WO2021064917A1

WO2021064917A1 - Relationship determination device, method, and program

Info

Publication number: WO2021064917A1
Application number: PCT/JP2019/038996
Authority: WO
Inventors: 賢一野口; 櫻子矢澤; 小林　和則
Original assignee: 日本電信電話株式会社
Priority date: 2019-10-02
Filing date: 2019-10-02
Publication date: 2021-04-08

Abstract

A relationship determination device including: a substantially-spherical base unit comprising an N number of recesses on the surface thereof, N being an integer of at least 2 and said recesses having a prescribed distance therebetween; an N number of microphones respectively arranged on the inner floor surface side of each of the N number of recesses; a sound collection space; and a determination unit 7 that determines the relationship between the base unit and the N number of microphones. The determination unit 7 uses the difference between indirect sounds included in a sound collection signal emitted from a prescribed sound source inside the sound collection space and collected by the N number of microphones, to determine the relationship.

Description

Relationship determination device, method and program

The present invention relates to a technique for collecting acoustic signals such as voice and music coming from all directions.

There is a method of using a spherical microphone described in Non-Patent Document 1 in order to collect sound coming from all directions.

In this method, since the microphone is a sphere, there is an advantage that the microphone can be rotated and arranged in any way.

However, in order to process the sound collection signal by the method described in the background technology, it is necessary to find the relationship between the coordinate axes of the sound collection space and the coordinate axes of the spherical microphone. In other words, it is necessary to find the relationship between the sound collecting space, the base of the spherical microphone, and N microphones.

An object of the present invention is to provide a relationship determining device, method and program for determining the relationship between a sound collecting space, a base which is a spherical microphone, and N microphones.

In the relationship determination device according to one aspect of the present invention, N is an integer of 2 or more, and the base of a substantially sphere having N recesses on the surface at predetermined distances from each other and the inner bottom surface of each of the N recesses. The determination unit includes N microphones installed on the side, a sound collecting space, and a determination unit that determines the relationship between the base and the N microphones, and the determination unit is emitted from a predetermined sound source in the sound collection space. , The relationship is determined using the difference in indirect sound contained in the sound collection signal collected by N microphones.

The relationship between the sound collecting space, the base of the spherical microphone, and N microphones can be obtained.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the relationship determination device. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a processing procedure for the pre-sound collection process. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a processing procedure of the relationship determination process. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of coordinate axes of the sound collecting space. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of coordinate axes of a spherical microphone. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the coordinate axes of the sound collecting space and the coordinate axes of the spherical microphone. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the pre-sound collection signal and the method 1 for cutting out the sound collection signal. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the pre-sound collection signal and the method 2 for cutting out the sound collection signal. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a sound collecting signal when the spherical microphone is hollow. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a sound collecting signal when the spherical microphone is a rigid sphere and is not provided with a recess. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a sound collecting signal when the spherical microphone is a rigid sphere and a recess is provided. FIG. 12 is a front view for exemplifying the sound collecting device of the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a rear view for exemplifying the sound collecting device of the first embodiment. FIG. 14A is a plan view for exemplifying the recess of the first embodiment. 14B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 14B-14B of FIG. 14A. FIG. 15A is a front view for exemplifying the arrangement of the microphones of the first embodiment. FIG. 15B is a rear view for exemplifying the arrangement of the microphones of the first embodiment. FIG. 16 is a bottom view for exemplifying the sound collecting device of the first embodiment. FIG. 17 is a bottom view for exemplifying the arrangement of the support region of the first embodiment. FIG. 18 is a front view for exemplifying a state in which the support column member is attached to the support region in the first embodiment. FIG. 19 is a rear view for exemplifying a state in which the support column member is attached to the support region in the first embodiment. FIG. 20 is a front view for exemplifying the sound collecting device of the second embodiment. FIG. 21 is a rear view for exemplifying the sound collecting device of the second embodiment. FIG. 22 is a front view for exemplifying the sound collecting device of the third embodiment. FIG. 23 is a rear view for exemplifying the sound collecting device of the third embodiment. FIG. 24 is a bottom view for exemplifying the sound collecting device of the third embodiment. FIG. 25 is a front view for exemplifying the sound collecting device of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 26 is a right side view for exemplifying the sound collecting device of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the sound collecting device when the shape of the recess is substantially a conical trapezoid. FIG. 28A is a plan view of an example of a concave portion having a substantially conical trapezoidal shape. 28B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 28B-28B of FIG. 28A. FIG. 29A is a plan view of an example of a recess having a substantially conical shape. FIG. 29B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 29B-29B of FIG. 29A. FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the sound collecting device when the shape of the recess is the shape of an exponential horn. FIG. 31A is a plan view of an example of a recess whose shape is the shape of an exponential horn. FIG. 31B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 31B-31B of FIG. 31A. FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the sound collecting device when the shape of the recess is bowl-shaped. FIG. 33A is a plan view of an example of a recess having a bowl shape. 33B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 33B-33B of FIG. 33A. 34A and 34B are diagrams for explaining an example of the position of the recess. FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a computer.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. In the drawings, the components having the same function are given the same number, and duplicate description will be omitted.

[Relationship determination device and method]
As shown in FIG. 1, the relationship determination device includes, for example, a cutting unit 5, a storage unit 6, and a determination unit 7. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the relationship determination device may further include a base and N microphones. The base and N microphones may be referred to as a spherical microphone and a sound collecting device 1. In the example of FIG. 12, the pre-sound collection signal and the sound collection signal collected by the base and N microphones are input to the cutout unit 5.

A recess is provided in the base, and a microphone is installed in the recess. By providing a recess around the microphone, the effect of reflection / diffraction is greater than when there is no recess. Therefore, for example, the effect of the incoming indirect wave when the pulse signal is used as the reference sound differs depending on each microphone. Is easy to come out. In addition, by providing a recess inside the surface of the base, there is an advantage that the size of the spherical microphone can be kept small. The shape of the recess may be slightly different for each microphone. As a result, the influence of the indirect wave of each microphone is more likely to be different. Further, the microphones may be arranged so that the distances between adjacent microphones are the same, or the shapes of the recesses may be substantially the same. Further, the microphones may be installed so that the distances between the microphones adjacent to the bottoms of substantially the same recesses are equal. Details of the base and the microphone will be described later as an embodiment of the sound collecting device 1.

