In this case, for example, the speaker array device 1 stores the range of movement of the user 20 for one minute, and the stored movement range of the user 20 is within a predetermined range (for example, within 3 m ² ). If there is, the distribution 5 is calculated with the movement range of the user 20 as the range where the user exists. Then, the speaker array device 1 recalculates the distribution 5 when the moving range of the user 20 exceeds 3 m ² .

  Further, the focal position of the sound beam when the user leaves will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram regarding the focal position of the sound beam when the user leaves. 4A shows an example in which the focal position is provided on the front side of the speaker array apparatus, and FIG. 4B shows an example in which the focal position is provided on the back side of the speaker array apparatus, and FIG. ) Shows an example in which the focal position is infinite (an example in which the beam is not made into a beam).

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the speaker array apparatus 1 provides a focal position O near the front of the apparatus. Thereby, the sound emission range is widened, and the sound beam can be emitted over a wide range.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the speaker array device 1 has a focal position O on the back side of the own device. Thereby, the sound emission range is widened, and the sound beam can be emitted over a wide range.

  As shown in FIG. 4C, the speaker array device 1 emits an omnidirectional audio signal without converting the audio signal into a beam. Thereby, the sound emission range is widened, and sound can be emitted over a wide range.

  As described above, when it is detected that the user 20 has left the room 3, the speaker array device 1 widens the sound emission range and emits sound to the entire room 3, so that a specific location (at the time when the user exists) The volume for distribution 5) can be reduced. Thereby, when a user leaves the living room 3, even if sound leaks from the living room 3, the outside is not adversely affected.

  Moreover, since the sound is emitted to the whole room 3, even if a user returns to a room from which position, the sound which the speaker array apparatus 1 emits can be heard. Further, since the sound is always emitted, the original sound emission range can be immediately restored by resetting the focus position O based on the detected user position.

  Next, a processing flow when the speaker array device 1 emits sound will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing flow during sound emission.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when receiving an operation input from the user, the remote controller 4 transmits a follow my beam start instruction to the speaker array device 1 (S121).

  When the speaker array device 1 receives an instruction to start the following my beam during reproduction of the audio signal (S101) (S102: Yes), the speaker array device 1 performs the processing from S103 onward. Note that until a follow my beam start instruction is received (S102: No), the processing after S103 is not performed.

  The speaker array device 1 detects the position of the user and the number of users existing in the living room 3 with the human sensor 12 (S103). The speaker array device 1 calculates the distribution 5 based on the position of the user and the number of users present in the living room 3 (S104). The speaker array apparatus 1 determines the number of sound beams and the sound emission range based on the distribution 5 (S105). When a plurality of sound beams are created, a sound emission range is determined for each sound beam.

  The speaker array apparatus 1 determines the focal position O of the sound beam based on the number of sound beams and the sound emission range (S106), and performs sound beam control on the sound signal (S107). When the human sensor 12 detects a movement or increase / decrease of a person (S108: Yes), the speaker array device 1 performs the processes after S104.

  For example, when the speaker array device 1 detects that the user 20 has moved from the position shown in FIG. 3A to the position shown in FIG. 3B, the position of the user 20 after the movement shown in FIG. Based on the above, the distribution 5 is calculated. Then, the speaker array device 1 changes the focal position O and emits an audio beam according to the distribution 5. Thus, the speaker array device 1 can follow the user 20 and emit the sound beam.

  When the speaker array device 1 detects that the number of users 21 has increased from the state shown in FIG. 3A to the state shown in FIG. 3C, the increased users 20 and 21 shown in FIG. Distributions 5a and 5b are calculated based on the positions of. Then, the speaker array device 1 changes the number of sound beams and the focal position O, and emits sound beams according to the distributions 5a and 5b.

  Furthermore, when the speaker array device 1 detects that the number of users 21 to 23 has increased from the state shown in FIG. 3A to the state shown in FIG. 3D, the user 20 after the increase shown in FIG. The distribution 5 is calculated based on the positions ˜23. Then, the speaker array device 1 changes the focal position O and emits an audio beam according to the distribution 5. At this time, the speaker array device 1 changes the signal level of the audio signal so that the user can always hear the sound at a constant volume. As described above, the speaker array device 1 can change the sound emission range and emit sound beams to all the users 20 to 23 at a constant volume.

