WO2022176462A1

WO2022176462A1 - Sound zoning system

Info

Publication number: WO2022176462A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/001067
Authority: WO
Inventors: 達也奥野; 義和堀本; 航野口; 隆義岡崎
Original assignee: パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date: 2021-02-22
Filing date: 2022-01-14
Publication date: 2022-08-25
Also published as: JPWO2022176462A1

Abstract

A sound zoning system (10) is a system for partitioning a space (50) into a plurality of zones in accordance with the kind of sound content that can be heard in the space (50). The sound zoning system (10) includes: a plurality of speaker devices (40) belonging to a first group for creating a first zone among a plurality of zones; and a control device (20) for transmitting, to each of the plurality of speaker devices (40) while the plurality of first speaker devices playback sound content A, first playback start-time information indicating the playback start-time for sound content B which is the next sound content to be played after the sound content A, such transmission carried out via wireless communication.

Description

sound zoning system

The present invention relates to a sound zoning system.

Patent Document 1 discloses a lighting control device that can determine whether a segmented area obtained by segmenting a lighting area is a stay area where a person stays or a non-stay area, and can perform different lighting control for each determined area.

JP 2013-109876 A

By the way, in zoning, which divides a space into multiple zones according to sound content, the issue is how to synchronize the playback times of the sound content of multiple speaker devices.

The present invention provides a sound zoning system capable of synchronizing the playback times of sound content of a plurality of speaker devices used for zoning.

A sound zoning system according to one aspect of the present invention is a sound zoning system that divides a space into a plurality of zones according to what kind of sound content is heard in the space, wherein a first zone among the plurality of zones is a plurality of speaker devices belonging to a first group to form a first group, and a first a control device that transmits reproduction start time information to each of the plurality of speaker devices by wireless communication.

A sound zoning system according to one aspect of the present invention can synchronize playback times of sound content of a plurality of speaker devices used for zoning.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a sound zoning system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the sound zoning system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of operation example 1 of the sound zoning system according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of operation example 2 of the sound zoning system according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of operation example 3 of the sound zoning system according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. Numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions of components, connection modes, steps, order of steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Further, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements not described in independent claims will be described as optional constituent elements.

It should be noted that each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily strictly illustrated. Moreover, in each figure, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected to substantially the same structure, and the overlapping description may be abbreviate|omitted or simplified.

(Embodiment)
[Constitution]
A sound zoning system according to an embodiment will be described below. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a sound zoning system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the sound zoning system according to the embodiment.

The sound zoning system 10 is a system that forms a plurality of zones in the space 50 by standardizing what kind of genre sounds are heard for each zone. For example, in FIG. 1A, of the four speaker devices 40 installed on the ceiling, two on the left reproduce jazz (more specifically, sound content classified as jazz), and two on the right. The platform reproduces natural ambient sounds (more specifically, sound content classified as natural ambient sounds). As a result, the space 50 is formed with a first zone 51 where jazz can be heard and a second zone 52 where natural environmental sounds can be heard. Natural environmental sounds are, for example, the sound of wild birds chirping and the sound of running water. Note that in FIG. 1, the virtual boundaries of multiple zones are indicated by dashed lines.

For example, when the number of users in the second zone 52 increases, the control device 20 causes the speaker device 40 positioned second from the left to reproduce natural environmental sounds instead of jazz. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1(b), the first zone 51 where jazz is heard is reduced, and the second zone 52 where natural environmental sounds are heard is enlarged.

Such a sound zoning system 10 is used in an ABW (Activity Based Working) type office or free address type office. ABW refers to a work style in which a worker (employee, etc.) selects a place to work, a desk, etc., according to the content of the work. The sound zoning system 10 can make the flow of workers fluid in the office, activate communication in the organization using the office, and promote the creation of innovation.

