JP5633325B2 - Audio output system - Google Patents

Description

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

  Conventionally, a speaker that is attached to a partition or the like and outputs a masker sound, which is noise, has been proposed 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). reference). 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.

  In the audio output system of the present invention, a plurality of user-used devices, control devices, and audio output devices are connected via a network to form a plurality of network groups. A network group can be formed, for example, for each router, for each switch, or for each VLAN. The control device analyzes the use status of the network for each network group, and controls the output of masker sound of the sound output device provided for each network group. 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 within the LAN, the number of DHCP address payouts, and the like. For example, if a predetermined number or more of the DHCP addresses in a network group are paid out, it is determined that there are a predetermined number or more of users in the network group, and a masker is set from a voice output device provided for another network group. Control to output sound.

  By outputting masking sounds, users in each network group will not hear the conversations of users in other network groups, and each user will be able to talk to other users in a situation where there are many people. It is possible to realize an environment in which care is not taken (to prevent a decrease in concentration, etc.), and it is possible to provide a highly private environment for each network group. 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 VoIP such as SIP is detected (for example, a SIP packet for VoIP call control is detected), a masker sound is output to a voice output device provided in a network group close to the user to be called / received Instruct them to do so. In this way, when it can be determined that the call is made from the packet type, the contents of the conversation on the phone are not heard by outputting masker sounds to other nearby network groups instead of the user making the call ( Maintaining privacy).

  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 figure which shows a network group management table. 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 the audio | voice output system provided with the content server. 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 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 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 application example of the network group. It is the figure which showed the application example of the network group. 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.

  In FIG. 1, a voice output system includes a router 11 (router 11A, router 11B) for managing a network (LAN), a switching hub 12 (switching hub 12A, switching hub 12B, switching hub 12C, switching hub 12L), and user equipment. PC13 (PC13A1, PC13A2, PC13A3, PC13B, PC13C1, PC13C2) 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 12L. A switching hub 12A, a switching hub 12B, and a switching hub 12C are connected to the switching hub 12L. These switching hubs 12 all have the same configuration and function as a general switching hub (layer 2 switch).

  The switching hub 12A is connected to the PC 13A1, PC 13A2, PC 13A3, the audio output device 15RA, and the audio output device 15RB. The router 12B is connected to the PC 13B and the audio output device 15RB. The router 12C is connected to the PC 13C1, the PC 13C2, and the audio output device 15LC.

  The router 11A manages the devices connected to the switching hub 12A, the devices connected to the switching hub 12B, and the devices connected to the switching hub 12C as one network group. From the viewpoint of the switching hub 12L, one network group is formed for each port.

  Each network group can be separated and managed by a network address, for example, as shown in FIG. For example, when the network connection relationship including the switch can be grasped by using link layer topology discovery (LLTD), UPnP (universal plug and play), WSD (web services on devices) protocol, etc. in Windows (registered trademark), a router Can also automatically assign and manage network groups for each switch.

  PC13A1, PC13A2, PC13A3, PC13B, PC13C1, and PC13C2 are information processing terminals such as general personal computers, and are installed in close proximity to each of the user 14A1, user 14A2, user 14A3, user 14B, and user 14C1, 14C2. Has been. The user 14A1, the user 14A2, and the user 14A3 exist in the same space (space A) as the same group (for example, the same department, the same project team, etc.), and exist in close proximity. The user 14B exists in the space B on the left side of the user 14A across the partition 51. The user 14C1 and the user 14C2 exist in the same space (space C) as the same group, and exist on the right side of the user 14A across the partition 51. Therefore, the network group A corresponds to the space A, the network group B corresponds to the space B, and the network group C corresponds to the space C.

  The audio output device 15LA is installed on the left side in the space A, and the audio output device 15RA is installed on the right side in the space A. The audio output device 15LA and the audio output device 15RA are installed so as to output audio to the entire user existing in the space A. The audio output device 15LA outputs a masker sound mainly for masking the user's utterance voice existing in the space B, and the audio output device 15RA mainly masks the user utterance voice existing in the space C. Outputs masker sound. The audio output device 15RB is installed on the right side in the space B, and outputs a masker sound for masking the user's uttered voice existing in the space A to the user 14B. The audio output device 15LC is installed on the left side in the space C, and outputs a masker sound for masking the uttered voice of the user existing in the space A with respect to all users existing in the space C.