  If the movement of a person is not detected (S108: No), the speaker array apparatus 1 performs the processing after S108 while maintaining the sound beam control (S109).

  As described above, when the speaker array device 1 detects the movement of the user or the increase / decrease in the number of users after receiving the follow-up my beam start instruction, the speaker array device 1 recalculates the distribution 5 and generates an audio beam corresponding to the recalculated distribution 5. Sound can be emitted. That is, the speaker array device 1 can emit sound beams according to the movement and increase / decrease of all users present in the living room 3.

“Second Embodiment”
A speaker array device according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment, the sound beam is emitted to all users existing in the living room 3, but in the second embodiment, the sound beam is emitted only to a specific user who has instructed the start of the following my beam. To do. In this respect, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment. Hereinafter, only differences between the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a usage example of the speaker array device. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing flow during sound emission.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a case where users 20 to 22 exist in the living room 3 and only the user 20 gives an instruction to start the tracking my beam will be described. Hereinafter, the processing of S101 to S103, S104 to S109, and S121 of FIG. 7 is the same as the processing of S101 to S103, S104 to S109, and S121 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when a plurality of users are detected by the human sensor 12 (S201: Yes), the speaker array device 1 performs the processing after S202. If a plurality of users are not detected (S201: No), the processing after S104 is performed.

  The speaker array device 1 emits a test sound with a predetermined time interval from the left and right speakers SP (S202).

  When the remote controller 4 picks up the test sound emitted from the left and right speakers SP of the speaker array device 1 (S221: Yes), the remote controller 4 performs the processing after S222. Note that the process waits until the test sound is collected (S221: No), and the processing after S222 is not performed.

  The remote controller 4 measures the arrival time and the time difference of the test sound emitted from the left and right speakers SP of the speaker array device 1 (S222), and transmits the measurement result to the speaker array device 1 (S223).

  When the speaker array device 1 receives the measurement result (S203: Yes), the speaker array device 1 performs the processing after S204. In addition, it waits until a measurement result is received (S203: No) and does not perform the process after S204.

  The speaker array apparatus 1 calculates the distance and angle to the remote controller 4 based on the measurement result (S204). The speaker array device 1 specifies the position of the user 20 as a sound emission target based on the position of the remote controller 4 based on the distance and angle to the remote controller 4 and the user position detected by the human sensor 12 (S205). ), The processing after S104 is performed.

  When the movement sensor 12 detects any movement of the users 20 to 22 (S108: Yes), the speaker array device 1 emits sound based on the detection results of the movement sensor 12 before and after the user moves. It is determined whether or not the target specific user 20 has moved, and the position of the specific user 20 is specified again (S205). The method for determining the movement of the specific user 20 to be sounded may be, for example, recalculating the position of the remote controller 4 by emitting a test sound or specifying the position of the remote controller 4. The position of the remote controller 4 may be recalculated by always transmitting the above signal from the remote controller 4 to the speaker array device 1. Then, based on the positions of the users 20 to 22 detected by the human sensor 12 and the position of the remote controller 4, the user 20 as a sound emission target may be specified.

  As described above, the speaker array apparatus 1 can follow the sound beam only to the user who has given the start instruction of the following my beam even when there are a plurality of users in the living room 3. Further, when the motion sensor 12 detects the movement or increase / decrease of the user in the living room 3, the speaker array device 1 re-specifies the user who has given the start instruction of the following my beam and recalculates the distribution 5. Then, the speaker array device 1 can emit a sound beam according to the recalculated distribution 5. That is, the speaker array device 1 can emit a sound beam following the movement of a specific user.

  In addition, in 2nd Embodiment, although the case where one user instruct | indicated the start instruction | indication of a tracking my beam among three users who exist in the living room 3 was demonstrated, the user who exists in the living room 3 The number and the number of users who give instructions to start following My Beam may be set as appropriate according to the specifications. In addition, when there are a plurality of users who are sound emission targets, each user inputs an instruction to start follow-up my beam using the remote controller 4.