Here, the zoning effect obtained by the sound zoning system 10 will be explained. The zoning effect means, for example, a sense of division in terms of perception of space, and may include an effect that allows a user to easily recognize that a plurality of spaces are different from each other. In addition, the zoning effect may include an effect of facilitating changes in the user's behavior or flow line as intended by the zoning, with the user's recognition. For example, assume that an arbitrary space is zoned with the intention of making it a space where the user can easily perform tasks that require concentration. In this case, it can be said that the zoning effect was exhibited if the user who saw the space used the space mainly for the purpose of performing work requiring concentration.

In addition, the zoning effect includes the subjective effect/feeling of the user, or the effect showing the tendency of the physiological/psychological/biological effects of the user in accordance with the purpose of the zoning when the user actually uses the zoning space. obtain. For example, it is assumed that an arbitrary space is zoned with the intention of becoming a space that facilitates work that requires concentration, and that the user uses the space. In this case, if the user can feel that he/she was able to concentrate by using the space, or if indicators/data suggesting that the user was concentrating as a psychological/biological effect, then the zoning effect can be obtained. It can be said that it was demonstrated.

As described above, according to the sound zoning system 10, it is possible to zone the space without using fixtures or furniture. Therefore, it is possible to easily improve the design of the space, and to change the layout of the office instantly under the control of the control device 20 . For example, with zoning, changing the sound content in each space can be accomplished in seconds, for example, and as a result, the layout of an office can be changed in seconds. Changing the layout of an office by manually moving fixtures or furniture takes 60 minutes, several hours, one day, or even several days. From this point of view, the zoning under the control of the control device 20 can produce a very remarkable effect.

In addition, according to zoning, it is possible to change the layout of the office in a short period such as hourly, daily, monthly, etc., compared to conventional office layout changes by changing the arrangement of fixtures or furniture. is possible.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sound zoning system 10 specifically includes a control device 20, a wireless communication device 30, and a plurality of speaker devices 40. Each of these devices will be described below.

First, the control device 20 will be explained. The control device 20 controls the plurality of speaker devices 40 by performing wireless communication with each of the plurality of speaker devices 40 . The control device 20 includes a communication section 21 , a control section 22 and a storage section 23 . Note that, like the speaker device 40, the control device 20 may include a reproduction control section and a speaker main body.

The communication unit 21 is a communication circuit for the control device 20 to wirelessly communicate with each of the plurality of speaker devices 40 via the wireless communication device 30 . Specifically, the communication unit 21 is a wireless communication circuit compatible with a communication standard such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network).

The control unit 22 performs information processing for controlling the plurality of speaker devices 40 . The controller 22 is specifically implemented by a microcomputer or processor. The functions of the control unit 22 are realized by, for example, executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 23 by a microcomputer or processor that constitutes the control unit 22 .

The storage unit 23 is a storage device that stores information necessary for the information processing (for example, management information indicating which group each of the plurality of speaker devices 40 belongs to), the computer program, and the like. The storage unit 23 may be implemented by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

Next, the wireless communication device 30 will be described. The wireless communication device 30 is a relay device used for wireless communication between the control device 20 and the plurality of speaker devices 40, and is specifically a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) router. The control device 20 can wirelessly communicate with a plurality of speaker devices 40 via the wireless communication device 30 . It should be noted that, in the following embodiments, description of the use of the wireless communication device 30 when the control device 20 wirelessly communicates with the plurality of speaker devices 40 will be omitted as appropriate.

Next, the speaker device 40 will be explained. The speaker device 40 is installed on the ceiling of the space 50 and reproduces sound content. The speaker device 40 includes a speaker main body 41 , a communication section 42 , a reproduction control section 43 and a storage section 44 .

The speaker main body 41 is a transducer that converts the sound content (sound signal such as an MP3 file or an AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) file) stored in the storage unit 44 into a reproduced sound (sound wave) of the sound content and outputs it. In other words, the speaker body 41 reproduces sound content. The speaker main body 41 is, for example, a directional speaker, but may be a general speaker. In other words, the speaker device 40 may be a directional speaker or a general speaker. If the speaker device 40 is a directional speaker, the zoning effect described above can be easily achieved.

