JP5565280B2 - Audio output system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an audio output system that outputs masker sounds.

  Conventionally, in offices and the like, a speaker is attached to a partition and a masker sound, which is noise, is output to make it difficult for a person who is present in another nearby space to hear a speaker's voice (for example, Patent Document 1). This makes it difficult to understand the content of the speaker's remarks, so that the privacy of the speaker can be maintained, or the listener is not aware of the content of the speaker's conversation (for example, can concentrate on work) ), Etc. can be realized.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-175666

  However, since the masker sound is always output in the method of Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the masker sound is output unnecessarily even in a situation where there is no person in another space.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an audio output system that outputs a masker sound at an appropriate timing according to a user's situation.

  The audio output system of the present invention is configured by connecting a user-used device, a control device, and an audio output device via a network. The control device analyzes the usage status of the network and controls the masker sound output of the sound output device. As the control device, a network relay device such as a router or an intelligent hub already installed in an office or the like can be used. The network usage status is, for example, communication contents and communication volume. As communication contents, the usage status of a specific application (for example, a voice communication application using VoIP is used based on the protocol (HTTP, SIP, etc.) of the packet transmitted and received in the network and the result of analysis of the packet. Etc.), and the amount of communication can be determined from traffic in the LAN, the number of DHCP address payouts, and the like. For example, if a predetermined number or more of DHCP addresses are paid out, it is determined that there are a predetermined number or more of users, and control is performed to output masker sound from the audio output device. By outputting a masking sound, each user does not hear other users 'conversations and the like, and even in a situation where there are a large number of people, each user is not aware of other users' conversations (concentration) Environment can be realized, and a highly private environment can be provided. On the other hand, for example, if the number of DHCP addresses is less than a predetermined number, it is determined that the number of absent users has increased, and control to stop outputting masker sounds is performed. When the number of users is reduced, it is a quiet environment, and even if there is no masker sound, it is an environment with high privateness, so that the masker sound is prevented from being output unnecessarily.

  In addition, when a packet related to a voice call (VoIP) such as SIP is detected (for example, a SIP packet for VoIP call control is detected), a masker sound is sent to a voice output device provided for a user other than the user to be called / received. Is output. In this way, if it can be determined that a call is made based on the packet type, the contents of the telephone conversation are not heard by outputting masker sounds to other nearby users rather than the user making the call (privacy) Maintaining)).

  In addition, when the usage status of a specific application (for example, the use of a voice communication application using VoIP) is analyzed and it is detected that a remote call is being made, the user who is the target of outgoing / incoming calls It is also possible to instruct the voice output device provided to a user other than to output a masker sound. In this way, when it can be determined that a remote call is being made based on the type of a specific application being used, a masker sound is output to other nearby users instead of the user using the application. It is possible to adopt a mode in which the content of conversation on the telephone is not heard (keeping privacy).

  In addition, a second audio output device that outputs a sound different from the masker sound (for example, a relaxing sound such as favorite music) is further provided, and the control device outputs the second audio output device based on the use status of the network. It is good also as a mode which controls. For example, if the URL contained in the HTTP packet is analyzed and it can be determined that a certain user is browsing a site not related to work, the user is determined to be resting and a relaxing sound is output instead of a masking sound. To do.

  According to this invention, a masker sound can be output at an appropriate timing according to the user's situation.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an audio | voice output system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an audio | voice output apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a router. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an audio | voice output system. It is a figure which shows a management table. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an audio | voice output system. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an audio | voice output system. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an audio | voice output system. It is a figure which shows the analysis example of an HTTP packet, and the list | wrist of registration URL. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the audio | voice output system at the time of adding a speaker array. It is the figure which showed the structure of the audio | voice output system in the case of dividing | segmenting space by the virtual partition by a masker sound.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an audio output system of the present invention. The audio output system includes various network devices (routers, switching hubs, personal computers, etc.) that are generally installed in offices, for example.