  By listening to the masker sound output from the audio output device, each user becomes difficult to hear the user's utterances (single words, etc.) that exist in other nearby spaces, and each user is not aware of the conversations of other users. It is possible to realize an environment where it is impossible to prevent (preventing concentration, etc.).

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

  FIG. 3 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. The storage unit 153 includes at least an area in which audio data (content) related to masker sound is stored. 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. Further, when receiving a packet for instructing to stop the output of the masker sound from the control device, the masker sound generating unit 152 stops generating the masker sound and stops the output to the speaker 154. The masker sound may be any sound, but it is preferable to suppress the listener's discomfort. For example, a user's speech that exists in an adjacent space is recorded and modified on the time axis or frequency axis so that it does not make any lexical meaning (the conversation content cannot be understood) The voices of multiple people including women and the general utterance voices that have no lexical meaning are added with background sounds such as air-conditioning sounds.

  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. Further, the masker sound generation unit 152 downloads (or streams) audio data related to masker sounds from a control device or a server (content server) 21 as shown in FIG. 4, and decodes and D / A converts the masker sound. Sound generation can be performed. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, it is possible to select and download an optimum content from a plurality of contents (audio data related to masker sound) existing in the server 21. The content server shown in FIG. 4 is a mode in which both content A and content B are audio data related to masker sound, or content A is audio data related to masker sound, and content B is audio data related to background sound. The masker sound and the background sound or the like may be held separately. At this time, information indicating the content to be downloaded may be stored in the storage unit 15 of the audio output device 15. Note that the storage unit 153 need not be built in the audio output device 15, and may be built in a control device such as a router, a server on a local network, or a server located remotely via the network. is there.

  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. 5 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. The storage unit 113 stores the management table of the network group shown in FIG. 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. 6 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, when the usage status of the group (the number of DHCP addresses paid out, the number of MAC addresses, the amount of traffic, etc.) exceeds a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the condition is satisfied, or the condition is satisfied when it matches a predetermined value. Judgment is satisfied. Furthermore, the condition is satisfied when the current time falls within a predetermined time zone (for example, 9:00 to 17:00, which is an operation time zone), and if the current time does not fall within the predetermined time zone, the usage status of the group becomes a threshold Even if it exceeds (or matches the threshold), it may be determined that the condition is not satisfied. If it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the router 11A instructs the audio output device 15 in the group that satisfies the condition 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. The above-mentioned threshold value is not limited to one, and a plurality of threshold values are set in stages, and the mask intensity (masker sound volume and type) is controlled in stages according to each stage. Good.

  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 audio output devices in the network. It is also possible to give an instruction to turn on / off the masking sound.

  For example, in the example of the network group shown in FIG. 2, when the IP address assignment by DHCP is made to all the devices of the group A PC13A1, PC13A2, and PC13A3, the router 11A has the number of address payout exceeding the threshold value. As an instruction, the group A audio output devices (the audio output device 15LA and the audio output device 15RA) are instructed to output a masker sound.

  For example, if the IP address assignment by DHCP is also made to the PC 13B of group B and the IP address assignment of the PC 13C1 and PC 13C2 of group C is released, the router 11A makes a masker sound to the voice output device 15RB of group B Is output, and the audio output device 15LC of group C is instructed to turn off the masker output. At this time, it is not necessary to output a masker sound from the voice output device 15RA that outputs a masker sound for masking the user's utterance voice existing in the space C. Therefore, the router 11A transmits a masker sound to the voice output device 15RA. An instruction to turn off the masking sound output may be given.