The communication unit 42 is a communication circuit for wireless communication between the speaker device 40 and the control device 20 or another speaker device 40 via the wireless communication device 30 . The communication unit 42 is specifically a wireless communication circuit compatible with communication standards such as wireless LAN.

The reproduction control unit 43 performs information processing related to reproduction of sound content. The playback control unit 43 is specifically implemented by a microcomputer or processor. The functions of the reproduction control unit 43 are realized by, for example, executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 44 by a microcomputer or processor constituting the reproduction control unit 43 .

The storage unit 44 is a storage device in which the above computer programs and the like are stored. The storage unit 44 is implemented by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

The storage unit 44 stores a plurality of first sound contents (jazz in the example of FIG. 1) to be reproduced to form the first zone 51, and a first playlist showing the order of reproduction of the plurality of first sound contents. , a plurality of second sound contents (natural environmental sounds in the example of FIG. 1) to be reproduced to form the second zone 52, and a second playlist indicating the reproduction order of the plurality of second sound contents are stored in advance. be done. Thereby, the speaker device 40 can reproduce both the first sound content for forming the first zone 51 and the second sound content for forming the second zone 52 . Note that the first playlist and the second playlist may also be stored in the storage unit 23 of the control device 20 .

As described above, in the sound zoning system 10, wireless communication is adopted for communication between the control device 20 and the plurality of speaker devices 40. This makes it possible to implement more flexible equipment changes (addition of speaker devices 40 , etc.) than when wired communication is employed for communication between the control device 20 and the plurality of speaker devices 40 .

Here, when wireless communication is adopted for communication between the control device 20 and the plurality of speaker devices 40, it becomes a problem to suppress the sound interruption of the reproduced sound caused by radio wave interference or the like. For example, in offices and the like, many other information terminal devices that use radio signals in the same band, and so on. OA equipment exists. Alternatively, in stores such as restaurants, there are devices such as microwave ovens that tend to interrupt wireless communication.

On the other hand, in the sound zoning system 10, a plurality of sound contents are stored in advance in the storage unit 44 of the speaker device 40, and a cue signal such as a reproduction command or a stop command is sent from the control device 20 to the plurality of speaker devices 40. is sent. As a result, the sound zoning system 10 can suppress the occurrence of interruptions in reproduced sound more than a system in which the sound content itself is transmitted from the control device 20 to the plurality of speaker devices 40 . Because the cue signal is a discretely transmitted signal, it is much more tolerant to radio interference than continuous radio signal transmission of sound content. Moreover, when only the cue signal is transmitted, there is an advantage that even if processing becomes incomplete due to radio wave interference or the like, retry using retransmission processing or the like is easy.

The speaker device 40 may be installed on the ceiling. In this case, the above-described zoning effect is likely to be exhibited. Further, the speaker device 40 may be installed on a wiring duct rail installed on the ceiling. In this case, installation work and layout change of the speaker are facilitated.

[Operation example 1]
Another issue for the sound zoning system 10 is how to achieve synchronized playback of sound content. As described above using FIG. 1, the plurality of speaker devices 40 belonging to the first group forming the first zone 51 are reproducing the first sound content for the first group (jazz in the example of FIG. 1). may be instructed to change from the first group to the second group. The second group is the group forming the second zone 52 . The speaker device 40 instructed to change the group is required to synchronously reproduce the second sound content for the second group (natural environmental sound in the example of FIG. 1) with the speaker device 40 belonging to the second group. An operation example 1 for realizing such synchronous reproduction will be described below. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of operation example 1 of the sound zoning system. In FIG. 3, illustration of the wireless communication device 30 is omitted.

Before the operation of FIG. 3, each of the control device 20 and the plurality of speaker devices 40, for example, acquires reference time information from the wireless communication device 30 (not shown in FIG. 3), and performs sound zoning. It is assumed that time synchronization is established within the system 10 . As the reference time information, instead of the time information measured by the wireless communication device 30, the time information measured by the control device 20 may be employed, or the time information measured by one of the plurality of speaker devices 40 may be used. may be adopted. Also, time information measured by a server device (not shown) may be employed.