  1, the audio output system includes a router 11 (router 11A, router 11B) that manages a network (LAN), a switching hub 12, a PC 13 (PC 13A, PC 13B, PC 13C) that is a user-used device, and an audio output device 15 ( Audio output device 15RA, audio output device 15LA, audio output device 15RB, audio output device 15LC).

  The router 11A that manages the network A is connected to the router 11B that manages the upper network B and the switching hub 12. The switching hub 12 has the same configuration and function as a general switching hub (layer 2 switch), and includes a router 11A, a PC 13A, a PC 13B, a PC 13C, an audio output device 15RA, an audio output device 15LA, an audio output device 15RB, and Connected to the audio output device 15LC, the data transmitted from each device is transferred to another predetermined device.

  The PC 13A, PC 13B, and PC 13C are information processing terminals such as general personal computers, and are installed at positions close to the respective users 14A, 14B, and 14C. The space where each user exists is partitioned by a partition 51. The example of FIG. 1 shows an example in which a user 14B exists across the partition 51 on the left side of the user 14A located in the center of the figure, and a user 14C exists across the partition 51 on the right side of the user 14A.

  The audio output device 15LA is installed on the left side of the user 14A, and the audio output device 15RA is installed on the right side of the user 14A. The audio output device 15LA and the audio output device 15RA are installed so as to output audio to the user 14A. The voice output device 15LA mainly outputs a masker sound for masking the speech voice of the user 14B, and the voice output device 15RA mainly outputs a masker sound for masking the voice of the user 14C. The voice output device 15RB is installed on the right side of the user 14B, and outputs a masker sound for masking the voice of the user 14A to the user 14B. The audio output device 15LC is installed on the left side of the user 14C, and outputs a masker sound for masking the voice of the user 14A to the user 14C.

  Each user listens to the masker sound output from the audio output device, so that it becomes difficult to hear the speech (such as monologue) of other users in the vicinity, and each user does not care about the conversation of the other user. It is possible to realize such an environment (preventing a decrease in concentration, etc.).

  In the audio output system according to the present embodiment, the router 11A analyzes the usage status of the network, determines the presence / absence of the user, and turns on / off the masker sound output of each audio output device. Hereinafter, the configuration, function, and operation of each device will be described in detail.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the audio output device 15LA. Since each audio output device has the same configuration and function, the audio output device 15LA will be described as an example in FIG.

  The audio output device 15LA includes a network interface (I / F) 151, a masker sound generation unit 152, a storage unit 153, and a speaker 154 for sound emission.

  The masker sound generation unit 152 receives a masker sound output instruction from the control device (the router 11A in this embodiment) via the network I / F 151, and generates a masker sound. When the masker sound generation unit 152 receives a packet for instructing the output of the masker sound, the masker sound generation unit 152 reads the masker sound data stored in the storage unit 153, outputs it to the speaker 154 through decoding, D / A conversion, and the like. To do. When receiving a packet for instructing to stop the output of masker sound from the control device, generation of the masker sound is stopped and output to the speaker 154 is stopped. The masker sound may be any sound, but it is preferable to suppress the listener's discomfort. For example, the voices of adjacent users are recorded and modified on the time axis or the frequency axis so that they do not make any meaning in the vocabulary (the contents of the conversation cannot be understood), or plural including men and women Uses human speech and general utterance speech that has no vocabulary meaning and background sound such as air-conditioning sound.

  It is possible to receive only a masker sound output on / off instruction from the control device, and it is also possible to receive information indicating what kind of masker sound is output. The masker sound generation unit 152 can also generate masker sound by downloading (or streaming distributing) audio data related to masker sound from the control device, and decoding and D / A conversion. In this case, the storage unit 153 is not necessary.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a mode in which an output on / off instruction is received from the control device via the network via the network I / F 151 is shown, but from the control device via another interface (for example, USB or the like). A mode of receiving the instruction is also possible.

