Audio control device

Abstract

An audio control device includes a sound acquisition unit, an audio processing unit, and a reproduction control unit. The sound acquisition unit acquires disturbing sound data and / or counteracting sound data, the disturbing sound data including information of a disturbing sound used as noise for disturbing the listening of a target sound being listened by a listener. The audio processing unit performs audio processing for interfering with the listening of the target sound on the acquired interference sound data and / or countermeasure sound data. The reproduction control unit reproduces the audio-processed interference sound data and / or countermeasure sound data from an output device of the system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This embodiment relates to an audio control device. Background Art

[0002] As a technology for making a specific sound difficult to be heard, a known technology is to reproduce a masking sound different from the specific sound in the space surrounding the sound source of the specific sound. By reproducing such a masking sound, the target specific sound is made difficult for a third person to hear.

[0003] The purpose of masking sound reproduction is primarily to prevent third parties from hearing the sound. On the other hand, recently, there has been a surge in cases where sounds from mobile phones have been used to indicate improper behavior or, as part of fraudulent activity, to instruct erroneous actions such as transferring money to a criminal's account or purchasing a prepaid card. It is desirable that the sounds associated with such improper behavior, etc., be inaudible even to listeners listening to the sounds in real time from a mobile phone. Thus, by appropriately controlling the inaudibility of sounds heard in real time through certain output devices, sound can be utilized more safely and effectively. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiment provides an audio control device capable of making a target sound heard in real time through an output device difficult to hear.

[0005] An audio control device according to one embodiment includes a sound acquisition unit, an audio processing unit, and a reproduction control unit. The sound acquisition unit acquires interference sound data and / or counter-sound data, the interference sound data including information about interference sounds used as noise to interfere with a listener's listening to a target sound. The audio processing unit performs audio processing on the acquired interference sound data and / or counter-sound data to interfere with the listening of the target sound. The reproduction control unit reproduces the processed interference sound data and / or counter-sound data from an output device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 This is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of an audio control device according to each embodiment.

[0007] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the audio control device according to the first embodiment.

[0008] Figure 3 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the audio control device according to the first embodiment.

[0009] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of an example of an audio control device according to the second embodiment.

[0010] Figure 5This is a flowchart showing the operation of the audio control device according to the second embodiment.

[0011] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the state of a listener in the second embodiment.

[0012] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the audio control device according to the third embodiment.

[0013] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the state of a listener in the third embodiment.

[0014] Figure 9 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the audio control device according to the fourth embodiment.

[0015] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing the state of a listener in the fourth embodiment.

[0016] Figure 11 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the audio control device according to the fifth embodiment.

[0017] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing the state of a listener in the fifth embodiment.

[0018] Figure 13 It is a diagram showing a modified example of the fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] (First embodiment)

[0021] First, the first embodiment will be described. Figure 1 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the audio control device according to each embodiment. Figure 1 As shown, the audio control device 1 includes a sound acquisition unit 10, an audio processing unit 20, and a reproduction control unit 30. The audio control device 1 can be installed in various terminal devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, and tablet computers. It can also be installed in various devices that emit sound, such as voice guidance systems that provide various voice guidance to listeners, or can be installed in conjunction with such devices.

[0022] The sound acquisition unit 10 acquires sound data to be processed. The sound data includes interference sound data. The target sound data, which is the interference target, is data containing information about the sound that the listener is about to listen to in real time. The sound here is mostly human voice, but is not necessarily limited to human voice. The interference sound data is data containing information about the interference sound, which is used as noise to interfere with the listening of the target sound. The interference sound can be, for example, a masking sound such as the gurgling of a stream, a human noise, and a meaningless sound such as the reading of numbers. Here, the type and frequency band of the interference sound data preferably have the same frequency band as the target sound to be interfered with and will not cause people to be very uncomfortable. The frequency band can also be adjusted by the frequency band adjustment process described later. For example, the interference sound data can be pre-stored in a storage device (not shown) of the audio control device 1, or can be generated in real time.