Hereinafter, the processing of the cutting unit 5, the storage unit 6, and the determining unit 7 will be mainly described.

First, (the relationship between the coordinate axes of the sound collecting space and the coordinate axes of the spherical microphone) will be described, and then (pre-sound collection processing) and (relationship determination processing) will be described.

(Relationship between the coordinate axes of the sound collection space and the coordinate axes of the spherical microphone)
The relationship between the coordinate axes of the sound collecting space and the coordinate axes of the spherical microphone can be said to be the relationship between the sound collecting space and the base and N microphones. Therefore, the relationship between the coordinate axes of the sound collecting space and the coordinate axes of the spherical microphone may be expressed as the relationship between the sound collecting space and the base and N microphones.

The coordinate axes of the sound collecting space are represented as shown in FIG. 4, for example. In this example, the coordinate axes of the sound collecting space are the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis that are orthogonal to each other with o as the origin. It is assumed that the reference sound reproduction position (x ₀ , y ₀ , z ₀ ) and the spherical microphone position (x ₁ , y ₁ , z _{1) are known.}

The coordinate axes of the spherical microphone are represented as shown in FIG. 5, for example. In this example, the coordinate axes of the spherical microphone are the x'axis, y'axis, and z'axis that are orthogonal to each other, with o'as the origin. The position of the origin o'is (0,0,0) on the coordinate axis of the spherical microphone and (x ₁ , y ₁ , z ₁ ) on the coordinate axis of the sound collecting space. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, _{the position of the reference microphone m 1} on the spherical microphone is represented as (r, 0, 0) on the coordinate axes of the spherical microphone. r is a predetermined positive number. In the example of FIG. 5, r is the length of the radius of the spherical microphone.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the x'axis, y'axis, and z'axis of the coordinate axes of the spherical microphone are not always parallel to the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis of the coordinate axes of the sound collecting space, respectively. Absent. _{In other words, depending on the position of the spherical microphone, the reference sound reproduction position (x 0} , in this example, the coordinate system determined by the x'axis, y'axis, and z'axis) with the spherical microphone as the origin. The direction of y ₀ , z ₀ ) may be different.

An example of the relationship between the coordinate axes of the sound collecting space and the coordinate axes of the spherical microphone is the coordinate system of the sound collecting space that can be estimated based on the direction of the sound source determined by the azimuth and elevation angles in the predetermined coordinate system with the spherical microphone as the origin. This is the difference from the coordinate system of the spherical microphone.

(Pre-sound collection processing)
In the pre-sound collection process, the signal is measured in a state where the relationship between the base and the N microphones is known.

Figure 2 shows an example of the processing procedure for pre-sound collection processing.

First, the relationship between the sound collecting space and the base and N microphones is set to a certain known relationship (step P1). For example, the relationship is set so that the sound source is located in the direction of a predetermined azimuth angle and a predetermined elevation angle in a predetermined coordinate system with the spherical microphone as the origin.

The sound source reproduces, for example, a pulse sound (step P2). The sound source is, for example, a speaker.

Pulse sound is collected by each microphone 12-i provided at the base (step P3). Each pre-sound collection signal collected by each microphone 12-i is input to the cutout unit 5.

The cutting unit 5 cuts out each pre-sound collection signal (step P4). Each of the cut-out pre-sound collection signals is stored in the storage unit 6 (step P5).

The pre-sound collection signal is cut out by, for example, Method 1 or Method 2 described below.

In method 1, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the start time and end time of the cutout section for cutting out each pre-sound collection signal are common to each pre-sound collection signal. FIG. 7 shows the amplitude of the pre-sound collection signal collected by each of the four microphones (microphones 1 to 4). The cutting unit 5 determines whether or not the power of the pre-sound collection signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and sets the time when the power of the pre-sound collection signal exceeds the predetermined threshold value as the provisional start time for each pre-sound collection. Do about the signal. As a result, the provisional start time for each pre-sound collection signal can be obtained. An example of a predetermined threshold value is twice the power of the pre-collection signal in the section where there is no reference sound and only the background sound. The cutout unit 5 determines the earliest provisional start time among the provisional start times for each pre-sound collection signal as the start time of the cutout section. Further, the cutting unit 5 determines the time obtained by adding a predetermined time to the determined start time as the end time of the cutting section. The length of time of the cutout section is, for example, 0.5 seconds. In the example of FIG. 7, the length of time of the cutout section is 0.4 seconds. The cutting unit 5 cuts out each pre-sound collecting signal in a cutting section determined by a determined start time and a determined end time.

In method 2, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the start time and end time of the cutout section for cutting out each pre-sound collection signal are different for each pre-sound collection signal. FIG. 8 shows the amplitude of the pre-sound collection signal collected by each of the four microphones (microphones 1 to 4). The cutting unit 5 determines whether or not the power of the pre-sound collection signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and determines each pre-sound collection process as a start time when the power of the pre-sound collection signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value. Do about the signal. As a result, the start time for each pre-sound collection signal can be obtained. An example of a predetermined threshold value is twice the power of the pre-collection signal in the section where there is no reference sound and only the background sound. The cutting unit 5 determines the time obtained by adding a predetermined time to the determined start time as the end time of the cutting section. The length of time of the cutout section is, for example, 0.5 seconds. In the example of FIG. 8, the length of time of the cutout section is 0.4 seconds. The cutting unit 5 cuts out each pre-sound collecting signal in a cutting section determined by a determined start time and a determined end time.

Method 1 saves the arrival time difference between each microphone, but method 2 does not save the arrival time difference between each microphone.

After the process of step P5, the cutout portion 5 changes the relationship between the sound collecting space and the base and N microphones 12-i (i = 1, 2, ..., N) (step P6). ). After that, the relationship between the sound collecting space and the base and N microphones 12-i (i = 1, 2, ..., N) is set to the changed relationship in step P1, and the processing after step P2 is performed. Will be done.

To change the relationship between the sound collection space and the base and N microphones 12-i (i = 1, 2, ..., N), change the position of the sound source that emits the reference sound or the position of the spherical microphone. Can be done by.