  In the audio output device 15LA, the network I / F 151, the masker sound generation unit 152, and the functional units of the storage unit 153 may be realized by the hardware or software of the PC 13 and may be configured by only the speaker 154. . In this case, it is only necessary to have a PC and a speaker connected to the PC, and it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated device for a sound output system as hardware. Therefore, by using an existing general PC and speaker device, The audio output system of this embodiment can be realized.

  Next, the configuration, function, and operation of the router 11A will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the router 11A.

  The router 11A includes a network I / F 111, a control unit 112, and a storage unit 113, and has the same configuration and functions as a general router. Functions of the control unit 112 include a network management function (including a DHCP server function) 112A, a packet analysis function 112B, and the like. Furthermore, the router 11A according to the present embodiment has an audio output control function 113B for controlling on / off of masker sound output of the audio output device 15 in accordance with the use status of the network.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the audio output system (particularly the router 11A). The operation shown in the figure is an operation similar to so-called polling, and is periodically executed.

  First, the router 11A determines whether or not the communication content and traffic in the network satisfy a predetermined condition (s11). For example, the contents of communication are analyzed by analyzing the protocol (HTTP, SIP, etc.) of packets transmitted and received in the network, or the communication amount is analyzed from traffic in the LAN, the number of DHCP address payouts, and the like.

  For example, if the number of DHCP address payouts is equal to or greater than a threshold value, it is determined that there are more than a predetermined number of users, and it is determined that the condition is satisfied. When it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the router 11A instructs the audio output device 15 to output a masker sound (s12). After instructing the output of the masker sound, the router 11A waits for a predetermined time (s13), and repeats the processing from the determination (s11) of whether or not the condition is satisfied. Thereby, each user does not hear other users' conversations and the like, and even in a situation where there are a large number of people, it is possible to realize an environment in which each user does not care about the conversations of other users.

  Further, in the determination of s11, when the router 11A determines that the communication content and communication amount in the network do not satisfy the predetermined condition, the router 11A instructs the audio output device 15 to stop the masker sound output. Even after giving an instruction to stop the output of the masker sound, the router 11A waits for a predetermined time (s13), and repeats the processing from the determination (s11) of whether or not the condition is satisfied. For example, if the number of DHCP address payouts is less than the threshold, it is determined that the number of absent users has increased, and control is performed to stop the masker sound output. In this way, when the number of users decreases, it is a quiet environment, and even if there is no masker sound, the environment is highly private, so that it is possible to prevent unnecessary masker sounds from being output.

  The above operation has been described as a mode in which the router 11A gives an instruction to turn on / off the masker sound to all the voice output devices in the network. It is also possible to instruct sound output on / off.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a management table stored in the storage unit 113 of the router 11A. Since the router 11A manages the IP address of each device in the network by the DHCP function or the like, the individual audio output devices associated with each user's PC as shown in the management table of FIG. Control can be performed.

  For example, in the example of FIG. 5, the IP addresses are assigned to the PC 13A (user 14A) and the PC 13B (user 14B), and the IP address assignment is released to the PC 13C (user 14C). Therefore, the router 11A instructs the audio output device 15LA and the audio output device 15RA associated with the PC 13A (user 14A) to output a masker sound. Also, an instruction to output masker sound is given to the audio output device 15RB associated with the PC 13B (user 14B). On the other hand, the voice output device 15LC associated with the PC 13C (user 14C) is instructed to cancel the IP address, that is, to turn off masker sound output by determining that the user is absent.

  Note that the masking sound output on / off instruction is as follows. The router transmits a packet to each audio output device via the network as described above, and the audio output is turned on / off according to the packet received by each audio output device. Although it may be determined, when voice data related to masker sound is transmitted from the router to each voice output device, the router starts / stops sending voice data and turns on / off the masker sound. An aspect may be sufficient. Moreover, the aspect which stops the data transfer of the specific port in a switching hub may be sufficient. In particular, when the switching hub is an intelligent hub that receives control from the router, the switching hub can turn on and off the port corresponding to the IP address designated in accordance with the control of the router.

