Inaudible sound delivery method and system

Abstract

To provide a method and a system for distributing inaudible sounds that distributes inaudible sounds of extremely low frequencies (for example, less than 20 Hz) and considers the user's reaction to the inaudible sounds on the basis of the distribution history.SOLUTION: An audible sound is created from an inaudible sound, and both the inaudible and audible sounds are sent to a user. Alternatively, an inaudible sound is created from an audible sound, and both the audible and inaudible sounds are sent to the user. The user registers attributes including age and gender in advance, and the system compiles and analyzes the listening situation including the impressions received from the user. The results of this analysis are used as a clue to know the user's reaction to inaudible sounds of ultra-low frequency.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and system for distributing inaudible sounds that distribute inaudible sounds of ultra-low frequencies below 20 Hz and that consider users' reactions to the inaudible sounds based on the distribution history. [Background technology]

[0002] The human ear cannot hear the so-called inaudible vibrations of extremely low and extremely high frequencies as sound. Ultra-high frequencies are positively evaluated, and some say they are effective in activating the brain. Patent Document 1 discloses an invention of an inaudible sound generator that provides high quality sound by adding inaudible sounds of 35 kHz or higher to normal music. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-167682 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2023-27416 A [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] "Research trends in infrasound perception in Europe" (Yokoyama Sakae, Kobayashi Chihiro, Yamamoto Kohei) [Retrieved October 23, 2023], Internet<URL:https: / / www.jstage.jst.go.jp / article / jasj / 77 / 12 / 77_772 / _article / -char / ja / > Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] On the other hand, infrasonic waves have been problematic due to low-frequency noise and there has been much talk about the undesirable effects that low-frequency waves can have on the body. To begin with, the mechanism of perception of infrasound below 20 Hz has not been clarified. Under these circumstances, research on perception of infrasound is progressing both in Japan and overseas (Non-Patent Document 1). In addition, research has recently been conducted on the positive effects of infrasound on dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Thus, although extremely low frequencies have their disadvantages, just like extremely high frequencies, their advantages are also not to be overlooked.

[0006] To begin with, humans tend to underestimate what they cannot see, hear, or touch, as if it does not exist. For this reason, there is little interest in infrasonic waves, which cannot be detected by normal human hearing, and it can be said that it is an unknown world to most ordinary people, except for researchers. However, the unknown also gives rise to hope for certain possibilities. As a member of the music industry, I myself have been interested in studying infrasonics, because some pipe organs in medieval churches in Europe had keys that could produce sounds below 20Hz, and Bach had two pieces with 16Hz sounds on the score. By the way, standard CDs today tend to cut inaudible sounds, but if you play inaudible sounds without cutting them, the sound becomes much richer. For this reason alone, I hope that interest in infrasonics will spread.

[0007] The present invention does not consider the mechanism of how extremely low frequency waves affect the human body or mind. The objective of the present invention is to propose a method and system that will make extremely low frequency waves familiar to people and arouse widespread interest in them.

[0008] In addition, the present inventor has proposed a voice processing in Patent Document 2 (JP Patent Publication 2023-27416) that creates a fusion sound of inaudible and audible sounds, or masks audible sounds with inaudible sounds. However, in Patent Document 2, inaudible sounds are always applied to audible sounds, so inaudible sounds are not delivered to humans alone, and inaudible sounds are not converted to create audible sounds. In addition, even if it is true that "sound quality is clear" and "the low-frequency sounds contained in the natural sounds of power spots shake the body, and listening to natural sounds leads to emotion," this is merely an assertion made by the party providing the voice. Therefore, the present invention also aims to obtain clues to infer the reaction of the person receiving the voice. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A first inaudible sound delivery method for solving the problems of the present invention includes: When transmitting an inaudible sound to a user, only the inaudible sound is transmitted, an audible sound obtained by converting the inaudible sound is simultaneously transmitted, or a composite sound obtained by superimposing the inaudible sound on the inaudible sound is transmitted. In other words, audible sounds are basically created from inaudible sounds. In the following embodiment, vibration data collected at so-called power spots is used as inaudible sounds, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0010] A second inaudible sound delivery method for solving the problem of the present invention includes: The method is characterized in that it converts audible voice data into inaudible sound, and transmits the audible sound and the converted inaudible sound to the user.