The processing of steps P1 to 6 is performed for each of a plurality of different relationships. For example, in the processes of steps P1 to 6, the relationship between the sound collecting space and the base and N microphones 12-i (i = 1, 2, ..., N) is based on the spherical microphone as the origin. This is performed for each of all the sets having different azimuths and elevations, which are selected from the set of azimuths and the set of elevations in the predetermined coordinate system. Assuming that the sound source is located in the direction determined by the azimuth and elevation angles of the respective sets, the processes of steps P1 to P5 are performed. An example of a set of azimuths is [-180 degrees, -170 degrees, ..., 180 degrees], and an example of a set of elevation angles is [-90 degrees, -80 degrees, ..., 90 degrees]. In this example, the number of elements in the azimuth set is 37, and the number of elements in the elevation angle set is 19. Therefore, the number of all pairs with different azimuths and elevations is 703 (= 37 × 19). The processes of steps P1 to P5 are performed for each of these 703 azimuth and elevation pairs.

In this way, in the case where the relationship between the sound collecting space and the base and N microphones 12-i (i = 1, 2, ..., N) is a plurality of different relationships, step P1 The process of step P6 is repeated. As a result, in the storage unit 6, when the relationship between the sound collecting space and the base and N microphones 12-i (i = 1, 2, ..., N) is different from each other. The pre-sound collection signal emitted from a predetermined sound source in the sound collection space and collected by N microphones 12-i (i = 1, 2, ..., N) is stored.

(Relationship determination process)
In the relationship determination process, the relationship between the sound collecting space and the base and N microphones 12-i (i = 1, 2, ..., N) is unknown, and this relationship is determined.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the processing procedure of the relationship determination process.

A sound source located at a predetermined reference sound reproduction position reproduces, for example, a pulse sound (step S1). The sound source is, for example, a speaker.

Pulse sound is collected by each microphone 12-i provided at the base (step S2). Each sound collection signal collected by each microphone 12-i is input to the cutout unit 5.

The cutting unit 5 cuts out each sound collecting signal (step S3).

The method of cutting out each sound collection signal by the cutting unit 5 is the same as the method of cutting out each sound collection signal by the cutting unit 5 in (pre-sound collection processing). For example, when each pre-sound collection signal is cut out by the method 1 in the cutting section 5 in (pre-sound collection processing), each sound collection signal is also cut out by method 1 in the cutting section 5 in (relationship determination processing). It is cut out.

The determination unit 7 is an indirect sound emitted from a predetermined sound source in the sound collecting space and included in the sound collecting signal collected by N microphones 12-i (i = 1, 2, ..., N). The difference is used to determine the relationship between the sound collection space and the base and N microphones.

For example, the determination unit 7 selects and selects a pre-sound collection signal that is emitted from a predetermined sound source and is closest to the sound collection signal collected by N microphones from the pre-sound collection signals stored in the storage unit 6. The relationship between the predetermined sound collection space corresponding to the pre-sound collection signal and the base and N microphones is determined as the above relationship.

In other words, the determination unit 7 includes a pre-sound collection signal collected in advance by N microphones 12-i (i = 1, 2, ..., N) read from the storage unit 6 and N microphones 12. The pre-sound collection signal having the highest degree of similarity to the sound collection signal collected by -i (i = 1, 2, ..., N) may be selected as the closest pre-sound collection signal. Hereinafter, a case where the similarity is the maximum value of the correlation value of the two pre-collected sound signals will be described as an example.

First, the determination unit 7 determines the pre-sound collection signal collected by the microphones 12-i and stored in the storage unit 6 when the relationship between the sound collection space and the base and the N microphones is a predetermined relationship. , The process of calculating the correlation value with the sound collection signal collected by the microphones 12-i is performed for each of the N microphones 12-i (i = 1, 2, ..., N) (step T1). ..

Then, the determination unit 7 calculates the maximum value of the correlation value calculated for each of the N microphones 12-i (i = 1, 2, ..., N) (step T2). Then, the determination unit 7 determines the relationship between the sound collection space and the base and N microphones 12-i (i = 1, 2, ..., N) for the maximum value of the calculated correlation value. (Step T3).

The determination unit 7 performs the processing of steps T1 to T3 in the sound collection space corresponding to the pre-sound collection signal stored in the storage unit 6, the base, and N microphones 12-i (i = 1, 2). , ..., N) for each of all the relationships. As a result, the determination unit 7 obtains the degree of similarity when the relationship between the sound collecting space and the base and N microphones 12-i (i = 1, 2, ..., N) is each relationship.

The determination unit 7 determines the relationship corresponding to the largest degree of similarity among the obtained similarities with the sound collecting space, the base, and N microphones 12-i (i = 1, 2, ..., N). ) Is determined as a relationship.

A recess is provided in the base, and a microphone is installed in the recess. Therefore, for this reason, in the pre-sound collection signal and the sound collection signal, in addition to the arrival time difference, the sound sound is compared with the case where the microphones are arranged so that the distances between the microphones adjacent to the surface of the base are equal. The effects of reflection and diffraction can be seen after the pulse wave. By using the influence of sound reflection / diffraction other than this arrival time difference, in other words, by using the difference in indirect sound, the relationship between the coordinate axes of the sound collection space and the coordinate axes of the microphone without using other sensors such as a camera. Can be sought.

[Experimental example]
A computer simulation was performed with the idea of arranging four microphones on the surface of a spherical microphone (expressed in two dimensions for simplicity) using a pulse wave as a reference sound.

(1) When the spherical microphone is hollow The sound collection signals of the four microphones in this case are shown in FIG.

Information on the arrival time can be obtained by collecting the reference sound collection signal by each microphone. Consider estimating the relationship between the coordinate axes of the sound collecting space and the coordinate axes of the spherical microphone by using the arrival time of each microphone and the information of the arrival time difference between the microphones.

When the reference sound reproduction and the sound collection by the microphone are synchronized in the same system, the absolute arrival time can be obtained, and the distance between the reproduction position and each microphone position can be obtained from the arrival time, and the coordinate axes of the sound collection environment. It is also possible to calculate the relationship between the coordinate axes of the spherical microphone and the microphone, but in the case of a system that is out of synchronization, it is difficult to obtain the absolute arrival time, and only the arrival time difference between each microphone can be obtained. ..

