Masking sound selection device, program, and selection method for masking sound
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- D & M HOLDINGS INC
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-17
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a masking technique for noises and background noises such as the sound of a car running, the sound of a factory operating, and the conversation of other people. [Background technology]
[0002] A masking effect is known that makes unpleasant noises and other disturbances (noises, etc.) such as the sound of a car running, the sound of a factory operating, other people's conversations, etc., difficult to hear by overlapping a sound (masking sound) with a frequency close to the frequency of the noise, etc. By outputting a masking sound that has a masking effect on surrounding noises, etc., the user can spend time in a relaxed state without worrying about the surrounding noises, etc. (Patent Document 1, Non-Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-57621 A [Non-patent literature]
[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] “Texel SAINT COLUMN: What is sound masking? Learn about its overview, effects, and use cases”, [online], Gifu Plastic Industry Co., Ltd., [Searched on April 11, 2023], Internet,<URL:http: / / teccell.co.jp / saint / column / sound-masking / > Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] Incidentally, a masking sound having a high masking effect differs depending on the type of noise, etc. It is very troublesome for a user to find a masking sound having a high masking effect according to the surrounding noise, etc.
[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of automatically selecting a masking sound having a high masking effect against surrounding noise and the like. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, information on masking sounds with high masking effects is preregistered for each noise type, the noise type of the ambient sound is identified based on the frequency characteristics of the audio data of the collected ambient sound, and a masking sound identified by the preregistered information linked to the identified noise type is selected as the masking sound to be superimposed on the ambient sound.
[0008] For example, the present invention provides A masking sound selection device for selecting a masking sound to be superimposed on an ambient sound, comprising: a masking sound information storage means for storing information on masking sounds for each noise type; A sound collecting means for collecting the ambient sound; a frequency characteristic analysis means for analyzing a frequency characteristic of audio data of the ambient sound collected by the sound collection means; and a masking sound selection means for identifying a noise type of the ambient sound based on the frequency characteristics analyzed by the frequency characteristic analysis means, and selecting a masking sound identified by information associated with the noise type and stored in the masking sound information storage means as a masking sound to be superimposed on the ambient sound. Effect of the Invention
[0009] In the present invention, the noise type of the ambient sound is identified based on the frequency characteristics of the audio data of the collected ambient sound, and a masking sound identified by pre-registered information linked to the identified noise type is selected. Therefore, according to the present invention, by pre-registering information about masking sounds with high masking effects for each noise type, a masking sound with high masking effect against ambient noise, etc. is automatically selected. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an audio system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the wireless speaker 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of registered contents in the masking sound information storage unit 15. As shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram for explaining the masking sound reproducing operation of the wireless speaker 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an audio system according to the present embodiment.
[0013] As shown in the figure, the audio system according to this embodiment includes a wireless speaker 1, a remote controller 2, and a media server 3 that distributes audio data including a masking sound.
[0014] The wireless speaker 1 and the remote controller 2 are connected to a network 4, such as a Wide Area Network (WAN) or a Local Area Network (LAN), via an access point 5. In addition, a media server 3 is connected to the network 4.
[0015] When the wireless speaker 1 receives a playback instruction specifying a song from the remote controller 2 via the access point 5, it accesses the media server 3 via the access point 5 and the network 4, downloads the audio data of the song specified in the playback instruction from the media server 3, and plays and outputs it. When the wireless speaker 1 receives an instruction to switch to relaxation mode from the remote controller 2 via the access point 5, it selects a masking sound that has a high masking effect against ambient sounds including noise and disturbances (noise, etc.). It then accesses the media server 3 via the access point 5 and the network 4, downloads the audio data of the selected masking sound from the media server 3, and plays and outputs it.
[0016] Next, the wireless speaker 1 constituting the audio system according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.
[0017] An existing wireless terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet PC (Personal Computer) can be used as the remote controller 2, and an existing media server that delivers requested audio data to a request source can be used as the media server 3. Therefore, detailed explanations of the remote controller 2 and the media server 3 are omitted.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the wireless speaker 1.
[0019] As shown in the figure, the wireless speaker 1 includes a wireless interface unit 10, an instruction receiving unit 11, an audio acquisition unit 12, an audio playback unit 13, an audio output unit 14, a masking sound information storage unit 15, a sound collection unit 16, a frequency characteristic analysis unit 17, and a masking sound selection unit 18.
