JPH0965498A - Listening position and listening method by out-head sound image localization headphone - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an out-head sound image localization headphone listening device and its listening method in which a listener feels an out-head localization of a sound image and a time up to actually feel the out-head localization of a sound image is reduced. SOLUTION: When a listener listens to a sound image by an out-head sound localization headphone, at first cross fade processing sections 5a, 5b connect an output to the headphone 2 to an output from an out-head sound image localization acoustic signal storage section 4 and the out-head sound image localization acoustic signal stored in the out-head sound image localization acoustic signal storage section 4 is outputted to the headphone 2. When the listener feels the out-head sound image localization, the cross fade processing sections 5a, 5b switch over the output to the headphone 2 from an output of the out-head sound image localization acoustic signal storage section 4 into an output from an out-head sound image localization processing section 3 and listens to the result of applying out-head sound image localization processing to the input acoustic signal 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an out-of-head sound image localization listening device which is used for listening by a listening device such as an earphone and a headphone, and particularly to an outside-head sound image localization listening device and a listening method thereof.

[0002]

Prior to the description of the present invention, the basic principle of out-of-head sound image localization processing will be described below. FIG. 5 (a),
(B) is an explanatory view explaining the principle of out-of-head sound image localization, which is the basic idea of the present invention.

It is assumed that a sound source signal u is radiated at the virtual sound image position O, propagates through the space, and reaches the left ear EL and the right ear ER. At this time, the acoustic signal at the left ear EL is y
The acoustic signal at L1 and the right ear ER is yR1.

In this state, the sound propagation from the virtual sound source position O to the left ear EL and the right ear ER can be represented by a transfer function. This transfer function will be called the head-related transfer function hereinafter.

A head-related transfer function from the virtual sound source position O to the left ear EL is defined as TL, and a head-related transfer function to the right ear ER is defined as TR. The relationship between the acoustic signal at the sound source position and the acoustic signal at the ear is represented by yL1 = TL · u yR1 = TR · u.

Next, let us consider a case of generally listening using headphones. X the acoustic signals from the left ear HL of the headphones and the right ear HR of the headphones that are actually used.
L and xR. The sound emitted from both ears of these headphones arrives as an acoustic signal yL2 at the listener's left ear EL and yR2 at the right ear ER. In the case of listening using headphones, it can be assumed that the crosstalk component is sufficiently small. Therefore, assuming that the head-related transfer function in the transfer path from HL to EL and HR to ER is HM, yL2 = HM · xL yR2 = HM · xR Becomes Here, although the sound is actually emitted from both ears HL and HR of the headphones, in order to be heard from the point O, yL1 = yL2 yR1 = yR2 may be set. Therefore, HM · xL = TL · u HM · xR = TR · u, and by solving for xL and xR, xL = FL · u xR = FR · u. However, FL = TL / HM and FR = TR / HM. Further, the above equation can be rewritten to express xL = FM · u xR = FM · FC · u. However, FM = TL / HM and FC = TR / TL. That is, if the signal processing represented by the above equation is applied to the acoustic signal u, it sounds as if there is a sound image at the point O when the sound is heard using headphones, and out-of-head sound image localization can be realized.

The principle described so far has already been announced in the 1960s, and many documents (as a representative example, "Spatial sound" by Brauert, Morimoto, and Goto, published by Kashima Press) are listed. Has become a known fact.

[0008]

However, when an out-of-head sound image localization listening is performed by a hearing device such as headphones using such an out-of-head sound image localization process, the listener can not really feel the out-of-head localization feeling of the sound image. There is a problem in that the listener takes a long time to realize the feeling of out-of-head localization and there is a large individual difference depending on the listener.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and it is possible for the listener to easily perceive the out-of-head localization feeling of the sound image, and to reduce the time taken to realize the out-of-head localization feeling of the sound image. An object of the present invention is to provide an out-of-head sound image localization headphone listening device and a listening method thereof.

[0010]

In order to achieve this object, an out-of-head sound image localization headphone listening device and a listening method thereof according to the present invention include an out-of-head sound image localization sound signal storage section in which an out-of-head sound image localization sound signal is stored. And an out-of-head sound image localization processing unit that performs out-of-head sound image localization processing on the input acoustic signal, and a crossfade process that switches the output from the out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal storage unit and the output from the out-of-head sound image localization processing unit. In an out-of-head sound image localization headphone listening device equipped with a head section, when the listener listens to the out-of-head sound image localization headphone, first, the out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal stored in the out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal storage section is heard. After that, the cross-fade processing unit switches to the output from the out-of-head sound image localization processing unit for listening.

