Sound equipment adjusting method and sound equipment adjusting device

Abstract

Acoustic characteristics desired by a user are achieved with high precision. The acoustic adjustment method associates N acoustic characteristics with each of N specific points (Ps) (N is a natural number of 3 or more) in an operation region (ARop) used for adjustment of the acoustic characteristics, and accepts an operation (selection point designation operation) for designating an arbitrary position in the operation region as a selection point (Pu). On the basis of at least one specific point among the N specific points (Ps), the acoustic characteristic corresponding to the at least one specific point, and the selection point (Pu), the acoustic characteristic corresponding to the selection point (Pu) is specified as a selection characteristic, and whether or not the selection characteristic is determined as a target acoustic characteristic set by adjusting the acoustic characteristic is determined. If the selection characteristic is not identified as the target acoustic characteristic, an update process for updating at least one of the N acoustic characteristics to another acoustic characteristic other than the N acoustic characteristics is executed on the basis of the selection characteristic and the N acoustic characteristics, and an operation is re-accepted (designation operation of the selection point).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sound adjustment method and a sound adjustment device. Background Art

[0002] There is known a sound adjustment device such as an equalizer that imparts a sound effect. Such a sound adjustment device realizes sound characteristics desired by a user by, for example, the user adjusting values of parameters related to sound characteristics such as sound quality (hereinafter, also referred to as sound parameters). For example, Patent Document 1 discloses the following method: a one-dimensional psychological category axis obtained based on sound quality expression words expressed in perceptual language is displayed, and a scale value on the psychological category axis is specified by a cursor key or the like, thereby realizing the sound quality desired by a listener (user).

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-051239

[0004] However, in the conventional method of specifying the value of a sound parameter by selecting a value on an axis, the sound parameter associated with the axis is determined in advance. Therefore, for example, when the number of axes displayed on an operation screen or the like is small, the number of sound parameters to be adjusted is smaller than when the number of axes is large, and thus the sound characteristics desired by the user may not be realized. In addition, for example, when the number of axes displayed on an operation screen or the like is large, the number of sound parameters to be adjusted increases compared to when the number of axes is small. Therefore, the operation for realizing the sound characteristics desired by the user sometimes becomes cumbersome. In this case, it is possible that the operation is interrupted before the sound characteristics desired by the user are realized, and the sound characteristics desired by the user cannot be realized. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to accurately realize the sound characteristics desired by a user.

[0006] In a sound adjustment method according to one aspect of the present invention, N (N is a natural number of 3 or more) specific points in an operation area used for adjusting sound characteristics are respectively associated with N sound characteristics, an operation of designating an arbitrary position in the operation area as a selection point is received, based on at least one of the N sound characteristics, at least one of the N specific points, and the selection point, a sound characteristic corresponding to the selection point is specified as a selection characteristic, it is determined whether the selection characteristic is determined as a target sound characteristic set by adjusting the sound characteristics, and when the selection characteristic is not determined as the target sound characteristic, an update process of updating at least one of the N sound characteristics to other sound characteristics other than the N sound characteristics is executed based on the selection characteristic and the N sound characteristics, and the operation is received again.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention relates to an audio adjustment device having: an association setting unit that associates N (where N is a natural number of 3 or more) specific points in an operation area used for adjusting audio characteristics with N audio characteristics; an operation reception unit that receives an operation designating an arbitrary position in the operation area as a selection point; a specification unit that specifies, based on at least one of the N audio characteristics, at least one of the N specific points, and the selection point, an audio characteristic corresponding to the selection point as a selection characteristic; and a determination unit that determines whether to determine the selection characteristic as a target audio characteristic set by adjusting the audio characteristics. When the selection characteristic is not determined as the target audio characteristic, the association setting unit performs an update process of updating at least one of the N audio characteristics to an audio characteristic other than the N audio characteristics based on the selection characteristic and the N audio characteristics, and the operation reception unit receives the operation again. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 FIG. is an explanatory diagram for explaining the audio adjustment device according to the embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 FIG. is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of an operation screen.

[0010] Figure 3 FIG. is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of an operation screen after the first update process is executed.

[0011] Figure 4 FIG. is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the audio adjustment device.

[0012] Figure 5 FIG. is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of an operation area according to the first modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the dimensions and scales of each part in the drawings are appropriately different from the actual dimensions and scales. In addition, the embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention. Therefore, various technically preferred limitations are attached to the present embodiment. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these aspects as long as there is no particularly limiting description of the present invention in the following description.

[0014] Figure 1 FIG. is an explanatory diagram for explaining the audio adjustment device 100 according to the embodiment.

[0015] In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the audio system 10 has an audio adjustment device 100 for adjusting audio characteristics. In addition, for example, the sound quality and the delay in the audio system belong to the audio characteristics. Further, for example, the frequency characteristics belong to the sound quality. In addition, the audio system 10 is an arbitrary system having a signal processing function and a sound playback function. For example, various audio devices, karaoke devices, in-vehicle audio systems, PA devices, and electronic musical instruments and other various systems correspond to the audio system 10. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the audio system 10 is an in-vehicle audio device.

[0016] The audio system 10 has, for example, an audio adjustment device 100, an input / output device 200, a signal processing device 300, and a sound playback device 400. First, before explaining the audio adjustment device 100, the input / output device 200, the signal processing device 300, and the sound playback device 400 will be briefly explained.

[0017] The input / output device 200 is, for example, a hardware (e.g., a touch panel, etc.) in which an output device that functions as a display unit for displaying various information and an input device that functions as an operation unit for receiving a user's operation are paired.

[0018] For example, the input / output device 200 displays various information based on the control by the audio adjustment device 100 (more specifically, a display control unit 112 described later). Specifically, the input / output device 200 displays an operation screen SCop based on the image information Iinf output from the audio adjustment device 100. The operation screen SCop includes an operation image and the like representing an operation area ARop used for adjusting the audio characteristics. That is, the operation area ARop is displayed on the operation screen SCop. In addition, the detailed content of the operation screen SCop will be described later in Figure 2 which will be described later. The input / output device 200 is an example of a "display device".

[0019] As Figure 1 shown, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the operation area ARop is a quadrilateral with four specific points Ps (Ps1, Ps2, Ps3, and Ps4) as vertices. The specific points Ps are positions within the operation area ARop that are associated with specific audio characteristics by an association setting unit 114 described later. In addition, the number of specific points Ps is not limited to four. For example, the number of specific points Ps may be three, or may be five or more.