[0023] The audio processing unit 20 performs audio processing on the sound data acquired by the sound acquisition unit 10. Audio processing includes, for example, volume adjustment processing and frequency band adjustment processing. Volume adjustment processing is processing that increases or decreases the volume of the input sound data. Frequency band adjustment processing is processing that emphasizes or weakens a specific frequency band in the input sound data. In particular, the audio processing unit 20 directs the listener's awareness toward the interfering sound by performing volume adjustment processing and frequency band adjustment processing on the interfering sound data individually or in combination. In addition, the processing used to direct the listener's awareness toward the interfering sound is not limited to volume adjustment processing and frequency band adjustment processing.

[0024] The reproduction control unit 30 uses a speaker as an audio reproduction unit to reproduce the sound data processed by the audio processing unit 20. Here, the reproduction control unit 30 can reproduce at least the disturbance sound data through the speaker.

[0025] Figure 2 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of an example of an audio control device 1 according to the first embodiment. The audio control device 1 includes, for example, a processor 101, a memory 102, a storage 103, an audio processing circuit 104, and a speaker 105 as hardware configurations. Figure 2 Hardware elements other than those shown. For example, the audio control device 1 may include a display device for displaying various images. Furthermore, the audio control device 1 may include a communication circuit for implementing communications. Furthermore, the audio control device 1 may include an operation interface such as buttons or a touch panel operated by the listener. Furthermore, the audio control device 1 may include a microphone for collecting sound from external sound sources and a camera for capturing external images.

[0026] Processor 101 controls the overall operation of audio control device 1. Processor 101 operates as sound acquisition unit 10 and audio processing unit 20 by, for example, executing audio control program 1031 stored in memory 103. Processor 101 is, for example, a CPU. Processor 101 may be an MPU, GPU, ASIC, FPGA, or the like. Processor 101 may be a single CPU or multiple CPUs. The operations of processor 101 are not limited to those described above.

[0027] The memory 102 includes a ROM and a RAM. The ROM is a nonvolatile memory. The ROM stores a startup program of the audio control device 1 and the like. The RAM is a volatile memory. The RAM is used as a working memory during processing in the processor 101, for example.

[0028] The storage 103 is a storage such as a flash memory, a hard disk drive, or a solid-state drive. The storage 103 stores various programs such as an audio control program 1031 to be executed by the processor 101. The storage 103 may also store interference sound data.

[0029] The audio processing circuit 104 is a circuit configured to operate as the audio processing unit 20 and the reproduction control unit 30 together with the processor 101 , perform audio processing on input audio data or select audio data that has already been audio processed, and reproduce the audio data through the speaker 105 .

[0030] The speaker 105 is one or more speakers for reproducing disturbance sound data.

[0031] Next, the operation of the audio control device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. Figure 3 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the audio control device 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 The actions are controlled by processor 101.

[0032] In step S1, the conditions in the space containing the system are identified, and information for determining whether to output a disturbing sound is collected. The execution mechanism of step S1 can be implemented by the processor 101 included in the system of the control device, or can be included in a mechanism outside the system.

[0033] In step S2, processor 101 determines whether it is necessary to output the disturbance sound. If it is determined in step S2 that the disturbance sound does not need to be output, the process proceeds to step S7. If it is determined in step S2 that the disturbance sound needs to be output, the process proceeds to step S3.

[0034] In step S3, processor 101 outputs the interference sound data to audio processing circuit 104, performs the processing of steps S4 and S5 on the interference sound data, and instructs audio processing circuit 104 to reproduce the interference sound data. In response, audio processing circuit 104 reproduces the target sound data through speaker 105. This processing is performed in step S6. If the interference sound has already been generated and stored in storage 103 or the like, the processing of steps S3, S4, and S5 is omitted.

[0035] In step S4, processor 101 outputs the interfering sound data to audio processing circuit 104. Processor 101 then performs volume adjustment processing on the interfering sound data via audio processing circuit 104. Audio processing circuit 104 performs volume adjustment processing on the interfering sound data, such as randomly increasing or decreasing the volume. People tend to perceive sounds with randomly varying volume as heterogeneous. Therefore, by varying the volume of the interfering sound, the listener's awareness can be directed toward the interfering sound. As a result, the listener becomes less aware of the target sound. In other words, the listener has difficulty hearing the target sound.