Further, according to the present invention, an acoustic signal storage section in which an acoustic signal for which the out-of-head sound image is easily localized is stored, and an out-of-head sound image localization process is performed on the input acoustic signal and the acoustic signal stored in the acoustic signal storage section. An out-of-head sound image localization headphone including an out-of-head sound image localization processing unit to perform and a cross-fade processing unit that switches input to the out-of-head sound image localization processing unit between the input acoustic signal and the output from the acoustic signal storage unit. In the hearing device, when the listener listens to the out-of-head sound image localization headphones, the out-of-head sound image localization processing is performed in the out-of-head sound image localization processing unit for the acoustic signal that is easily stored in the acoustic signal storage unit for the first time. It is characterized in that the result obtained is received, and then the result obtained by performing the out-of-head sound image localization processing on the input acoustic signal is received.

[0012]

[Function] When the listener listens to the out-of-head sound image localization headphones, the head previously stored in the out-of-head sound image localization sound signal storage unit before the result of performing the out-of-head sound image localization process on the input acoustic signal is heard. An acoustic signal that facilitates localization of an external sound image is received for a certain period of time. When the listener realizes the out-of-head localization of the sound image, the output to the headphones is output from the out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal storage section by the crossfade processing section, and the head that performs out-of-head localization processing for the input acoustic signal is performed. The output is switched to the output from the external sound image localization processing unit.

With the above structure, when the headphone for out-of-head sound image localization headphones is heard, the listener can be impressed with the out-of-head sound localization of the sound image by first receiving the sound that makes it easy to realize the out-of-head sound image localization. It is possible to realize an out-of-head localization feeling for the sound actually heard quickly and clearly.

[0014]

【Example】

(Embodiment 1) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
Will be described with reference to.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is an input acoustic signal, 2 is headphones, 3 is an out-of-head sound image localization processing unit that performs out-of-head sound image localization processing on the input sound signal 1, and 4 is an out-of-head area in which an out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal is stored. Sound image localization acoustic signal storage unit 5a, 5b
Indicates a cross-fade processing section that switches the output to the headphones 2 between the output from the out-of-head sound image localization processing section 3 and the output from the out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal storage section 4.

When the listener listens to the out-of-head sound image localization headphones, first, the crossfade processing units 5a and 5b connect the output to the headphones 2 to the output from the out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal storage unit 4, and A sound image localization acoustic signal is output to the headphones 2. When the listener realizes the out-of-head localization of the sound image,
The output to the headphones 2 is output to the out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal storage unit 4
Is switched to the output from the out-of-head sound image localization processing unit 3, and the result of performing the out-of-head sound image localization processing on the input acoustic signal 1 is heard.

Here, an example of the out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal stored in the out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal storage section 4 will be described.

The out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal storage unit 4 stores in advance, as the out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal, an acoustic signal defining a plurality of sound image positions around the listener.

As this acoustic signal, one recorded by a dummy head or one obtained by subjecting an acoustic signal which easily localizes an out-of-head sound image to an out-of-head sound image localization process is used.

Then, the sound image position is output so as to move around the listener. Here, as a method of moving, it is effective to rotate or reciprocate around the listener.

When the listener realizes the out-of-head localization of the sound image,
The output to the headphones 2 is output to the out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal storage unit 4
Is switched to the output from the out-of-head sound image localization processing unit 3, and the result of performing the out-of-head sound image localization processing on the input acoustic signal 1 is heard.

The outputs of the cross-fade processing sections 5a and 5b may be switched like a simple switch, or may be switched while fading in and out of two sets of outputs.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when the listener listens to the out-of-head sound image localization headphones, before listening to the result of performing the out-of-head sound image localization processing on the input acoustic signal,
By receiving a sound that makes it easier to feel the out-of-head sound image localization stored in advance, compared with the case where the result of performing the out-of-head sound image localization process on the input acoustic signal is heard from the beginning, the listener can hear faster. Moreover, it becomes possible to clearly realize the out-of-head sound image localization.

(Embodiment 2) A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention, which has a configuration in which a direction detection unit 6 for detecting the orientation of the listener is added to the block diagram of FIG.

In the present embodiment, the out-of-head sound image localization sound signal storage unit 4 stores in advance, as the out-of-head sound image localization sound signals, sound signals defining a plurality of sound image positions around the listener.