[0020] In addition, for example, the input / output device 200 receives an operation by a user and outputs operation information Pinf indicating the content of the received operation to the audio adjustment device 100. For example, when the user's operation is an operation of designating an arbitrary position within the operation area ARop as the selection point Pu, the input / output device 200 outputs the operation information Pinf indicating the selection point Pu designated by the user to the audio adjustment device 100.

[0021] The operation information Pinf can represent the position of the selection point Pu, for example, using the display screen of the input / output device 200 or coordinates indicating a position within the operation screen SCop. Alternatively, the operation information Pinf can also represent the position of the selection point Pu within the operation area ARop. The position of the selection point Pu within the operation area ARop is represented, for example, using one or two axes Ax out of four axes Ax1, Ax2, Ax3, and Ax4 extending from a reference point Pr within the operation area ARop towards four specific points Ps1, Ps2, Ps3, and Ps4. Here, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the reference point Pr is the central position of the four specific points Ps1, Ps2, Ps3, and Ps4, but the reference point Pr is not limited to the central position of the four specific points Ps1, Ps2, Ps3, and Ps4 as long as it is a position within the operation area ARop. In addition, the axes Ax and the reference point Pr may not be displayed on the operation screen SCop.

[0022] In addition, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the output device and the input device are paired, but the output device (e.g., a display device) and the input device (e.g., an operation device) may be separate.

[0023] The signal processing device 300 generates an audio signal Sout by performing signal processing on an audio signal Sin representing sound. For example, the audio signal Sin is input from an external audio playback device (not shown). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the signal processing performed on the audio signal Sin is an equalizer process of adjusting the signal level of the audio signal Sin for each frequency band of the audio signal Sin. However, the signal processing performed on the audio signal Sin is not limited to the equalizer process. The signal processing device 300 performs an equalizer process on the audio signal Sin, for example, based on adjustment information ADinf output from the audio adjustment device 100. Thereby, an audio signal Sout based on the adjustment information ADinf is generated. Then, the playback device 400 radiates the sound represented by the audio signal Sout output from the signal processing device 300. That is, the sound having the audio characteristics adjusted by the adjustment information ADinf is radiated from the playback device 400. The playback device 400 is, for example, a speaker.

[0024] Here, the adjustment information ADinf is information for realizing the acoustic characteristics desired by the user, representing the values of parameters (acoustic parameters) related to the acoustic characteristics. In addition, the acoustic parameters are, for example, parameters for imparting an acoustic effect to the sound represented by the audio signal Sin. For example, the gain (amplification factor) of each frequency band of the audio signal Sin is set by the acoustic parameters. In the present embodiment, the adjustment information ADinf represents the gain of each frequency band of the audio signal Sin. Next, the acoustic adjustment device 100 that generates the adjustment information ADinf will be described.

[0025] The acoustic adjustment device 100 is an information processing device for adjusting the values of the acoustic parameters. In addition, any information processing device can be used as the acoustic adjustment device 100. For example, the acoustic adjustment device 100 includes a processing device 110 that controls each part of the acoustic adjustment device 100, and a storage device 140 that stores various information.

[0026] The storage device 140 includes, for example, one or both of a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) that functions as a work area of the processing device 110, and a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) that stores various information such as the control program PG. In addition, the storage device 140 can be detachable from the acoustic adjustment device 100. Specifically, the storage device 140 can be a storage medium such as a memory card that can be detached from the acoustic adjustment device 100.

[0027] The processing device 110 is a processor that controls the entire acoustic adjustment device 100, and is configured to include, for example, one or more CPUs (Central Processing Unit). For example, the processing device 110 functions as a display control unit 112, an operation reception unit 113, a related setting unit 114, a specifying unit 116, and a determination unit 118 by executing the control program PG stored in the storage device 140. As a result, the acoustic adjustment device 100 functions, for example, as a device for determining the acoustic parameters for realizing the acoustic characteristics desired by the user (a device for adjusting the acoustic characteristics). In addition, the control program PG can be sent from other devices via a network.

[0028] In addition, for example, when the processing device 110 is configured to include a plurality of CPUs, part or all of the functions of the processing device 110 can be implemented by the above-mentioned plurality of CPUs operating in cooperation according to a program such as the control program PG. In addition, the processing device 110 can be configured to include a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and other hardware on the basis of or in place of part or all of one or more CPUs. In this case, part or all of the functions of the processing device 110 can be implemented by hardware such as a DSP.

[0029] The display control unit 112 causes, for example, an operation screen SCop used for adjusting the acoustic characteristics to be displayed on the input / output device 200. For example, the display control unit 112 generates image information Iinf representing the operation screen SCop, and outputs the generated image information Iinf to the input / output device 200. As a result, the operation screen SCop shown by the image information Iinf is displayed on the display screen of the input / output device 200.

[0030] The operation reception unit 113 receives an operation of designating an arbitrary position within the operation area ARop displayed on the operation screen SCop as the selection point Pu. Specifically, the operation reception unit 113 receives, for example, operation information Pinf output from the input / output device 200 to the audio adjustment device 100 as information representing the selection point Pu within the operation area ARop designated by the user's operation. Hereinafter, the operation of designating an arbitrary position within the operation area ARop as the selection point Pu may sometimes be referred to as the designation operation of the selection point Pu. The designation operation of the selection point Pu can be, for example, an operation of moving a finger or the like while touching a marker MK (for example, a pointer or the like) indicating the selection point Pu displayed on the operation screen SCop and then moving the finger or the like away from the operation screen SCop (more specifically, the marker MK) at an arbitrary position within the operation area ARop. The designation operation of the selection point Pu can be an operation of moving the marker MK indicating the selection point Pu by a mouse or the like and determining it as the selection point Pu at an arbitrary position within the operation area ARop.

[0031] The association setting unit 114 associates N acoustic characteristics (where N is a natural number of 3 or more) with the N specific points Ps in the operation area ARop. In the present embodiment, as described above, it is assumed that the number of specific points Ps is 4 (that is, N is 4). Therefore, the association setting unit 114 associates 4 acoustic characteristics with the 4 specific points Ps1, Ps2, Ps3, and Ps4 in the operation area ARop. The 4 acoustic characteristics associated with the 4 specific points Ps are each represented by a parameter group including, for example, a plurality of acoustic parameters. That is, in the present embodiment, 1 acoustic characteristic is represented by 1 parameter group including a plurality of acoustic parameters. For example, regarding 2 parameter groups representing 2 different acoustic characteristics, the value of at least 1 acoustic parameter among the plurality of acoustic parameters included in each parameter group is different in the 2 parameter groups. In the present embodiment, as described above, the value of each acoustic parameter represents the gain of each frequency band of the audio signal Sin.