It should be noted that the time information is merely information indicating the time acquired for the purpose of improving the accuracy of synchronized playback within the sound zoning system 10, and the time indicated by the time information is the time shared by the general public, such as Japan Standard Time. They do not necessarily have to match. For example, at 7:00 Japan Standard Time, the time indicated by the time information in the sound zoning system 10 may be 7:01.

First, the control unit 22 of the control device 20 causes the communication unit 21 to transmit a reproduction start command (S11). The communication unit 21 transmits a reproduction start command to each of the plurality of speaker devices 40 . The reproduction start command includes information indicating the reproduction start time of the sound content A at the top of the first playlist. Sound content A is an example of first sound content.

Each of the plurality of speaker devices 40 belonging to the first group receives the reproduction start command. Specifically, the reproduction start command is received by the communication unit 42 . The reproduction control unit 43 of the speaker device 40 starts reproducing the sound content A stored in the storage unit 44 when the reproduction start time arrives based on the information indicating the reproduction start time included in the received reproduction start command. (S12). Specifically, the reproduction control unit 43 causes the speaker main body 41 to output the reproduction sound of the sound content A. FIG.

After that, the reproduction control unit 43 provided in one speaker device 40 among the plurality of speaker devices 40 sends a request for the reproduction start time of the sound content B whose reproduction order is determined second in the first playlist to the communication unit. 42 (S13). The communication unit 42 transmits a request for the reproduction start time to the control device 20 . The request for the playback start time includes information indicating the playback end time of the sound content A. FIG. Sound content B is another example of first sound content.

In step S13, each of the plurality of speaker devices 40 may transmit a request for the reproduction time to the control device 20, but one of the plurality of speaker devices 40 representatively transmits the request for the reproduction start time. You can decide. In this case, an effect of suppressing an increase in communication traffic is obtained. Which speaker device 40 transmits the reproduction start time is determined, for example, by a predetermined algorithm when grouping the plurality of speaker devices 40 for each zone.

The communication unit 21 of the control device 20 receives the request for the playback start time. The control unit 22 determines the reproduction start time of the sound content B based on the received request (S14). That is, the control unit 22 determines the reproduction start time of the sound content B while the sound content A is being reproduced by the plurality of speaker devices 40 . Specifically, the control unit 22 changes the reproduction start time of the sound content B to the reproduction end time of the sound content A based on the information indicating the reproduction end time of the sound content A included in the received request for the reproduction start time. Determine the time later than the time. For example, the control unit 22 determines the playback start time of the sound content B to be a predetermined time after the playback end time of the sound content A (such as 5 seconds).

Next, the control unit 22 causes the communication unit 21 to transmit the first reproduction start time information indicating the determined reproduction start time (S15). The communication unit 21 transmits the first reproduction start time information to each of the plurality of speaker devices 40 by wireless communication.

Each of the plurality of speaker devices 40 belonging to the first group receives the first reproduction start time information. Specifically, the first reproduction start time information is received by the communication unit 42 . When the reproduction start time indicated by the received first reproduction start time information arrives, the reproduction control unit 43 of the speaker device 40 starts reproducing the sound content B stored in the storage unit 44 (S16). Specifically, the reproduction control unit 43 causes the speaker main body 41 to output the reproduction sound of the sound content B. FIG.

Thus, in the sound zoning system 10, the reproduction start time of sound content B is notified while sound content A is being reproduced. According to such a configuration, the speaker device 40 that has been instructed to change the group transmits the sound content for the group of the change destination after the elapse of time for one sound content at the longest. can be reproduced in synchronism with the speaker device 40. Hereinafter, this point will be specifically described in Operation Example 2 and Operation Example 3. FIG.

