Partition panel

Abstract

To enable control of sound image localization in a space partitioned by a partition panel.SOLUTION: A partition panel 100 is provided with a plurality of first sound emitting units 21 to 24. Each of the first sound emitting units 21 to 24 includes a flat speaker capable of controlling the radius of curvature of a sound emitting surface. Further, the partition panel 100 is arranged with second sound emitting units 31 and 32 composed of flat speakers. Then, the partition panel 100 includes a localization control unit that controls the sound image localization of a sound emitted from the plurality of sound emitting units by controlling the gain balance of a plurality of amplifiers that supply sound signals to the plurality of sound emitting units, or controls the sound image localization of the sound emitted from the plurality of sound emitting units by controlling the balance of a delay time in which the sound signals supplied to the plurality of sound emitting units is delayed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a partition panel that provides a user with a comfortable acoustic space. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for realizing an acoustic space that improves the confidentiality of conversations by using a simple partition panel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-91777 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the voice of the call partner is emitted to the user by a planar speaker in a space separated by a partition panel. Here, the voice emitted by the planar speaker reaches a wide area in the space separated by the partition panel. However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it is difficult to control the sound image position of the voice heard by the user in the space.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a technical means that enables control of sound image positioning in a space partitioned by partition panels. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a partition panel including a plurality of sound emitting sections arranged at different positions from each other, the plurality of sound emitting sections including a first sound emitting section whose directivity can be controlled and a second sound emitting section whose directivity is fixed, a localization control section that controls the sound image localization of the sound emitted from the first sound emitting section and the second sound emitting section by controlling the balance of the gain that amplifies and supplies a sound signal to the first sound emitting section and the second sound emitting section, and a masking sound control section that controls the level of the masking sound.

[0007] The present invention also provides a partition panel including a plurality of sound emitting sections arranged at different positions from each other, the plurality of sound emitting sections including a first sound emitting section whose directivity can be controlled and a second sound emitting section whose directivity is fixed, a localization control section that controls the sound image localization of the sound emitted from the first sound emitting section and the second sound emitting section by controlling the balance of the delay time for delaying and supplying a sound signal to the first sound emitting section and the second sound emitting section, and a masking sound control section that controls the level of a masking sound. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an audio device utilizing a partition panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a computer according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a first specific example of a first sound emitting portion in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of a movable speaker section in the first example. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an acoustic environment of the embodiment. [Figure 6] 13 is a plan view showing the configuration of a movable speaker section in a second specific example of the first sound emitting section in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a third specific example of the first sound emitting portion in the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the configuration of a movable speaker section in the third example. [Figure 9]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a fourth specific example of the first sound emitting portion in the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the configuration of a delay control speaker section in the fourth specific example. [Figure 11] 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration for sound image localization control in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first specific example of sound image localization control in the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second specific example of sound image localization control in the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a third specific example of sound image localization control in the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a side view showing the configuration of a partition panel according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing the configuration of a flat speaker according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] <Embodiment> 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an audio device 1 that uses a partition panel 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The audio device 1 includes the partition panel 100, which is formed by connecting a plurality of panels 101-105 that surround a conference booth 110, which is an acoustic space, a plurality of sound emitting units (in the illustrated example, first sound emitting units 21-24 and second sound emitting units 31 and 32) arranged on the partition panel 100, and a computer 60 as a control unit that controls the plurality of sound emitting units.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, partition panel 100 is formed by connecting rectangular panels 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105 of the same height in the width direction. Adjacent panels 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105 form right angles with each other in the width direction, and surround rectangular parallelepiped conference booth 110. Panels 101 and 105 are spaced apart from each other, and the gap between panels 101 and 105 serves as an entrance / exit 120 to conference booth 110.

[0012] A desk 130 is placed in the center of the floor of conference booth 110. Two sofas are also placed on the floor of conference booth 110, facing each other with desk 130 in between. One is sofa 141 with its back to panel 102, and the other is sofa 142 with its back to panel 104.

[0013] In this embodiment, a remote conference uses a display 10, four first sound emitting sections 21-24 with directivity controllable, two second sound emitting sections 31 and 32 with determined (or fixed) directivity, a plurality of sound collecting sections 41-44 (four in the illustrated example), a plurality of masker sound emitting sections 51 and 52 (two in the illustrated example), and a computer 60 such as a notebook PC.

[0014] The display 10 is a means for displaying an image of a call partner or the like in a remote conference, and is disposed at the upper center of the inner wall surface of the panel 103. The first sound emitting units 21 to 24 are means for emitting the voice of the call partner in a remote conference, and each includes a planar speaker capable of controlling the radius of curvature of the sound emitting surface. In this embodiment, each planar speaker of the first sound emitting units 21 to 24 is capable of controlling both the radius of curvature and the inclination of the sound emitting surface. In the illustrated example, the first sound emitting unit 21 is disposed at the upper center of the panel 101, and the first sound emitting unit 22 is disposed at the upper part of the panel 103 on the right side of the display 10, and each emits sound toward the left and right ears of a user sitting on a sofa 141. The first sound emitting unit 23 is disposed at the upper part of the panel 103 on the left side of the display 10, and the first sound emitting unit 24 is disposed at the upper center of the panel 105, and each emits sound toward the left and right ears of a user sitting on a sofa 142.