[0032] Based on at least 1 of the 4 specific points Ps, the acoustic characteristic associated with the at least 1 specific point Ps, and the selection point Pu, the specifying unit 116 specifies the acoustic characteristic corresponding to the selection point Pu as the selection characteristic.

[0033] Here, the acoustic characteristic corresponding to the reference point Pr may be the average of the 4 acoustic characteristics associated with the 4 specific points Ps. Alternatively, the reference acoustic characteristic may be associated with the reference point Pr. The reference acoustic characteristic may be, for example, a flat frequency characteristic with a gain of 0 dB for each frequency band of the audio signal Sin. Alternatively, in the case where an update process for updating at least 1 of the 4 acoustic characteristics associated with the 4 specific points Ps is performed, the reference acoustic characteristic may be the selection characteristic (the acoustic characteristic corresponding to the selection point Pu) described later. The update process will be described later in Figure 3 described later.

[0034] In addition, the acoustic characteristics (the values of each acoustic parameter) corresponding to any position other than the 4 specific points Ps and the reference point Pr in the operation area ARop are specified, for example, by linearly interpolating 2 or 3 of the 5 acoustic characteristics corresponding to the 4 specific points Ps and the reference point Pr. Specifically, for example, the acoustic characteristic corresponding to an arbitrary position on the axis Ax1 is specified by linearly interpolating the acoustic characteristic corresponding to the reference point Pr and the acoustic characteristic corresponding to the specific point Ps1. In addition, for example, the acoustic characteristic corresponding to an arbitrary position between 2 axes Ax is specified by linearly interpolating 3 acoustic characteristics corresponding to 2 specific points Ps and the reference point Pr that define the 2 axes Ax.

[0035] Therefore, for example, the specifying unit 116 selects 2 specific points Ps among the 4 specific points Ps that are close to the selection point Pu (in Figure 1In the illustrated example, linear interpolation is performed on the three acoustic characteristics corresponding to the specific points Ps3 and Ps4 and the reference point Pr, thereby specifying the acoustic characteristic corresponding to the selected point Pu. As described above, the specifying unit 116 specifies the acoustic characteristic corresponding to the selected point Pu as the selected characteristic based on the three acoustic characteristics corresponding to the two specific points Ps close to the selected point Pu among the four specific points Ps and the reference point Pr. In addition, the method for specifying the acoustic characteristic (selected characteristic) corresponding to the selected point Pu is not limited to the method using linear interpolation, and other methods such as spline interpolation can be used.

[0036] The determination unit 118 determines whether to determine the selected characteristic (acoustic characteristic corresponding to the selected point Pu) specified by the specifying unit 116 as the target acoustic characteristic set by adjusting the acoustic characteristic. The target acoustic characteristic is, for example, the acoustic characteristic desired by the user. That is, the determination unit 118 determines whether to determine the selected characteristic specified by the specifying unit 116 as the acoustic characteristic desired by the user. As described above, the selected characteristic is a candidate for the target acoustic characteristic (acoustic characteristic desired by the user).

[0037] In addition, when the selected characteristic is not determined as the target acoustic characteristic, the associated setting unit 114 performs an update process of updating at least one of the four acoustic characteristics associated with the four specific points Ps to an acoustic characteristic other than the four acoustic characteristics based on the selected characteristic and the four acoustic characteristics. Then, the operation reception unit 113 accepts the designation operation of the selected point Pu again.

[0038] As described above, in the present embodiment, the update process of the four acoustic characteristics associated with the four specific points Ps and the designation operation of the selected point Pu are repeated until the selected characteristic is determined as the target acoustic characteristic. In the present embodiment, the selected point Pu is designated from the operation area ARop associated with the four acoustic characteristics. Therefore, compared with the configuration in which the selected point Pu is designated based on a slider or the like associated with two acoustic characteristics (hereinafter, also referred to as a comparative example), the target acoustic characteristic can be specified more efficiently. For example, in the present embodiment, compared with the comparative example, an increase in the number of executions of the designation operation of the selected point Pu repeated until the target acoustic characteristic is determined can be suppressed. Therefore, the user can easily achieve the desired acoustic characteristic only by performing the designation operation of the selected point Pu several times.

[0039] In addition, the configuration of the audio system 10 and the audio adjustment device 100 is not limited to Figure 1The example shown. For example, the operation area ARop may not be displayed on the input / output device 200. In this case, for example, the entire display screen of the input / output device 200 may be treated as the operation area ARop. Additionally, for example, the operation area ARop may not be displayed as a graphic. For example, positions corresponding to N specific points Ps in the operation screen SCop (or the display screen of the input / output device 200) may be lit. Additionally, for example, the audio adjustment device 100 may include one or both of the signal processing device 300 and the input / output device 200. Additionally, the audio adjustment device 100 may also include one or both of a display device and an operation device.

[0040] Next, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 to illustrate an example of the operation screen SCop.

[0041] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram for illustrating an example of the operation screen SCop. Figure 2 The upper operation screen SCop in Figure 2 shows the initial state of the operation screen SCop used for adjusting the audio characteristics,

[0042] In the operation screen SCop, for example, in addition to the operation area ARop, four labels LA (LA1, LA2, LA3, and LA4) respectively representing the characteristics of four audio characteristics may be displayed in association with four specific points Ps (Ps1, Ps2, Ps3, and Ps4). As the label LA, it may also be set such that the content of the audio characteristic can be grasped by observing the label (for example, a perceptual word, a graphic, a color, etc.). In addition, the label LA can be updated corresponding to the update of the audio characteristic corresponding to the specific point Ps. Additionally, in Figure 2 the example shown, a plurality of buttons BT (BT1, BT2, BT3, and BT4) for GUI (Graphical User Interface), information Ninf indicating the number of execution times of the update process, and an image IMGs for confirming the audio characteristics are displayed on the operation screen SCop. Touching the button BT is equivalent to pressing the button BT.

[0043] In Figure 2 the example shown, as shown in the image IMGs, five audio parameters for setting the gains of five frequency bands, namely the band B1, the band B2, the band B3, the band B4, and the band B5, are included in the parameter group of each audio characteristic.

[0044] As Figure 2As shown in the upper operation screen SCop, in Figure 2 In the example shown, the initial acoustic characteristic corresponding to the reference point Pr is a flat frequency characteristic with a gain of 0 dB in each of the frequency bands B1, B2, B3, B4, and B5.