[0020] The wireless interface unit 10 is an interface for connecting to the access point 5 .
[0021] The instruction receiving unit 11 receives various instructions from the remote controller 2 via the wireless interface unit 10 .
[0022] The audio acquisition unit 12 accesses the media server 3 via the wireless interface unit 10, and acquires, from the media server 3, audio data of a piece of music specified by the instruction receiving unit 11, or audio data of a masking sound specified by the masking sound selection unit 18.
[0023] The audio playback unit 13 plays back the audio data acquired by the audio acquisition unit 12 .
[0024] The audio output unit 14 outputs the audio data reproduced by the audio reproduction unit 13 from a built-in or external speaker (not shown).
[0025] The masking sound information storage unit 15 stores information about one or more masking sounds for each type of noise or the like (noise type) in association with the reproduction time period of the masking sound.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of registered contents in the masking sound information storage unit 15. As shown in FIG.
[0027] As shown in the figure, the masking sound information storage unit 15 stores a record 150 of masking sound information for each noise type. This record 150 has a field 151 in which the noise type is registered, and one or more fields in which the names of masking sounds having a high masking effect on noises belonging to this noise type are stored. In this embodiment, each record 150 has two fields 152, 153 in which the names of masking sounds are stored. One field 152 stores the name of a masking sound suitable for playing during the day (playback time period 5:00 to 18:00), and the other field 153 stores the name of a masking sound suitable for playing at night (playback time period 18:00 to 5:00). In this embodiment, a day is divided into two time periods (daytime and nighttime), and the names of masking sounds suitable for each time period are registered in record 150; however, a day may be divided into three or more time periods (morning, midday, evening, night, etc.), and the names of masking sounds suitable for each time period may be registered in record 150.
[0028] The sound collection unit 16 collects ambient sounds using a built-in or external microphone (not shown) in accordance with instructions from the masking sound selection unit 18 , and outputs audio data of the collected ambient sounds to the frequency characteristic analysis unit 17 .
[0029] The frequency characteristic analysis unit 17 analyzes the frequency characteristics of the audio data of the ambient sound collected by the sound collection unit 16. Here, when the audio playback unit 13 is playing back the audio data of the masking sound, the frequency characteristic analysis unit 17 extracts difference data between the audio data of the ambient sound collected by the sound collection unit 16 and the audio data of the masking sound being played back, and analyzes the frequency characteristics of the extracted difference data.
[0030] The masking sound selection unit 18 identifies the noise type to which the ambient sound belongs based on the frequency characteristics analyzed by the frequency characteristic analysis unit 17. For example, the masking sound selection unit 18 stores typical frequency characteristics of noises of each noise type stored in the masking sound information storage unit 15, and searches for a frequency characteristic that is most similar to the frequency characteristic analyzed by the frequency characteristic analysis unit 17 from among these frequency characteristics. Then, the masking sound selection unit 18 identifies the noise type associated with the searched frequency characteristic as the noise type of the ambient sound. The masking sound selection unit 18 also selects the name of the masking sound associated with the identified noise type of the ambient sound and the playback time period (daytime or nighttime) including the current time and stored in the masking sound information storage unit 15 as the name of the masking sound to be superimposed on the ambient sound. Then, the masking sound selection unit 18 notifies the audio acquisition unit 12 of the name of the selected masking sound and instructs the audio acquisition unit 12 to play the masking sound.
[0031] The functional configuration of the wireless speaker 1 shown in Fig. 2 may be realized in hardware by an integrated logic IC such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or may be realized in software by a computer such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor).Alternatively, it may be realized as a process by a CPU in a general-purpose computer such as a PC (Personal Computer) equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, an auxiliary storage device such as a flash memory or a hard disk drive, a wireless communication device such as a wireless LAN adapter, and an internal or external audio device (microphone, speaker), by the CPU loading a predetermined program from an auxiliary storage device onto the memory and executing it.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram for explaining the masking sound reproducing operation of the wireless speaker 1.
[0033] This flow is started when the instruction receiving unit 11 receives an instruction to switch to the relax mode from the remote controller 2 via the wireless interface unit 10.