If only the arrival time difference is known, first, the approximate coordinate axis relationship can be estimated from the arrival time order of each microphone, but it is difficult to obtain an accurate coordinate axis relationship. For example, in the simulation, since the sound collecting signal arrives at the

microphones

1 and 2 earlier than the

microphones

3 and 4, the approximate direction can be obtained and the relationship between the coordinate axes of one axis can be estimated, but the relationship between the remaining two axes can be obtained. Becomes difficult. That is, although the axis parallel to the reference sound reproduction position and the straight line passing through the origin of the spherical microphone is determined, it is difficult to obtain the two axes of the vertical plane.

(2) When the spherical microphone is a rigid sphere and has no recessed sound collection signals of the four microphones in this case are shown in FIG.

In the sound collection signal of the reference sound, the influence of sound reflection / diffraction other than the arrival time difference can be seen after the pulse wave at each microphone position. As a result, the coordinate axes of the sound collection space and the coordinate axes of the spherical microphone can be more accurately compared with the sound collection signal of the reference sound measured in advance and the sound collection signal of the reference sound obtained by computer simulation. Relationship can be estimated. In addition, each microphone is not in phase and can be estimated even if there is no information on the arrival time difference.

However, as in the case of (1), although the axis parallel to the reference sound reproduction position and the straight line passing through the origin of the spherical microphone is determined, it is difficult to obtain the two axes of the vertical plane.

(3) When the spherical microphone is a rigid sphere and is provided with a recess The sound collecting signals of the four microphones in this case are shown in FIG.

In the sound collection signal of the reference sound, the influence of sound reflection / diffraction other than the arrival time difference can be seen after the pulse wave at each microphone position. Since the influence of reflection / diffraction is greater due to the recesses than when the recesses are not provided, the reference sound collection signal measured in advance and the reference sound collection signal obtained by computer simulation are used. By comparing with, the relationship between the coordinate axes of the sound collecting space and the coordinate axes of the spherical microphone can be estimated more accurately.

[Modification example]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and even if the design is appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments. Needless to say, it is included in the present invention.

The various processes described in the embodiments are not only executed in chronological order according to the order described, but may also be executed in parallel or individually as required by the processing capacity of the device that executes the processes.

[First Embodiment of Sound Collector 1]
12 and 13 exemplify a front view and a rear view of the sound collecting device 1 of the present embodiment, respectively. As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the sound collecting device 1 of the present embodiment is a base of a substantially sphere having N recesses 111-1, ..., 111-N at predetermined distances from each other. It has 11 and N microphones 12-1, ..., 12-N. A substantially sphere means a solid (almost a sphere) having a shape close to a sphere, although it is not strictly a sphere. An example of a substantially sphere is a solid in which the surface shape of a portion other than the recesses 111-1, ..., 111-N matches or substantially matches the surface shape of the sphere. The number of recesses 111-1, ..., 111-N is, for example, N, which is the same as the number of microphones 12-1, ..., 12-N. However, N is an integer of 2 or more. Although an example of N = 6 is illustrated in the first embodiment, this does not limit the present invention. Further, the base 11 is made of, for example, a material that sufficiently reflects sound (for example, synthetic resin, metal, wood, etc.).

14A is a plan view for exemplifying the recesses 111-i (where i = 1, ..., N) of the present embodiment, and FIG. 14B is a sectional view taken along line 3B-3B of FIG. 14A. As illustrated in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the recess 111-i illustrated in this embodiment is a recess having a dish-shaped inner wall surface shape. That is, the shape of the edge portion 111a-i on the open end side (surface side) of the recessed portion 111-i illustrated in the present embodiment is substantially circular, and the inner bottom surface 111bi of the recessed portion 111-i (recessed portion 111-i). The inner bottom surface) is a substantially circular substantially flat surface (the edge portion 111c-i of the inner bottom surface 111bi is a substantially circular substantially flat surface). However, the substantially circular shape means a circular shape or a shape close to a circular shape (almost circular shape). An example of a shape close to a circle is an ellipse in which the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis is a predetermined value γ1 or less, or a polygon having line symmetry or point symmetry. However, γ1 is a real number larger than 1. Examples of γ1 are γ1 = 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 and the like. A substantially plane means a plane or a plane close to a plane (nearly a plane). The substantially flat surface may be, for example, a surface having some irregularities or a slightly curved surface. _{The diameter (for example, diameter) D in} of the edge portion 111c-i of the inner bottom surface 111-i is equal to or less than _{the diameter (for example, diameter) D out} of the edge portion 111a-i on the open end side of the recess 111-i, for example. , D _in is less than _{D out.} The region between the edge portion 111a-i and the edge portion 111c-i is the inner wall surface of the recess 111-i. In the examples of FIGS. 14A and 14B, D _in is _{less than D out} , and the inner wall surface between the edge 111a-i and the edge 111c-i is formed in a slope shape and is smoothly formed on the inner bottom surface 111bi. linked. It is desirable that _{the depth d of the recess 111-i is less than half the diameter (for example, diameter) D out} of the edge 111a-i of the open end of the recess 111-i. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 14B, it is desirable that _{the depth d of the recess 111-i is less than half of the diameter D out} = 2r of the edge 111a-i of the open end of the recess 111-i (0 <. d <r). This is because the resolution can be improved (details will be described later). D _out and D _in are larger than the diameter (for example, diameter) of the sound collecting portions 121-i of the microphones 12-1, ..., 12-N. An example of D _out and D _in is twice or near twice the diameter (for example, diameter) of the sound collecting part 121-i of the microphones 12-1, ..., 12-N. The sound collecting unit 121-i is a portion including a mechanism (for example, a diaphragm or a metal foil) that converts air vibration of sound into an electric signal. The sound collecting unit 121-i is provided, for example, on one end side of the microphone 12-i. An example of d is 2 mm. It is desirable that the shapes of the N recesses 111-1, ..., 111-N are substantially the same (same or almost the same) as each other. As a result, it is possible to reduce variations in sound collection depending on the direction in which the sound arrives. Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the recesses 111-1, ..., 111-N are provided at a predetermined distance from each other, and the edge portions 111a-1, ..., 111a-N on the open end side are provided. Are separated from each other. That is, the recesses 111-1, ..., 111-N are provided at positions where they do not interfere with each other, and are independent of each other. As a result, the resolution can be improved, and the variation in sound collection depending on the direction of arrival of the sound can be reduced.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12, 13, 14A and 14B, each microphone 12-i (where i = 1, ..., N) has each recess 111-i (where i = 1, ..., N). ) Are installed (fixed) one by one on the inner bottom surface 111bi side. However, the intervals (distances) between the sound collecting portions 121-i of the microphones 12-i adjacent to each other are substantially the same. That is, the interval between the sound collecting portions 121-i of the microphones 12-i adjacent to each other is a predetermined value or its vicinity. In the case of the examples of FIGS. 12 and 13, the distance between each sound collecting unit 121-i and the four other sound collecting units 121-i'adjacent to the sound collecting unit 121-i is substantially the same as each other. For example, the distance between the sound collecting unit 121-1 and the sound collecting unit 121-2, the distance between the sound collecting unit 121-1 and the sound collecting unit 121-4, and the distance between the sound collecting unit 121-1 and the sound collecting unit 121-5. The interval between the two, and the interval between the sound collecting unit 121-1 and the sound collecting unit 121-6 are all substantially the same (FIG. 12). The fact that α and β are substantially the same means that α and β are the same, or that α and β are almost the same. The fact that α and β are substantially the same means that the difference δ = | α-β | between α and β is greater than 0% and less than γ 2% with respect to α. Examples of γ2 are γ2 = 1,3,5,10,20,30,40,50. In the case of FIGS. 12 and 13, the sound collecting unit 121-i provided on one end side of the microphone 12-i is arranged on the inner bottom surface 111bi side of each recess 111-i, and each sound collecting unit 121- The tip of i or the vicinity of the tip is arranged on the same surface as the inner bottom surface 111bi. As illustrated in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the sound collecting portion 121-i of each microphone 12-i is arranged at the center of the inner bottom surface 111bi of each recess 111-i or near the center of the inner bottom surface 111bi. It is desirable to be done. That is, it is desirable that the sound collecting portions 121-i of each microphone 12-i are arranged at positions substantially the same distance from the inner wall surface between the edge portions 111a-i and the edge portions 111c-i. As a result, improvement in resolution can be expected. Note that the sound collecting unit 121-i is arranged in the vicinity of α, for example, the deviation width of the sound collecting unit 121-i from α is γ3% of the diameter (for example, diameter) of the sound collecting unit 121-i. This means that the sound collecting unit 121-i is arranged at the following positions. Examples of γ3 are γ3 = 1,3,5,10,20,30,40,50.