[0045] In addition, in the initial state when adjusting the acoustic characteristics, for example, four pre-prepared acoustic characteristics are associated with four specific points Ps. For example, four representative acoustic characteristics set by the manufacturer are pre-prepared as the four acoustic characteristics associated with the four specific points Ps in the initial state. For example, the characteristic represented by the label LA1 (the "type A" in the figure) represents the characteristic of the initial acoustic characteristic associated with the specific point Ps1, and the characteristic represented by the label LA2 (the "type B" in the figure) represents the characteristic of the initial acoustic characteristic associated with the specific point Ps2. In addition, for example, the characteristic represented by the label LA3 (the "type C" in the figure) represents the characteristic of the initial acoustic characteristic associated with the specific point Ps3, and the characteristic represented by the label LA4 (the "type D" in the figure) represents the characteristic of the initial acoustic characteristic associated with the specific point Ps4.

[0046] In addition, in the initial state when adjusting the acoustic characteristics, the marker MK indicating the selection point Pu is located at the reference point Pr. For example, the user moves the marker MK while touching it with a finger and performs an operation of moving the finger away from the operation screen SCop (more specifically, the marker MK) at an arbitrary position within the operation area ARop as the designation operation of the selection point Pu. In Figure 2 The dotted arrow shown in the lower operation screen SCop in the figure shows an example of the trajectory of the marker MK after being moved by the designation operation of the selection point Pu.

[0047] Here, for example, when the button BT1 is pressed (when the button BT is touched), a sound with an acoustic characteristic corresponding to the position of the marker MK is emitted from the sound playback device 400. Additionally, when the button BT2 is pressed, the emission of sound from the sound playback device 400 stops. Furthermore, the sound playback can continue without stopping the sound. The buttons BT1 and BT2 can be, for example, buttons BT for controlling the playback and stop of an external audio playback device, or buttons BT for controlling the on and off of the output of the sound playback device 400. Moreover, the following method can be adopted, that is, a GUI for controlling the playback, etc. of an external audio playback device (for example, buttons BT1 and BT2) is not displayed on the operation screen SCop, that is, the external audio playback device is not controlled, and the input audio signal (for example, the audio signal Sin) is simply processed. Additionally, when the button BT3 is pressed, the position of the marker MK at the time when the button BT3 is pressed is specified as the selection point Pu, and an update process is executed to update at least one of the four acoustic characteristics associated with the four specific points Ps to an acoustic characteristic other than the four acoustic characteristics. Moreover, when the button BT3 is pressed in a state where the number of update processes has reached the upper limit (4 times in the example shown in Figure 2 ), the acoustic characteristic (selection characteristic) corresponding to the position of the marker MK (selection point Pu) at the time when the button BT3 is pressed can be determined as the target acoustic characteristic. Additionally, when the button BT4 is pressed, the acoustic characteristic (selection characteristic) corresponding to the position of the marker MK (selection point Pu) at the time when the button BT4 is pressed is determined as the target acoustic characteristic.

[0048] For example, by performing the operation of specifying the selection point Pu after pressing the button BT1, the user can specify the selection point Pu while listening to the sound with the acoustic characteristic corresponding to the position of the moving marker MK. Thus, the user can search for the acoustic characteristic that matches their preference within the operation area ARop. In Figure 2 It is assumed that the button BT3 is pressed in the state of the operation screen SCop in the lower part of Figure 2 . Therefore, in Figure 2 , the acoustic characteristics with the gains of 2.0 [dB], -0.2 [dB], -7.3 [dB], -3.6 [dB], and 0.0 [dB] for the five frequency bands of the frequency band B1, the frequency band B2, the frequency band B3, the frequency band B4, and the frequency band B5 are specified as the first selection characteristics. Additionally, the selection characteristic of the m-th time (m is a natural number of 1 or more) is the acoustic characteristic corresponding to the selection point Pu specified by the operation of specifying the selection point Pu of the m-th time.

[0049] Next, referring to Figure 3An example of the operation screen SCop after the first selection characteristic is presented, i.e., after the first update process is executed.

[0050] Figure 3 It is an explanatory diagram for illustrating an example of the operation screen SCop after the first update process is executed. Figure 3 The upper operation screen SCop represents the state of the operation screen SCop after the first update process is executed. Figure 3 The lower operation screen SCop represents the state of the operation screen SCop when the designation operation of the second selection point Pu is performed (before the specification of the second selection point Pu).

[0051] The first update process is executed, for example, based on the acoustic characteristics corresponding to the selection point Pu specified by the designation operation of the first selection point Pu (the first selection characteristic), the initial four acoustic characteristics associated with the four specific points Ps, and the initial acoustic characteristic corresponding to the reference point Pr. For example, the characteristic represented by the label LA1 (the "type E" in the figure) represents the characteristic of the acoustic characteristic associated with the specific point Ps1 through the first update process. In addition, the characteristic represented by the label LA2 (the "type F" in the figure) represents the characteristic of the acoustic characteristic associated with the specific point Ps2 through the first update process. In addition, the characteristic represented by the label LA3 (the "type G" in the figure) represents the characteristic of the acoustic characteristic associated with the specific point Ps3 through the first update process. In addition, the characteristic represented by the label LA4 (the "type H" in the figure) represents the characteristic of the acoustic characteristic associated with the specific point Ps4 through the first update process.

[0052] For example, the update process of the acoustic characteristics associated with each specific point Ps can be executed using Bayesian optimization as a method for inferring points with a high probability of obtaining the optimal solution. In the case of using Bayesian optimization, for example, both the acoustic characteristics with a high probability of obtaining the target acoustic characteristic and the un-searched acoustic characteristics are considered to update the acoustic characteristics associated with each specific point Ps. The acoustic characteristics with a high probability of obtaining the target acoustic characteristic are specified, for example, based on the preferred parameter set (the acoustic characteristics corresponding to the selection point Pu) and the five non-preferred parameter sets (the five acoustic characteristics corresponding to the four specific points Ps and one reference point Pr).

[0053] In addition, when the distance between the selection point Pu and any one of the four specific points Ps and one reference point Pr is equal to or less than the threshold value, the parameter set of the acoustic characteristic corresponding to the point whose distance from the selection point Pu among the four specific points Ps and one reference point Pr is equal to or less than the threshold value can be excluded from the non-preferred parameter sets.

[0054] In addition, the preferred parameter group and five non-preferred parameter groups can be stored in the storage device 140, for example, each time the specified operation of the selection point Pu is performed (each time the selection characteristic is specified). In this case, the preferred parameter group and the non-preferred parameter groups are stored each time the specified operation of the selection point Pu is performed. Moreover, based on the parameter groups stored as the preferred parameter group and the non-preferred parameter groups, the acoustic characteristics with a high probability of obtaining the target acoustic characteristics can be specified. That is, when the update process is executed two or more times, in the update process after the second time, the selection characteristics and four acoustic characteristics referred to in the past update process can also be referred to.