It should be noted that in Operation Example 1, the control device 20 transmitted the first reproduction start time information to each of the plurality of speaker devices 40 in response to a request from at least one of the plurality of speaker devices 40 . However, the control device 20 may voluntarily transmit the first reproduction time information to each of the plurality of speaker devices 40 without receiving a request from the speaker device 40 . For example, if the storage unit 23 of the control device 20 stores the information indicating the time length of each of the plurality of first sound contents and the first playlist, the control device 20 stores the playback end time of the sound content A. can be specified. Therefore, the control device 20 can voluntarily transmit the first reproduction time information to each of the plurality of speaker devices 40 .

Further, if the storage unit 23 of the control device 20 stores the information indicating the time length of each of the plurality of first sound contents and the first play list, the control unit 22 stores the plurality of first sound contents The playback start time of the content can be determined in advance. In other words, it is not essential that the playback start time of sound content B is determined while sound content A is being played back by a plurality of speaker devices 40 as in operation example 1. FIG.

[Operation example 2]
Next, based on the operation example 1, an operation example in which one of the speaker devices 40 belonging to the first group joins the second group will be described as an operation example 2. FIG. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of such operation example 2. As shown in FIG. In the following description of operation example 2, the speaker device 40 belonging to the first group is referred to as a speaker device 40a, and the speaker device 40 initially belonging to the first group is changed to belong to the second group during the sequence. is described as a speaker device 40b, and the speaker device 40 belonging to the second group is described as a speaker device 40c.

Initially, the reproduction control units 43 of the

speaker devices

40a and 40b belonging to the first group are reproducing sound content A (for example, jazz) (S21), and the reproduction control unit 43 of the speaker device 40c belonging to the second group reproduces sound content X (for example, natural environmental sound) (S22). Sound content X is an example of second sound content.

The control unit 22 of the control device 20 causes the communication unit 21 to transmit a group change instruction (S23). The communication unit 21 transmits a group change instruction to the speaker device 40b. This group change instruction is information for instructing a change from the first group to the second group.

The communication unit 42 of the speaker device 40b receives the group change instruction. The reproduction control unit 43 of the speaker device 40b stops the reproduction of the sound content A when the group change instruction is received (S24).

After that, the reproduction control unit 43 of the speaker device 40c belonging to the second group sends a request for the reproduction start time of the sound content Y, whose reproduction order is determined to be next to the sound content X in the second playlist, to the communication unit 40c. (S25). The communication unit 42 transmits a request for the reproduction start time to the control device 20 . The request for the playback start time includes information indicating the playback end time of the sound content X. FIG. Sound content Y is another example of second sound content.

The communication unit 21 of the control device 20 receives the request for the playback start time. The control unit 22 determines the reproduction start time of the sound content Y based on the received request (S26). Specifically, the control unit 22 changes the reproduction start time of the sound content Y to the reproduction end time of the sound content X based on the information indicating the reproduction end time of the sound content X included in the received request for the reproduction start time. Determine the time later than the time. For example, the control unit 22 determines the playback start time of the sound content Y to be a predetermined time after the playback end time of the sound content X (such as 5 seconds).

Next, the control unit 22 causes the communication unit 21 to transmit second reproduction start time information indicating the determined reproduction start time (S27). The communication unit 21 transmits the second reproduction start time information to each of the

speaker devices

40b and 40c (that is, each of the plurality of speaker devices 40 belonging to the second group) by wireless communication.

Each of the speaker device 40b and the speaker device 40c receives the second reproduction start time information. Specifically, the second reproduction start time information is received by the communication unit 42 . When the reproduction start time indicated by the received second reproduction start time information arrives, the reproduction control units 43 of the

speaker devices

40b and 40c start reproducing the sound content Y (S28).

As described above, the speaker device 40b instructed to change the group waits for the time until the reproduction of the sound content X is completed, so that the sound content Y for the second group, which is the change destination, is originally transferred to the second group. It can be reproduced in synchronization with the speaker device 40c belonging to the group. Conventionally, when a group is changed, it is necessary to temporarily stop all the speakers in the target group and perform maintenance work. can get.