  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.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the ON / OFF condition of masker sound can reflect the user's operation history. In the operation illustrated in FIG. 7, after determining that the usage status of the group exceeds a predetermined threshold and satisfies the condition, the past operation history (for example, stored in the storage unit 113) is referred to, and the past In step S111, it is determined whether or not the usage state (the number of DHCP addresses paid out, the number of MAC addresses, the traffic amount, etc.) when the user performs a masking sound stop operation is matched. If the usage state matches the past operation time, the masker sound is stopped (s14), and if it does not match, the masker sound is output (s12). If the masker sound is output, it is then determined whether or not an output stop instruction is issued from the user (s112). When the output stop operation is performed by the user, the masker sound output is stopped (s113), and the usage status (communication content and traffic volume) before and after the stop operation is stored in association with the stop operation (s114). After waiting for a predetermined time, the determination of s11 is repeated. Thereafter, the use status (communication content and traffic volume) stored in association with the stop operation is referred to in the process of s111.

  As described above, the router 11A in the voice output system according to the present embodiment detects the presence or absence of a user from the network usage status of the entire network or each network group, and turns on / off the masker sound output of each voice output device. It can be performed. By controlling the device for each group, it is possible not only to manage the device easily but also to control the sound field of the space more easily than when controlling for each individual 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. 11A), 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. 8 is a flowchart showing an aspect of masker sound 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 whether or not the user exists in a network group other than the network group to which the identified user belongs (s24). For example, it is determined whether or not an IP address of a network group different from the IP address specified from the SIP packet has been issued, and it is determined whether there is a user other than the calling / receiving user space. If there is no user in a space other than the space where the calling and called users exist, the process is repeated from the determination of SIP packet detection.

  When the user is present in a space other than the space where the calling / incoming user is present, the voice output device 15 provided in the other space is instructed to output a masker sound. Note that the router 11A may instruct the masker sound output to all the audio output devices 15 in other spaces, but information indicating the positional relationship of each space is stored in the storage unit 113 of the router 11A. If there is, the voice output device 15 provided in a space close to the calling / receiving user may be instructed to output a masker sound.

  Further, when the router 11A detects the SIP packet and the call is disconnected (s26), the router 11A stops outputting masker sound to the audio output device 15 provided in a space other than the space where the calling / receiving user exists. To stop the output of masker sound (s27).

  Even in this case, in the process of s21, the condition is used when the usage status in the group (the number of SIP packet call connections, the number of VoIP packets, etc.) exceeds a predetermined threshold value or matches the threshold value. You may make it judge that it satisfy | filled and perform a process below s22.

  In this way, when a VoIP packet is detected and it is determined that there is a user making a call in a certain network group, a masker sound is output to a user belonging to a network group other than the network group making the call. Thus, the conversation content on the telephone can be set to a mode in which the content of the conversation cannot be identified to other groups (keeping privacy).

Also, as shown in FIG. 9, 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. Further, when the usage status in the group (the number of usages of the specific application) exceeds a predetermined threshold value or when it matches the threshold value, it is determined that the condition is satisfied, and the processing from s22 onward may be performed. .

  Next, FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when it is determined from the HTTP packet whether each user is working or resting, and control of each audio output device is performed.

  First, the router 11A determines whether an HTTP packet has been detected (s31). It waits until an HTTP packet is detected. When the HTTP packet is detected, as shown in FIG. 11A, the HTTP packet is analyzed, the URL included in the packet is analyzed, 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. In addition, even when connected to a non-business site, if the time (stay time) connected to the non-business site exceeds a predetermined threshold, it is determined that there is a break, and if it is less than the threshold May be determined to be at work.

  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 a user of another network group is working (s34). If it is determined that a user of another network group is working, a masker sound output instruction is given to the audio output device 15 provided in the other network group (s35). When there is no user who is working in another network group, the masking sound output instruction is not performed. As described above, when the information indicating the positional relationship of the space is stored in the storage unit 113 of the router 11A, the masking is performed with respect to the audio output device 15 provided in the network group adjacent to the resting network group. A mode of giving an instruction to output sound may be used.

  As a result, it is possible to realize an environment in which users of other network groups are not aware of the voices uttered by the users of the resting network group (preventing a decrease in concentration, etc.).