  As described above, the router 11A in the voice output system according to the present embodiment can detect the presence / absence of the user based on the usage status of the network, and can turn on / off the masker sound output of each voice output device.

  Furthermore, the router 11A can determine whether each user is working, on the phone, or on a break from the network usage status, and can control each audio output device. It is. For example, the protocol of a packet transmitted and received in the network is analyzed (see FIG. 9A), and the user is on the phone when a voice call packet such as SIP (VoIP) is detected as a specific packet. It can be judged. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an aspect of masker output control according to the SIP packet.

  First, the router 11A determines whether a SIP packet has been detected (s21). Wait until a SIP packet is detected. If a SIP packet is detected, it is determined whether or not a call connection has been made (s22). When the call connection is made, the user who made and received the call is specified (s23). For example, the content of the SIP packet is analyzed, and the user use PC is specified by specifying the IP address of the transmission side or the reception side. Then, it is determined from the IP address in the LAN whether there is a user other than the outgoing / incoming user (s24). If there is no user other than the calling and called users, the process is repeated from the determination of SIP packet detection.

  When there is a user other than the calling / calling user, an instruction to output a masking sound is given to the audio output device 15 provided for the user other than the calling / calling user. The router 11A may issue a masker sound output instruction to all the audio output devices 15, but if information indicating the positional relationship for each user is stored in the storage unit 113 of the router 11A, the calling / receiving user It may be an aspect in which an instruction to output a masker sound is given to the audio output device 15 provided to the user in the vicinity.

  In addition, when the router 11A detects the SIP packet and the call is disconnected (s26), the router 11A instructs the voice output device 15 provided to the user other than the calling / receiving user to stop the masker sound output. Then, the masker sound output is stopped (s27).

  In this way, when it is determined that there is a user making a call by detecting a VoIP packet, the contents of the telephone conversation are heard by outputting a masker sound to other users rather than the user making the call. There can be no aspect (preserving privacy).

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, instead of the process of s21 of FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not a remote application is performed by determining whether or not a specific application designated in advance is used (s211). It is good also as a mode which judges. In this way, when analyzing the usage status of a specific application (for example, the use of a voice communication application using VoIP) and detecting that a remote call is being made, It is also possible to instruct the voice output device provided to a user other than the user to output a masker sound. Also in this case , it is possible to have a mode in which the contents of conversation on the telephone are not heard (privacy is maintained) by outputting masker sounds to other nearby users rather than the user using a specific application.

  Next, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation in a case where it is determined from the HTTP packet whether each user is working or resting, and controls each audio output device.

  First, the router 11A determines whether an HTTP packet has been detected (s31). It waits until an HTTP packet is detected. When an HTTP packet is detected, as shown in FIG. 9A, the HTTP packet is analyzed to extract the URL included in the packet, and the genre of the connected site is analyzed (s32). For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the URL of a specific site that is a business site is registered in the storage unit 113 of the router 11A, and the connected site is registered in the storage unit 113. If the URL matches (is included), it is determined that it is connected to a business site (working), and if it is not registered, it is connected to a non-business site (resting) Is determined). Or, conversely, as shown in FIG. 3C, when the connected site matches (includes) the URL of the site registered in the storage unit 113, the site is connected to a non-business site. If it is determined that the URL is not registered and the URL is not registered, it may be determined that the URL is not connected to the business site.

  When it is determined that the router 11A is connected to the non-business site and is resting (s33), the router 11A further determines whether another user is working (s34). If it is determined that another user is working, a masker sound output instruction is given to the audio output device 15 provided for the other user (s35). When there is no user at work, the masker sound output instruction is not performed. As described above, when information indicating the positional relationship for each user is stored in the storage unit 113 of the router 11A, a masking sound is sent to the audio output device 15 provided to the user in the vicinity of the user during the break. A mode of giving an instruction to output may be used.

  As a result, other users can realize an environment in which they are not taken care of by the voices of the users who are taking a break (preventing concentration, etc. from being reduced).