Note that the speaker device 40b stopped playing the sound content A immediately after receiving the group change instruction. However, even if the speaker device 40b receives the group change instruction, it continues to reproduce the sound content A until it receives the second reproduction start time information. Playback of sound content A may be stopped. Further, when the second reproduction start time information is received after the reproduction end time of the sound content A has arrived, the speaker device 40b reproduces the sound content A to the end, and then reproduces the second reproduction start time information. may wait without playing the sound content until the Further, when the speaker device 40b stops reproducing the sound content A, fade-out processing of the reproduced sound may be performed.

[Operation Example 3]
Next, based on the operation example 1, an operation example in which one of the speaker devices 40 belonging to the second group joins the first group will be described as an operation example 3. FIG. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of such operation example 3. As shown in FIG. In the following description of operation example 3, the speaker devices 40 belonging to the first group are described as speaker device 40a and speaker device 40b. Initially, they belong to the second group, but their affiliation is changed to the first group during the sequence. The speaker device 40 is referred to as a speaker device 40c.

Initially, the reproduction control units 43 of the

speaker devices

40a and 40b belonging to the first group are reproducing sound content A (for example, jazz) (S31), and the reproduction control unit 43 of the speaker device 40c belonging to the second group reproduces sound content X (for example, natural environmental sound) (S32).

The control unit 22 of the control device 20 causes the communication unit 21 to transmit a group change instruction (S33). The communication unit 21 transmits a group change instruction to the speaker device 40c. This group change instruction is information for instructing a change from the second group to the first group.

The communication unit 42 of the speaker device 40c receives the group change instruction. The reproduction control unit 43 of the speaker device 40c stops the reproduction of the sound content X when the group change instruction is received (S34).

After that, the reproduction control unit 43 of the speaker device 40a belonging to the first group sends a request for the reproduction start time of the sound content B, whose reproduction order is determined to be next to the sound content A in the first playlist, to the communication unit 40a. (S35). The communication unit 42 transmits a request for the reproduction start time to the control device 20 . The request for the playback start time includes information indicating the playback end time of the sound content A. FIG.

The communication unit 21 of the control device 20 receives the request for the playback start time. The control unit 22 determines the playback start time of the sound content B based on the received request (S36). Specifically, the control unit 22 changes the reproduction start time of the sound content B to the reproduction end time of the sound content A based on the information indicating the reproduction end time of the sound content A included in the received request for the reproduction start time. Determine the time later than the time. For example, the control unit 22 determines the playback start time of the sound content B to be a predetermined time after the playback end time of the sound content A (such as 5 seconds).

Next, the control unit 22 causes the communication unit 21 to transmit the first reproduction start time information indicating the determined reproduction start time (S37). The communication unit 21 transmits the second reproduction start time information to each of the

speaker devices

40a, 40b, and 40c (that is, each of the plurality of speaker devices 40 belonging to the first group) by wireless communication. .

Each of the speaker device 40a, the speaker device 40b, and the speaker device 40c receives the first reproduction start time information. Specifically, the first reproduction start time information is received by the communication unit 42 . When the reproduction start time indicated by the received first reproduction start time information arrives, the reproduction control units 43 of the

speaker devices

40a, 40b, and 40c start reproducing the sound content B (S38).

As described above, the speaker device 40c that has been instructed to change the group waits until the reproduction of the sound content A is completed, so that the sound content B for the first group, which is the change destination, is originally transferred to the first group. The sound can be reproduced in synchronization with the speaker device 40a and the speaker device 40b belonging to the group.

Note that the speaker device 40c stopped playing the sound content X immediately after receiving the group change instruction. However, even if the speaker device 40c receives the group change instruction, it continues to reproduce the sound content X until it receives the first reproduction start time information. Playback of the sound content X may be stopped. Further, when the first reproduction start time information is received after the reproduction end time of the sound content X has arrived, the speaker device 40c reproduces the sound content X to the end, and then reproduces the first reproduction start time information. may wait without playing the sound content until the Further, when the speaker device 40c stops reproducing the sound content X, fade-out processing of the reproduced sound may be performed.