[0015] The second sound emitting units 31 and 32 are means for emitting the voice of the other party in a remote conference, similar to the first sound emitting units 21 to 24. In this embodiment, the second sound emitting units 31 and 32 are configured with planar speakers having strong directivity. In the illustrated example, the second sound emitting unit 31 is arranged on the inner wall of the panel 102 over substantially the entire area above the backrest of the sofa 141, and emits sound in the direction of the back of the head of the user sitting on the sofa 141. The second sound emitting unit 32 is arranged on the inner wall of the panel 104 over substantially the entire area above the backrest of the sofa 142, and emits sound in the direction of the back of the head of the user sitting on the sofa 142.

[0016] The sound collecting units 41 to 44 are composed of microphones and the like, and are arranged on the desk 130 in a remote conference, and function as means for collecting the voice of a user in the conference booth 110. The masking sound emitting units 51 and 52 are composed of speakers and the like, and are means for generating masking sounds that make it difficult to hear the leaking voice when the voice generated in the conference booth 110 leaks out of the conference booth 110. In this embodiment, the masking sound emitting units 51 and 52 are arranged at positions near the entrance 120 at the top of the panels 101 and 105, and emit masking sounds in the opposite direction to the direction toward the display 10, specifically toward the lower outside of the conference booth 110. In this embodiment, the display 10 not only displays an image of the other party, but also plays a role of guiding the user in the opposite direction to the direction in which the masking sound is emitted, thereby enhancing the masking effect.

[0017] 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the computer 60 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, an application program for remote conferences is installed in the computer 60. The computer 60 functions as a remote conference control unit 61 and a booth control unit 62 by executing this application program.

[0018] The remote conference control unit 61 is a means for connecting the computer 60 and the conference terminal of the other party via a network such as the Internet, and for controlling the two-way transmission of images and sounds between them.

[0019] The booth control unit 62 includes a display control unit 621, a call control unit 622, a position detection unit 623, a directivity control unit 624, a position control unit 625, and a masking sound control unit 626. The display control unit 621 is a means for acquiring an image from the conference terminal of the other party via the remote conference control unit 61 and displaying the image on the display 10. The call control unit 622 is a means for transmitting the user's voice collected by the sound collection units 41-44 to the conference terminal of the other party via the remote conference control unit 61, and for emitting the voice received from the conference terminal of the other party via the remote conference control unit 61 from the first sound emitting units 21-24 and the second sound emitting units 31 and 32.

[0020] The position detection unit 623 is a means for detecting the position of the user's head, which is a sound source, based on the level and phase of the sound collected by the sound collection units 41 to 44. The directivity control unit 624 is a means for controlling the directivity of the first sound emitting units 21 to 24 and the sound emission levels of the first sound emitting units 21 to 24 and the second sound emitting units 31 and 32, based on the user's head position detected by the position detection unit 623.

[0021] The localization control unit 625 is a means for controlling the sound image localization of the sound to be heard by the user when the sound of the other party is emitted by a plurality of sound emission units among the first sound emission units 21 to 24 and the second sound emission units 31 and 32. There are two modes of the control of the sound image localization. In the first mode, the localization control unit 625 controls the sound image localization of the sound emitted from the plurality of sound emission units by controlling the balance of the gain for amplifying and supplying the sound signal to the plurality of sound emission units. In the second mode, the localization control unit 625 controls the sound image localization of the sound emitted from the plurality of sound emission units by controlling the balance of the delay time for delaying and supplying the sound signal to the plurality of sound emission units. Only one of the first mode and the second mode may be executed, or both may be executed. The control of the sound image localization performed by the localization control unit 625 will be described in detail later with a specific example.

[0022] The masker sound control unit 626 is a means for measuring the background noise level in the conference booth 110 when no one is speaking using the sound collection units 41-44, and controlling the level of the masker sound emitted from the masker sound emission units 51 and 52 based on this background noise level.

[0023] Hereinafter, assuming a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system consisting of an X-axis extending from the panel 104 side to the panel 102 side in FIG. 1, a Y-axis extending from the panel 101 side to the panel 103 side, and a Z-axis perpendicular to a horizontal plane including the X-axis and Y-axis, directivity control of the first sound emitting sections 21-24, which are a first specific example of the first sound emitting section in this embodiment, will be described.

[0024] In this embodiment, the directivity control unit 624 generates directivity control information for controlling the directivity of the first sound emitting units 21-24 based on the user's head position detected by the position detection unit 623 so that the sound radiated from each sound emitting surface of the first sound emitting units 21-24 reaches the inside of the user's head region.

[0025] The directivity control information includes first tilt angle information, second tilt angle information, and curvature radius information. Here, the first tilt angle information and the second tilt angle information are information that respectively designates the tilt angle around the Z axis and the tilt angle around the X axis of each sound emitting surface of the first sound emitting units 21-24, and are tilt angle information for directing the normal at the center of each sound emitting surface to the center of the user's head. Moreover, the curvature radius information is information that designates the curvature radius of each sound emitting surface for converging the sound radiated from each sound emitting surface of the first sound emitting units 21-24 near the user's head. Based on the directivity control information provided to each of the first sound emitting units 21-24 from the directivity control unit 624, the first sound emitting units 21-24 control the tilt angle around the Z axis, the tilt angle around the X axis, and the curvature radius of each sound emitting surface, and allow the sound radiated from each sound emitting surface to reach the user's head.

[0026] When multiple users use the conference booth 110, the four first sound emitting units 21-24 share the responsibility of providing sound to the multiple users, and the two second sound emitting units 31 and 32 share the responsibility of providing sound to the multiple users.