[0055] In the case where the first update process has been executed, as Figure 3 shown in the upper operation screen SCop, the initial position of the marker MK indicating the selection point Pu is, for example, the reference point Pr. In addition, at the reference point Pr after the first update process has been executed, for example, the acoustic characteristics (first selection characteristics) corresponding to the selection point Pu specified by the specified operation of the first selection point Pu are associated.

[0056] For example, the user can specify the selection point Pu while listening to the sound of the acoustic characteristics corresponding to the position of the moving marker MK by performing the specified operation of the selection point Pu in the same way as the specified operation of the first selection point Pu after pressing the button BT1. In Figure 3 the lower operation screen SCop shown, the dotted arrow indicates an example of the trajectory of the marker MK after being moved by the specified operation of the selection point Pu.

[0057] In Figure 3 the case where the button BT3 is pressed in the state of the lower operation screen SCop, the second update process is executed. In addition, in Figure 3 the case where the button BT4 is pressed in the state of the lower operation screen SCop, the acoustic characteristics (selection characteristics) corresponding to the position of the marker MK (selection point Pu) at the time when the button BT4 is pressed are determined as the target acoustic characteristics.

[0058] As described above, in the present embodiment, the update process of the acoustic characteristics associated with each specific point Ps is executed based on the preferred acoustic characteristics (selection characteristics) selected by the user through the specified operation of the selection point Pu. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a new operation area ARop based on the preferred acoustic characteristics selected by the user can be proposed to the user. Therefore, in the present embodiment, by repeatedly performing the specified operation of the selection point Pu and the update process, the target acoustic characteristics can be easily achieved. In addition, in Figure 2 and Figure 3In the example shown, an upper limit on the number of executions of the update process is preset, but the upper limit on the number of executions of the update process may not be set.

[0059] Next, with reference to Figure 4 An example of the operation of the audio adjustment device 100 will be described.

[0060] Figure 4 It is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the audio adjustment device 100. The process of step S100 is executed, for example, after an operation for starting the adjustment of the audio characteristics is performed.

[0061] First, in step S100, the processing device 110 acts as the association setting unit 114 and associates four audio characteristics with four specific points Ps in the operation area ARop, respectively.

[0062] Next, in step S110, the processing device 110 acts as the display control unit 112 and causes the operation screen SCop to be displayed on the input / output device 200. For example, the display control unit 112 outputs the image information Iinf representing the operation screen SCop to the input / output device 200, thereby causing the operation screen SCop to be displayed on the input / output device 200.

[0063] Next, in step S120, the processing device 110 acts as the operation reception unit 113 and specifies the position of the marker MK representing the selection point Pu in the operation area ARop. For example, the operation reception unit 113 obtains the operation information Pinf representing the position of the marker MK from the input / output device 200 and specifies the position of the marker MK based on the operation information Pinf. As described above, in step S120, the operation reception unit 113 accepts the operation of designating an arbitrary position in the operation area ARop as the selection point Pu.

[0064] Next, in step S140, the processing device 110 acts as the specifying unit 116 and specifies the audio characteristic corresponding to the position of the marker MK. For example, the specifying unit 116 specifies the values of the multiple audio parameters included in the parameter group of the audio characteristic corresponding to the position of the marker MK by performing linear interpolation on two or three of the five audio characteristics corresponding to the four specific points Ps and the reference point Pr.

[0065] Next, in step S160, the processing device 110 acts as the specific unit 116 and outputs adjustment information ADinf indicating acoustic characteristics (values of respective acoustic parameters) corresponding to the position of the marker MK to the signal processing device 300. Thereby, an audio signal Sout based on the adjustment information ADinf is generated by the signal processing device 300, and the sound represented by the audio signal Sout is radiated from the sound playback device 400. That is, the sound with acoustic characteristics corresponding to the position of the marker MK is radiated from the sound playback device 400.

[0066] Next, in step S180, the processing device 110 acts as the operation reception unit 113 and determines whether the position of the marker MK is specified as the selection point Pu. For example, the operation reception unit 113 determines that the position of the marker MK is specified as the selection point Pu when the button BT3 or BT4 is pressed.

[0067] When the determination result in step S180 is affirmative, the operation reception unit 113 specifies the position of the marker MK as the selection point Pu and causes the process to proceed to step S200. For example, when the button BT3 or BT4 is pressed, the operation reception unit 113 specifies the position of the marker MK at the time when the button BT (BT3 or BT4) is pressed as the selection point Pu and causes the process to proceed to step S200. In this case, the acoustic characteristics corresponding to the position of the marker MK at the time when the button BT3 or BT4 is pressed are the acoustic characteristics (selection characteristics) corresponding to the selection point Pu.

[0068] On the other hand, when the determination result in step S180 is negative, the operation reception unit 113 causes the process to return to step S120.

[0069] In step S200, the processing device 110 acts as the determination unit 118 and determines whether the acoustic characteristics (selection characteristics) corresponding to the selection point Pu are determined as the target acoustic characteristics. For example, the determination unit 118 determines that the selection characteristics are determined as the target acoustic characteristics when the button BT4 is pressed. Alternatively, the determination unit 118 determines that the selection characteristics are determined as the target acoustic characteristics when the button BT3 is pressed in a state where the number of update processes has reached the upper limit. In addition, the determination unit 118 determines that the selection characteristics are not determined as the target acoustic characteristics when the button BT3 is pressed in a state where the number of update processes has not reached the upper limit.

[0070] When the determination result in step S200 is affirmative, the determination unit 118 determines the selected characteristic as the target sound characteristic and advances the process to step S300. For example, when the button BT4 is pressed, the determination unit 118 determines the sound characteristic (selected characteristic) corresponding to the position of the marker MK at the time point when the button BT4 is pressed (i.e., the selection point Pu) as the target sound characteristic and advances the process to step S300.

[0071] On the other hand, when the determination result in step S200 is negative, the determination unit 118 specifies the selected characteristic and advances the process to step S220. For example, when the button BT3 is pressed while the number of update processes has not reached the upper limit, the determination unit 118 specifies the sound characteristic corresponding to the position of the marker MK at the time point when the button BT3 is pressed (i.e., the selection point Pu) as the selected characteristic and advances the process to step S220.

[0072] In step S220, the processing device 110 acts as the association setting unit 114 and updates the four sound characteristics corresponding to the four specific points Ps in the operation area ARop. For example, as described in Figure 3 the association setting unit 114 uses Bayesian optimization to perform an update process for updating the four sound characteristics corresponding to the four specific points Ps in the operation area ARop. In addition, although not shown in Figure 4 in step S220, the association setting unit 114 associates the sound characteristic (selected characteristic) corresponding to the selection point Pu with the reference point Pr. After the association setting unit 114 executes the process of step S220, it advances the process to step S240.