[0011] In the second inaudible sound distribution method, when converting the same audible sound into inaudible sound, multiple inaudible sounds may be created by converting the sound into inaudible sound in different low-frequency ranges. Since the low-frequency range of the converted inaudible sound varies depending on the user, the low-frequency range preferred by the user can be estimated based on the number of times the sound has been downloaded or streamed (the cumulative number of times, the average number of times, etc.).

[0012] In any of the above inaudible sound distribution methods, it is preferable that the user registers attributes including age and sex in advance, and the server has a function of collecting and analyzing the listening conditions including impressions received from the users. Effect of the Invention

[0013] This makes it possible for people who are interested in power spots to experience the atmosphere of power spots without having to go to the location. It is possible to provide high-quality music to people who feel dissatisfied with CDs or streamed music that cannot reproduce inaudible sounds. The present invention, which thus provides users with the enjoyment of sound, also serves as a platform for cheaply, easily and widely collecting information for analyzing how inaudible sounds are perceived by users. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a voice information database according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a data structure of a user information database according to the first embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a data structure of a history information database according to the first embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen by a user in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a voice information database according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a data structure of a history information database according to the second embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Below, two different embodiments for delivering inaudible sound to a user are described. The first embodiment corresponds to the invention defined in claim 1, and the second embodiment corresponds to the invention defined in claim 3.

[0016] (First embodiment) This embodiment is implemented by a system 1 as shown in FIG. The system 1 is realized by connecting a server 10 and a user terminal 20 via a communication line N.

[0017] The server 10 is an information processing device that includes a communication interface means 101, a storage means 102, a processing means 103, and also includes input means, output means, and the like (not shown). The processing means 103 reads out various programs stored in the storage means 102, and the CPU executes these programs to realize various functions of the server 10 of the present system 1.

[0018] The storage means 102 includes a user information database 102A, a voice information database 102B, and a history information database 102C, and also stores various other programs and temporarily stores various types of information during processing. The processing means 103 includes an inaudible sound registration means 103A, an audible sound creation means 103B, a graph creation means 103C, a user registration means 103D, a request response means 103E, and a history collection and analysis means 103F.

[0019] The inaudible sound registration means 103A acquires the infrasonic vibration and registers it in the voice information database 102B. The extremely low frequency vibration may be obtained from nature or may be generated artificially. In this embodiment, the vibration is assumed to be collected using a low frequency microphone at power spots, beaches, forests, etc. This extremely low frequency vibration is stored in the voice information database 102B in association with information on the location where it was collected. Since the collected vibration frequency may include an audible range, the audible range vibration may be appropriately deleted.

[0020] The audible sound generating means 103B converts the infrasonic vibration into an audible range and registers it in the voice information database 102B. There is no particular restriction on the conversion method, but it is desirable to convert so that the ratio of each frequency is constant. For example, if the original audible sound contains three frequencies {11Hz, 12Hz, 15Hz}, each of them is tripled to {33Hz, 36Hz, 45Hz}, or ten times to {110Hz, 120Hz, 150Hz}, etc. It is also possible for the user terminal 20 to receive an inaudible sound and convert it into an audible sound. In this case, the audible sound creation means 103B may be omitted.

[0021] The graph creation means 103C creates a graph that displays the frequency spectrum in three or two dimensions, and registers it in the voice information database 102B. This three-dimensional graph is a graph in which the coordinate axes are the time and frequency of the changing voice data, and the magnitude of the sound pressure corresponding to each frequency. Instead of a three-dimensional graph, a two-dimensional graph may be used in which the X-axis and Y-axis are time and frequency, and the magnitude of the sound pressure is represented by shading, etc. When a frequency spectrum graph is created from the voice data received on the user terminal 20 side, the graph creation means 103C may be omitted.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows an example of data storage in the voice information database 102B. Along with the inaudible sound ID that identifies the infrasonic vibration, the inaudible sound data, the location where this data was collected, the converted audible sound data, and image data of three-dimensional or two-dimensional graphs of the frequency spectrum are stored. The main body of the inaudible sound data and the audible sound data may be stored in another storage medium or a database server communicably connected to the server 10, and the storage location of the main body of the data may be recorded in the voice information database 102B.

[0023] The user registration means 103D registers a user when the user uses the system for the first time. At the time of registration, it is desirable to register at least the user's age and gender in the user information database 102A and to be issued a user ID and password. Since hearing ability declines with age, it is particularly recommended to register the user's age. In addition, an email address and other information may be registered. This is because there may be cases where the server 10 wishes to contact a specific user. Furthermore, when there is a change in the user information, the user information database 102A is updated and the record of the relevant user is deleted. Fig. 3 shows an example of data storage in the user information database 102A. In addition to personal information of users, the listening style of the users may be registered in this database. For example, the ID of the inaudible sound, whether or not an audible sound was received, whether or not a graph was displayed, etc. may be registered. If impressions are sent, these may also be registered.

[0024] The request response means 103E receives a listening request from a user, extracts the corresponding voice data and graphs from the voice information database 102B, and transmits them to the user terminal 20.

[0025] The history collection and analysis means 103F collects and analyzes the usage status of the system 1. For example, which power spots are popular, the trends in the number of accesses to each power spot, the age distribution, the ratio of men to women, etc. If a user sends a comment, this is analyzed. FIG. 4 shows an example of data storage in the history information database 102C.

[0026] The user terminal 20 is an information processing device such as a personal computer or a smartphone used by a user of the present system 1. The user terminal 20 includes a communication interface means 201 that enables communication with the server 10, an input means 202 such as a keyboard or a touch panel, an audio playback means 203 such as a speaker, a screen display means 204 such as a display, etc. In addition, the user terminal 20 also includes a storage means (not shown) for storing various programs.

[0027] Next, the distribution process of the present system 1 will be described. A user who has registered with the system 1 accesses the server 10 and selects the name of a power spot, etc., and also selects whether to receive the converted audible sound and whether to receive and display a graph of frequency and sound pressure. Figure 5 shows an example of a screen of the user terminal 20 for making a listening request to the server 10.

[0028] When receiving an audible sound, if the server 10 stores the inaudible sound and the audible sound as separate voice data, the user terminal 20 receives them separately and outputs them from the speaker. This delivers the inaudible sound to the user's body and the audible sound to the user's ears. The server 10 may combine the inaudible sound and the audible sound to create a single composite sound and transmit it as the same voice data. This composite sound may be registered in advance in the voice information database 102B. The graph display is useful when only inaudible sounds are selected, since it allows the user to visually recognize that inaudible sounds are indeed being transmitted.

[0029] The server 10 keeps a record of the access date and time, selected power spots, and the like for each user. Statistics are collected on the most popular power spots among users, broken down by age and gender. Information such as which power spots are repeatedly selected and the range of their central frequencies is collated and analyzed.

[0030] It is also desirable to have a function that allows users to freely write down their impressions. For example, impressions such as "When I played the inaudible sounds generated at A Shrine on my smartphone, I suddenly started to doze off" are meaningful information for the system provider.

[0031] This embodiment can be modified in many ways. For example, the server 10 converts inaudible sounds to create audible sounds. However, the user terminal 20 may be provided with a circuit (converter) that converts the received inaudible sounds into audible sounds, and output these from a speaker. In short, as long as it is possible to select and hear only inaudible sounds, or both inaudible and audible sounds, the means is not important.

[0032] When a power spot is selected, only the graph may be displayed on the screen without sound. Some users may be interested in the unique frequency spectrum of the graph and receive the infrasound of the power spot.

[0033] The important point of this embodiment is that even people who are not convinced of the existence of extremely low frequencies by just receiving them can be convinced by listening to the converted audible sound at the same time and looking at the graph. If they are convinced, it is expected that even one more person will become interested in extremely low frequencies, such as wanting to know more about them or comparing the extremely low frequencies generated in various places.

[0034] In the above embodiment, vibrations occurring at power spots and the like that are below a certain frequency are registered as inaudible sounds. However, at beaches and the like, not only inaudible sounds of ultra-low frequency but also audible sounds such as the sound of the ocean may be included. In that case, the collected voice may be delivered to the user as is. In this case, it is advisable to also display a graph of the frequency. This is because it is possible to visually see that inaudible sounds are mixed in with the sound of the waves.

[0035] This embodiment can be enjoyed in various ways by the user. For example, you can select famous power spots one after another and compare the audible sounds converted from inaudible sounds. You may hear unexpected sounds, such as noises that make you want to cover your ears or strange tunes, which will surely arouse your interest.

[0036] Second Embodiment The second embodiment will be described below. This embodiment is characterized in that, contrary to the first embodiment, an inaudible sound is created from an audible sound. Music distribution services have become increasingly popular, but inaudible sounds are sometimes cut off. Also, CDs, which replaced records, have clear sound quality. However, because only sounds in the human audible range are extracted and digitally processed, the richness of the sound has been lost. Therefore, this embodiment aims to restore the richness of the sound by adding inaudible sounds to sound source data that contains only audible sounds.

[0037] The configuration of the system 2 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The system 2 is realized by connecting a server 30 and a user terminal 20 via a communication line N.

[0038] The server 30 is an information processing device including a communication interface means 101 , a storage means 302 , and a processing means 303 . The processing means 303 reads out various programs stored in the storage means 302, and the CPU executes these programs to realize various functions of the server 30 of the system 2.

[0039] The storage means 302 includes a user information database 102A, a voice information database 302B, and a history information database 302C, and also stores various other programs and temporarily stores various types of information during processing. The processing means 303 includes an audible sound registration means 303A, an inaudible sound creation means 303B, a user registration means 103D, a distribution data selection means 303C, and a history collection and analysis means 303D. The communication interface means 101, the user information database 102A, the user registration means 103D, and the user terminal 20, which are designated by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, are similar to those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described below.

[0040] The audible sound registration means 303A registers music data that users are likely to want to listen to. The music to be registered is music that has had the inaudible range cut off and therefore cannot reproduce inaudible sounds.

[0041] The inaudible sound creation means 303B extracts, for example, the root notes of chords played by low-pitched instruments such as a cello or a double bass from the audible sound data and converts them into inaudible sounds in order to prevent dissonance from occurring when the resulting sound is combined with the original audible music piece.

[0042] It is desirable to create multiple inaudible sounds with different frequency ranges for the same music. For example, when distributing the song "Sakura Sakura," the root note is converted to within the range of 5-10 Hz and superimposed on an audible sound to create "Sakura Sakura A," "Sakura Sakura B" similarly converted to within 10-15 Hz, "Sakura Sakura C" converted to within 15-20 Hz, "Sakura Sakura D" converted to within 7-17 Hz, and "Sakura Sakura E" converted to within 10-20 Hz, and these are stored in the database. The reason for preparing multiple inaudible sounds in this way is to estimate the frequency ranges preferred by users. FIG. 7 shows an example of the data structure of the voice information database 302B.

[0043] When a user requests to listen to a song by specifying the name of the song, the distribution data selection means 303C determines which frequency range of inaudible sounds to superimpose and transmit. The means tries to transmit multiple inaudible sounds to as many users as possible in an even number. It also tries to avoid bias in the gender and age of users. For example, if a user requests "Sakura Sakura," then "Sakura Sakura A" will be sent, and if the same user subsequently requests "Sakura Sakura," then "Sakura Sakura A" will be sent by referring to the distribution history. If another user requests "Sakura Sakura," then something other than "Sakura Sakura A" will be sent. Here, each user will not be informed which of "Sakura Sakura A" to "Sakura Sakura E" they have sent. This is to eliminate preconceptions and unnecessary speculation.

[0044] The history collection and analysis means 303D considers the listening situation and the age and sex of the user as the analysis target. Even with the same sound source, the cumulative number of listening times and the average number of listening times per user may differ depending on the frequency range of the inaudible sound added. This information is valuable. Furthermore, the frequency range preferred by each user may differ for each sound source. FIG. 8 shows an example of the data structure of the history information database 302C.

[0045] There are still many unknowns about infrasonic vibrations. Human sensitivity varies from person to person. Not only do people differ in gender and age, but also in hearing ability and physical condition (prone to insomnia, accumulated fatigue, etc.), so it is desirable to collect a large amount of data on the effects of infrasonic vibrations. With this system, it is possible to easily collect data simply by adding a function to add inaudible sounds to music distribution services. This system may provide an idea of ​​the extremely low frequency range that humans prefer or that has some kind of favorable effect. In other words, in this second embodiment, a popularity poll for extremely low frequency ranges can be conducted simply by adding a function to the existing distribution system.

[0046] This embodiment can be modified as follows. For example, only inaudible sounds can be transmitted. A person with a better hearing may be able to guess the name of the song from the inaudible sounds alone. It would be fun to hold a song name guessing quiz at some event.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the inaudible sound is created from the root of the chord, but the present invention is not limited to this. The inaudible sound may be created from the original music piece using some algorithm. In this case, it is necessary to prevent the frequencies from being almost identical. Low-frequency noise, such as window glass rattling due to ultra-low-frequency vibrations generated in a nearby factory, may resonate with the natural vibration frequency of the window glass. However, if the frequency is not constant but fluctuates, the risk of low-frequency noise being generated is low.

[0048] In both the first and second embodiments, the subjects were asked to freely write their impressions, but a multiple-choice questionnaire may also be used. However, when the system is first put into operation, free comments are appropriate. A free description format may allow for unexpected comments that the system did not anticipate. Once the system has been in operation for a certain period of time, trends become apparent (e.g., insomnia has been alleviated, indoor dogs have stopped barking unnecessarily, etc.). A survey can then be conducted based on these trends (e.g., a survey in which participants can choose from three options: "1. Getting to sleep has become easier, 2. Getting to sleep has become harder, 3. No effect on sleep"). If there is a means of notifying people who have provided feedback, the system may ask them questions. The opinions can be collated and analyzed manually, but as AI becomes more widely available in the future, it could be possible to use AI to automatically analyze the opinions or to create multiple-choice questionnaires.

[0049] In the first embodiment, the user may provide information about power spots that are not registered in the system. For example, the user may provide information such as "There is a relaxing place by the river near my house, and I think this place might be a kind of power spot." In the second embodiment, a request may be accepted for a piece of music to which inaudible sounds are to be added. In other words, the system and the user will work together to deepen and refine the system. This may provide a sense of certainty that inaudible sounds at ultra-low frequencies may have some effect. In order to investigate the effects of inaudible sounds, it is necessary to select subjects and conduct continuous research over a certain period of time. However, collecting subjects takes time and costs money. The above embodiment may not be accurate enough, but it has the advantage of being able to collect a wide range of human responses to inaudible sounds at low cost and easily. [Industrial Applicability]

[0050] We can provide a new music distribution system that can stimulate many people's interest in extremely low frequency vibration. Furthermore, if extremely low frequency vibration has the potential to have a beneficial effect on dementia and other mental disorders, we can provide information to encourage this. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1: System of the First Embodiment 2: System of the Second Embodiment 10,30:Server 20. User terminal

Claims

1. An inaudible sound distribution method for transmitting inaudible sound to a user, which transmits only the inaudible sound, simultaneously transmits an audible sound obtained by converting the inaudible sound, or transmits a composite sound obtained by superimposing the inaudible sound on the inaudible sound.

2. 2. The inaudible sound distribution method according to claim 1, wherein a user can select whether to receive only the inaudible sound, to receive both the inaudible sound and the audible sound, or to receive the composite sound.

3. A method for distributing inaudible sound, which converts audible voice data into inaudible sound and transmits the audible sound and the converted inaudible sound to a user.

4. 4. The inaudible sound distribution method according to claim 3, wherein the audible sound data is music data, and the inaudible sound is created by converting root notes of chords played by a bass instrument included in a performance of the music.

5. The inaudible sound distribution method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that when converting the audible sound into inaudible sound, a plurality of inaudible sounds are created by converting the inaudible sound into a different infrasonic frequency range, and one of the inaudible sounds in the infrasonic frequency range is transmitted to a user who wishes to listen to the inaudible sound together with the inaudible sound.

6. 4. The inaudible sound distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the user registers attributes including age and sex in advance, and listening conditions including impressions received from the user are compiled and analyzed.

7. The inaudible sound distribution method according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the frequency that changes over time in the data received by the user and the magnitude of the sound pressure corresponding to each frequency are represented in a three-dimensional or two-dimensional graph, and this graph is displayed on the screen of the user's terminal.

8. A system in which a server and a user terminal are connected via a communication line, The server includes a means for acquiring inaudible sound; means for converting the inaudible sound into an audible sound; An inaudible sound distribution system comprising: a means for transmitting to the user terminal either the inaudible sound, both the inaudible sound and the audible sound, or a composite sound obtained by superimposing the inaudible sound on the audible sound.

9. A system in which a server and a user terminal are connected via a communication line, The server, A means for acquiring audible voice data; a means for converting the audible sound into an inaudible sound; A means for transmitting the content to a user who wishes to listen to the content; An inaudible sound distribution system that converts the same audible sound into multiple inaudible sounds of different frequency ranges and transmits the inaudible sound of any of the frequency ranges together with the audible sound to a user who wishes to listen to it.

10. The inaudible sound distribution system according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the server further comprises a means for registering attributes of a user including age and gender, and a means for aggregating and analyzing listening conditions including user impressions.

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