  Then, the router 11A gives an instruction to output a sound different from the masker sound (for example, a relaxing sound such as favorite music) to the sound output device 15 provided for the user who is determined to be resting (s36). The voice data related to the relaxing sound may be stored in the storage unit 153 of the voice output device 15, and the masker sound generation unit 152 may read and output from the storage unit 153, or may be stored in the storage unit 113 of the router 11A. The router 11A may transmit to the target audio output device 15.

  Note that the masker sound and the relaxing sound may be output from different audio output devices. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a speaker array (a plurality of speaker units are arranged) for relaxing sound output is provided for each user. In the example of FIG. 10, a speaker array 16A is provided for the user 14A, a speaker array 16B is provided for the user 14B, and a speaker array 16C is provided for the user 14C. Each speaker array 16 has the same configuration and function as the audio output device 15, and further has the configuration and function of controlling the audio output timing from each speaker unit and controlling the directivity of audio.

  In this case, the router 11 </ b> A transmits audio data related to the relaxing sound to the speaker array 16 provided for each user. The speaker array 16 outputs a relaxing sound in the direction in which the user exists based on the received audio data. As a result, the relaxing sound is mainly output to each user and can be hardly heard by other nearby users, and a highly private environment can be maintained.

  In the example of the present embodiment, the masker sound output is turned on / off according to the usage status in the LAN managed by the router 11A. However, the masker sound output is turned on according to the usage status of the external network. , A mode of performing off may be used. For example, when weather information on the current location is received via the Internet, it is possible to control on / off output of masker sound according to the received weather information. In this case, for example, a masker sound for reducing the sound of this storm is output during a storm, and an operation for turning off the masker sound is performed in fine weather.

  In the case of a router having a script execution function, the user can customize the operation of the router to some extent. For example, the threshold of the DHCP address payout number is changed, the masker sound or the relaxing sound is manually selected, etc. The user can freely change the conditions for outputting masker sounds, the contents of the output sound, and the like.

  In this embodiment, an example is shown in which each user's space is partitioned by a physical partition. However, it is not always necessary to physically partition the space, and it is only necessary that the space is partitioned acoustically. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a speaker 15LA and a speaker 15RB are installed near the boundary position between the user 14A and the user 14B (installation position of the partition 51 shown in FIG. 1), and a masker sound is emitted near the boundary position. By making a sound, a virtual partition 511 (a portion indicated by a wavy line in the figure) for separating the user 14A and the user 14B in an acoustic space is formed. Similarly, a speaker 15RA and a speaker 15LC are installed near the boundary position between the user 14A and the user 14C, and a masker sound is emitted near the boundary position, thereby separating the user 14A and the user 14C in terms of acoustic space. A virtual partition 512 (a portion indicated by a wavy line in the figure) is formed. In this case, the virtual partition 511 and the partition 511 exist only during the time period in which the masker sound is emitted, and the partition 511 and the partition 511 do not exist if the masker sound emission is stopped.

11 ... Router 12 ... Switching hub 13 ... PC
14 ... User 15 ... Audio output device 51 ... Partition

Claims (5)

A voice output system in which user equipment, control equipment, and voice output equipment are connected via a network,
The control device analyzes the usage status of the network, controls the output of masker sound of the audio output device ,
The audio output system , wherein the control device is a network relay device .   The voice output system according to claim 1, wherein the control device analyzes a use situation of the network based on communication contents and communication volume.   The audio output according to claim 2, wherein when the control device detects a packet related to a voice call, the control device instructs a user other than the user to be made / received to output a masker sound to an audio output device provided. system. Before SL controlled device, the audio output device other than the voice output device instructs to output the masking sound, claims 1 to controlling the output of a different sound from that of the masking sound based on the usage of the network Item 4. The audio output system according to any one of Items 3 to 4.   A second audio output device that outputs a sound different from the masker sound;
The control device controls output of the second audio output device based on a result of analyzing a genre of a site to which the user-used device connected to the network is used. 4. The audio output system according to any one of 3.