[0073] In step S240, the processing device 110 acts as the display control unit 112 and updates the operation screen SCop. For example, the display control unit 112 outputs the image information Iinf representing the updated operation screen SCop to the input / output device 200. After the display control unit 112 executes the process of step S240, it returns the process to step S120. As described above, when the selected characteristic is not determined as the target sound characteristic, an update process is executed, and the designation operation of the selection point Pu is accepted again. In addition, when the selected characteristic is determined as the target sound characteristic, the process of step S300 is executed as described above.

[0074] In step S300, the processing device 110 acts as the specifying unit 116, for example, and outputs the adjustment information ADinf indicating the target sound characteristic (the values of each sound parameter) to the signal processing device 300. In addition, the process of step S300 can be executed by a functional block other than the specifying unit 116 (for example, the determination unit 118).

[0075] As described above, in the present embodiment, when the selected characteristic is not determined as the target acoustic characteristic, the update process is executed based on the selected characteristic or the like, and at least one of the four acoustic characteristics corresponding to the four specific points Ps is updated. In the present embodiment, since the object of one update process is four acoustic characteristics, the target acoustic characteristic can be specified more efficiently than in the case where the object of one update process is two acoustic characteristics. Therefore, in the present embodiment, for example, the user can easily achieve the desired acoustic characteristic only by performing the designation operation of the selection point Pu several times.

[0076] In addition, the update of the operation area ARop achieved by the update process (the update of at least one of the four acoustic characteristics corresponding to the four specific points Ps) can also be understood as proposing a new evaluation axis to the user. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a new evaluation axis is proposed according to the value of the acoustic parameter selected by the user. Therefore, through the adjustment of the acoustic characteristic, the user can also find a new favorite sound.

[0077] In addition, the operation of the acoustic adjustment device 100 is not limited to Figure 4 the example shown. For example, the process of step S100 can be executed before performing the operation for starting the adjustment of the acoustic characteristic.

[0078] As described above, in the present embodiment, the acoustic adjustment device 100 includes an association setting unit 114, an operation reception unit 113, a specification unit 116, and a determination unit 118. The association setting unit 114 associates N acoustic characteristics (N is a natural number of 3 or more) with N specific points Ps in the operation area ARop used for adjusting the acoustic characteristic. The operation reception unit 113 receives the operation of designating an arbitrary position in the operation area ARop as the selection point Pu (the designation operation of the selection point Pu). The specification unit 116 specifies the acoustic characteristic corresponding to the selection point Pu as the selected characteristic based on at least one of the N specific points Ps, the acoustic characteristic corresponding to at least one of the N specific points Ps, and the selection point Pu. The determination unit 118 determines whether the selected characteristic is determined as the target acoustic characteristic set by adjusting the acoustic characteristic. When the selected characteristic is not determined as the target acoustic characteristic, the association setting unit 114 executes an update process of updating at least one of the N acoustic characteristics to an acoustic characteristic other than the N acoustic characteristics based on the selected characteristic and the N acoustic characteristics, and the operation reception unit 113 receives the operation again (the designation operation of the selection point Pu).

[0079] As described above, in the present embodiment, the update process of the N acoustic characteristics associated with the N specific points Ps and the designation operation of the selection point Pu are repeated until the selected characteristic is determined as the target acoustic characteristic. In the present embodiment, the object of one update process is N acoustic characteristics. Therefore, compared with the case where the object of one update process is two acoustic characteristics (for example, the case where the selection point Pu is designated according to a slider or the like associated with two acoustic characteristics), the target acoustic characteristic can be specified more efficiently. For example, in the present embodiment, compared with the case where the object of one update process is two acoustic characteristics, the user can reduce the number of designation operations of the selection point Pu until the desired acoustic characteristic is achieved.

[0080] In addition, in the present embodiment, when the specifying unit 116 specifies the selected characteristic, it further refers to the acoustic characteristic corresponding to the reference point Pr within the operation area ARop. Thus, in the present embodiment, compared with the case where the acoustic characteristic corresponding to the reference point Pr is not referred to, the selected characteristic can be specified more easily. In addition, in the present embodiment, the acoustic characteristic corresponding to the reference point Pr can also be referred to in the update process. In this case, compared with the case where the acoustic characteristic corresponding to the reference point Pr is not referred to, the parameter group of the acoustic characteristic associated with the specific point Ps can be determined more efficiently in the update process.

[0081] In addition, in the present embodiment, the reference point Pr is the central position of the N specific points Ps. In this case, compared with the case where the reference point Pr is not the central position of the N specific points, the selected characteristic can be specified more easily. In addition, when the reference point Pr is the central position of the N specific points Ps, compared with the case where the reference point Pr is not the central position of the N specific points, the parameter group of the acoustic characteristic associated with the specific point Ps can be determined more efficiently in the update process.

[0082] In addition, in the present embodiment, the operation area ARop is a polygon with the N specific points Ps as vertices. In this case, compared with the case where the specific points Ps are located more inside than the boundary (outer periphery) of the operation area ARop, the complication of specifying the selected characteristic can be suppressed.

[0083] In addition, in the present embodiment, the N specific points Ps are four specific points Ps. That is, in the present embodiment, the operation area ARop is a quadrilateral with the four specific points Ps as vertices. In this case, compared with the case where the operation area ARop is a polygon such as a triangle or a pentagon or more, the complication of specifying the selected characteristic can be suppressed.

[0084] In addition, in the present embodiment, the association setting unit 114 associates the selected characteristic with the reference point Pr in the update process. As described above, in the present embodiment, the reference point Pr within the operation area ARop after the update process is associated with the acoustic characteristic (selected characteristic) corresponding to the selected point Pu specified by the specified operation of the selected point Pu before the update process. That is, in the present embodiment, the operation area ARop can be updated in such a way that the acoustic characteristic corresponding to the reference point Pr within the operation area ARop becomes an acoustic characteristic close to the acoustic characteristic preferred by the user. As a result, in the present embodiment, compared with the case where the position corresponding to the selected characteristic before the update process does not exist within the operation area ARop after the update process, an increase in the number of update processes for updating the N specific points Ps can be suppressed.

[0085] In addition, in the present embodiment, in the update process of updating at least one of the N acoustic characteristics to an acoustic characteristic other than the N acoustic characteristics, the association setting unit 114 determines the other acoustic characteristic based on the selected characteristic, the N acoustic characteristics, and the acoustic characteristic corresponding to the reference point Pr. As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the selected characteristic and the N acoustic characteristics, the N acoustic characteristics associated with the N specific points Ps included in the operation area ARop after the update process are determined based on the acoustic characteristic corresponding to the reference point Pr. Therefore, in the present embodiment, compared with the case where the acoustic characteristic corresponding to the reference point Pr is not used in the update process, the probability that the position corresponding to the acoustic characteristic close to the acoustic characteristic preferred by the user is included in the operation area ARop after the update process can be increased.