[0036] In step S5, processor 101 performs frequency band adjustment processing on the interfering sound data via audio processing circuit 104. Audio processing circuit 104 performs frequency band adjustment processing on the interfering sound data, for example, by emphasizing frequency bands close to those of the target sound data. For example, if the target sound is human speech, the frequency band of the interfering sound is emphasized so that the interfering sound also approximates the human voice, the target sound. This can direct the listener's awareness toward the interfering sound. As a result, the listener becomes less aware of the target sound. In other words, the listener has difficulty hearing the target sound.

[0037] In step S6 , the processor 101 instructs the audio processing circuit 104 to reproduce the disturbance sound data. In response, the audio processing circuit 104 reproduces the disturbance sound data from the speaker 105 .

[0038] In step S7, the processor 101 determines whether to end Figure 3 For example, when the listener indicates the end of the action by operating a button, etc., it is determined that the action is ended. Figure 3 In step S7, if it is not determined to be the end Figure 3 In the case of the action of, the processor 101 returns the process to step S2. In step S7, if it is determined that the Figure 3 In the case of an action, the processor 101 ends Figure 3 action.

[0039] As described above, in the first embodiment, audio processing is performed on an interfering sound that is different from the target sound that the listener is intended to hear, directing the user's attention to the interfering sound, thereby making the target sound less audible. The target sound and the interfering sound are then reproduced so that the listener can hear them simultaneously. Reproducing the interfering sound after such audio processing can more effectively suppress the listener's attention from the target sound that they are intended to hear, compared to simply reproducing the interfering sound.

[0040] Here, in Figure 3 In the example of , both volume adjustment processing and frequency band adjustment processing are implemented as audio processing. Figure 3 In the audio processing, only one of the volume adjustment processing and the frequency band adjustment processing may be implemented.

[0041] (Second embodiment)

[0042] Next, the second embodiment will be described. Here, the description of the same parts as the first embodiment will be omitted in the second embodiment. That is, in the second embodiment, the basic functional modules can also be applied. Figure 1 Functional modules shown. However, in the second embodiment, the audio processing unit 20 can implement sound image localization processing in addition to the volume adjustment processing and the frequency band adjustment processing. Sound image localization processing is a process of localizing the sound image in the surrounding space of the listener using a two-channel speaker. Through the sound image localization processing, the listener can have the illusion that the sound is heard from a direction different from the direction where the original speaker is located. The specific sound image localization processing is a process of convolving a filter calculated based on the head transfer function between the virtual sound source heard by the listener and the position of the two ears of the listener with the sound data to generate two-channel sound data. By reproducing such a data sound convolved with the filter from the two-channel speaker, sound image localization can be achieved.

[0043] Figure 4 1 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of an example of an audio control device 1 according to the second embodiment. The audio control device 1 according to the second embodiment includes, as a hardware configuration, a processor 101, a memory 102, a storage 103, an audio processing circuit 104, and speakers 105a and 105b for two or more channels. Here, similarly to the first embodiment, the audio control device 1 according to the second embodiment may also include Figure 4 Hardware elements other than those shown.

[0044] The configurations of the processor 101 , the memory 102 , and the storage 103 may be the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore, their description will be omitted.

[0045] The audio processing circuit 104 is a circuit configured to operate as the audio processing unit 20 and the reproduction control unit 30 in conjunction with the processor 101, perform audio processing on input sound data, and reproduce the processed sound data through the speakers 105a and 105b. The audio processing circuit 104 of the second embodiment is configured to perform sound image localization processing.

[0046] Speakers 105a and 105b are two-channel speakers for reproducing interference sound data. For example, speaker 105a can operate as a left speaker arranged to the left front of the listener, and speaker 105b can operate as a right speaker arranged to the right front of the listener.

[0047] Next, the operation of the audio control device 1 according to the second embodiment will be described. Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the audio control device 1 according to the second embodiment. Figure 5 The actions of are controlled by the processor 101. Figure 5 In the description of Figure 3 The description of the same processing is omitted as appropriate.

[0048] In step S11, the processor 101 identifies the conditions in the space containing the system and collects information for determining whether to output a disturbing sound. The mechanism for implementing step S11 may or may not be included in the system of the control device.