[0027] For example, assume that a first user sits on the sofa 141, and a second user sits on the sofa 142. In this case, for example, the first sound emitting units 21 and 22 and the second sound emitting unit 31 provide sound to the first user, and the first sound emitting units 23 and 24 and the second sound emitting unit 32 provide sound to the second user. The directivity control unit 624 controls the directivity of the first sound emitting units 21 to 24 to allocate the provision of sound to the first user and the provision of sound to the second user. In addition, the directivity control unit 624 controls the output volume of the second sound emitting units 31 and 32 so that the sound emitted from the second sound emitting unit 31 mainly reaches the first user, and the sound emitted from the second sound emitting unit 32 mainly reaches the second user.

[0028] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a first sound emitting section 21 which is a first specific example of the first sound emitting section. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first sound emitting section 21 as seen from the X-axis direction. Although not shown in the figure, the other first sound emitting sections 22 to 24 have the same configuration as the first sound emitting section 21.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the first sound emitting unit 21 includes a first housing 211, a second housing 212, and a movable speaker unit 213. Here, the first housing 211 is a tray-shaped housing that houses the second housing 212, and is disposed on or embedded in the inner wall surface of the panel 101. The second housing 212 is a tray-shaped housing that houses the movable speaker unit 213, and is supported on the inner wall of the first housing 211 by two shafts 211Z extending in the Z-axis direction. The second housing 212 is rotatable around the shafts 211Z. The movable speaker unit 213 has a sound emitting surface of the first sound emitting unit 21, and is supported on the inner wall of the second housing 212 by two shafts 212X extending in the X-axis direction. The movable speaker unit 213 is rotatable around the shafts 212X.

[0030] 3, the first sound emitting section 211 has a first tilt control section 214 and a second tilt control section 215. In reality, the second tilt control section 215 is interposed between the first housing 211 and the second housing 212, but in FIG. 3, in order to prevent the drawing from becoming complicated, the second tilt control section 215 is illustrated on the opposite side of the first housing 211 to the second housing 212.

[0031] The first tilt control unit 214 is provided with first tilt angle information specifying the tilt angle of the sound emitting surface of the first sound emitting unit 21 about the axis 211Z from the directivity control unit 624. The first tilt control unit 214 has a built-in step motor, and rotates the second housing 212 with this step motor to tilt the sound emitting surface of the first sound emitting unit 21 about the axis 211Z by an angle indicated by the first tilt angle information.

[0032] The second tilt control unit 215 is provided with second tilt angle information specifying the tilt angle of the first sound emitting unit 21 about the axis 212X from the directivity control unit 624. The second tilt control unit 215 has a built-in step motor, and rotates the movable speaker unit 213 with this step motor, thereby tilting the sound emitting surface of the first sound emitting unit 21 about the axis 212X by an angle indicated by the second tilt angle information.

[0033] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the movable speaker unit 213. As shown in Fig. 4, the movable speaker unit 213 has a curvature radius control unit 216, a flexible planar speaker 217, and a plurality of support plates 218 protruding from the curvature radius control unit 216 and supporting the planar speaker 217.

[0034] The planar speaker 217 is a flexible, thin, flat speaker, for example, an electrostatic speaker.

[0035] The curvature radius control section 216 incorporates a plurality of step motors that drive the plurality of support plates 218. The curvature radius control section 216 also incorporates a memory, and this memory stores information relating to the protrusion lengths of the plurality of support plates 218 for realizing a cylindrical sound emitting surface having various radii of curvature in association with the radii of curvature.

[0036] The curvature radius control unit 216 is provided with curvature radius information specifying the curvature radius of the sound emitting surface of the first sound emitting unit 21, i.e., the sound emitting surface of the movable speaker unit 213, from the directivity control unit 624. The curvature radius control unit 216 reads information on the protruding length of the plurality of support plates 218 associated with the curvature radius information provided by the directivity control unit 624 from the memory, and controls the protruding length of the plurality of support plates 218 according to the information read from the memory. In this way, the sound emitting surface of the planar speaker 217 of the movable speaker unit 213 becomes a sound emitting surface with a curvature radius specified by the curvature radius information. As a result, the sound emitted from the sound emitting surface of the planar speaker 217 of the movable speaker unit 213 converges on the central axis of the cylindrical shape that is the sound emitting surface.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating an acoustic environment realized in the conference booth 110 in this embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the head of the user 71 is between the desk 130 and the second sound emitting unit 31. The position detection unit 623 detects the position of the user's head 71, which is a sound source, based on the sound collected by the sound collection units 41 to 44. The first sound emitting units 21 and 22 and the second sound emitting unit 31 emit the sound from the other party of the remote conference. At that time, the directivity control unit 624 controls the directivity of the first sound emitting units 21 and 22 and the output volume of the second sound emitting unit 31 based on the position of the head of the user 71 detected by the position detection unit 623. As a result of this control, the voice of the other party reaches the head area of ​​the user 71 from each cylindrical sound emitting surface of the first sound emitting units 21 and 22, and the voice from the other party also reaches the second sound emitting unit 31 as a plane wave.

[0038] As described above, according to this embodiment, the voice of the other party can be emitted to an optimal area (i.e., an area where the head of the user 71 is located) in the space partitioned by the partition panel 100. Therefore, leakage of the call voice to the outside of the space partitioned by the partition panel 100 can be prevented.

[0039] Various aspects are possible for the first sound emitting sections 21-24 of this embodiment. In a second specific example of the first sound emitting sections 21-24, the movable speaker section 213 (see FIG. 4) is replaced with a movable speaker section 213a shown in FIG. 6. In the first specific example, a flexible thin-plate-like flat speaker 217 is provided on the movable speaker section 213 (see FIG. 4). In contrast, in the second specific example, a flat speaker 217a' in which a plurality of narrow strip-like flat speakers 217a are connected in the width direction is provided on the movable speaker section 213a.