[0086] In addition, in the present embodiment, when the update process is executed two or more times, in the update process after the second time, the association setting unit 114 also refers to the selected characteristic and the N acoustic characteristics referred to in the past update process. As described above, in the present embodiment, when the update process is executed two or more times, the update process after the second time is also executed with reference to the information of the past update process (the selected characteristic and the N acoustic characteristics referred to in the past update process). Therefore, in the present embodiment, compared with the case where the update process after the second time is executed without referring to the information of the past update process, the probability that the position corresponding to the acoustic characteristic close to the acoustic characteristic preferred by the user is included in the operation area ARop after the update process can be increased.

[0087] In addition, in the present embodiment, the audio adjustment device 100 has a display control unit 112. The display control unit 112 displays N tags LA each representing the characteristics of N audio characteristics in association with N specific points Ps on the input / output device 200. As described above, in the present embodiment, N tags LA each representing the characteristics of N audio characteristics associated with N specific points Ps are displayed in association with the N specific points Ps. Thereby, in the present embodiment, the user can easily grasp the characteristics of the N audio characteristics corresponding to the N specific points Ps within the operation area ARop, and thus the usability of the operation (e.g., the designation operation of selecting the point Pu) when searching for the audio characteristics preferred by the user can be improved.

[0088] In addition, the embodiments illustrated above can be variously modified. The following illustrates specific modification methods that can be applied to the foregoing embodiments. Two or more methods arbitrarily selected from the following illustrations can be combined within a non-contradictory range.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the case where the operation area ARop is a quadrilateral with four specific points Ps as vertices is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, the operation area ARop can be a triangle, a polygon with five or more sides, or a circle. Refer to Figure 5 This modification example (the first modification example) will be described.

[0090] Figure 5 FIG. is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the operation area ARop according to the first modification example. The black dots in the drawing represent the specific points Ps, the "×" mark represents the reference point Pr, and the single-dot chain line represents the axis Ax. In addition, in Figure 5 the operation area ARop of the above embodiment is also shown as Mode 1.

[0091] Modes 1, 1a, and 1b in the drawing represent examples of the quadrilateral operation area ARop. In addition, Modes 2, 2a, and 2b in the drawing represent examples of the hexagonal operation area ARop. In addition, Modes 3, 3a, and 3b in the drawing represent examples of the triangular operation area ARop. In addition, Modes 4 and 4a in the drawing represent examples of the circular operation area ARop.

[0092] In addition, Pattern 1, Pattern 2, and Pattern 3 in the figure represent examples of the operation area ARop of a polygon with a specific point Ps as the vertex. In addition, Pattern 4 in the figure represents an example of the operation area ARop when a specific point Ps exists on the boundary (outer periphery) of a circular operation area ARop. In addition, Pattern 1a, Pattern 2a, Pattern 3a, and Pattern 4a in the figure represent examples of the operation area ARop when a specific point Ps exists closer to the inside than the boundary (outer periphery) of the operation area ARop. In addition, Pattern 1b, Pattern 2b, and Pattern 3b in the figure represent examples of the operation area ARop when a specific point Ps exists at the center of each side of the polygonal operation area ARop.

[0093] In addition, in Figure 5 the operation area ARop shown, the central position of the multiple specific points Ps is the reference point Pr, but the reference point Pr may not be the central position of the multiple specific points Ps.

[0094] As described above, the operation area ARop can be a shape other than a quadrilateral with four specific points Ps as vertices.

[0095] As above, in this modification example, the same effects as those in the above-described embodiment can also be obtained. In addition, for example, when the number of specific points Ps in the operation area ARop is large, compared with the case where the number of specific points Ps in the operation area ARop is small, it is possible to expect a reduction in the number of designation operations of the selection point Pu until the target acoustic characteristics are achieved.

[0096] In addition, in the above-described embodiment and modification example, the case where the acoustic characteristics to be adjusted are the gains for each frequency band is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this mode.

[0097] For example, in this modification example (the second modification example), the acoustic characteristics to be adjusted can be acoustic characteristics other than the gains for each frequency band, or can be a combination of the gains for each frequency band and acoustic characteristics other than the gains for each frequency band. Specifically, for example, the acoustic characteristics to be adjusted can be one or more of the gains, frequencies, frequency band widths (so-called Q-factors), delays in the audio system, and volume equalization in the audio system (for example, the gains of each speaker). Or, the acoustic characteristics to be adjusted can also be one or more of the effect intensities indicating the influence degree of the correction effect for the frequency bands in the high-frequency range, the effect intensities indicating the influence degree of the correction effect for the frequency bands in the low-frequency range, and the effect intensities indicating the influence degree of the effect of the audio system. Further, the acoustic characteristics to be adjusted can also be a combination of the above-described gains, frequencies, Q-factors, delays, volume equalization, and multiple effect intensities.

[0098] As described above, in this modified example, the same effects as those in the above-described embodiments and modified examples can be obtained.

[0099] In addition, in the above-described embodiments and modified examples, the case where the audio system 10 is an in-vehicle audio device, that is, the case where the audio adjustment device 100 is used to adjust the acoustic characteristics of the in-vehicle audio device, is illustrated. The present invention is not limited to this mode.

[0100] For example, in this modified example (the third modified example), the audio adjustment device 100 can be used to adjust the acoustic characteristics of an audio system other than the in-vehicle audio device. Specifically, for example, the audio adjustment device 100 can be used to adjust the acoustic characteristics of headphones, and can also be used to adjust the acoustic characteristics of a soundbar. In addition, for example, the audio adjustment device 100 can be used to adjust the acoustic characteristics of a synthesizer, and can also be used to adjust the acoustic characteristics of an electronic piano. That is, the audio adjustment device 100 can be used to adjust the acoustic characteristics of electronic musical instruments. In this modified example, the audio adjustment device 100 can be a terminal device such as a smartphone that executes the Figure 1 control program PG shown, or an information processing device such as a personal computer that executes the control program PG.

[0101] As described above, in this modified example, the same effects as those in the above-described embodiments and modified examples can also be obtained.

[0102] In addition, in the above-described embodiments and modified examples, the case where the acoustic characteristics corresponding to the reference point Pr in the operation area ARop are referred to when specifying the selection characteristics is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this mode.