  In the second embodiment, the speaker array device 1 recalculates the distribution 5 when the movement sensor 12 detects the movement and increase / decrease of all the users present in the living room 3. However, the speaker array device 1 may recalculate the distribution 5 only when the movement or increase / decrease of the user who has instructed the start of the tracking my beam is detected.

  Furthermore, in the second embodiment, sound is emitted from the left and right speakers SP of the speaker array device 1 in order to specify the position of the remote controller 4. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and test sound is emitted from different speakers SP. Also good. Further, in order to determine which of the test sounds was emitted from the left and right ends, a test sound was emitted from the left and right speakers SP with a predetermined time interval. However, test sounds in different frequency bands may be emitted from the left and right speakers SP. Further, the test sound may be emitted not only from the left and right ends but also from two different speakers SP.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram in the case of emitting sound beams obtained by beaming sound of 5 channels. In addition to the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, in order to emit an audio beam obtained by beaming 5-channel audio signals, a plurality of audio beams corresponding to each channel are generated and the user is generated. 20 may be emitted. In this case, when the motion sensor 12 detects the movement of the user 20, the speaker array device 1 emits sound beams of 5 channels to the user 20 after the movement. That is, the user 20 is followed and a 5-channel sound beam is emitted. In addition, the number of channels is not limited to five, and the number of channels may be set as appropriate according to specifications.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram when different audio signals are emitted to a plurality of users. In addition to the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, an audio beam composed of different types of audio signals may be emitted to each of the plurality of users 20.21 (for example, the user 20 For example, to release music and to user 21 to emit radio programs). In this case, by identifying the users 20 and 21 using a sensor or the like for identifying the users 20 and 21, even when the users 20 and 21 move, the users 20 and 21 are followed. The sound beam corresponding to each can be emitted.

It is a block diagram which shows the function and structure of a speaker array apparatus. It is a figure which shows the usage example of a speaker array apparatus. It is explanatory drawing regarding the focus position of the sound beam according to distribution. It is explanatory drawing regarding the focus position of the sound beam at the time of user leaving. It is a flowchart which shows the processing flow at the time of sound emission. It is a figure which shows the usage example of a speaker array apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the processing flow at the time of sound emission. It is explanatory drawing in the case of performing 5.1 channel sound emission. It is explanatory drawing in the case of emitting a different audio | voice signal to a some user.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Speaker array apparatus, 3 ... Living room, 4 ... Remote control, 5 ... Distribution, 11 ... Operation part, 12 ... Human sensor, 13 ... Control part, 14 ... Input I / F, 15 ... Signal processing part, 16 ... D / A converter, 17 ... amplifier, 18 ... speaker array, 20-23 ... user, O ... focus position, SP ... speaker

Claims (5)

A speaker array in which a plurality of speakers are arranged to emit sound beams;
Detecting means for detecting the user position and the number of users;
Control means for calculating a user distribution based on the user position and the number of users detected by the detection means;
Signal processing means for controlling the delay amount of the audio signal output to each speaker according to the distribution of users calculated by the control means,
Said signal processing means, such that the volume heard by the respective user in front Symbol controller users in distribution calculated in is constant, and wherein the volume for each user is constant before and after the change of the delay amount Thus, the speaker array apparatus which adjusts the level of the audio | voice signal output to each speaker. The control means determines the number and the focal position of the sound beam according to the distribution of the users,
The speaker array apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal processing unit controls a delay amount of an audio signal output to each speaker so that a focal position determined by the control unit becomes a focal point of an audio beam.   3. The speaker array device according to claim 1, wherein when the detection unit detects a movement of the user, the control unit changes the delay amount according to the distribution of the user after the movement.   The speaker array device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the detection unit detects the absence of a user, the control unit changes the delay amount so as to widen a sound emission range. Setting means for setting a specific user to be sounded by the sound beam from a plurality of users;
Determination means for determining that the specific user detected by the detection means has moved, and
The control means calculates a distribution of users based on the position of the specific user, and if the determination means determines that the specific user has moved, the control means determines the distribution of the user based on the position of the specific user after the movement. The speaker array device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the delay amount is changed.

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