[0040] In this planar speaker 217a', the multiple rectangular planar speakers 217a have flat sound emitting surfaces and therefore function as planar sound sources that radiate plane waves. However, each planar speaker 217a constituting the planar speaker 217a' can rotate relative to the adjacent planar speakers 217a.

[0041] In an embodiment adopting the second specific example, the curvature radius control unit 216 controls the multiple planar speakers 217a, specifically, the position and inclination of the multiple planar speakers 217a, thereby controlling the directivity of the movable speaker unit 213a of the first sound emitting unit 21 as a whole.

[0042] More specifically, the curvature radius control unit 216 controls the protruding length of the multiple support plates 218 supporting the planar speaker 217a' based on the curvature radius information provided from the directivity control unit 624. As a result, the position and inclination of each sound emitting surface of the multiple planar speakers 217a are controlled, and each sound emitting surface of the multiple planar speakers 217a as a whole becomes a cylindrical sound emitting surface having a curvature radius indicated by the curvature radius information.

[0043] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of first sound emitting section 21b which is a third specific example of the first sound emitting section. In this third specific example, first sound emitting sections 21-24 which are the first specific example are replaced with the configuration shown in Fig. 7. In first sound emitting section 21b, movable speaker section 213 in first sound emitting section 21 which is the first specific example (see Fig. 4) is replaced with movable speaker section 213b shown in Fig. 7.

[0044] Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the configuration of the movable speaker unit 213b. As shown in Fig. 8, the movable speaker unit 213b has a third tilt control unit 216b, a plurality of rectangular flat speakers 217b, and a plurality of support plates 218b whose base ends are fixed to the third tilt control unit 216b and whose tips support the centers of the flat speakers 217b. The third tilt control unit 216b has built-in multiple step motors that tilt the flat speakers 217b around the support axes of the tips of the support plates 218b (around the Z axis in the illustrated example).

[0045] The third tilt control section 216b controls the plurality of planar speakers 217b, specifically, controls the tilt of each of the planar speakers 217b, thereby controlling the directivity of the movable speaker section 213b of the first sound emitting section as a whole.

[0046] The third tilt control unit 216b is provided with curvature radius information from the directivity control unit 624. The third tilt control unit 216b controls the tilt angles of the multiple planar speakers 217b about the Z axis based on this curvature radius information.

[0047] More specifically, the third tilt control unit 216b determines a line on which the sounds converge (hereinafter, for convenience, referred to as a convergence line) to be a line that is away from the center line of the sound emission surface of the central planar speaker 217b (a center line extending in the longitudinal direction of the planar speaker 217b) in the normal direction by the radius of curvature (i.e., the focal length) indicated by the radius of curvature information. The third tilt control unit 216b then controls the tilt angle of each planar speaker 217b around the Z axis so that the normals to the center lines of the sound emission surfaces of the other planar speakers 217b pass through this convergence line. In this way, all the sounds emitted from the multiple planar speakers 217b of the movable speaker unit 213b converge to the convergence line determined by the radius of curvature information.

[0048] In the third concrete example, since the sound emission surfaces of the planar speakers 217b are not cylindrical, if the same sound signal is provided to the planar speakers 217b, a phase difference may occur in the sound waves that reach the convergence line from each planar speaker 217b. Therefore, it is preferable to perform a delay process on the sound signal provided to each planar speaker 217a to compensate for such a phase difference.

[0049] 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a first sound emitting section 21c which is a fourth specific example of the first sound emitting section. In the first sound emitting section 21c, the movable speaker section 213 in the first sound emitting section 21 (see FIG. 4) of the first specific example is replaced with a delay control speaker section 213c shown in FIG.

[0050] Fig. 10 is a plan view showing the configuration of the delay control speaker unit 213c. As shown in Fig. 10, the delay control speaker unit 213c has a delay control unit 216c and a plurality of narrow, rectangular flat speakers 217c. Here, since the flat speaker 217c is narrow, the sound generated by the vibration of the sound emitting surface propagates in all directions around the center line of the sound emitting surface (the center line extending in the longitudinal direction of the rectangular flat speaker 217b). In other words, the narrow flat speaker 217c functions as a line sound source that radiates sound waves having a cylindrical wavefront to the surroundings.

[0051] The delay control section 216c controls the plurality of planar speakers 217c, specifically, controls the directivity of the delay control speaker section 213c of the first sound emitting section 21 as a whole by controlling the delay time of the sound signal provided to each of the planar speakers 217c.

[0052] The delay control unit 216c is provided with the radius of curvature information from the directivity control unit 624. The delay control unit 216c is a means for supplying a plurality of delayed sound signals obtained by delaying sound signals to be emitted to a plurality of planar speakers 217c, and is a means for controlling the delay time of each delayed sound signal so that the sounds emitted from the plurality of planar speakers 217c reach a convergence line determined by the radius of curvature information in phase.

[0053] More specifically, the delay control unit 216c determines a line that is a straight line that is a radius of curvature (i.e., focal length) indicated by the radius of curvature information in the normal direction from the center line of the sound emitting surface of the central planar speaker 217c among the multiple planar speakers 217c (a center line extending in the longitudinal direction of the planar speaker 217c) as a convergence line on which the sound converges. Then, the delay time of the delayed sound signal to be supplied to the central planar speaker 217c is set to a predetermined maximum value.

[0054] Next, for each planar speaker 217c other than the central planar speaker 217c, the delay control unit 216c calculates the path difference between the path from that planar speaker 217c to the convergence line and the path of the sound from the central planar speaker 217c to the convergence line, and calculates the delay time of the delayed sound signal to be supplied to that planar speaker 217c by subtracting the delay time of the path difference from the maximum delay time.

