JPH06175674A - Acoustic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To utilize a system wherein the arrangement positions of speakers are assumed by using a speaker fixed at a position other than the arrangement positions by providing a dummy speaker localizing means and localizing a dummy speaker at a position different from the positions where the actual speakers are arranged. CONSTITUTION:This acoustic device is equipped with a dummy speaker localizing means which localizes a dummy speaker SP1, arranged at the position different from the arrangement positions of actually existent speakers SPL and SPR, so that sounds emitted from the speakers SPL and SPR are listened to, the sound are listened to as if they are emitted from the dummy speaker SP1. Namely, the localization position of the dummy speaker SP1 is determined by adjusting various arithmetic coefficients of the dummy speaker localizing means when the arrangement positions of the two speakers SPL and SPR are fixed. Therefore, when a sound signal I is outputted from the dummy speaker localizing means and outputted from the speakers SPL and SPR, a listener listens to the sound from the dummy speaker at a desired position.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an acoustic device which receives an acoustic signal, converts the acoustic signal into a signal including a localization position of a sound image, and outputs the signal as a plurality of channels.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, it has been widely practiced to use a stereo device or the like to output sound from two left and right speakers to enjoy a stereo performance. In recent years, in addition to normal stereo performance, for example, RSS from Roland
Like a system that moves the sound image position to any position in space using two speakers that are placed in front of left and right, and a front and rear and left and right placed like a Dolby Pro Logic decoder. There are systems on the market that enhance the sense of presence by emitting sound from a total of four speakers.

[0003]

In a system aiming at a sound effect such as a normal stereo performance or an RSS system or a professional logic decoder as described above, the arrangement position of the speaker is often assumed in advance. The desired sound image localization and a realistic sensation can be obtained only after the speaker is arranged at the arranged position.

However, depending on the speaker system, the speaker is placed at a position other than the assumed placement position, and this placement position cannot be changed in many cases. For example, speakers are provided at the upper part of the back of the easy chair, which correspond to the sides of the person's head when a person sits on the easy chair, or pillows or floors so that people can enjoy music while sleeping. Many products have a speaker embedded in a mat or the like.In these cases, the relative position between the person using the speaker and the speaker has been determined in advance, and the speaker arrangement assumed to provide a predetermined sound image localization and a realistic sensation. The position is different, and conventionally, in such a case, there is a problem that an unnatural sound image localization occurs and an unpleasant feeling occurs.

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention provides an audio device capable of using a system in which speaker positions are assumed in advance, by using speakers fixed at positions other than the speaker positions. With the goal.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, an audio device of the present invention comprises: (1) a plurality of speakers arranged at predetermined positions (2) inputting an audio signal and subjecting the audio signal to signal processing. When the sound based on the sound signal is emitted from the plurality of speakers, the desired position is obtained so as to obtain the same sound image as the sound image emitted from the speaker arranged at a desired position other than the predetermined position. In addition, a pseudo speaker localization means for locating the pseudo speaker is provided.

Here, the pseudo speaker means may be configured to localize a plurality of pseudo speakers at respective desired positions. Further, the pseudo speaker means may be configured to include a pseudo speaker moving means for moving the desired position. The acoustic device is effectively used, for example, when the plurality of speakers are attached to, for example, a backrest of a chair, a pillow, or a mat.

[0008]

The acoustic device of the present invention, when listening to the sound emitted from a plurality of speakers that are actually present, is as if the virtual device is arranged at a desired position different from the position of the plurality of speakers. Since the pseudo speaker localization means for locating the pseudo speaker so that it can be heard as if it is being emitted from the pseudo speaker is provided, if the actual position of the speaker is fixed and it cannot be moved to the desired position, the By using the invention, the speaker is artificially placed at a desired position. Therefore, for example, an ordinary stereo performance, an RSS system of Roland Co., a professional logic decoder of Dolby Co., etc. are supposed to be arranged in advance, and the desired acoustic effect is obtained only by arranging the speaker at the supposed position. The system can be adapted to a speaker placed at a position other than the expected position, and a desired acoustic effect specific to the system can be obtained by using the speaker placed at a position other than the expected position. Will be obtained.