[0103] For example, in this modified example (the fourth modified example), the acoustic characteristics corresponding to the reference point Pr in the operation area ARop can be the average of N acoustic characteristics associated with N specific points Ps. In this case, the acoustic characteristics may not be pre-associated with the reference point Pr, and the acoustic characteristics corresponding to the reference point Pr can be easily specified based on the N acoustic characteristics. Therefore, when the average of the N acoustic characteristics associated with the N specific points Ps is the acoustic characteristics corresponding to the reference point Pr, the selection characteristics can be specified based on the N acoustic characteristics associated with the N specific points Ps without referring to the acoustic characteristics corresponding to the reference point Pr. In addition, for example, when the acoustic characteristics corresponding to the reference point Pr are flat frequency characteristics with a gain of 0 dB in each frequency band, the selection characteristics can also be specified without referring to the acoustic characteristics corresponding to the reference point Pr.

[0104] As described above, in this modification example, in addition to the effects obtained by referring to the acoustic characteristics corresponding to the reference point Pr when specifying the selection characteristics, the same effects as those in the above-described embodiments and modification examples can also be obtained.

[0105] In addition, in the above-described embodiments and modification examples, the case where the selection characteristics are associated with the reference point Pr in the update process is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this manner.

[0106] For example, in this modification example (the fifth modification example), when the update process is executed, the acoustic characteristics corresponding to the reference point Pr may be the average of the N acoustic characteristics associated with the N specific points Ps. In addition, for example, the acoustic characteristics corresponding to the reference point Pr may be fixed to a flat frequency characteristic with a gain of 0 dB for each frequency band.

[0107] As described above, in this modification example, in addition to the effects obtained by associating the selection characteristics with the reference point Pr in the update process, the same effects as those in the above-described embodiments and modification examples can also be obtained.

[0108] In addition, in the above-described embodiments and modification examples, the case where the update process is executed based on the selection characteristics, the N acoustic characteristics, and the acoustic characteristics corresponding to the reference point Pr is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this manner.

[0109] For example, in this modification example (the sixth modification example), when the average of the N acoustic characteristics associated with the N specific points Ps is the acoustic characteristics corresponding to the reference point Pr, the update process may be executed without referring to the acoustic characteristics corresponding to the reference point Pr. In addition, for example, when the acoustic characteristics corresponding to the reference point Pr are a flat frequency characteristic with a gain of 0 dB for each frequency band, the update process may also be executed without referring to the acoustic characteristics corresponding to the reference point Pr.

[0110] As described above, in this modification example, in addition to the effects obtained by executing the update process by referring to the acoustic characteristics corresponding to the reference point Pr, the same effects as those in the above-described embodiments and modification examples can also be obtained.

[0111] In addition, in the above-described embodiments and modification examples, the case where, when the update process is executed two or more times, the selection characteristics and the N acoustic characteristics referred to in the past update process are also referred to in the update process after the second time is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this manner.

[0112] For example, in this modification example (the seventh modification example), in the update process, the selection characteristics and the N acoustic characteristics referred to in the past update process may not be referred to. As described above, in this modification example, in addition to the effects obtained by also referring to the selection characteristics and the N acoustic characteristics referred to in the past update process in the update process after the second time, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment and modification examples can also be obtained.

[0113] In addition, in the above-described embodiment and modification examples, a case where N labels LA each representing a feature of the N acoustic characteristics are displayed in association with N specific points Ps is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this manner.

[0114] For example, in this modification example (the eighth modification example), the N labels LA may not be displayed in association with the N specific points Ps. As described above, in this modification example, in addition to the effects obtained by displaying the N labels LA in association with the N specific points Ps, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment and modification examples can also be obtained.

[0115] Explanation of reference numerals

[0116] 10... audio system, 100... audio adjustment device, 110... processing device, 112... display control unit, 113... operation reception unit, 114... association setting unit, 116... specific unit, 118... determination unit, 140... storage device, 200... input / output device, 300... signal processing device, 400... playback device, ARop... operation area, Pr... reference point, Ps... specific point, Pu... selection point.

Claims

1. A sound adjustment method, wherein: N specific points in the operation area used for adjusting the acoustic characteristics are respectively associated with N acoustic characteristics, where N is a natural number greater than or equal to 3. Accepts the operation of specifying any position within the operation area as a selection point, Based on at least one specific point of the N specific points, the acoustic characteristic corresponding to the at least one specific point, and the selected point, specifying the acoustic characteristic corresponding to the selected point as a selected characteristic, determining whether the selected characteristic is determined as a target acoustic characteristic set by adjusting the acoustic characteristic, If the selected characteristic is not determined as the target acoustic characteristic, an update process is performed to update at least one of the N acoustic characteristics to an acoustic characteristic other than the N acoustic characteristics based on the selected characteristic and the N acoustic characteristics, and the operation is accepted again.

2. The sound adjustment method according to claim 1, wherein: When specifying the selected characteristic, the acoustic characteristic corresponding to the reference point in the operation area is also referred to.

3. The sound adjustment method according to claim 2, wherein: The reference point is the center position of the N specific points.

4. The sound adjustment method according to claim 1, wherein: The operation area is a polygon with the N specific points as vertices.

5. The sound adjustment method according to claim 4, wherein: The N specific points are 4 specific points.

6. The sound adjustment method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: In the updating process, the selected characteristic is associated with the reference point.

7. The sound adjustment method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: In the updating process, the other acoustic characteristics are determined based on the selected characteristics, the N acoustic characteristics, and the acoustic characteristics corresponding to the reference point.

8. The sound adjustment method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: When the update process is executed two or more times, the selected characteristic and the N acoustic characteristics referred to in the previous update process are also referred to in the second and subsequent update processes.

9. The sound adjustment method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: N labels respectively indicating features of the N acoustic characteristics are associated with the N specific points and displayed on a display device.

10. A sound adjustment device, comprising: The association setting unit associates N specific points in the operation area used for adjusting the acoustic characteristics with N acoustic characteristics, respectively, wherein N is a natural number greater than 3; an operation accepting unit that accepts an operation of designating an arbitrary position within the operation area as a selection point; a specifying unit that specifies the acoustic characteristic corresponding to the selected point as a selected characteristic based on at least one of the N specific points, the acoustic characteristic corresponding to the at least one specific point, and the selected point; as well as a determination unit for determining whether the selected characteristic is determined as a target acoustic characteristic set by adjusting the acoustic characteristic, In a case where the selected characteristic is not determined as the target acoustic characteristic, The association setting unit performs an update process of updating at least one of the N acoustic characteristics to another acoustic characteristic other than the N acoustic characteristics based on the selected characteristic and the N acoustic characteristics. The operation accepting unit accepts the operation again.

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