[0055] In this way, the delay control unit 216c obtains the delay time of the delayed sound signal to be supplied to each planar speaker 217c, and generates each delayed sound signal from the sound signal to be emitted. In this way, all sounds emitted from the multiple planar speakers 217c of the delay control speaker unit 213c converge to a convergence line determined by the curvature radius information.

[0056] Next, a specific example will be given to explain the control of sound image localization performed in this embodiment. Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a first specific example of the control for sound image localization in this embodiment. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing the aspect of sound image localization processing in the first specific example.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 12, in the first concrete example, the first sound emitting section 25 is arranged on the panel 102, inclined obliquely above the second sound emitting section 31. In addition, in the first concrete example, the first sound emitting section 26 is arranged on the panel 104, inclined obliquely above the second sound emitting section 32. These first sound emitting sections 25 and 26 are preferably speakers capable of directivity control, such as the above-mentioned flat speaker capable of controlling the radius of curvature of the sound emitting surface. In the first concrete example, the first sound emitting section 26 of the panel 104 and the second sound emitting section 31 of the panel 102 emit the voice of the other party to the user 71 sitting on the sofa 141. In addition, in the first concrete example, the first sound emitting section 25 of the panel 102 and the second sound emitting section 32 of the panel 104 emit the voice of the other party to the user 72 sitting on the sofa 142.

[0058] The panels 102 and 104 are supplied with a sound signal to be emitted from the D / A converter 61e of the computer 60 (see FIG. 1). Under the control of the localization control unit 625, the panel 102 delays the sound signal supplied from the D / A converter 61e by a delay time td1, amplifies it by a gain G1, and supplies it to the first sound emitting unit 25. Also, under the control of the localization control unit 625, the panel 102 delays the sound signal supplied from the D / A converter 61e by a delay time td2, amplifies it by a gain G2, and supplies it to the second sound emitting unit 31. Also, under the control of the localization control unit 625, the panel 104 delays the sound signal supplied from the D / A converter 61e by a delay time td3, amplifies it by a gain G3, and supplies it to the first sound emitting unit 26. Further, in the panel 104, under the control of the localization control section 625, the sound signal supplied from the D / A converter 61e is delayed by a delay time td4, amplified by a gain G4, and supplied to the second sound emitting section 32.

[0059] In this embodiment, the localization control unit 625 (see FIG. 2) controls the balance between the delay time td3 or gain G3 and the delay time td2 or gain G2 based on the sound image position of the sound heard by the user 71, and controls the balance between the delay time td1 or gain G1 and the delay time td4 or gain G4 based on the sound image position of the sound heard by the user 72.

[0060] Specifically, by making the gain G3 larger than the gain G2, the sound image position of the sound heard by the user 71 moves forward of the user 71. Also, by making the delay time td3 shorter than the delay time td2, the sound image position of the sound heard by the user 71 moves forward of the user 71. The same is true for the sound image position of the sound heard by the user 72, and depends on the relationship between the delay time td1 or the gain G1 and the delay time td4 or the gain G4.

[0061] 13 is a diagram showing a second specific example of the control of sound image localization performed in this embodiment. In this second specific example, a panel 106 forming a ceiling surface is provided above a user 71. A first sound emitting unit 27 is disposed across the boundary between this panel 106 and the panel 102 behind the user 71. The sound emitting surface of this first sound emitting unit 27 faces diagonally downward toward the head of the user 71.

[0062] In this embodiment, the first sound emitting unit 27 and the second sound emitting unit 31 emit the voice of the call partner to be heard by the user 71. In the second specific example, under the control of the localization control unit 625, the sound signal to be emitted is delayed by a delay time td6, amplified by a gain G6, and supplied to the first sound emitting unit 27. Also, in the second specific example, under the control of the localization control unit 625, the same sound signal is delayed by a delay time td2, amplified by a gain G2, and supplied to the second sound emitting unit 31.

[0063] In this embodiment, the computer 60 (see FIG. 1) controls the balance between the gains G6 and G2 or the balance between the delay times td6 and td2 to control the sound image localization of the sound heard by the user 71. Specifically, by making the gain G6 larger than the gain G2, the sound image position of the sound heard by the user 71 moves above the head of the user 71. Also, when the delay time td6 is made shorter than the delay time td2, the sound image position of the sound heard by the user 71 moves above the head of the user 71.

[0064] In this embodiment, three or more sound emitting units may be involved in the sound image localization. In a third specific example shown in FIG. 14, the first sound emitting unit 101 arranged on the panel 101, the first sound emitting unit 102 arranged on the panel 103, and the second sound emitting unit 31 arranged on the panel 102 emit the voice of the other party to be heard by the user 71. In the third specific example, under the control of the localization control unit 625, the sound signal to be emitted is delayed by a delay time td7, amplified by a gain G7, and supplied to the first sound emitting unit 21. Also, under the control of the localization control unit 625, the same sound signal is delayed by a delay time td8, amplified by a gain G8, and supplied to the first sound emitting unit 22. Also, under the control of the localization control unit 625, the same sound signal is delayed by a delay time td2, amplified by a gain G2, and supplied to the second sound emitting unit 31.

[0065] In this embodiment, the localization control unit 625 (see FIG. 1) of the computer 60 controls the balance of the gains G7, G2, and G8 or the balance of the delay times td7, td2, and td8, thereby controlling the sound image localization of the sound heard by the user 71. Specifically, when the gain G2 is smaller than the gain G8 and the gain G7 is smaller than the gain G2, the sound image position of the sound heard by the user 71 moves toward the display 10. Also, when the delay time td2 is shorter than the delay time td7 and the delay time td8 is shorter than the delay time td2, the sound image position of the sound heard by the user 71 moves toward the display 10.