[0049] In step S12, processor 101 determines whether it is necessary to output the disturbance sound. If it is determined in step S12 that it is not necessary to output the disturbance sound, the process proceeds to step S18. If it is determined in step S12 that it is necessary to output the disturbance sound, the process proceeds to step S13.

[0050] In step S13 , the processor 101 generates disturbance sound data. For example, the processor 101 obtains the disturbance sound data from the storage 103 .

[0051] In step S14, the processor 101 outputs the disturbance sound data to the audio processing circuit 104. Then, the processor 101 performs volume adjustment processing on the disturbance sound data via the audio processing circuit 104.

[0052] In step S15 , the processor 101 performs frequency band adjustment processing on the interference sound data via the audio processing circuit 104 .

[0053] In step S16, the processor 101 performs sound image localization processing on the interference sound data via the audio processing circuit 104. The audio processing circuit 104 generates L-channel interference sound data and R-channel interference sound data by applying filters so that the speakers reproduce a sound equivalent to a virtual sound source at a predetermined position around the listener, for example, at the listener's left ear. In step S17, the audio processing circuit 104 reproduces the L-channel interference sound data from the speaker 105a and the R-channel interference sound data from the speaker 105b.

[0054] In step S18, the processor 101 determines whether to end Figure 5 In step S18, if it is not determined to be the end Figure 5 In the case of the action of, the processor 101 returns the process to step S12. In step S19, if it is determined that the Figure 5 In the case of an action, the processor 101 ends Figure 5 action.

[0055] As described above, in the second embodiment, as the processing performed on the disturbance sound, the sound image localization processing is performed. Figure 6 As shown, when speakers 105a and 105b emitting interfering sounds are located to the left and right of the front of the listener U, the listener U should hear the target sound from the target sound source X in the left ear while simultaneously hearing the interfering sound from the front. In contrast, by implementing sound image localization processing, the listener U experiences the illusion that the interfering sound is being heard from a virtual sound source A1 that is located at a different location than speakers 105a and 105b. As described above, in the second embodiment, the interfering sound is heard from directions that do not naturally produce interfering sound. This is intended to focus the listener's attention on the interfering sound, thereby enhancing the interfering effect.

[0056] Here, in Figure 5 In the example of , as audio processing, in addition to the sound image localization processing, both volume adjustment processing and frequency band adjustment processing are implemented. Figure 5 In addition to the sound localization processing, audio processing may include only volume adjustment processing or frequency band adjustment processing, or neither. Furthermore, interfering sound data that has undergone sound localization processing and interfering sound data that has not undergone sound localization processing may be mixed and reproduced simultaneously from speakers 105a and 105b. In this case, the listener U may experience the illusion of hearing the interfering sound from two directions.

[0057] (Third embodiment)

[0058] Next, the third embodiment will be described. Here, in the third embodiment, descriptions of the same parts as the first and second embodiments are omitted. That is, in the third embodiment, the basic functional modules can also be applied. Figure 1 However, in the third embodiment, the audio processing unit 20 can perform sound image localization processing and phase adjustment processing in addition to volume adjustment processing and frequency band adjustment processing. Phase adjustment processing is a process of changing the phase of sound. In addition, the hardware structure of the audio control device 1 of the third embodiment can basically be applied to Figure 4 However, the audio processing circuit 104 of the third embodiment is configured to be able to perform phase adjustment processing.

[0059] Next, the operation of the audio control device 1 according to the third embodiment will be described. Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the audio control device 1 according to the third embodiment. Figure 7 The actions of are controlled by the processor 101. Figure 7 In the description of Figure 3 or Figure 5 The description of the same processing is omitted as appropriate.

[0060] In step S21, the processor 101 identifies the conditions in the space containing the system and collects information for determining whether to output a disturbing sound. The mechanism for implementing step S21 may or may not be included in the system of the control device.

[0061] In step S22, the processor 101 determines whether it is necessary to output the disturbance sound. If it is determined in step S22 that the disturbance sound does not need to be output, the process proceeds to step S28. If it is determined in step S22 that the disturbance sound needs to be output, the process proceeds to step S23.

[0062] In step S23 , the processor 101 generates disturbance sound data. For example, the processor 101 obtains the disturbance sound data from the storage 103 .

[0063] In step S24, the processor 101 copies a plurality of interference sound data. The number of copied interference sound data can be any number.