[0009]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be described below. Here, each technique required to configure an example of the pseudo speaker localization means will be described first, and then each configuration example of the pseudo speaker means will be described. FIG. 1 shows Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-
It is a block diagram showing the outline of the sound image localization device described in 30700 publication. In this acoustic localization device, one acoustic signal is converted into left and right signals of two channels which are given to the left and right ears of a listener, respectively, and a frequency characteristic due to a difference in transfer characteristic between the signals of the two channels. Differences such as a difference, a volume difference, and a phase difference (signal time difference) are given.
The listener hears the difference between the sounds that can be heard from the left and right ears,
The position where the sound is emitted, that is, the localization position of the sound image is sensed.
Therefore, by this acoustic localization position, for example, by changing the localization position with time, the listener senses that the sound source is moving and gives a sense of reality.

In FIG. 1, a sound localization device 1 includes a sound image localization calculation means 2 which forms a main circuit portion of the sound localization device 1.
And crosstalk canceling means 4 added thereto. Acoustic signal I input from the input terminal 5
Is subjected to sound localization in the sound image localization calculating means 2 to become a signal of two channels, and the signal of the two channels where the sound image is localized is inputted to the crosstalk canceling means 4.

The output of the sound image localization calculating means 2 is converted into a signal for the left speaker SP _L and the right speaker SP _{R in} the crosstalk canceling means 4. That is, the crosstalk canceling means 4 subtracts and corrects from the right signal output so that the acoustic signal that is considered to be transmitted from the left speaker to the right ear is canceled in the right ear portion, and
Subtractive correction is performed from the left signal output so that the acoustic signal that is considered to be transmitted from the right speaker to the left ear is canceled in the left ear portion. The sound based on the acoustic signal thus corrected is emitted by the left and right speakers SP _L and SP _R , and a predetermined sound image localization position is given to the listener.

In order to simulate the movement of a sound source,
The coefficient is changed and set in each computing means 2 _L , 2 _R , 4 _L , 4 _R. In this way, it is possible to reproduce sound with a realistic sensation as if the sound source itself were moving. Although the above-mentioned publication describes the sound image localization device in more detail, its description is omitted here. In the case of the above-mentioned conventional sound image localization device, regarding the position movement of the sound source in the circumferential direction near the listener's front with the listener as the center, the localization position is moved by the change in the volume difference and the signal time difference in both channels. Although it can be simulated well, the direction in which the distance between the sound source and the listener changes, that is, the direction approaching the listener or moving away from the listener (hereinafter referred to as "far-and-far direction"), is almost the same in both channels. Because the sound volume is only increased or decreased at the same time, it is difficult for the listener to perceive the localization of the sound image, and if this is extremely done, it becomes unnatural.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of a primary reflected sound simulator for simulating the primary reflected sound from the floor, for example. The acoustic signal I is input to the primary reflection simulator, attenuated by the multiplier 16 by an amount suitable for the primary reflection, and the primary delay sound is reflected by the signal delay means 17 and transmitted to the floor, for example. Therefore, it is delayed by the amount that arrives later than the direct sound. The signal delayed by the signal delay means 17 is input to the filter means 18. Normally, a high-frequency sound is often absorbed on the floor surface, so a low-pass filter is used as the filter means 18. Regarding the sound image localization, there is no great difference even if the floor materials are different, and therefore the characteristics of the filter means 18 may be fixed. In this way, the primary reflected sound is simulated.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration example of a reverberation sound simulator for simulating a reverberation sound (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-176995). This reverberant sound simulator includes an all-pass filter 20, a plurality of comb filters 30_1, 30_2, ..., 30_n, and two adders 40_1 that add the outputs of the signals of the plurality of comb filters 30_1, 30_2, ..., 30_n, respectively. , 4
It is composed of 0_2. All-pass filter 20
Is a delay unit 22 that delays the acoustic signal I by a predetermined delay amount, a multiplier 23 that multiplies the output of the adder 21 by a predetermined coefficient, and a first that adds the output of the multiplier 23 and the output of the delay unit 22. It has a second adder 24 and a second multiplier 25 for multiplying the output of the delay means 22 by a predetermined coefficient. In the adder 21, the input acoustic signal I and the second multiplier 2
And the output of 5 are added. The output of the second adder 24 is supplied to a plurality of comb filters 30_1, 30_2, ..., 30_n.
Entered in. Each comb filter 30_1, 30_2,
..., 30_n are adders 31_1, 31_2, ..., 31
_N and delay means 32_ for delaying each predetermined delay amount
, 32_n, and delay means 32_1, 3
.., 32_n. Multipliers 33_1, 33_2, ..., 33_n for multiplying the outputs of 2_2 ,. ，
The outputs of 33_n are added to add delay means 32_1 and 32_.
2, ..., 32_n.
Each delay means 32_1, 32_2, ..., 32_n has an intermediate tap, and the output of each intermediate tap is an adder 40_.
1 is added to each other, and each delay means 32_1, 32_
The outputs of 2, ..., 32_n are added to each other by the adder 40_2, whereby simulated left and right reverberation sounds are obtained.

FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram showing the pseudo speaker localization means of the first embodiment of the audio device of the present invention. The input acoustic signal I has two calculation means 52.
_L, 52 are inputted to the _R, these calculation means 52 _L, 52
The basic sound image localization of the direct sound by _R is performed, via the subsequent adders 53 _L, 53 _R, computing means 5
Processing for crosstalk cancellation is performed by 4 _L, 54 _R and the adder 55 _L, 55 _R, an adder 71 _L, 71
A signal is transmitted to the left and right speakers SP _L and SP _R via _R , and further via a D / A converter, an amplifier and the like not shown.

Further, the acoustic signal I is input to the primary reflected sound simulator 60, and the primary reflected sound is simulated thereby. The signal representing the simulated first-order reflected sound is input to the calculating means 61 _L , 61 _R for sound image localization, added by the adders 53 _L , 53 _R with the direct sound, and further crosstalk cancellation is performed. Is processed and output to the speakers SP _L and SP _R.

Furthermore acoustic signal I is input to the reverberation simulator 70, reverberation is simulated, for simulated reverberation are added by the adder 71 _L, 71 _R speakers SP _L, the SP _R Is output. Here, each computing means 52 _L , 52 _R , 54 _L , 54 _R , 61
_L , 61 _R transfer functions, primary reflected sound simulator 6
0, by adjusting each coefficient set in the reverberation sound simulator 70, the sound based on the acoustic signal I is as if
The speakers are arranged at desired positions other than the positions where the two speakers SP _L and SP _R are arranged, and the speakers arranged at the predetermined positions are heard as if they are emitting sound. Therefore, when the acoustic signal I is a signal adjusted to obtain a predetermined acoustic effect only when a speaker is placed at a predetermined position and sound is emitted from the speaker,
Even if the actual speakers SP _L and SP _R are arranged at positions that are not suitable for obtaining a predetermined sound effect by the sound signal I, the pseudo speaker localization means makes it possible to obtain a predetermined position suitable for the sound signal I. By locating the pseudo speaker at 1, the acoustic effect peculiar to the acoustic signal I can be obtained.

In the embodiment shown in FIG.
Arithmetic means 52 for localizing the image _L , 52_R Apart from
Arithmetic means 6 for localizing a sound image for the primary reflected sound
1_L, 61_R Since it is equipped with
And the direction in which the primary reflected sound is heard can be localized separately.
Fine-grained pseudo-speaker localization is performed. Figure
5 is a pseudo speaker of the second embodiment of the audio device of the present invention.
It is a block diagram showing a localization means. First shown in FIG.
The blocks corresponding to each block in the embodiment of FIG.
The same numbers as those given in 4 are added and
Explain only.

In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the calculation means 61 _L and 61 _R for localizing the sound image of the primary reflected sound in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 are omitted. ,
The output of the primary reflected sound simulator 60 is added to the acoustic signal I (direct sound) by the adder 51 to obtain the calculation means 52 _L , 5
Sound image localization is performed at 2 _R. That is, the primary reflected sound can be heard in the same direction as the direct sound.

Strictly speaking, the direct sound and the first-order reflected sound are propagated from slightly different directions, but since they are approximately similar directions, even if omitted to this extent, there is almost no discomfort.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a pseudo speaker localization means of a third embodiment of the audio device of the invention. Similar to each of the above-described embodiments, the corresponding elements are given the same numbers.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the primary reflected sound simulator 60 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) itself is omitted. However, the primary reflected sound itself plays a major role in the localization of the sound image (here, the localization of the pseudo speaker), and the simulation of the primary reflected sound itself is not omitted. The second reflection sound is also simulated. For example, the sound up to about 150 msec after the direct sound is heard is called the primary reflected sound, and the sound after that is called the reverberant sound. However, the boundary between the reverberant sound and the primary reflected sound is not clear, and the reverberant sound simulator 70 By simulating the initial reverberant sound, the reverberant sound simulator 70 can also include the simulation of the primary reflected sound to some extent.

FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the audio device of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a pseudo speaker localization means of FIG.
It Similar to each of the above-described embodiments, the corresponding elements have the same number.
No. is attached. This example also applies to reverberant sounds.
This is an example when the direction of the reverberation sound simulator 7 is determined.
The two outputs of 0 are two calculation means 71 respectively._L , 7
1_R 72 _L , 72_R Input to the left and right reverberations
Sound localization is performed for this. Also in this example
The direct sound and the first-order reflected sound should be transmitted in the same direction.
Be emulated.

As described below, the pseudo-speaker localization means according to the present invention can have various configurations. Further, the primary reflected sound simulator 60 and the reverberant sound simulator 70 are provided.
Are not limited to the configurations shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively, and can take various configurations other than these configurations. Further, it is known that the means for locating the sound image illustrated in FIG. 1 to eliminate crosstalk can also be variously configured by appropriately combining the transfer functions of the respective computing means 2 _L , 2 _R , 4 _L , 4 _R. However, the present invention is not limited to the configuration illustrated here.

Next, various modes in which a pseudo speaker is localized using the audio device of the present invention will be described. Figure 8
Is a schematic diagram showing the most basic aspect of the acoustic device of the present invention, in which an acoustic signal I is input to the pseudo speaker localization means,
By guiding the signal output from the pseudo speaker localization means to the two speakers SP _L and SP _R near the head of the listener H and outputting the sound, the listener H is localized at a desired position in space. It sounds like sound is being emitted from the pseudo speaker SP _I. The localization position of this pseudo speaker SP _I is
When the actual arrangement positions of the two speakers SP _L and SP _R are fixed, it is determined by adjusting various calculation coefficients in the pseudo speaker localization means.

FIG. 9 shows four-channel acoustic signals I ₁ , I
_{In this example, 2} , I ₃ , I ₄ are input and four pseudo speakers are localized in space. The pseudo speaker locating means in this case is provided with, for example, 1 channel of pseudo speaker locating means shown in FIG. 8 for 4 channels as it is, and the left and right outputs of the 4 channel pseudo speaker locating means are added to each other to produce two speakers SP _L. , SP _R , but the elements common to the four-channel acoustic signals I ₁ , I ₂ , I ₃ , I ₄ or the left and right speakers SP _L , SP _R. Sharing may be achieved by taking into consideration common elements and the like when generating a signal to be transmitted.

FIG. 10 shows an example in which a professional logic decoder manufactured by Dolby Corp. is connected to the preceding stage of the pseudo speaker means for four channels similar to that shown in FIG. The Dolby Pro Logic decoder inputs 2-channel acoustic signals I ₁ and I ₂ and outputs 4-channel acoustic signals.
Four pseudo-speakers SP _I1 , SP _I2 , SP arranged as shown
Speakers are actually arranged at _I3 and SP _I4 , and the four-channel acoustic signals output from the pro-logic decoder are transmitted to those speakers respectively to produce a predetermined acoustic effect. It was done. Here, 4 output from the Pro Logic decoder
The acoustic signal of the channel is input to the pseudo speaker localization means, and the four pseudo speakers S are generated by the pseudo speaker localization means.
_Localize P _I1 , SP _I2 , SP _I3 , and SP _I4 . Thus, in reality, the sound emitted from the two speakers SP _L and SP _R arranged on the rear left and right of the listener H can obtain the intended acoustic effect by the pro-logic decoder.

As described above, in the case of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, it is possible to obtain the acoustic space, which is originally obtained only by the four speakers, by the two speakers. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a mode in which the pseudo speaker localization means is provided with the pseudo speaker moving means. As described above, the localization position of the pseudo speaker in space is determined by adjusting each coefficient of the calculation in the pseudo speaker localization means, and therefore, the localization position of the pseudo speaker is moved by providing a means for sequentially changing those coefficients. be able to.