When the listener listens to the out-of-head sound image localization headphones, the direction detector 6 first detects the orientation of the listener. In addition, the crossfade processing units 5 a and 5 b connect the output to the headphones 2 to the output from the out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal storage unit 4, and the out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signals are output to the headphones 2.

At this time, the acoustic signal output to the headphones 2 is the one of the listener detected by the direction detecting section 6 from the acoustic signals for each sound image position stored in the out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal storage section 4. It is dynamically selected according to the orientation.

When the listener realizes the out-of-head localization of the sound image,
The output to the headphones 2 is output to the out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal storage unit 4
Is switched to the output from the out-of-head sound image localization processing unit 3, and the result of performing the out-of-head sound image localization processing on the input acoustic signal 1 is heard. Further, at this time, in the case of listening to the out-of-head sound image localization headphones with respect to the input acoustic signal 1, the direction detection unit 6
A listening method in which the sound image position is dynamically changed using is also possible.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the first embodiment
In addition to the effect of, the listener can feel the change in the position of the sound image that is linked to his / her own movement, so that the sound image localization outside the head can be realized quickly and clearly.

(Third Embodiment) A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, 1 is an input acoustic signal, 2 is headphones, 7 is an acoustic signal storage unit in which an acoustic signal for which an out-of-head sound image is easily localized is stored, and 3 is stored in the input acoustic signal 1 and the acoustic signal storage unit 7. The out-of-head sound image localization processing units 5a and 5b, which perform out-of-head sound image localization processing on the generated acoustic signal, input the input to the out-of-head sound image localization processing unit 3 between the input acoustic signal 1 and the output from the acoustic signal storage unit 7. The cross fade processing part which switches between is shown.

When the listener listens to the out-of-head sound image localization headphones, the crossfade processing units 5a and 5b first connect the input of the out-of-head sound image localization processing unit 3 and the output of the acoustic signal storage unit 7 to store the acoustic signal storage. The result of the out-of-head sound image localization processing performed on the acoustic signal stored in the unit 7 that facilitates out-of-head sound image localization is output to the headphones 2.

When the listener realizes the out-of-head localization of the sound image,
The input to the out-of-head sound image localization processing section 3 is switched from the acoustic signal stored in the acoustic signal storage section 7 to the input acoustic signal 1, and the result of performing the out-of-head sound image localization processing on the input acoustic signal 1 is heard. As the acoustic signal stored in the acoustic signal storage unit 7,
It is easy to localize an out-of-head sound image for things that include a wide range of frequency components, such as music that uses white noise and instruments with complex tones.
desirable.

Here, an example of a method for allowing the listener to hear the result of performing the out-of-head sound image localization processing on the acoustic signal stored in the acoustic signal storage unit 7 will be described. When the listener receives the result of performing the out-of-head sound image localization processing on the acoustic signal stored in the acoustic signal storage unit 7, the sound image position is output so as to move around the listener. As a method of movement, it is effective to rotate or reciprocate around the listener. When the listener realizes the out-of-head localization of the sound image, the listener inputs the input to the out-of-head sound image localization processing section 3 into the acoustic signal storage section 7.
Input sound signal 1 by switching from the output of
Listen to the result of the out-of-head sound image localization processing.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the listener listens to the out-of-head sound image localization headphones, before listening to the result of the out-of-head sound image localization processing of the input acoustic signal,
By listening to the result of the out-of-head sound image localization processing on the acoustic signal that is easy to experience the out-of-head sound image localization stored in advance, usually the result of performing the out-of-head sound image localization processing on the input acoustic signal is heard from the beginning. As compared with the case where it is performed, it is possible for the listener to realize the sound localization outside the head more quickly and clearly.

(Embodiment 4) A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention, which has a configuration in which a direction detection unit 6 for detecting the orientation of the listener is added to FIG.

When the listener listens to the out-of-head sound image localization headphones, the direction detector 6 first detects the orientation of the listener.
Further, the crossfade processing units 5a and 5b connect the input of the out-of-head sound image localization processing unit 3 and the output of the acoustic signal storage unit 7 to the head for the acoustic signal stored in the acoustic signal storage unit 7 that facilitates out-of-head sound image localization. The result of the external sound image localization processing is output to the headphones 2.

At this time, the out-of-head sound image localization processing unit 3 performs out-of-head localization at the sound image position corresponding to the orientation of the listener detected by the direction detection unit 6. As a result, a sound signal having a sound image position corresponding to the orientation of the listener is output to the headphones 2.

When the listener realizes the out-of-head localization of the sound image,
The input to the out-of-head sound image localization processing unit 3 is switched from the output of the sound signal storage unit 7 to the input sound signal 1, and the result of performing the out-of-head sound image localization process on the input sound signal 1 is heard.