[0064] In step S25, the processor 101 outputs the original interference sound data and the copied interference sound data to the audio processing circuit 104. The processor 101 then causes the audio processing circuit 104 to perform phase adjustment processing on each interference sound data item. The audio processing circuit 104 assigns different phases, i.e., reproduction time delays, to each of the copied interference sound data items. Preferably, the phase differences assigned to each interference sound data item are set so that the interference sound, virtually heard simultaneously by the listener, does not simply echo.

[0065] In step S26, the processor 101 performs different sound image localization processing on each interference sound data item via the audio processing circuit 104. The audio processing circuit 104 generates L-channel interference sound data and R-channel interference sound data for each interference sound item, so that each interference sound item is equivalent to a virtual sound source located at a different position. The positions of the virtual sound sources are preferably appropriate locations that are clearly identifiable as different directions. Then, in step S27, the audio processing circuit 104 mixes the L-channel sound data items and reproduces them from the speaker 105a, while reproducing the R-channel interference sound data items from the speaker 105b.

[0066] In step S28, the processor 101 determines whether to end Figure 7 In step S28, if it is not determined to be the end Figure 7 In the case of the action of, the processor 101 returns the process to step S22. In step S28, if it is determined that the Figure 7 In the case of an action, the processor 101 ends Figure 7 action.

[0067] As described above, in the third embodiment, as the processing performed on the disturbance sound, different phases are assigned to a plurality of disturbance sound data and sound image localization is performed in different localization directions. Figure 8 As shown, the listener U hears interfering sounds with gradually shifted reproduction timings simultaneously from virtual sound sources A1, A2, A3, and A4 that are virtually arranged in different directions around him. As a result, the listener is surrounded by sounds that are extremely difficult to hear, which can prevent him from hearing the content of the target sound from the target sound source X that he was originally supposed to hear. Figure 8 In [1], the number of virtual sound sources is 4. The number of virtual sound sources is not limited to 4.

[0068] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the volume adjustment process and the frequency band adjustment process may be performed on each disturbance sound data.

[0069] (Fourth embodiment)

[0070] Next, the fourth embodiment will be described. Here, the description of the same parts as the first to third embodiments will be omitted in the fourth embodiment. That is, in the fourth embodiment, the basic functional modules can also be applied. Figure 1 In addition, the hardware structure of the audio control device 1 of the fourth embodiment can basically be applied to Figure 4 The composition shown.

[0071] Next, the operation of the audio control device 1 according to the fourth embodiment will be described. Figure 9 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the audio control device 1 according to the fourth embodiment. Figure 9 The actions of are controlled by the processor 101. Figure 9 In the description of Figure 3 、 Figure 5 or Figure 7 The description of the same processing is omitted as appropriate.

[0072] In step S31, the processor 101 identifies the conditions in the space containing the system and collects information for determining whether to output a disturbing sound. The mechanism for implementing step S31 may or may not be included in the system of the control device.

[0073] In step S32, the processor 101 determines whether it is necessary to output the disturbance sound. If it is determined in step S32 that the disturbance sound does not need to be output, the process proceeds to step S37. If it is determined in step S32 that the disturbance sound needs to be output, the process proceeds to step S33.

[0074] In step S33 , the processor 101 generates disturbance sound data. For example, the processor 101 obtains the disturbance sound data from the storage 103 .

[0075] In step S34, the processor 101 changes the localization direction of the interference sound data. Specifically, it instructs the audio processing circuit 104 to change the filter applied for sound image localization processing. The filter is changed by continuously or randomly selecting filters corresponding to different localization directions along a predetermined trajectory.

[0076] In step S35, the processor 101 performs sound image localization processing based on the localization direction changed in step S34 on the interference sound data via the audio processing circuit 104. The audio processing circuit 104 generates L-channel interference sound data and R-channel interference sound data by applying the changed filter to the interference sound data. Then, in step S36, the audio processing circuit 104 reproduces the L-channel interference sound data from the speaker 105a and the R-channel interference sound data from the speaker 105b.

[0077] In step S37, the processor 101 determines whether to end Figure 9 In step S37, if it is not determined to be the end Figure 9 In the case of the action of, the processor 101 returns the process to step S32. In step S37, if it is determined that the Figure 9 In the case of an action, the processor 101 ends Figure 9 action.