[Modification]
In the above embodiment, the wireless communication device 30 constitutes a local communication network between the control device 20 and the plurality of speaker devices 40 . However, if the control device 20 and a plurality of speaker devices 40 form a local communication network based on Bluetooth (registered trademark) mesh, the wireless communication device 30 can be omitted.

Further, in the above embodiment, the control device 20 has been described as a local controller installed in or near the space 50. may be installed. For example, a cloud server may be used as the control device 20 . Also, the control device 20 may have a function as the speaker device 40 . In other words, one of the multiple speaker devices 40 may function as the control device 20 .

Also, in the above embodiment, it was explained that the sound zoning system 10 is used in a space 50 such as an office. However, the sound zoning system 10 may be used in spaces 50 such as restaurants, schools, nursing homes, or entertainment facilities.

[Effects, etc.]
As described above, the sound zoning system 10 is a system that divides the space 50 into multiple zones according to what kind of sound content can be heard in the space 50 . The sound zoning system 10 comprises a plurality of speaker devices 40 belonging to a first group for forming a first zone among a plurality of zones, and a control device 20 that transmits first reproduction start time information indicating the reproduction start time of the sound content B to be reproduced to each of the plurality of speaker devices 40 by wireless communication.

Such a sound zoning system 10 is capable of synchronizing the playback times of sound content of a plurality of speaker devices 40.

Also, for example, the control device 20 determines the reproduction start time while the sound content A is being reproduced by the plurality of speaker devices 40 .

Such a sound zoning system 10 can determine the playback start time of the next sound content during playback of certain sound content.

Also, for example, the control device 20 transmits the first reproduction start time information to each of the plurality of speaker devices 40 in response to a request from at least one of the plurality of speaker devices 40 .

Such a sound zoning system 10 can transmit first reproduction start time information to each of the plurality of speaker devices 40 in response to a request from at least one of the plurality of speaker devices 40 .

Also, for example, the control device 20 and at least one of the plurality of speaker devices 40 acquire reference time information through wireless communication.

Such a sound zoning system 10 can achieve time synchronization of the control device 20 and the plurality of speaker devices 40 .

Further, in the operation example 3 (FIG. 5), when the speaker device 40a and the speaker device 40b are reproducing the sound content A and another speaker device 40c is added to the first group, the control device 20 performs the first reproduction. The start time information is transmitted to each of the speaker device 40a, the speaker device 40b, and the other speaker device 40c.

Such a sound zoning system 10 is capable of synchronizing the playback times of the sound contents of the speaker device 40a, the speaker device 40b, and the other speaker device 40c.

Further, in the operation example 2 (FIG. 4), one speaker device 40b out of the

speaker devices

40a and 40b selects the second zone different from the first zone among the plurality of zones while reproducing the sound content A. When a group change instruction to the second group to be formed is received, the reproduction of the sound content A is stopped, and the second reproduction start time information transmitted to the speaker device 40 belonging to the second group (for example, the speaker device 40c) is sent to Stop playing the sound content and wait until it is received.

Such a sound zoning system 10 is capable of synchronizing the reproduction times of the sound contents of the speaker device 40b and the speaker device 40c.

Further, for example, each of the plurality of speaker devices 40 includes a storage unit 44 in which sound content A and sound content B are stored in advance, a communication unit 42 that receives the first reproduction start time information, and a first reproduction that has been received. and a reproduction control unit 43 for starting reproduction of the sound content B at the reproduction start time indicated by the start time information.

Such a sound zoning system 10 can suppress the occurrence of breaks in reproduced sound more than a system in which the sound content itself is transmitted from the control device 20 to the plurality of speaker devices 40 .

Also, for example, the plurality of speaker devices 40 are fixed to the ceiling of the space 50 .

Such a sound zoning system 10 is capable of synchronizing the playback times of sound content of multiple speaker devices 40 fixed to the ceiling of the space 50 .