FIG. 12 shows an example in which the two pseudo speakers SP _I1 and SP _I2 are located at positions apart from the actual speakers SP _L and SP _R by the pseudo speaker localization means. When the localization position changes, the sound image S _{I in the} space moves accordingly. FIG. 13 shows an example in which a speaker is arranged behind the listener H as described in the above drawings and an example in which the speakers SP _L and SP _R are arranged obliquely behind. Such a state occurs, for example, when a speaker is attached to the headrest of a car seat, when the speaker is attached to the back of an easy chair, or when the speaker is embedded in a pillow or mat. In such a case, by providing the various pseudo-speaker localization means described above, for example, the pseudo-speakers are localized to the left and right of the front of the listener to perform stereo reproduction, so that it is as if the user enjoys music with a normal stereo device. To hear
Alternatively, the sound effects peculiar to the Roland RSS system and the Dolby pro logic decoder can be enjoyed with different speaker arrangements.

In particular, the fact that the speaker is arranged in the vicinity of the listener's ear does not give a feeling of pressure unlike a headphone, and since the speaker does not obstruct the limit, there is a feeling of liberation and a feeling of use is very high. It has the characteristic of being good. Furthermore, since the speaker is close to the ear, sufficient power can be obtained without ringing at a high volume, and noise does not disturb the neighborhood. Also, since the signal emitted from the speaker may be small originally, the signal reflected by the wall of the room is attenuated and becomes very small, and since the speaker is at the ear, the difference between the original sound and the reflected sound is very large, The sound image localization device has a characteristic that a very good localization feeling can be obtained with almost no influence of the reflected sound on the signal processing result.

Further, there is a feature that an acoustic space which can be obtained by only a large number of speakers with a small number of speakers, for example, an acoustic space which can be obtained by four speakers by two speakers can be obtained.

[0031]

As described above, in the audio device of the present invention, the pseudo speaker localization means is provided and the pseudo speaker is localized at a position different from the position where the actual speaker is arranged so that the speaker arrangement position is determined. It is possible to obtain a peculiar acoustic effect by the existing system and various other acoustic effects.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a sound image localization device.

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram showing a configuration example of a primary reflected sound simulator.

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram showing a configuration example of a reverberation sound simulator.

FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram showing a pseudo speaker localization means of the first embodiment of the audio device of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a pseudo speaker localization means of a second embodiment of the audio device of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a pseudo speaker localization means of a third embodiment of the audio device of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a pseudo speaker localization means of a fourth embodiment of the audio device of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the most basic aspect of the audio device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows four-channel acoustic signals I ₁ , I ₂ , I ₃ , I
_{In this example, 4} is input and four pseudo speakers are localized in the space.

FIG. 10 is an example in which a Dolby professional logic decoder is connected to the preceding stage of the pseudo speaker means for four channels similar to FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a mode in which a pseudo speaker moving means is provided in the pseudo speaker localization means.

FIG. 12 shows an example in which two pseudo speakers SP _I1 and SP _I2 are localized at positions farther from the actual speakers SP _L and SP _R by the pseudo speaker localization means.

FIG. 13 is a speaker SP behind or obliquely behind the listener H.
_In this example, _L and SP _R are arranged.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Acoustic localization device 2 Sound image localization calculation means 4 Crosstalk cancellation means 52 _L , 52 _R , 61 _L , 61 _R , 71 _L , 71 _R , 7
2 _L , 72 _R Calculation means for sound image localization 54 _L , 54 _R Calculation means for canceling crosstalk 60 Primary reflected sound simulator 70 Reverberation sound simulator

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of loudspeakers arranged at predetermined positions, and by inputting an acoustic signal and subjecting the acoustic signal to signal processing, when the sound based on the acoustic signal is emitted from the plurality of speakers, An acoustic device comprising: a pseudo speaker localization means for locating a pseudo speaker at the desired position so as to obtain the same sound image as a sound image emitted from a speaker arranged at a desired position other than the predetermined position. 2. The plurality of speakers is a backrest of a chair,
The acoustic device according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic device is attached to a pillow or a floor mat. 3. The acoustic device according to claim 1, wherein the pseudo speaker localization means localizes a plurality of pseudo speakers to respective desired positions. 4. The acoustic device according to claim 1, wherein the pseudo speaker localization unit includes a pseudo speaker moving unit that moves the desired position.