[0078] As described above, in the fourth embodiment, as the processing performed on the disturbance sound, the sound image localization processing in different localization directions is sequentially performed on the same disturbance sound data. Figure 10 As shown, the following situation is created: the listener U is in the center of the space, where the sound source A1 moves back and forth around the listener along the trajectory O, which is rarely the case. Therefore, the listener U's awareness is more focused on the interfering sound, which can hinder the listener U from hearing the target sound from the target sound source X that the listener U is trying to listen to.

[0079] Here, in Figure 10 In the example, sound image localization processing is performed on a single disturbance sound data item. In contrast, in the fourth embodiment, sound image localization processing may be performed sequentially on a plurality of disturbance sound data items with different localization directions. In this case, the audio processing circuit 104 mixes the disturbance sound data items that have undergone sound image localization processing and reproduces them from the speakers 105a and 105b.

[0080] Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, the volume adjustment process and the frequency band adjustment process may be performed on each disturbance sound data.

[0081] (Fifth embodiment)

[0082] Next, the fifth embodiment will be described. Here, the description of the same parts as the first to fourth embodiments will be omitted in the fifth embodiment. That is, in the fifth embodiment, the basic functional modules can also be applied. Figure 1 In addition, the hardware structure of the audio control device 1 of the fifth embodiment can basically be applied to Figure 4 The configuration shown. However, in the fifth embodiment, speakers 105a and 105b serve as sound sources for reproducing counter-sound data rather than interfering sound data. Counter-sound data is data containing counter-sound information. This counter-sound does not interfere with the listening of the target sound, but rather aims to counteract the target sound and distract the listener from the content. For example, the counter-sound may include a message to alert the listener. Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, the sound acquisition unit 10 acquires counter-sound data instead of interfering sound data.

[0083] Next, the operation of the audio control device 1 according to the fifth embodiment will be described. Figure 11 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the audio control device 1 according to the fifth embodiment. Figure 11 The actions of are controlled by the processor 101. Figure 11 In the description of Figure 3 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 7 or Figure 9 The description of the same processing is omitted as appropriate.

[0084] In step S41, processor 101 identifies the conditions within the space containing the system and collects information used to determine whether a countermeasure sound should be output. The processor 101 identifies the conditions within the space containing the system and collects information used to determine whether a countermeasure sound should be output. The mechanism implementing step S41 may or may not be included in the system of this control device.

[0085] In step S42, processor 101 determines whether or not it is necessary to output a counter-sound. If it is not determined in step S42 that it is necessary to output a counter-sound, the process proceeds to step S47. If it is determined in step S42 that it is necessary to output a counter-sound, the process proceeds to step S43.

[0086] In step S43 , the processor 101 generates countermeasure sound data. For example, the processor 101 obtains the countermeasure sound data from the storage 103 .

[0087] In step S44, processor 101 changes the localization direction of the countermeasure sound data. Specifically, it instructs audio processing circuit 104 to change the filter applied for sound image localization. This filter change is performed by continuously or randomly selecting filters corresponding to different localization directions along a predetermined trajectory. Here, the countermeasure sound data is intended to make the listener listen to the content. Therefore, the amount of change in the localization direction of the countermeasure sound data is preferably smaller than the amount of change in the localization direction of the interference sound data.

[0088] In step S45, processor 101 uses audio processing circuit 104 to perform sound image localization processing on the countermeasure sound data based on the localization direction changed in step S44. Audio processing circuit 104 applies the changed filter to the countermeasure sound data to generate countermeasure sound data for the L channel and countermeasure sound data for the R channel. Then, in step S46, audio processing circuit 104 reproduces the countermeasure sound data for the L channel from speaker 105a and the countermeasure sound data for the R channel from speaker 105b.

[0089] In step S47, the processor 101 determines whether to end Figure 11In step S47, if it is not determined to be the end Figure 11 In the case of the action of, the processor 101 returns the process to step S42. In step S47, if it is determined that the Figure 11 In the case of an action, the processor 101 ends Figure 11 action.