[0034] First, the instruction receiving unit 11 instructs the audio acquisition unit 12 to transition to the relax mode. In response to this, if the audio playback unit 13 is playing back audio data of a song (YES in S100), the audio acquisition unit 12 stops the playback of the audio data of this song (S101) and then proceeds to S102. On the other hand, if the audio playback unit 13 is not playing back audio data of a song (NO in S100), the audio acquisition unit 12 immediately proceeds to S102.
[0035] Next, in S102, the instruction receiving unit 11 instructs the masking sound selection unit 18 to transition to the relaxation mode. In response to this, the masking sound selection unit 18 instructs the sound collection unit 16 to start collecting sound. In response to this, the sound collection unit 16 collects ambient sound (S102). Then, audio data of the collected ambient sound is passed to the frequency characteristic analysis unit 17.
[0036] Next, the frequency characteristic analysis unit 17 analyzes the frequency characteristics of the audio data of the ambient sound received from the sound collection unit 16 (S103), and passes the analysis result to the masking sound selection unit 18. In response to this, the masking sound selection unit 18 searches for a frequency characteristic that is most similar to the frequency characteristic received from the frequency characteristic analysis unit 17 from among typical frequency characteristics of noises etc. that are registered in advance for each noise type. Then, it identifies the noise type associated with the searched frequency characteristic as the noise type of the ambient sound (S104).
[0037] Next, the masking sound selection unit 18 selects the name of the masking sound stored in the masking sound information storage unit 15 in association with the identified noise type of the ambient sound and the playback time zone including the current time as the name of the masking sound to be superimposed on the ambient sound. Then, the audio acquisition unit 12 is notified of the selected name of the masking sound and instructed to play the masking sound. In response to this, the audio acquisition unit 12 accesses the media server 3 via the wireless interface unit 10 and acquires audio data of the masking sound with the name notified by the masking sound selection unit 18 from the media server 3 (S105). Then, the audio acquisition unit 12 outputs the acquired audio data of the masking sound to the audio playback unit 13.
[0038] Next, the audio reproducing unit 13 starts reproducing the audio data of the masking sound received from the audio acquiring unit 12, and outputs the masking sound from the audio output unit 14 (S106).
[0039] Thereafter, when a predetermined time (e.g., 5 minutes) has elapsed since the start of playback of the audio data of the masking sound (YES in S107), the masking sound selection unit 18 returns to S102. In the following S103, the frequency characteristic analysis unit 17 extracts difference data between the audio data of the ambient sound received from the sound collection unit 16 and the audio data of the masking sound being played by the audio playback unit 13, analyzes the frequency characteristics of the extracted difference data, and passes the analysis result to the masking sound selection unit 18.
[0040] One embodiment of the present invention has been described above.
[0041] In this embodiment, the noise type of the ambient sound is identified based on the frequency characteristics of the audio data of the collected ambient sound, and a masking sound with a name associated with the identified noise type is acquired from the media server 3 and played / output. Therefore, according to this embodiment, by registering in advance the names of masking sounds with high masking effects for each noise type, it is possible to automatically select and output a masking sound with a high masking effect against ambient noise, etc.
[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when audio data of a masking sound is being played back, differential data between the audio data of the collected ambient sound and the audio data of the masking sound being played back is extracted, and the noise type of the ambient sound is identified based on the frequency characteristics of the extracted differential data. Therefore, according to this embodiment, if the ambient noise, etc. changes while a masking sound is being played back, the masking sound being played back is automatically changed to a masking sound that has a high masking effect for the changed ambient noise, etc. Therefore, even if the ambient noise, etc. changes, a masking sound with a high masking effect can always be output.
[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the names of a plurality of masking sounds are stored for each noise type, each associated with a playback time period (daytime or nighttime), and the masking sounds with names associated with the ambient noise type and playback time period including the current time are acquired from the media server 3, and played and output. Therefore, the masking sounds can be changed according to the playback time period, and thus, for example, the masking sounds preferred for each time period can be automatically selected and output from among the masking sounds with a high masking effect against ambient noise.
[0044] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.