Also, for example, each of the plurality of speaker devices 40 is a directional speaker.

Such a sound zoning system 10 is capable of synchronizing the reproduction time of sound content of a plurality of speaker devices 40 having directivity.

Also, for example, the sound zoning system 10 is used in offices, restaurants, schools, nursing homes, or entertainment facilities.

Such a sound zoning system 10 is capable of synchronizing the playback times of sound content of multiple speaker devices 40 in a space 50 such as an office, restaurant, school, nursing home, or entertainment facility.

(Other embodiments)
Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

For example, in the above embodiments, the sound zoning system was implemented by multiple devices, but it may be implemented as a single device. For example, the sound zoning system may be implemented as a single device that corresponds to a controller or speaker device. When the sound zoning system is realized by multiple devices, the components (especially functional components) of the sound zoning system may be distributed among the multiple devices in any way.

Also, the information transmission route in the above embodiment is an example and is not particularly limited. In the above embodiment, when two devices transmit and receive information through communication, a relay device (not shown) may intervene between the two devices.

Further, in the above embodiment, the processing executed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. In addition, the order of multiple processes may be changed, and multiple processes may be executed in parallel.

Also, in the above embodiments, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by reading and executing a software program recorded in a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor.

Also, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form one circuit as a whole, or may be separate circuits. These circuits may be general-purpose circuits or dedicated circuits.

Also, general or specific aspects of the present invention may be implemented in a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM. Also, general or specific aspects of the present invention may be implemented in any combination of systems, devices, methods, integrated circuits, computer programs and recording media.

For example, the present invention may be implemented as a method executed by a computer such as a sound zoning system, or as a program for causing a computer to execute such a method. The present invention may be implemented as a computer-readable non-temporary recording medium in which such a program is recorded.

In addition, forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art can think of, or realized by arbitrarily combining the constituent elements and functions of each embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Also included in the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 sound zoning system 20 control device 30

wireless communication device

40, 40a, 40b, 40c speaker device 42 communication unit 43 reproduction control unit 44 storage unit 50 space

Claims

A sound zoning system that divides a space into multiple zones according to what sound content is heard in said space, comprising:
a plurality of speaker devices belonging to a first group for forming a first zone among the plurality of zones;
While the plurality of speaker devices are reproducing the sound content A, the first reproduction start time information indicating the reproduction start time of the sound content B to be reproduced next to the sound content A is sent to the plurality of speaker devices by wireless communication. A sound zoning system, comprising: a control device for transmitting to each;
The sound zoning system according to claim 1, wherein the control device determines the reproduction start time while the sound content A is being reproduced by the plurality of speaker devices.
3. The sound zoning system according to claim 1, wherein the control device transmits the first reproduction start time information to each of the plurality of speaker devices in response to a request from at least one of the plurality of speaker devices. .
The sound zoning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control device and at least one of the plurality of speaker devices obtain reference time information through wireless communication.
When another speaker device is added to the first group while the plurality of speaker devices are reproducing the sound content A, the control device transmits the first reproduction start time information to the plurality of speaker devices, and to each of said other speaker devices.
One speaker device among the plurality of speaker devices receives a group change instruction to a second group forming a second zone different from the first zone among the plurality of zones while reproducing the sound content A. In this case, the reproduction of the sound content A is stopped, and the reproduction of the sound content is stopped until the second reproduction start time information transmitted to the speaker device belonging to the second group is received. The sound zoning system according to any one of 1 to 5.
Each of the plurality of speaker devices,
a storage unit in which the sound content A and the sound content B are stored in advance;
a communication unit that receives the first reproduction start time information;
The sound zoning system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a reproduction control unit that starts reproducing the sound content B at the reproduction start time indicated by the received first reproduction start time information.
The sound zoning system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plurality of speaker devices are fixed to the ceiling of the space.
The sound zoning system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each of said plurality of speaker devices is a directional speaker.
The sound zoning system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the sound zoning system is used in offices, restaurants, schools, nursing homes, or recreational facilities.