[0090] As described above, in the fifth embodiment, as the processing performed on the countermeasure sound, the sound image localization processing in different localization directions is sequentially performed on the same countermeasure sound data. Figure 12 As shown, the following situation is created: the listener U is in the center of the space, where the opposing sound source a moves back and forth around the listener along the trajectory O, which is rarely the case. Therefore, the listener U's awareness is more focused on the interfering sound, and as a result, the listener U is prevented from hearing the target sound from the target sound source X that the listener U is trying to listen to.

[0091] In the fifth embodiment, volume adjustment and frequency band adjustment processing can also be performed on the countermeasure sound data. Furthermore, the countermeasure sound is intended to be heard by the listener U. Therefore, the countermeasure sound can be given directionality directed toward the listener U. For example, if there are three or more speakers, directionality can be imparted through regional sound pressure control that combines sound power control with phase delay control.

[0092] (Modification of the Fifth Embodiment)

[0093] Next, a modification of the fifth embodiment is described. In the fifth embodiment, an example is shown in which the sound image of the counter-sound data is localized and reproduced instead of the interference sound data. Figure 13 As shown, in addition to the counter-sound source a, the interfering sound source A1 can also be localized and reproduced. The sound image localization of the interfering sound source A1 can be performed by any of the methods described in the second to fourth embodiments. Figure 13 The example of sound image localization of the disturbance sound source A1 by the method described in Embodiment 4 is shown. By simultaneously reproducing the disturbance sound and the opposing sound, the effect of hindering the target sound from the target sound source X that the listener U is trying to listen to is further enhanced.

[0094] Here, the interfering sound is a sound that acts as noise to the listener U, and the opposing sound is a sound intended to be heard by the listener U. When the interfering sound and the opposing sound are reproduced simultaneously, there is a possibility that the interfering sound will hinder the hearing of the opposing sound. Therefore, in a modification of the fifth embodiment, it is more preferable to, for example, Figure 13As shown, directivity D is imparted toward the listener U. For example, if there are three or more speakers, directivity D is imparted by, for example, regional sound pressure control combining sound power control and phase delay control.

[0095] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are provided as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments or variations thereof are included within the scope and gist of the invention and are within the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An audio control device comprising: a sound acquisition unit that acquires interference sound data including information on an interference sound used as noise for interfering with a target sound being listened to by a listener; an audio processing unit that performs audio processing on the acquired interference sound data so as to interfere with listening to the target sound; as well as The reproduction control unit reproduces the disturbance sound data that has undergone the audio processing from an output device.

2. The audio control device according to claim 1, wherein The audio processing unit performs, as the audio processing, at least one of volume adjustment processing, frequency band adjustment processing, and sound image localization processing of the disturbance sound data.

3. The audio control device according to claim 1, wherein The audio processing unit is: Copying the interference sound data, Different phases are given to the plurality of disturbance sound data obtained by the replication, and sound image localization processing in different directions is performed.

4. The audio control device according to claim 1, wherein The audio processing unit sequentially performs sound image localization processing in different directions on the same interference sound data.

5. An audio control device comprising: a sound acquisition unit that acquires counter-sound data including content to be listened to by a listener as a countermeasure to a target sound; an audio processing unit for performing audio processing on the acquired counter-sound data so as to interfere with the listening of the object to which the listener is currently listening; as well as The reproduction control unit reproduces the countermeasure sound data that has undergone the audio processing from an output device. The audio control device according to claim 5 , wherein: The audio processing unit performs at least one of volume adjustment processing, frequency band adjustment processing, and sound image localization processing of the countermeasure sound data as the audio processing.

7. The audio control device according to claim 5, wherein: The audio processing unit further performs processing to impart directivity toward the listener to the countermeasure sound data.

8. An audio control device comprising: a sound acquisition unit configured to acquire interference sound data and counter-sound data, the interference sound data including information on an interference sound used as noise to interfere with a target sound currently being listened to by a listener, and the counter-sound data including content to be listened to by the listener as a countermeasure to the target sound; an audio processing unit that performs audio processing on the obtained interference sound data and the countermeasure sound data so as to interfere with the listening of the target sound; as well as The reproduction control unit reproduces the disturbance sound data and the countermeasure sound data that have undergone the audio processing from an output device.

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