In order to make the intervals between the sound collecting parts 121-i of the microphones 12-i adjacent to each other substantially the same, for example, each of the sound collecting parts 121-i of the microphones 12-i has N vertices. One may be arranged at each of the vertices of the polyhedron or the vicinity of the vertices. It is a sphere in which all the vertices of the regular n-plane are circumscribed, and the uniformity is ensured by arranging the microphone 12-i at the apex portion. There are only regular tetrahedrons, regular hexahedrons, regular octahedrons, regular dodecahedrons, and regular icosahedrons. The relationship between the constituent faces, the number of faces, the number of sides, and the number of vertices of each regular polyhedron is shown below.

In this way, when one sound collecting unit 121-i is arranged at the apex of the regular polyhedron or near the apex, N is any of 4, 6, 8, 12, and 20. 15A and 15B exemplify a front view and a rear view showing the positional relationship of the sound collecting portions 121-i illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. As illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B, in the case of FIGS. 12 and 13, the sound collection of the microphone 12-i is performed at or near each vertex of the regular polyhedron (octahedron) 100 having 6 vertices. Parts 121-i (i = 1, ..., 6) may be arranged one by one. The sound collecting portions 121-i arranged at or near each vertex are arranged in a direction from the center of the regular polyhedron toward the vertex or its vicinity, for example.

As illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 19, the support member 13-j (where j =) in which the sound collecting device 1 supports the base 11 from the lower side (the side arranged below when the base 11 is arranged). It may have 1, ..., M). M is an integer greater than or equal to 1. 16 to 19 illustrate the case of M = 4, but this does not limit the present invention. Each support member 13-j supports a support region 112-j located on the lower side of the base 11. For example, one end of each support member 13-j is attached to the support area 112-j to support the base 11 from below. When the base 11 is supported by the support member 13-j, the presence of the support member 13-j affects the spatial environment and is received by the microphone 12-i existing near the support member 13-j. May adversely affect the sound. If the observation of the sound coming from the target sound source direction is adversely affected, the estimation / extraction accuracy of the information regarding the target sound source is also adversely affected. Therefore, it is desirable that the support member 13-j supports the base 11 from the side where the target sound source does not exist, and this adverse effect is reduced. Usually, the target sound source is often absent below the base 11. Therefore, it can be expected that this adverse effect can be suppressed lower by supporting the base 11 from the lower side than by supporting the base 11 from the upper side or the horizontal direction. Further, it is desirable that the distance between each support area 112-j and the sound collecting portion 121-i of the microphone 12-i adjacent to (existing around) the support area 112-j is substantially uniform. In addition, substantially uniform means uniform or almost uniform. That is, it is desirable that the support region 112-j is provided at substantially the same distance from the sound collecting portion 121-i of the microphone 12-i adjacent thereto. For example, in the case of FIGS. 16 and 17, the support area 112-1 is arranged at substantially the same distance from the sound collecting units 121-1, 121-4, 121-6, and the support area 112-2 collects the sound. The support areas 112-3 are arranged at substantially the same distance from the sound units 121-1, 121-2, 121-6, and the support area 112-3 is arranged at approximately the same distance from the sound collecting units 121-2, 121-3, 121-6. Therefore, it is desirable that the support region 112-4 is arranged at substantially the same distance from the sound collecting portions 121-3, 121-4, 121-6. For example, when one of each of the sound collecting portions 121-i is arranged at the apex of the regular polyhedron 100 or near the apex, the lower side of the regular polyhedron 100 (below when the base 11 is arranged). A support region 112-j is provided on the surface 101-j (however, j = 1, ..., M) existing on the side to be arranged), and from all the vertices of the surface 101-j to the support region 112-j. It is desirable that the support areas 112-j are arranged so that the distances are substantially the same (FIG. 17). As a result, the influence of the support member 13-j on the observation by the sound collecting unit 121-i arranged around the support region 112-j can be made uniform, and the above-mentioned adverse effect can be further suppressed. The shape of the support member 13-j is not limited, and for example, a rod-shaped support member 13-j may be used. However, when M ≧ 2, it is desirable that the shapes of the support members 13-j are substantially the same as each other. As a result, the influence of the support member 13-j on the sound observed by the sound collecting unit 121-i can be made uniform, so that the above-mentioned adverse effect can be further suppressed.