[0066] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to control the sound image localization of the sound heard by the user by controlling the multiple sound emitting units arranged on the partition panel 100. Therefore, in a remote conference, sound can be reproduced with a sound image localization that is comfortable for the user.

[0067] <Other embodiments> Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention may have other embodiments, for example as follows.

[0068] (1) Figure 15 is a side view showing the configuration of a partition panel 100d according to another embodiment of the present invention. The partition panel 100d according to this embodiment is formed by connecting panels 101d to 105d shown in Figure 15 in the width direction so that adjacent panels form a right angle with each other.

[0069] Each of the panels 101d to 105d is provided with a panel control unit 160 and intra-panel wiring 170. The intra-panel wiring 170 may be a single wire or multiple wires. The intra-panel wiring 170 of the panels 101d to 105d is connected to each other by connecting the panels 101d to 105d with connectors provided on each of the panels. Furthermore, the panel control units 160 of the panels 101d to 105d are connected to the panel control units 160 of the other panels via the intra-panel wiring 170.

[0070] On each of the panels 101d to 105d, for example, one or more of the first sound emitting sections 21 to 24, the second sound emitting sections 31 and 32, and the display 10 in the above embodiment are arranged. The panel control section 160 of the panels 101d to 105d controls the devices arranged on each panel. That is, the panel control section 160 of the panel on which the first sound emitting section is arranged functions as a first panel control section that controls the first sound emitting section. Also, the panel control section 160 of the panel on which the second sound emitting section is arranged functions as a second panel control section that controls the second sound emitting section.

[0071] In this embodiment, the panel controllers 160 and the intra-panel wiring 170 of the panels 101d to 105d are connected to each other via connectors provided on the panels 101d to 105d, thereby forming a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0072] Here, one of the panel control units 160 of the panels 101d to 105d functions as a master control unit, and the others function as slave control units. The panel control unit 160 serving as the master control unit is connected to the computer 60 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1) and supplies sound signals and various control information to the panel control unit 160 serving as the slave control unit via the wiring 170 within the panel.

[0073] 1 is connected to the panel control unit 160 of the panel 103d. When the computer 60 sends directivity control information to the first sound emitting unit 21, the panel control unit 160 of the panel 103d, which is the master control unit, receives the directivity control information from the computer 60 and sends it to the panel control unit 160 of the panel 101d, which is the slave control unit. Then, the panel control unit 160 of the panel 101d controls the directivity of the first sound emitting unit 21 based on the received directivity control information.

[0074] In this embodiment, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned embodiment can be obtained. Moreover, according to this embodiment, panel control units 160 of panels 101d to 105d control the devices arranged on each panel, which has the advantage of reducing the control load on computer 60 (see FIG. 1).

[0075] (2) The number of first sound emitting sections and the number of second sound emitting sections provided on the partition panel are arbitrary.

[0076] (3) In the above embodiment, the partition panel is made up of five panels, but the number of panels constituting the partition panel is also arbitrary.

[0077] (4) In the fourth specific example of the first sound emitting unit, the convergence line on which the sound radiated from the delay control speaker unit 213c converges is positioned in the normal direction of the sound emitting surface of the center one of the multiple planar speakers 217c, but the convergence line may be positioned in a direction tilted from this normal direction by processing of the delay control unit 216c. In this case, the first tilt control unit 214 in FIG. 9 may be omitted.

[0078] (5) The first sound emitting section disposed on the partition panel 100 may be configured to be rotatable within a plane parallel to the wall surface of the panel. In this case, the convergence line along which the sound radiated from the sound emitting surface of the first sound emitting section converges can be rotated, which has the effect of increasing the degree of freedom in controlling the directionality of the first sound emitting section.

[0079] (6) Each panel constituting the partition panel may be configured to facilitate attachment of the first sound emitting section or the second sound emitting section. For example, a first engagement section such as a protrusion is provided on the back surface of the first sound emitting section or the second sound emitting section. Then, a second engagement section that engages with the first engagement section is provided on each panel constituting the partition panel, and the first sound emitting section or the second sound emitting section is attached to the panel by engaging the first engagement section with the second engagement section. In this case, it is preferable to configure the panel so that the attachment mode of the first sound emitting section or the second sound emitting section to the panel can be easily changed. For example, the panel is provided with a rail that accommodates the protrusion of the first sound emitting section or the second sound emitting section and supports the first sound emitting section or the second sound emitting section. According to this aspect, after the first sound emitting section or the second sound emitting section is attached to the panel, it is possible to slide the first sound emitting section or the second sound emitting section along the rail of the panel. Therefore, it is possible to easily control the directionality of the first sound emitting section or the second sound emitting section.

[0080] (7) In the above embodiment, the directivity control unit 624 automatically controlled the directivity of the first sound emitting units 21-24, etc., based on the detection result of the user's head position by the position detection unit 623. However, instead of doing so, the directivity of the first sound emitting units 21-24, etc. may be manually controlled by manually controlling the inclination of the planar speaker, for example.

[0081] (8) The partition panel 100 may be provided with a means for automatically controlling the volume and frequency characteristics of the multiple speakers that constitute the first sound emitting sections 21 to 24 etc. and the second sound emitting sections 31 and 32.