[0045] For example, in the above embodiment, the wireless speaker 1 acquires a masking sound having a name associated with a noise type of the ambient sound from the media server 3 and plays and outputs the masking sound. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A masking sound storage unit in which one or more masking sounds are stored may be provided in the wireless speaker 1, and the names of the masking sounds in the masking sound storage unit may be associated with noise types and registered in the masking sound information storage unit 15, so that the wireless speaker 1 reads out the masking sound having a name associated with a noise type of the ambient sound from the masking sound storage unit and plays and outputs the masking sound.
[0046] In the above embodiment, the wireless speaker 1 stores the names of a plurality of masking sounds for each noise type, each associated with a playback time period. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The wireless speaker 1 may select one of the names of the masking sounds associated with the noise type of the ambient sound, and play back and output the masking sound with the selected name.
[0047] For example, the name of a masking sound may be stored for each noise type in the masking sound information storage unit 15. In this case, the wireless speaker 1 reproduces and outputs one type of masking sound associated with the noise type of the ambient sound regardless of the time of day.
[0048] In addition, the masking sound information storage unit 15 may store a plurality of masking sound names for each noise type, each associated with the user's mental and physical state (active, calm, etc.), and the wireless speaker 1 may acquire the user's biological information from a wearable device having a function for measuring biological information including heart rate and blood pressure, identify the user's mental and physical state from the biological information, and reproduce and output a masking sound with a name associated with the noise type of the surrounding sound and the identified mental and physical state of the user. In this way, a masking sound that has a high masking effect against the surrounding noise and is suitable for the user's mental and physical state can be output from the wireless speaker 1. Here, the wearable device may be a wireless terminal (for example, a wireless terminal used as the remote controller 2).
[0049] In the above embodiment, the wireless speaker 1 collects the ambient sound, identifies the noise type of the ambient sound by analyzing the frequency characteristics of the collected sound data, and reproduces and outputs the audio data of the masking sound with a name associated with the identified noise type. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the remote controller 2 may collect the ambient sound, identify the noise type of the ambient sound by analyzing the frequency characteristics of the audio data of the ambient sound, and notify the wireless speaker 1 of a reproduction instruction that specifies the name of the masking sound associated with the noise type, or may obtain the audio data of the masking sound from the media server 3 or read it from the audio data of the masking sound registered in advance and transmit it to the wireless speaker 1, thereby causing the wireless speaker 1 to reproduce and output the masking sound.
[0050] 2 are provided in the remote controller 2 and are not necessary for the wireless speaker 1. Furthermore, the remote controller 2 is provided with a playback instruction unit that notifies the wireless speaker 1 of a playback instruction accompanied by the specification of the name of the masking sound, and a masking sound transmission unit that transmits audio data of the masking sound (audio data of the masking sound obtained from the media server 3, or audio data of the masking sound read out from audio data of the masking sound registered in advance) to the wireless speaker 1.
[0051] In addition, when the remote controller 2 is provided with a masking sound transmission unit together with the masking sound information storage unit 15, the sound collection unit 16, the frequency characteristic analysis unit 17, and the masking sound selection unit 18, during reproduction of the masking sound by the wireless speaker 1, the remote controller 2 collects the ambient sound after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of reproduction of the masking sound, extracts difference data between the audio data of the ambient sound and the audio data of the masking sound being reproduced and transmitted by the masking sound transmission unit to the wireless speaker 1, and identifies the noise type of the ambient sound based on the frequency characteristics of this difference data. Then, the remote controller 2 notifies the wireless speaker 1 of a reproduction instruction accompanied by the designation of the name of the masking sound associated with the identified noise type, or obtains the audio data of the masking sound associated with the identified noise type from the media server 3 or reads it from the audio data of the masking sound registered in advance and transmits it to the wireless speaker 1. This causes the wireless speaker 1 to reproduce and output a masking sound having a high masking effect against the changed ambient noise, etc. Therefore, even if the surrounding noise or the like changes while the masking sound is being reproduced by the wireless speaker 1, the masking sound that always has a high masking effect against the surrounding noise or the like can be reproduced and output by the wireless speaker 1.