[Second Embodiment of Sound Collector 1]
In the first embodiment, in order to make the intervals between the sound collecting parts 121-i of the microphones 12-i adjacent to each other substantially the same, each of the sound collecting parts 121-i of the microphones 12-i has N vertices. An example is shown in which one is arranged at each of the vertices of a regular polyhedron having or in the vicinity of the vertices. Here, there is no regular polyhedron having two vertices, but in the case of N = 2, the sound collecting portion 121-i of the microphone 12-i (however, i = 1, 2) is located in the center of the base or the base. It may be arranged on a straight line passing near the center of. 20 and 21 exemplify a front view and a rear view of the sound collecting device 2 having such a configuration, respectively. Hereinafter, the differences from the items described so far will be mainly described, and the items already explained will be simplified by using the same reference numbers.

As illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21, the sound collecting device 2 of the second embodiment has a substantially spherical base 21 having two recesses 111-1 and 111-2 on the surface, which are separated from each other by a predetermined distance. , Two microphones 12-1, 12-2, and a support member 13-j (j = 1, ..., M) that supports the base 21. 20 and 21 illustrate the case of M = 4, but this does not limit the present invention. For example, M = 3 or M ≧ 5. The recesses 111-1 and 111-2 are provided on a straight line Lv (on the vertical axis) passing through the center of the base portion 21 or the vicinity of the center of the base portion 21. The recess 111-1 is provided on the upper side of the base 21, and the recess 111-2 is provided on the lower side of the base 21. One microphone 12-i (however, i = 1 and 2) is installed (fixed) on the inner bottom surface 111bi side of each recess 111-i (however, i = 1 and 2). At this time, each sound collecting unit 121-i (however, i = 1, 2) is arranged on this straight line Lv. The distance between the sound collecting unit 121-1 and the sound collecting unit 121-2 arranged in this way is substantially the same regardless of the direction of measurement. Each support member 13-j (where j = 1, ..., M) supports the support region 112-j located on the lower side of the base 21, and supports the base 21 from the lower side. Here, it is desirable that the distances from the sound collecting portion 121-2 arranged on the lower side of the base portion 21 to the support regions 112-j are substantially the same as each other. As a result, the influence of the sound reaching the sound collecting unit 121-2 from each direction from each support region 112-j can be made uniform.

[Third Embodiment of sound collecting device 1]
The third embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, and is different from the first embodiment in that the rod-shaped support member is fixed to the base portion while penetrating the base portion. 22, FIG. 23, and FIG. 24 exemplify a front view, a rear view, and a bottom view of the sound collecting device 3 of the third embodiment, respectively. As illustrated in FIGS. 22 to 24, the sound collecting device 3 of the third embodiment has N recesses 111-i (where i = 1, ..., N) at predetermined distances from each other on the surface. It has a base portion 31 of a substantially sphere provided, N microphones 12-1, ..., 12-N, and a rod-shaped support member 33 fixed to the base portion 31 in a state of penetrating the base portion 31. Although the case of N = 8 is illustrated in FIGS. 22 to 24, this does not limit the present invention.

Here, the distance from the one-sided portion 331 arranged outside the base portion 31 of the support member 33 to the sound collecting portions 121-3, 121-4, 121-7, 121-8 of the microphone arranged in the vicinity thereof. Are substantially the same as each other. Similarly, the distance from the other side portion 332 arranged outside the base portion 31 of the support member 33 to the sound collecting portions 121-1, 121-2, 121-5, 121-6 of the microphone arranged around the portion 332. Are substantially the same as each other. For example, a regular polyhedron in which N is any of 6, 8, 12, 20 and each of the sound collecting portions 121-i (where i = 1, ..., N) of the microphone has N vertices. One is arranged at each of the vertices or the vicinity of the vertices of the 300, and the support member 33 is the center of each of the pair of faces 301-5, 301-6 parallel to each other of the regular polyhedron 300 or the set of faces 301. -5, 301-6 are arranged on a straight line L3 (third straight line) passing near the center of each. As a result, the distance from the portion 331 to the sound collecting portion of the microphone arranged around the portion 331 is the same as each other, and the distance from the portion 332 to the sound collecting portion of the microphone arranged around the portion 332 is the same as each other. As a result, the adverse effect based on the support member 33 as described in the first embodiment can be reduced. Further, the portion 331 of the support member 33 can be fixed to the ground, the user can grip the portion 331, and the camera can be attached to the portion 332 of the support member 33.

[Fourth Embodiment of Sound Collector 1]
The fourth embodiment is a modification of the second and third embodiments. In the present embodiment, N = 2 and the rod-shaped support member is fixed to the base portion in a state of penetrating the base portion. 25 and 26 are examples of a front view and a right side view of the sound collecting device 4 of the fourth embodiment, respectively. As illustrated in FIGS. 25 and 26, the sound collecting device 4 of the fourth embodiment is provided with two recesses 111-i (where i = 1, 2) at predetermined distances from each other on the surface. It has a substantially spherical base 41, two microphones 12-1 and 12-2, and a rod-shaped support member 33 fixed to the base 41 in a state of penetrating the base 41. Here, the distances from the one-sided portion 331 arranged outside the base portion 41 of the support member 33 to the sound collecting portions 121-1 and 121-2 of the microphone are substantially the same as each other. Similarly, the distances from the other side portion 332 arranged outside the base portion 41 of the support member 33 to the sound collecting portions 121-1 and 121-2 of the microphone are also substantially the same as each other. For example, the sound collecting portions 121-1 and 121-2 of the microphone are arranged on a straight line Lh (first straight line) passing through the center of the base 41 or the vicinity of the center of the base 41, and the support member 33 is arranged on the base 41. It is arranged on a straight line Lv (second straight line) that passes near the center of the center or the center of the base and is substantially orthogonal to the straight line Lh (first straight line). For example, the straight line Lh is a straight line along the horizontal direction, and the straight line Lv is a straight line along the vertical direction. Note that substantially orthogonal means orthogonal or almost orthogonal. As a result, the distances from the part 331 to the sound collecting parts 121-1 and 121-2 of the microphone are the same, and the distances from the part 332 to the sound collecting parts 121-1 and 121-2 of the microphone are the same. Become. As a result, the adverse effect based on the support member 33 as described in the first embodiment can be reduced.

As described above, the sound collecting devices 1 to 4 of each embodiment have at least the bases 11 to 41 of a substantially sphere having N recesses on the surface at predetermined distances from each other, and the N microphones 12-. It has 1 to 12-N. However, N is an integer of 2 or more. Each of the microphones 12-1 to 12-N is installed one on the inner bottom surface side of each of the recesses 111-1 to 111-N, and the sound collecting part of the microphones 12-1 to 12-N adjacent to each other. The intervals between 121-1 and 121-N are substantially the same. As described above, the function of the recesses 121-i makes it possible to extract the sound emitted from an arbitrary target sound source with a higher resolution than before. Further, if the distance between the sound collecting portions 121-1 to 121-N of the microphones 12-1 to 12-N is too close, the resolution is lowered, but the sound collecting portions 121-1 to 12-1 to 12-N of the microphones 12-1 to 12-N If the interval between 121 and N is increased, the information to be picked up decreases. It is not preferable that the resolution and the information to be collected vary depending on the orientations viewed from the sound collectors 1 to 4. In each embodiment, since the intervals between the sound collecting portions 121-1 to 121-N of the microphones 12-1 to 12-N adjacent to each other are substantially the same, such variations due to the orientation can be reduced. As described above, it is possible to accurately collect sound in all directions without increasing the size of the sound collecting devices 1 to 4 so much.

[Other modifications of sound collecting device 1]
The recess 111-i is not limited to that described above. For example, in the example of FIG. 14B, the inner wall surface between the edge portion 111a-i and the edge portion 111c-i is formed in a slope shape and is smoothly connected to the inner bottom surface 111bi, but the edge portion 111a-i The inner wall surface shape between the edge portion 111c-i and the edge portion 111c-i may be the side surface shape of the truncated cone. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the recess 111-i (the shape of the 3B-3B cross section) may be trapezoidal. In the fifth embodiment described later, the case where the inner wall surface shape between the edge portions 111a-i and the edge portion 111c-i is the side surface shape of the truncated cone will be described in more detail.

Further, when the intervals between the sound collecting units 121-i of the adjacent microphones 12-i (however, i = 1, ..., N) are all exactly the same, N pieces of each sound collecting unit 121-i are used. One at each of the vertices of a regular polyhedron having the vertices of. However, if the intervals between the sound collecting units 121-i are not exactly the same, each sound collecting unit 121-i may be arranged at a position other than the apex of the regular polyhedron. Further, the inner bottom surface 111b of the sound collecting unit 121-i may be a curved surface instead of a flat surface.

[Fifth Embodiment of sound collecting device 1]
The fifth embodiment is an embodiment in which the shape of the recess 111-i is formed so that the microphone 12-i has directivity.

Hereinafter, the parts different from the first to fourth embodiments will be mainly described. Overlapping description will be omitted for the same parts as those in the first to fourth embodiments.

<Example 1 of the shape of the recess 111-i>
As illustrated in FIGS. 27, 28A and 28B, the shape of the recess 111-i may be a substantially conical trapezoid.

As shown in FIGS. 27, 28A and 28B, the edges of the recess 111-i are chamfered. In the fifth embodiment, this chamfered portion becomes the edge portion 111a-i.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the sound collecting device 1 when the number of recesses 111-1, ..., 111-8 is 8, and the shape of the recesses 111-i is substantially a conical trapezoid.

FIG. 28A is a plan view of an example of the recess 111-i having a substantially conical trapezoidal shape. FIG. 28B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 21B-21B of FIG. 28A.

In this example, in the cross-sectional view of the recess 111-i in FIG. 28B, the cross section from the edge 111a-i to the edge 111c-i is linear.

Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 29A and 29B, the shape of the recess 111-i may be substantially a cone. That is, the recess 111-i does not have to have the edge portion 111c-i and the inner bottom surface 11bi.

Note that the recess 111-i having a substantially conical shape and the recess 111-i having a substantially conical trapezoidal shape may coexist.

<Example 2 of the shape of the recess 111-i>
As illustrated in FIGS. 30, 31A and 31B, the shape of the recess 111-i may be the shape of an exponential horn. In other words, the shape of the recess 111-i may be formed so that the rate of change in the diameter of the recess 111-i decreases from the open end side toward the bottom surface side.

As shown in FIGS. 30, 31A and 31B, the edges of the recess 111-i are chamfered. Similar to Example 1 of the shape of the recess 111-i, this chamfered portion becomes the edge portion 111a-i.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the sound collecting device 1 when the number of recesses 111-1, ..., 111-8 is 8, and the shape of the recesses 111-i is the shape of an exponential horn.

FIG. 31A is a plan view of an example of the recess 111-i whose shape is the shape of an exponential horn. 31B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 24B-24B of FIG. 31A.

In this example, in the cross-sectional view of the recess 111-i in FIG. 31B, the cross section from the edge 111a-i to the edge 111c-i has a curved shape that is convex inward.

<Example 3 of the shape of the recess 111-i>
As illustrated in FIGS. 32, 33A and 33B, the shape of the recess 111-i may be a bowl shape. In other words, the shape of the recess 111-i may be formed so that the rate of change in the diameter of the recess 111-i increases from the open end side toward the bottom surface side.

As shown in FIGS. 32, 33A and 33B, the edges of the recess 111-i are chamfered. Similar to Example 1 of the shape of the recess 111-i, this chamfered portion becomes the edge portion 111a-i.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the sound collecting device 1 when the number of recesses 111-1, ..., 111-8 is 8 and the shape of the recesses 111-i is bowl-shaped.

FIG. 33A is a plan view of an example of the recess 111-i having a bowl shape. 33B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 26B-26B of FIG. 33A.

In this example, in the cross-sectional view of the recess 111-i in FIG. 33B, the cross section from the edge 111a-i to the edge 111c-i has a curved shape that is convex outward.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the fifth embodiment common to Examples 1 to 3 of the shape of the recess 111-i will be described. In the fifth embodiment, the sound collecting portion 121-i of the microphone 12-i is the center of the base or the vicinity of the center of the base, and the center of the outer circumference or the bottom of the recess 111-i in which the microphone 12-i is installed. Or it is installed on a straight line L passing through a substantially center.