[0082] (9) In the above embodiment, the position detection unit 623 detects the head position of the user based on the sound collected by the sound collection units 41 to 44. However, instead of doing so, the position detection unit 623 may detect the head position of the user by capturing an image of the user with a camera and performing recognition processing on the captured image.

[0083] (10) A ceiling panel may be provided on the partition panel 100, and a sound emitting section also having a sound collecting function may be disposed on the inner wall of the ceiling panel. As such a sound emitting section also having a sound collecting function, a flat speaker 140 shown in FIG. 16 may be used.

[0084] 16, planar speaker 140 has fixed electrodes 141 and 142, each of which is a thin plate having electrical conductivity, and diaphragm 143. Here, spacers 144 made of an insulating material are sandwiched between fixed electrode 141 and diaphragm 143 and between fixed electrode 142 and diaphragm 143, so that fixed electrode 141, diaphragm 143, and fixed electrode 142 are kept spaced apart from each other.

[0085] The fixed electrodes 141 and 142 are connected to both ends of a secondary coil 152 of a transformer 150. The diaphragm 143 is connected to the midpoint of the secondary coil 152 via a DC power supply 153.

[0086] The transformer 150 has primary coils 151a and 151b. A sound signal indicating the voice waveform of the other party is given to the primary coil 151a. As a result, an AC voltage corresponding to the sound signal is generated in the secondary coil 152. Here, when the polarity of the AC voltage generated in the secondary coil 152 is positive, the electric field strength from the diaphragm 143 toward the fixed electrode 141 decreases, and the electric field strength from the diaphragm 143 toward the fixed electrode 142 increases, so that the diaphragm 143 moves toward the fixed electrode 142. When the polarity of the AC voltage generated in the secondary coil 152 is negative, the electric field strength from the diaphragm 143 toward the fixed electrode 141 increases, and the electric field strength from the diaphragm 143 toward the fixed electrode 142 decreases, so that the diaphragm 143 moves toward the fixed electrode 141. Therefore, the diaphragm 143 vibrates in response to the sound signal, and a plane wave is emitted in the normal direction of the plate surface of the diaphragm 143.

[0087] When an external sound vibrates diaphragm 143, an AC voltage corresponding to the vibration of diaphragm 143 is generated between fixed electrodes 141 and 142, and an AC voltage corresponding to this AC voltage is generated in primary coil 151b. Subtraction unit 155 subtracts the sound signal provided to primary coil 151a from the AC voltage generated in primary coil 151b, and supplies the sound signal resulting from the subtraction to computer 60 as the sound collection result.

[0088] (11) In the above embodiment, the sound collection units 41 to 44 may be connected to the computer 60 by cables, and the sound collection units 41 to 44 may be moved to the vicinity of the user by pulling the cables.

[0089] (12) The planar speaker constituting the second sound emitting units 31 and 32 may be divided into two, and sounds may be radiated from the two divided planar speakers in opposite phases. Also, any of the sound collecting units 41 to 44 may be disposed between the two divided planar speakers. The inner wall of the panel may be sound-absorbing.

[0090] (13) The first sound radiating sections 21 to 24 or the second sound radiating sections 31 and 32 may be made detachable from the partition panel 100 so that they can be powered wirelessly.

[0091] (14) Although the partition panel 100 in the above embodiment had a free-standing screen shape, the acoustic device 1 in the above embodiment may be constructed by installing each panel that constitutes the partition panel 100 on the inner wall of a frame that encloses the acoustic space.

[0092] (15) The first sound emitting units 21 to 24 or the second sound emitting units 31 and 32 may emit a mixed sound of the voice of the other party and a masking sound.

[0093] (16) In the above embodiment, the display 10 serves to guide the user in the direction opposite to the direction in which the masker sound is emitted. However, this function may be fulfilled by means other than the display 10, for example, a whiteboard.

[0094] (17) In the above embodiment, the flat speaker is installed only facing the inside of the partition panel, but it may be installed facing the outside to reproduce the masking sound. In that case, three configurations are possible.

[0095] In the first mode, when there is only one space surrounded by the partition panel, planar speakers are arranged on the rear surfaces of the first sound emitting parts 21-24 and the second sound emitting parts 31 and 32, and masking sounds are reproduced by these planar speakers. This increases the secrecy of conversations in the space.

[0096] In the second embodiment, multiple spaces surrounded by partition panels are connected in the X-axis direction in Fig. 1, and a flat speaker is placed behind the second sound emitting units 31 and 32, i.e., at the positions of the second sound emitting units 31 and 32 for the adjacent spaces, and the voice of the remote conference call partner in the adjacent space is mixed and played back with the above-mentioned masking sound. This makes it possible to increase secrecy between adjacent booths while functioning as both a speaker that plays back the voice of the remote conference call partner and a speaker that plays back the masking sound.

[0097] In the third embodiment, the partition panel is made up of a single panel that has flat speakers on both sides and moves independently using legs. In this case, the flat speaker on the side where the user is present plays the voice of the remote conference call partner, and the flat speaker on the opposite side plays a masking sound. This provides a space where conversations can be held more easily and confidentially than in a booth.