  Then, in the network group to which the user who is determined to be resting has belonged to the router 11A, if the relaxing sound for each group has been set (s36), the masking sound is added to the audio output device 15 provided in the group. An instruction to output a different sound (for example, a relaxing sound such as favorite music) is given (s37). 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. 12, a speaker array (a plurality of speaker units are arranged) for relaxing sound output is provided for each network group. In the example of FIG. 8, the speaker array 16A is provided in the space A, the speaker array 16B is provided in the space B, and the speaker array 16C is provided in the space C. 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 in each space. The speaker array 16 outputs a relaxing sound in the direction in which the user exists based on the received audio data. The speaker array 16 may be configured to output a relaxing sound to the entire space, but when the location of each user is known, a plurality of relaxing sounds are output simultaneously as shown in FIG. The directivity of each relaxing sound is narrowed down into a plurality of sound beams, and the focal point of the relaxing sound sound beam is set to the position of each user in the space. As a result, the relaxation sound is mainly output only to each user in each space, and can be hardly heard by users in other nearby spaces, maintaining a highly private environment. can do.

  In the examples shown in FIGS. 12 and 1, an example is shown in which one network group is formed for each switching hub and the audio output device in each space is controlled. However, in the form in which one network group is formed for each router. There may be. In addition to the physical connection relationship, as shown in FIG. 9, a virtual network group VLAN (Virtual LAN) may be formed, and an audio output device may be provided for each VALN. For example, in the example of FIG. 13, VLAN1 is formed by the PC 13B, the PC 13A2, and the audio output device 15V1, and the audio output device 15V1 is installed so as to output a masker sound to the user 14B and the user 14A2 in the VLAN1. Similarly, VLAN2 is formed by PC13A1, PC13A3, PC13C1, PC13C2, and audio output device 15V2, and audio output device 15V2 outputs masker sound to user 14A1, user 14A3, user 14C1, and user 14C2 in VLAN2. Is installed. In any case, a device having a network management function, such as the router 11A or an intelligent hub, analyzes the network usage status and controls the audio output device. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, one group space A may be formed by the lower network A, and one group B may be formed by the upper network B. In this case, the router 11A (or a device having a network management function such as an intelligent hub) analyzes the network usage status of all the network devices in the network A, and controls all the audio output devices in the network A. A masker sound is output to all users in A. Further, the router 11B (or a device having a network management function such as an intelligent hub) analyzes the network usage status of all the network devices (PC13B2 and PC13B3) in the network B, and controls the audio output device 15B. A masker sound is output to the user 14B2 and the user 14B3.

  Although it has been described that the network group is formed for each network address, for each router, for each switch, or for each VLAN, the following examples are also conceivable as modes for forming the group. For example, grouping is performed within a predetermined IP address range. In this case, a mode in which grouping is performed by a fixed IP address is possible, and allocation by DHCP is also possible. In the case of assignment by DHCP, the router may determine a group depending on the DHCP assignment range. It is also possible to perform grouping within a predetermined MAC address range. Furthermore, a mode in which a plurality of the above grouping conditions are combined is also possible.

  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. For example, a masker sound that reduces this storm sound is output during a storm, and an operation to turn off the masker sound is performed in fine weather. Alternatively, it is also possible to turn on the masker sound when the time data received from an external time site meets a predetermined condition (between 9 o'clock and 17 o'clock, etc.). Moreover, the aspect of outputting a relaxing sound is also possible when it corresponds to a break time zone (for example, 12:00 to 13:00).

  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. 15, 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

Claims (7)

A voice output system in which a plurality of user devices, a control device, and a voice output device are connected via a network to form a plurality of network groups,
The control device analyzes the network usage status for each network group, controls the masker sound output of the audio output device provided for each network group ,
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 network usage status for each network group based on communication contents and traffic.   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. A second audio output device that outputs a sound different from the masker sound;
The control device controls the 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 group is used for each network group. The audio output system according to claim 3.   The control device controls an output of a sound different from the masker sound to an audio output device other than the audio output device instructed to output the masker sound based on a network usage state for each network group. The audio output system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The voice output system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the network group is formed at least for each network address, for each router, for each switch, or for each VLAN. The network group, predetermined IP address range or an audio output system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is formed in a range of MAC addresses.