Further, the sound collecting portion 121-i of the microphone 12-i is installed so that the distance between the sound collecting portion 121-i of the microphone 12-i and the center of the base is smaller than the radius of the base.

The smaller the distance between the sound collecting portion 121-i of the microphone 12-i and the center of the base, the stronger the directivity of the microphone 12-i and the narrower the range of directivity of the microphone 12-i. Therefore, the distance between the sound collecting portion 121-i of the microphone 12-i and the center of the base portion is appropriately determined according to the directivity required for the microphone 12-i.

For example, in the sound collecting portion 121-i of the microphone 12-i, the distance between the sound collecting portion 121-i of the microphone 12-i and the center of the base is smaller than 1/2 (half) of the radius of the base. Will be installed.

Of course, the sound collecting portion 121-i of the microphone 12-i is installed so that the distance between the sound collecting portion 121-i of the microphone 12-i and the center of the base is larger than 1/2 of the radius of the base. May be good.

In this way, by changing the distance between the sound collecting portion 121-i of the microphone 12-i and the center of the base, the directivity of the sound collecting device 1 can be made a desired directivity.

The microphone 12-i may be installed so as to be in contact with the inner bottom surface 11bi of the recess 111-i, or may be installed so as not to be in contact with the inner bottom surface 11bi of the recess 111-i. When installed so as not to touch, the sound collecting portion 121-i of the microphone 12-i is located at the center of the base or near the center of the base, and the outer circumference of the recess 111-i where the microphone 12-i is installed. It may be installed on a straight line L passing through the center or substantially the center of the bottom.

The diameter of the recess 111-i is determined so that the recess 111-i does not overlap the adjacent recess 111-i. For example, when the diameter of the base is 80 mm and the number of recesses 111-1, ..., 111-8 is 8 as illustrated in FIGS. 27, 30 and 32, the diameter of the recess 111-i Is 40 mm or less. The diameter of the recess 111-i is the diameter of the outer circumference of the recess 111-i.

In FIGS. 27, 30 and 32, a regular hexahedron (see FIG. 34A) having eight vertices inscribed in a sphere of the same size as the base is placed parallel to each other in the twelve sides of the regular hexahedron. Rotate 45 degrees along the dividing surface while maintaining the state in which the upper part of the regular hexahedron or the lower part of the regular hexahedron obtained by dividing each of the sides into two equal parts is inscribed in the sphere. Recesses 111-1, ..., 111-8 are provided at the positions of the eight vertices (see FIG. 34B) when the vertices are formed.

<Modified example of the fifth embodiment>
The sound collecting device 1 of the fourth embodiment of the first embodiment includes N microphones 12-1, ..., 12-N, which are the same number as the number of recesses 111-1, ..., 111-N. ..

On the other hand, the sound collecting device 1 of the fifth embodiment may further have at least one microphone. In this case, each of these at least one microphone is installed in any of the N recesses 111-1, ..., 111-N. In other words, two or more microphone holons may be provided in at least one recess in the recesses 111-1, ..., 111-N.

[Program, recording medium]
When various processing functions in the related devices described above are realized by a computer, the processing contents of the functions that the related devices should have are described by a program. Then, by executing this program on the computer, various processing functions in the related devices are realized on the computer. For example, the above-mentioned various processes can be carried out by having the recording unit 2020 of the computer shown in FIG. 35 read the program to be executed and operating the control unit 2010, the input unit 2030, the output unit 2040, and the like.

The program that describes this processing content can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium may be, for example, a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a photomagnetic recording medium, a semiconductor memory, or the like.

The distribution of this program is carried out, for example, by selling, transferring, renting, etc., portable recording media such as DVDs and CD-ROMs on which the program is recorded. Further, the program may be stored in the storage device of the server computer, and the program may be distributed by transferring the program from the server computer to another computer via a network.

A computer that executes such a program first stores, for example, a program recorded on a portable recording medium or a program transferred from a server computer in its own storage device. Then, when the process is executed, the computer reads the program stored in its own storage device and executes the process according to the read program. Further, as another execution form of this program, a computer may read the program directly from a portable recording medium and execute processing according to the program, and further, the program is transferred from the server computer to this computer. Each time, the processing according to the received program may be executed sequentially. In addition, the above processing is executed by a so-called ASP (Application Service Provider) type service that realizes the processing function only by the execution instruction and result acquisition without transferring the program from the server computer to this computer. May be. The program in this embodiment includes information to be used for processing by a computer and equivalent to the program (data that is not a direct command to the computer but has a property of defining the processing of the computer, etc.).

Further, in this form, the present device is configured by executing a predetermined program on the computer, but at least a part of these processing contents may be realized by hardware.

Claims

N is an integer of 2 or more, and the base of a substantially sphere having N recesses on the surface at a predetermined distance from each other.
N microphones installed on the inner bottom side of the N recesses, respectively, and
Includes a sound collecting space and a determination unit that determines the relationship between the base and the N microphones.
The determination unit determines the relationship by using the difference in indirect sounds emitted from a predetermined sound source in the sound collection space and included in the sound collection signal collected by the N microphones.
Relationship determination device.
The relationship determination device according to claim 1.
When the relationship between the sound collecting space and the base and the N microphones is different from each other, the sound is emitted from a predetermined sound source in the sound collecting space, and the N microphones collect sound. A storage unit that stores the pre-collected sound signal
The determination unit selects a pre-sound collection signal that is emitted from the predetermined sound source and is closest to the sound collection signal collected by the N microphones from the pre-sound collection signals stored in the storage unit. The relationship between the predetermined space corresponding to the selected pre-sound collection signal and the base and the N microphones is determined as the relationship.
Relationship determination device.
The relationship determination device according to claim 2.
The determination unit has the highest degree of similarity between the pre-sound collection signal read from the storage unit by the N microphones and the sound collection signal collected by the N microphones. Is selected as the closest pre-collection signal,
Relationship determination device.
The determination part is the sound collecting space, the base of a substantially sphere having N recesses on the surface having N being an integer of 2 or more and having a predetermined distance from each other, and the inner bottom surface side of each of the N recesses. Including a decision step to determine the relationship with the installed N microphones,
The determination step determines the relationship using the difference in indirect sounds contained in the sound collection signals collected by the N microphones, which are emitted from a predetermined sound source in the sound collection space.
Relationship determination method.
A program for operating a computer as each part of the relationship determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.