[0098] In the third embodiment, the planar speaker that reproduces the voice of the remote conference call partner may not be necessary. Also, the display or whiteboard surface may be placed on the surface opposite to the surface on which the planar speaker that reproduces the masking sound is placed. In this way, by simply distributing the freestanding panels randomly in an open space, the speaker can be naturally guided to the position opposite the planar speaker that reproduces the masking sound. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 100, 100d: partition panel, 101-105, 101d-105d: panel, 110: conference booth, 120: entrance / exit, 130: desk, 141, 142: sofa, 10: display, 21-27: first sound emission section, 31, 32: second sound emission section, 41-44: sound collection section, 51, 52: masker sound emission section, 60: computer, 61: remote conference control section, 62: booth interior control section, 621: display control section, 622: call control section, 623: position detection section, 624: directivity control section, 625: localization control section, 626: masker sound control section, 71, 72: user, 211: first housing, 212: second housing , 213, 213a, 213b... movable speaker unit, 216... radius of curvature control unit, 216b... third tilt control unit, 217, 217a, 217a', 217b... planar speaker, 213c... delay control speaker unit, 216c... delay control unit, 218... support plate, 211Z, 212X... axis, 160, 162e, 164e... panel control unit, 170... wiring inside the panel, 61e... D / A converter, 140... planar speaker, 141, 142... fixed electrode, 143... diaphragm, 144... spacer, 150... transformer, 151a, 151b... primary coil, 152... secondary coil, 153... DC power supply, 155... subtraction unit.

Claims

1. A plurality of sound emitting units arranged at different positions from each other, the plurality of sound emitting units including a first sound emitting unit capable of controlling directivity and a second sound emitting unit having a fixed directivity; a localization control unit that controls a balance of gains for amplifying and supplying sound signals to the first sound emitting unit and the second sound emitting unit to control a sound image localization of the sounds emitted from the first sound emitting unit and the second sound emitting unit; a masker sound control unit for controlling a level of the masker sound; Partition panels included.

2. A plurality of sound emitting units arranged at different positions from each other, the plurality of sound emitting units including a first sound emitting unit capable of controlling directivity and a second sound emitting unit having a fixed directivity; a localization control unit that controls a balance of delay times for delaying and supplying sound signals to the first sound emitting unit and the second sound emitting unit to control a sound image localization of the sounds emitted from the first sound emitting unit and the second sound emitting unit; a masker sound control unit for controlling a level of the masker sound; Partition panels included.

3. The partition panel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the masking sound control section controls a level of the masking sound based on a background noise level.

4. The partition panel according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a masker sound emitting portion that emits the masker sound.

5. Old claim 3 The partition panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first sound emitting portion includes a flat speaker having a sound emitting surface with a controllable radius of curvature.

6. Old claim 4 The partition panel according to claim 5 , wherein the directivity of the first sound emitting portion is controlled by controlling a radius of curvature and an inclination of a sound emitting surface of the flat speaker.

7. Old claim 5 The partition panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first sound emitting portion is composed of a plurality of planar speakers.

8. Old claim 6 The partition panel according to claim 7 , wherein the first sound emitting portion has a directivity as a whole controlled by controlling the plurality of planar speakers.

9. Old claim 7 The partition panel according to claim 8 , wherein the first sound emitting portion has a directivity as a whole controlled by controlling an inclination of the sound emitting surfaces of the plurality of flat speakers.

10. Old claim 8 The partition panel according to claim 8 , wherein the first sound emitting portion has a directivity as a whole that is controlled by controlling positions and inclinations of the plurality of planar speakers.

11. Old claim 9 The first sound emitting section has an overall directivity controlled by controlling a delay time for delaying each sound signal that drives the plurality of planar speakers. A partition panel according to any one of claims 8 to 10.

12. Old claim 10 a position detection unit that detects a head position of a user; a directivity control unit that controls a directivity of the first sound emitting unit based on a detection result of the head position of the user; The partition panel according to any one of claims 6, 8 to 11, comprising:

13. Old claim 11 The partition panel according to claim 12 , wherein the position detection unit picks up a voice uttered by the user and detects the head position based on the picked up voice.

14. Old claim 12 The partition panel according to claim 12 , wherein the position detection unit detects the head position by capturing an image of the user with a camera and performing recognition processing on the captured image.

15. Old claim 13 The partition panel according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the second sound emitting portion is a flat speaker that emits sound in the direction of the back of the user's head.

16. Old claim 14 The partition panel is formed by connecting a plurality of panels, The positioning control unit includes a panel control unit arranged on a panel in which the first sound emitting unit is arranged, and the panel control unit controls the first sound emitting unit. A partition panel described in any one of claims 1 to 14.

17. Old claim 15 The partition panel is formed by connecting a plurality of panels, The partition panel according to claim 15, wherein the localization control section includes a panel control section arranged on a panel on which the second sound emitting section is arranged, and the panel control section controls the second sound emitting section.

18. Old claim 16 A partition panel formed by connecting a plurality of panels that enclose an acoustic space; A plurality of sound emitting units are arranged on the partition panel, the sound emitting units including a first sound emitting unit whose directivity is controllable and a second sound emitting unit whose directivity is fixed; A control unit that controls the plurality of sound emitting units; a masker sound control unit for controlling a level of the masker sound; Including, The control unit is an acoustic device that includes a localization control unit that controls the sound image localization of the sound emitted from the first sound emitting unit and the second sound emitting unit by controlling the balance of gains that amplify and supply sound signals to the first sound emitting unit and the second sound emitting unit.

19. Old claim 17 A partition panel formed by connecting a plurality of panels that enclose an acoustic space; A plurality of sound emitting units are arranged on the partition panel, the sound emitting units including a first sound emitting unit whose directivity is controllable and a second sound emitting unit whose directivity is fixed; A control unit that controls the plurality of sound emitting units; a masker sound control unit for controlling a level of the masker sound; Including, The control unit controls the balance of the delay time for delaying and supplying a sound signal to the first sound emitting unit and the second sound emitting unit, thereby controlling the sound image localization of the sound emitted from the first sound emitting unit and the second sound emitting unit.

Images