Further, at this time, in the case of listening to the out-of-head sound image localization headphones with respect to the input acoustic signal 1, a listening method of dynamically changing the sound image position by using the direction detecting section 6 is also possible.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the same effect as that of the second embodiment can be obtained.

[0042]

As described below, according to the present invention, an out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal storage unit in which an out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal is stored, and an out-of-head sound image localization process for performing an out-of-head sound image localization process on an input acoustic signal. Section, an out-of-head sound image localization headphone listening device including a cross-fade processing section that switches the output from the out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal storage section and the output from the out-of-head sound image localization processing section, in which the listener receives the out-of-head sound image. When listening to the localization headphones, the out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal stored in the out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal storage unit is received, so that the out-of-head sound image localization process is normally performed on the input acoustic signal from the beginning. Compared with the case of listening to the result, it is possible to make the listener realize the out-of-head sound image localization more quickly and clearly.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the principle of out-of-head sound image localization.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Input acoustic signal 2 Headphones 3 Out-of-head sound image localization processing section 4 Out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal storage section 5a, 5b Crossfade processing section 6 Direction detection section 7 Acoustic signal storage section 8a, 8b Headphone speaker

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A headphone listening device for out-of-head sound image localization, wherein an out-of-head sound image localization operation is performed on an acoustic signal to localize the sound image, wherein the out-of-head sound image localization sound is stored. A signal storage unit, an out-of-head sound image localization processing unit that performs out-of-head sound image localization processing on an input acoustic signal, an output from the out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal storage unit, and an output from the out-of-head sound image localization processing unit An out-of-head sound image localization headphone listening device comprising a cross-fade processing section. 2. The out-of-head sound image stored in the out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal storage unit when the listener uses the out-of-head sound image localization headphone listening device according to claim 1 to listen to the out-of-head sound image localization headphone. An out-of-head sound image localization headphone listening method, wherein a localization sound signal is received, and then the cross-fade processing unit switches to an output from the out-of-head sound image localization processing unit for listening. 3. The out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal is obtained by convolution calculation of the out-of-head sound image localization information defining the sound source position in the actual sound field and the acoustic signal in which the out-of-head sound image localization is easily felt. The method for listening to out-of-head sound image localization headphones according to claim 2. 4. The out-of-head sound image localization headphone listening method according to claim 2, wherein the out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal is received so that the sound image position moves around the listener. 5. An out-of-head sound image localization headphone listening device according to claim 1, further comprising a direction detecting section, wherein the sound image position of the out-of-head sound image localization acoustic signal changes according to the orientation of the listener detected by the direction detecting section. The method for listening to out-of-head sound image localization headphones according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the listening is performed as follows. 6. An out-of-head sound localization headphone listening device for performing an out-of-head sound image localization operation on an acoustic signal to localize the sound image out of the head, wherein an acoustic signal memory storing an acoustic signal for easily locating an out-of-head sound image. Section, an out-of-head sound image localization processing section that performs out-of-head sound image localization processing on the input sound signal and the sound signal stored in the sound signal storage section, and the input to the out-of-head sound image localization processing section is the input sound. An out-of-head sound image localization headphone listening device comprising: a crossfade processing unit that switches between a signal and an output from the acoustic signal storage unit. 7. An out-of-head sound image that is easily stored in an acoustic signal storage unit when the listener uses the out-of-head sound image localization headphone listening device according to claim 6 when the listener listens to the out-of-head sound image localization headphones. Out-of-head sound image localization characterized by receiving the result of out-of-head sound image localization processing in the out-of-head sound image localization processing unit for the signal and then listening to the result of performing out-of-head sound image localization processing for the input acoustic signal. Headphone listening method. 8. An out-of-head sound image localization process is performed by an out-of-head sound image localization processing unit on an audio signal stored in an acoustic signal storage unit that facilitates out-of-head sound image localization so that the sound image position moves around the listener. The method for listening to out-of-head sound localization headphones according to claim 7, characterized in that the result of the calculation is received. 9. An out-of-head sound image localization processing unit for an out-of-head sound image localization headphone listening device according to claim 6, further comprising a direction detection unit, for an acoustic signal stored in an acoustic signal storage unit for easily out-of-head sound image localization. The method for listening to out-of-head sound localization headphones according to claim 7, wherein the result of the out-of-head sound image localization processing is performed so that the sound image position changes according to the orientation of the listener detected by the direction detection unit. .