[0052] Furthermore, the present invention can be widely applied to devices and systems that superimpose masking sound on ambient noise and the like. [Explanation of symbols]
[0053] 1: Wireless speaker 2: Remote controller 3: Media Server 4: Network 5: Access point 10: Wireless interface section 11: Instruction reception unit 12: Audio acquisition unit 13: Audio playback section 14: Audio output section 15: Masking sound information storage unit 16: Sound collection unit 17: Frequency characteristic analysis section 18: Masking sound selection section
Claims
1. A masking sound selection device for selecting a masking sound to be superimposed on an ambient sound, comprising: a masking sound information storage means for storing information on masking sounds for each noise type; A sound collecting means for collecting the ambient sound; a frequency characteristic analysis means for analyzing a frequency characteristic of audio data of the ambient sound collected by the sound collection means; a masking sound selection means for identifying a noise type of the ambient sound based on the frequency characteristics analyzed by the frequency characteristic analysis means, and selecting a masking sound identified by information associated with the noise type and stored in the masking sound information storage means as a masking sound to be superimposed on the ambient sound. A masking sound selection device comprising:
2. 2. The masking sound selection device according to claim 1, a reproducing means for reproducing audio data of the masking sound selected by the masking sound selecting means; and an output unit that outputs the audio data of the masking sound reproduced by the reproduction unit. A masking sound selection device comprising:
3. 3. The masking sound selection device according to claim 2, The frequency characteristic analysis means When the reproducing means is reproducing the masking sound, a frequency characteristic of difference data between the audio data of the ambient sound collected by the sound collecting means and the audio data of the masking sound being reproduced is analyzed. A masking sound selection device comprising:
4. 2. The masking sound selection device according to claim 1, The audio device further includes a reproduction instruction unit that issues a reproduction instruction to an audio device, the reproduction instruction including the designation of the masking sound selected by the masking sound selection unit. A masking sound selection device comprising:
5. 2. The masking sound selection device according to claim 1, The masking sound selecting means further includes a masking sound transmitting means for transmitting audio data of the masking sound selected by the masking sound selecting means to an audio device. A masking sound selection device comprising:
6. 6. The masking sound selection device according to claim 5, The frequency characteristic analysis means When the audio device is reproducing the audio data of the masking sound transmitted by the masking sound transmission means, a frequency characteristic of difference data between the audio data of the ambient sound collected by the sound collection means and the audio data of the masking sound being reproduced is analyzed. A masking sound selection device comprising:
7. 7. The masking sound selection device according to claim 1, The masking sound information storage means includes: For each noise type, information on multiple masking sounds is stored along with the time period when each was played. The masking sound selection means includes: A masking sound specified by information associated with the noise type of the ambient sound and a playback time period including the current time and stored in the masking sound information storage means is selected as a masking sound to be superimposed on the ambient sound. A masking sound selection device comprising:
8. 7. The masking sound selection device according to claim 1, Further comprising a biometric information acquisition means for acquiring biometric information of a user, The masking sound information storage means includes: Information about a plurality of masking sounds is stored for each noise type together with the user's mental and physical state, The masking sound selection means includes: A masking sound specified by information stored in the masking sound information storage means and associated with a noise type of the ambient sound and the mental and physical state of the user indicated by the bioinformation acquired by the bioinformation acquisition means is selected as a masking sound to be superimposed on the ambient sound. A masking sound selection device comprising:
9. A program for causing a computer to function as a masking sound selection device for selecting a masking sound to be superimposed on an ambient sound, comprising: a masking sound information storage means for storing information on masking sounds for each noise type; A sound collecting means for collecting the ambient sound; a frequency characteristic analysis means for analyzing a frequency characteristic of the audio data of the ambient sound collected by the sound collection means; and and causing the computer to function as a masking sound selection means that identifies a noise type of the ambient sound based on the frequency characteristics analyzed by the frequency characteristic analysis means, and selects a masking sound identified by information associated with the noise type and stored in the masking sound information storage means as a masking sound to be superimposed on the ambient sound. A program characterized by:
10. A method for selecting a masking sound to be superimposed on an ambient sound by a masking sound selection device, comprising: The masking sound selection device comprises: Collecting the ambient sound and analyzing frequency characteristics of audio data of the ambient sound; Identifying a noise type of the ambient sound based on the analyzed frequency characteristics; A masking sound specified by information registered in advance in association with the specified noise type is selected as a masking sound to be superimposed on the ambient sound. A method for selecting a masking sound, comprising: