Panel

Abstract

To provide an acoustic space with excellent confidentiality without arranging a sound insulation panel behind a user.SOLUTION: A panel 10Y includes a sound emission part 100Y including a flat speaker 10Ya to emit sound to a head area of a user 30. A normal direction of the flat speaker 10Ya is directed to the head area of the user 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for realizing an acoustic space that improves the confidentiality of conversations using a simple partition panel. In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the voice of the other party in a remote conference is emitted from a flat speaker toward the front of the user. In addition, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 also employs a sound-insulating panel placed behind the user, which prevents the conversation voice from leaking to the outside. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-91777 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, a soundproof panel is placed behind the user to prevent conversational sounds from leaking to the outside, which results in the partition panel being large and creating a feeling of oppression for the user.

[0005] This invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a technical means that can provide users with a conversation environment with excellent confidentiality using a simple configuration that does not use a sound-proof panel behind the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a panel having a sound emitting section including a planar speaker that emits sound into the user's head region. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a computer according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a panel according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a computer according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a sound emitting section in the same embodiment. [Figure 6] 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of a movable speaker section in the sound emitting section. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a panel according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a panel according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 3 is a side view showing the configuration of a movable speaker unit in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a side view showing the configuration of a delay control speaker unit in a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a panel according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a sound emitting section in a seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a front view showing the configuration of a sound emitting section in an eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a front view showing the configuration of a panel according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a panel 10Y according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the panel 10Y functions as a conference terminal of a remote conference system when a user 30 holds a remote conference at his or her desk in an office. As shown in FIG. 1, the panel 10Y includes a panel main body 11 that is placed upright on a desk 20 at the user's desk in the office, a computer 12Y such as a notebook PC that is connected to the panel main body 11 and placed on the desk 20, and multiple sound pickup units 13 that are provided on or connected to the computer 12Y. The panel main body 11 is a transparent acrylic plate that serves to prevent droplets from spreading from the user 30 to others and to prevent droplets from spreading from others to the user 30.

[0010] The panel main body 11 is provided with a sound emitting unit 100Y facing the head of the user 30. The sound emitting unit 100Y is a means for emitting the voice of the other party during a remote conference. The sound emitting unit 100Y includes a planar speaker 100Ya that emits sound into the head area of the user 30. The planar speaker 100Ya has a sound emitting surface with a shape and dimensions similar to that of an average human head. The normal direction at the center of the sound emitting surface of the planar speaker 100Ya faces the head area of the user 30. That is, in this embodiment, the average head center position of various users who use the panel 10Y is obtained, and the position of the planar speaker 100Ya on the panel main body 11 is determined so that the normal direction at the center of the sound emitting surface of the planar speaker 100Ya faces this head center position.

[0011] Each of the plurality of sound collection units 13 is configured by a microphone or the like, and functions as a means for collecting the sound uttered by the user 30.

[0012] 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the computer 12Y. In this embodiment, an application program for remote conferencing is installed in the computer 12Y. By executing this application program, the computer 12Y functions as a remote conferencing control unit 121 and a panel control unit 122Y.

[0013] The remote conference control unit 121 is a means for connecting the computer 12 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.

[0014] The panel control unit 122Y includes a display control unit 221 and a call control unit 222. The display control unit 221 is a means for acquiring an image from the conference terminal of the other party via the remote conference control unit 121 and displaying the image on, for example, the display of the computer 12Y. The call control unit 222 is a means for transmitting the voice of the user 30 collected by the multiple sound collection units 13 to the conference terminal of the other party via the remote conference control unit 121, and for emitting the voice received from the conference terminal of the other party via the remote conference control unit 121 from the sound emission unit 100Y.

[0015] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 shows a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system consisting of an X-axis extending from the right to the left of the user 30 facing the sound emitting unit 100Y, a Y-axis oriented in the normal direction of the sound emitting unit 100Y, and a Z-axis perpendicular to the horizontal plane including the X-axis and Y-axis.

[0016] In this embodiment, the voice of the other party emitted from the planar speaker 100Ya of the sound emitting section 100Y of the panel main body 11 propagates in the Y-axis direction. Here, the normal direction at the center of the sound emitting surface of the planar speaker 100Ya faces the center of the user 30's head. The sound emitting surface of the planar speaker 100Ya has roughly the same shape and dimensions as the user 30's head. Therefore, most of the sound waves radiated from the sound emitting surface of the planar speaker 100Ya reach the head region of the user 30. In this case, the head region of the user 30 functions as a sound-insulating means, and the voice of the other party does not propagate behind the user 30. Therefore, this embodiment can provide the user 30 with a conversation environment with excellent confidentiality using a simple configuration that does not use a sound-insulating panel behind the user 30.

[0017] Second Embodiment FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a panel 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, elements common to those shown in the first embodiment (FIG. 1) are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. In this embodiment, the sound emitting unit 100Y of the first embodiment is replaced with a sound emitting unit 100. Like the sound emitting unit 100Y of the first embodiment, this sound emitting unit 100 is a means for emitting the voice of the other party in a remote conference. The sound emitting unit 100 is configured as a planar speaker capable of controlling the directionality of the sound emitting surface. This planar speaker has a sound emitting surface of a shape and size that allows sound to be emitted within the head area of the user 30. More specifically, the vertical length of the sound emitting surface of the planar speaker is approximately the same as the vertical length of an average human head. Furthermore, the horizontal length of the sound emitting surface of the planar speaker is longer than the horizontal length of an average human head.

[0018] The computer 12Y in the first embodiment is replaced with a computer 12. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the computer 12. The computer 12 functions as a remote conference control unit 121 and a panel control unit 122 by executing an installed application program.

[0019] The teleconference control unit 121 is the same as the teleconference control unit 121 in the first embodiment.

[0020] The panel control unit 122 includes a position detection unit 223 and a directionality control unit 224 in addition to the display control unit 221 and call control unit 222 of the first embodiment.

[0021] The position detection unit 223 is a means for detecting the position of the head of the user 30, which is the sound source, based on the level and phase of the sound collected by the multiple sound collection units 13. The directivity control unit 224 is a means for controlling the directivity of the sound emitting unit 100 to be directed toward the head of the user 30, based on the head position of the user 30 detected by the position detection unit 223.

[0022] Hereinafter, in FIG. 3, a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system will be assumed, which is made up of an X-axis running from the right to the left of the user 30 facing the sound emitting unit 100, a Y-axis facing the normal direction of the sound emitting unit 100, and a Z-axis perpendicular to the horizontal plane including the X-axis and Y-axis, and the directivity control of the sound emitting unit 100 in this embodiment will be described.

[0023] In this embodiment, the directivity control unit 224 generates directivity control information for controlling the directivity of the sound emitting unit 100 so that the sound radiated from the sound emitting surface of the sound emitting unit 100 reaches the head region of the user 30, based on the head position of the user 30 detected by the position detection unit 223.

[0024] 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 specifies the tilt angle around the Z axis and the tilt angle around the X axis of the sound emitting surface of the sound emitting unit 100, respectively, and are information for directing the normal at the center of the sound emitting surface toward the center of the head of the user 30. Furthermore, the curvature radius information is information that specifies the curvature radius of the sound emitting surface that allows sounds radiated from the entire area of the sound emitting surface of the sound emitting unit 100 to reach the inside of the head area of the user 30.

[0025] Here, when the radius of curvature indicated by the curvature radius information matches the distance from the sound emitting surface of the sound emitting unit 100 to the front of the head of the user 30, the sound radiated from the sound emitting surface of the sound emitting unit 100 reaches a straight line (hereinafter referred to as a convergence line for convenience) that passes vertically through the center of the front of the head of the user 30. If the curvature radius indicated by the curvature radius information is made longer than this curvature radius, the sound radiated from the sound emitting surface of the sound emitting unit 100 reaches an area that is wider in the horizontal direction from the convergence line that passes through the center of the front of the head of the user 30. Then, when the curvature radius indicated by the curvature radius information exceeds a certain upper limit, the sound radiated from the sound emitting surface of the sound emitting unit 100 reaches an area that is wider than the horizontal width of the head of the user 30. Therefore, the directivity control unit 224 in this embodiment generates curvature radius information that specifies the upper limit of the curvature radius of the sound emitting surface so that sound radiated from the entire area of the sound emitting surface of the sound emitting unit 100 reaches just inside the head area of the user 30, based on the head position of the user 30.

[0026] The sound emitting unit 100 controls the tilt angle around the Z axis, the tilt angle around the X axis, and the radius of curvature of the sound emitting surface based on the directivity control information provided by the directivity control unit 224, and causes the sound radiated from the sound emitting surface to reach the head region of the user 30.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of sound emitting unit 100. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of sound emitting unit 100 in FIG. 3 as viewed from the X-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 5, sound emitting unit 100 includes first housing 101, second housing 102, and movable speaker unit 103. Here, first housing 101 is a tray-shaped housing that houses second housing 102, and is disposed on or embedded in a wall surface of panel main body 11. Second housing 102 is a tray-shaped housing that houses movable speaker unit 103, and is supported on the inner wall of first housing 101 by two shafts 101Z extending in the Z-axis direction. Second housing 202 is rotatable around shafts 101Z. Movable speaker unit 103 has a sound emitting surface of sound emitting unit 100, and is supported on the inner wall of second housing 102 by two shafts 102X extending in the X-axis direction. The movable speaker unit 103 is rotatable around an axis 102X.

[0028] 5, the sound emitting unit 100 has a first tilt control unit 104 and a second tilt control unit 105. In reality, the second tilt control unit 105 is interposed between the first housing 101 and the second housing 102, but in FIG. 5, it is shown on the opposite side of the first housing 101 from the second housing 102 to prevent the drawing from becoming too complicated.

[0029] The first tilt control unit 104 is given first tilt angle information that specifies the tilt angle around the axis 101Z of the sound emitting surface of the sound emitting unit 100 from the directivity control unit 224. The first tilt control unit 104 has a built-in step motor, and by driving the second housing 102 to rotate with this step motor, tilts the sound emitting surface of the sound emitting unit 100 around the axis 101Z by the angle indicated by the first tilt angle information.

[0030] Second tilt control unit 105 is provided with second tilt angle information that specifies the tilt angle of sound emitting unit 100 about axis 102X from directivity control unit 224. Second tilt control unit 105 has a built-in step motor, and by driving movable speaker unit 103 to rotate with this step motor, the sound emitting surface of sound emitting unit 100 is tilted about axis 102X by the angle indicated by the second tilt angle information.

[0031] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of movable speaker unit 103. As shown in Fig. 6, movable speaker unit 103 has curvature radius control unit 106, planar speaker 107, and a plurality of support plates 108 that protrude from curvature radius control unit 106 and support planar speaker 107.

[0032] The planar speaker 107 is a thin, flexible, flat speaker, and is, for example, an electrostatic speaker.

[0033] The curvature radius control unit 106 incorporates a plurality of step motors that drive the plurality of support plates 108. The curvature radius control unit 106 also incorporates a memory that stores information relating to the protrusion lengths of the plurality of support plates 108 that correspond to various curvature radii and are required to realize a cylindrical sound emitting surface having the corresponding curvature radii.

[0034] The curvature radius control unit 106 is provided with curvature radius information specifying the curvature radius of the sound emitting surface of the sound emitting unit 100, i.e., the sound emitting surface of the movable speaker unit 103, from the directivity control unit 224. The curvature radius control unit 106 reads information regarding the protrusion lengths of the plurality of support plates 108 associated with the curvature radius information provided by the directivity control unit 224 from the memory, and controls the protrusion lengths of the plurality of support plates 108 in accordance with the information read from the memory. In this way, the sound emitting surface of the planar speaker 107 of the movable speaker unit 103 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 107 of the movable speaker unit 103 reaches the head region of the user 30.

[0035] As described above, in this embodiment, the voice of the other party emitted from the sound emitting unit 100 of the panel main body 11 reaches the head region of the user 30. In this case, the head region of the user 30 functions as a sound insulating means, and the voice of the other party does not propagate behind the user 30. Therefore, according to this embodiment, a conversation environment with excellent confidentiality can be provided to the user 30 with a simple configuration that does not use a sound insulating panel behind the user 30. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the head position of the user 30 is detected and the directionality of the sound emitting unit 100 is directed toward the head region of the user 30. Therefore, even when the user 30 is moving, the voice of the other party emitted from the sound emitting unit 100 can reach the head region of the user 30.

[0036] Third Embodiment FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a panel 10a according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the sound emitting section 100 provided on the panel main body 11 of the second embodiment is replaced with a sound emitting section 100a shown in FIG. 7. This sound emitting section 100a comprises a central rectangular sound emitting section 110 and rectangular sound emitting sections 111 and 112 on either side of the central rectangular sound emitting section 110. The central sound emitting section 110 is configured as a conventional planar speaker and emits plane waves toward the head of the user 30 in front. The vertical length of the sound emitting surface of this sound emitting section 110 is approximately the same as the vertical length of an average human head. The horizontal length of the sound emitting surface of the sound emitting section 110 is approximately the same as the horizontal length of an average human head. The left and right sound emitting sections 111 and 112 have a planar shape similar to that of the sound emitting section 110, but, like the sound emitting section 100 of the second embodiment, are configured as flexible planar speakers with directivity control.

[0037] In this embodiment, the directivity control unit 224 (see FIG. 4) controls the directivity of the sound emitting units 111 and 112 to be directed toward the head region of the user 30. Therefore, in this embodiment as well, sounds radiated from the entire region of each sound emitting surface of the sound emitting unit 100a reach the head region of the user 30, and the same effect as in the second embodiment can be obtained.

[0038] <Fourth embodiment> Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a panel 10b according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment (see Fig. 3), the sound emitting unit 100 is provided on the panel main body 11, but in this embodiment, the sound emitting unit 100b is provided on the upper surface of a computer 12 placed on a desk 20. In this embodiment, the computer 12 is a panel-shaped computer such as a notebook PC. In this embodiment, the sound emitting unit 100b is capable of controlling directionality, and emits the voice of the remote conference call partner diagonally upward toward the head of the user 30.

[0039] The sound emitting unit 100b in this embodiment has a configuration in which the movable speaker unit 103 (see FIG. 5) in the sound emitting unit 100 of the second embodiment is replaced with a movable speaker unit 103b shown in FIG. 9. This movable speaker unit 103b has a tilt control unit 106b, a plurality of rectangular planar speakers 107b, and a plurality of support plates 108b, each of which has its base end fixed to the tilt control unit 106b and its tip end supporting the center of each planar speaker 107b. The tilt control unit 106b has a plurality of built-in step motors that tilt the plurality of planar speakers 107b around support axes (around the X-axis in the illustrated example) at the tips of the plurality of support plates 108b.

[0040] The tilt control unit 106b is provided with position information indicating the position of the head of the user 30 from the directivity control unit 224. Based on this position information, the tilt control unit 106b controls the tilt angle of each of the planar speakers 107b around the X axis so that the normal to the sound emitting surface of each of the planar speakers 107b points toward the head of the user 30. In this way, all of the sounds radiated from the multiple planar speakers 107b of the movable speaker unit 103b are directed toward the head of the user 30.

[0041] In this embodiment, the sound emitting surfaces of the plurality of planar speakers 107b are not cylindrical, so when the same sound signal is supplied to the plurality of planar speakers 107b, there is a possibility that a phase difference will occur in the sound waves that reach the head of the user 30 from each planar speaker 107b. Therefore, it is preferable to perform delay processing on the sound signal supplied to each planar speaker 107b to compensate for such a phase difference. In this embodiment, the same effects as in the second embodiment can be obtained.

[0042] Fifth Embodiment The panel according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is configured by replacing the movable speaker unit 103b in the sound emitting unit 100b of the fourth embodiment (see FIGS. 8 and 9) with a delay control speaker unit 103c shown in FIG.

[0043] 10, the delay control speaker unit 103c includes a delay control unit 106c and a plurality of narrow, rectangular planar speakers 107c. Here, since the planar speakers 107c are narrow, sound generated by 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 planar speaker 107c). In other words, the narrow planar speaker 107c functions as a line sound source that radiates sound waves having cylindrical wavefronts into the surroundings.

[0044] The delay control unit 106c is provided with position information indicating the position of the head of the user 30 from the directivity control unit 224. The delay control unit 106c is a means for supplying a plurality of delayed sound signals, which are obtained by delaying sound signals to be emitted, to the plurality of planar speakers 107c, 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 107c reach the head of the user 30, whose position is determined by the position information, in phase.

[0045] As a result of the delay control performed by the delay control unit 106c, all of the sounds emitted from the multiple planar speakers 107c of the delay control speaker unit 103c are emitted toward the head of the user 30. Therefore, in this embodiment as well, the same effects as in the second embodiment can be obtained.

[0046] Sixth Embodiment Fig. 11 is a side view showing the configuration of a panel 10d according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the panel 10a according to the third embodiment (see Fig. 7), the panel 10d according to this embodiment has a sound emitting section 100d that is composed of a central sound emitting section 110 and sound emitting sections 111d and 112d on either side of the central sound emitting section 110. In this embodiment, the sound emitting sections 111d and 112d are composed of the delay control speaker section 103c according to the fifth embodiment (see Fig. 10).

[0047] In this embodiment, the directivity control unit 224 (see FIG. 4) controls the directivity of the sounds radiated from the sound radiating units 111d and 112d in the horizontal plane, so that the sounds radiated from the entire sound radiating surface of the sound radiating unit 100d reach the head region of the user 30. Therefore, this embodiment also provides the same effects as the second embodiment.

[0048] Seventh Embodiment 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of a sound emitting section 100e of a panel 10e according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The sound emitting section 100e is disposed on the surface of the panel body 11 (see FIG. 1) of the panel 10e. The sound emitting section 100e in this embodiment also functions as a sound collecting section 13.

[0049] 12, sound emitting section 100e has fixed electrodes 141 and 142, each of which is a thin conductive plate, 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 one another.

[0050] Fixed electrodes 141 and 142 are connected to both ends of secondary coil 152 of transformer 150. Diaphragm 143 is connected to the midpoint of secondary coil 152 via DC power supply 153.

[0051] Transformer 150 has primary coils 151a and 151b. A sound signal indicating the waveform of the voice of the other party is applied to primary coil 151a. As a result, an AC voltage corresponding to the sound signal is generated in secondary coil 152. Here, when the polarity of the AC voltage generated in secondary coil 152 is positive, the electric field strength from diaphragm 143 toward fixed electrode 141 decreases and the electric field strength from diaphragm 143 toward fixed electrode 142 increases, so that diaphragm 143 moves toward fixed electrode 142. On the other hand, when the polarity of the AC voltage generated in secondary coil 152 is negative, the electric field strength from diaphragm 143 toward fixed electrode 141 increases and the electric field strength from diaphragm 143 toward fixed electrode 142 decreases, so that diaphragm 143 moves toward fixed electrode 141. As a result, diaphragm 143 vibrates in response to the sound signal, and a plane wave is radiated in the normal direction of the plate surface of diaphragm 143.

[0052] 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 12Y of the first embodiment as a sound collection result.

[0053] This embodiment also provides the same effects as those of the first embodiment. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the sound emitting section 100e provided on the panel main body 11 facing the user 30 functions as the sound collecting section 13, so that high-quality sound collection is possible.

[0054] Eighth Embodiment 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a sound emitting section 100f of a panel 10f according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. The sound emitting section 100f is disposed on the surface of the panel body 11 of the panel 10f. As in the seventh embodiment, the sound emitting section 100f in this embodiment also functions as a sound collecting section 13.

[0055] 13, the sound emitting section 100f has a plurality of sound emitting planar speakers 160s each functioning as a sound emitting section and a plurality of sound collecting planar speakers 160m each functioning as a sound collecting section, which are discretely arranged over the entire surface of the panel main body 11. More specifically, in the sound emitting section 100f, the sound emitting planar speakers 160s and the sound collecting planar speakers 160m are arranged alternately in the horizontal direction and alternately in the vertical direction. Note that, in the illustrated example, the same number of sound emitting planar speakers 160s and sound collecting planar speakers 160m are arranged on the panel main body 11, but the number of sound emitting planar speakers 160s may be greater than the number of sound collecting planar speakers 160m.

[0056] The functional configuration of the computer 12 in this embodiment (see FIG. 4) is basically the same as that in the second embodiment, but the directivity control performed by the directivity control unit 224 is different from that in the second embodiment. That is, in this embodiment, when the position detection unit 223 detects the head position of the user 30, the directivity control unit 224 determines the area 160H facing the head area of the user 30 within the panel surface of the panel main body 11, and controls only the sound-emitting planar speaker 160s within this area 160H to emit the voice of the call partner. The sound emitted by the sound-emitting planar speaker 160s within this area 160H reaches the head area of the user 30. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the same effects as those in the second embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sound is collected by the sound-collecting planar speaker 160m provided on the panel main body 11 facing the user 30, so high-quality sound collection is possible.

[0057] Ninth Embodiment FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of a panel 10g according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, two masker sound-emitting units 170 are arranged at both ends of the upper edge of the panel main body 11, as in the first to eighth embodiments. The masker sound-emitting units 170 are speakers that emit masker sounds over a wide area around the panel main body 11, making it difficult to hear the voices of the user 30 or the other party when the voices leak out from around the panel main body 11. The masker sound-emitting units 170 may be omnidirectional speakers that function as point sound sources, or narrow, planar speakers that function as line sound sources. In this embodiment, the computer 12 (see FIG. 3) calculates the background noise level near the panel main body 11 based on the sound collected by the sound collection unit 13 when the user 30 is not making any noise, and determines the level of the masker sound to be emitted from the masker sound-emitting units 170 based on the background noise level.

[0058] According to this embodiment, the masking sound is emitted to prevent the leaking sound from being heard, thereby improving the secrecy of conversations in an acoustic space using the panel 10g.

[0059] <Other embodiments> Although the first to ninth embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention may have other embodiments, such as the following.

[0060] (1) When the sound emitting unit 100b is provided in a notebook PC (computer 12) placed on a desk 20 as in the fourth embodiment (see FIGS. 8 and 9) and the fifth embodiment (see FIG. 10), the sound emitting unit 100b may be provided on the surface opposite the display surface of the notebook PC's display, or on the surface where the keyboard is located. Also, the sound emitting unit 100b may be placed on the desk surface separately from the notebook PC.

[0061] (2) In Fig. 3, a panel equipped with a sound emitting unit may be supported on desk 20 and panel body 11, and sound may be emitted from the sound emitting unit of the panel at an angle to the head of user 30. In this case, a tilt sensor may be provided on the panel, and the directionality of the sound emitting unit may be controlled based on the tilt angle of the panel detected by this tilt sensor.

[0062] (3) A notebook PC may function as the panel in each of the above embodiments. In this aspect, when a user opens the display of the notebook PC, the display functions as a panel for preventing droplets. A sound collection unit and a sound emission unit capable of controlling directionality are provided on the side of the notebook PC where the keyboard is located. The notebook PC detects the position of the user's head based on the sound collected by the sound collection unit and directs the directionality of the sound emission unit toward the user's head. This aspect provides a simple conversation environment with excellent confidentiality for the user.

[0063] (4) In the above second to eighth embodiments, the head position of the user 30 was detected based on the sound picked up by the sound pickup unit 13. However, the head position of the user 30 may also be detected by capturing an image of the user 30 with a camera and performing a recognition process on the captured image.

[0064] (5) In the second to seventh embodiments, the directivity of the sound emitting unit 100 is automatically controlled based on the detection results of the head position of the user 30. However, the directivity of the sound emitting unit 100 may be manually controlled by, for example, manually adjusting the inclination of the planar speaker of the sound emitting unit 100.

[0065] (6) In the above embodiments, the panel according to the present invention is used for remote conferencing, but the use of the panel according to the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the panel according to the present invention may be placed on the back of a seat in a train or airplane and used as a means for emitting and collecting sound. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 10Y, 10, 10a, 10b, 10d, 10e, 10f, 10g... Panel, 11... Panel body, 20... Desk, 30... User, 12Y, 12... Computer, 13... Sound pickup unit, 100Y, 100, 100a, 100b, 100d, 100e, 100f... Sound emission unit, 121... Remote conference control unit, 122Y, 122... Panel control unit, 221... Display control unit, 222... Call control unit, 223... Position detection unit, 224... Directivity control unit, 101... First housing, 102... Second housing, 103, 103b... Movable speaker unit, 104... First tilt control unit, 105... Second tilt control unit, 106...curvature radius control unit, 106b...tilt control unit, 106c...delay control unit, 107, 107b, 107c...planar speaker, 103b...delay control speaker unit, 106c...delay control unit, 108b...support plate, 101Z, 102X...axis, 141, 142...fixed electrode, 143...diaphragm, 144...spacer, 150...transformer, 151a, 151b...primary coil, 152...secondary coil, 153...DC power supply, 155...subtraction unit, 160s...sound emitting planar speaker, 160m...sound collecting planar speaker, 170...masker sound emitting unit.

Claims

1. a sound emitting unit including a planar speaker that faces the user's head and emits sound into the user's head area; a masker sound emitting unit that emits a masker sound, The emitted sound does not propagate behind the user. panel.

2. The panel according to claim 1 , wherein the planar speaker has a sound emitting surface that is approximately the shape and size of a human head.

3. The panel of claim 2 , wherein the planar speaker is oriented normal to the head region.

4. the sound emitting unit includes a plurality of planar speakers whose tilt can be controlled; The panel according to claim 1 , wherein tilts of the plurality of planar speakers are controlled so that the directivities of the plurality of planar speakers are directed toward the head of the user.

5. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the sound emitting unit includes a plurality of planar speakers, and the delay time for delaying each of the sound signals that drive the plurality of planar speakers is controlled so that the directivity of the plurality of planar speakers is directed toward the user's head.

6. The panel according to claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of planar speakers functions as a line sound source.

7. a position detection unit that detects the position of the user's head; a control unit that directs the planar speaker toward the user's head based on the detection result of the position detection unit; The panel according to any one of claims 4 to 6, comprising:

8. the sound emitting unit includes a plurality of planar speakers discretely arranged in a plane, a position detection unit that detects the position of the user's head; a control unit that causes planar speakers in a region facing the user's head region among the plurality of planar speakers to emit sound based on a detection result of the position detection unit; and The panel of claim 1 comprising:

9. The panel according to claim 7 , wherein the position detection unit picks up a voice of the user and detects the position of the head based on the picked up voice.

10. The panel according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the position detection unit captures an image of the user with a camera and detects the position of the head by image recognition of the captured image of the user.

11. The panel according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the panel is a transparent plate.

12. The panel according to any one of claims 1 to 11, which functions as a conference terminal of a remote conference system.

Images