Sound amplification method, program, and sound amplification system

Abstract

To reliably amplify sound in an object area.SOLUTION: A sound amplification method for amplifying sound in an object area includes the steps of: monitoring a state of a sound amplification facility 2 installed in the object area A; moving a mobile loudspeaker 6 to an arrangement position of the sound amplification facility 2 in an abnormal state when the state of the sound amplification facility 2 is in the abnormal state without an ability to perform normal sound amplification; and allowing the mobile loudspeaker 6 to amplify the sound in place of the sound amplification facility 2 in the abnormal state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sound amplification method for amplifying sound in a target area, a program for causing a computer to execute the sound amplification method, and a sound amplification system for amplifying sound in a target area. [Background technology]

[0002] Disaster prevention systems for notifying people of various emergencies such as disasters are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In these disaster prevention systems, a plurality of loudspeaker devices such as speakers are provided in a target area where a predetermined sound is to be amplified. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-207470 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the disaster prevention system described above, for example, the loudspeaker equipment may break down due to a disaster or other reason in the target area, making it impossible to properly amplify sound from the loudspeaker equipment. If the loudspeaker equipment does not properly amplify sound, it will be impossible to deliver important notifications, such as evacuation instructions, to people in the target area.

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned points, an object of the present disclosure is to reliably amplify sound in a target area even when the loudspeaker equipment installed in the target area is unable to amplify sound due to an abnormality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for amplifying sound in a target area includes the following steps. (a) monitoring the status of public address equipment located in a target area; (b) When the state of the loudspeaker equipment is in an abnormal state where it cannot amplify sound normally, a step of moving the movable loudspeaker to the location of the loudspeaker equipment in the abnormal state. (c) A step of amplifying sound using a mobile loudspeaker instead of the loudspeaker equipment in the abnormal state.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a program is a program for causing a computer to execute the above-described sound amplification method.

[0008] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a public address system for amplifying sound in a target area includes a monitoring device and a control device. The monitoring device monitors the status of public address equipment arranged in the target area. When the status of the public address equipment is abnormal, the control device moves a mobile public address body to the location of the abnormal public address equipment and causes the mobile public address body to amplify sound in place of the abnormal public address equipment. The abnormal state is a state in which the public address equipment cannot amplify sound normally. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] In the present disclosure, the status of public address equipment installed in a target area is monitored, and if the public address equipment is in an abnormal state where it cannot amplify sound normally, the mobile public address unit is moved to the installation position of the relevant public address equipment and the mobile public address unit amplifies sound in place of the abnormal public address equipment. As a result, even if the public address equipment installed in the target area is unable to amplify sound due to an abnormality, the mobile public address unit amplifies sound in place of the public address equipment, so sound can be reliably amplified in the target area. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a target area. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a public address system. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the public address system. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the front appearance of the mobile loudspeaker. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a mobile loudspeaker. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the loudspeaker operation of the loudspeaker system. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a method for monitoring a public address system using a mobile loudspeaker. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed description of well-known matters or redundant description of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the claims.

[0012] In the following description, "target area" refers to the area in which the desired sound is amplified. "Amplified range" refers to the range in the target area in which sound can be amplified from the loudspeaker equipment. The amplified range does not simply refer to the range in which sound can be heard, but also refers to the range in which a person can generally clearly hear the sound. Each embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0013] 1. First Embodiment 1-1. Overview An outline of the public address system 100 of the first embodiment will be described below. The public address system 100 is a system that amplifies audio containing evacuation information, warnings, and the like in a target area A. The public address system 100 is, for example, a disaster prevention administrative radio system. In the public address system 100, audio is amplified by public address equipment 2. As will be described later, a plurality of public address equipment 2 are installed so that audio is amplified evenly throughout the target area A. However, if any of the plurality of public address equipment 2 is unable to amplify audio normally due to a malfunction or the like, an area will be created within the target area where audio is not amplified appropriately. As a result, important notifications will not be sent to people within that area.

[0014] To prevent this, the public address system 100 of this embodiment uses a mobile public address system that can move within the target area and assist in amplifying the sound that the abnormal public address equipment is trying to amplify, instead of the abnormal public address equipment that is unable to amplify the sound normally.

[0015] 1-2.Configuration 1-2-1. Target area The configuration of the loudspeaker system 100 will be described below. First, a target area A in which sound is amplified by the loudspeaker system 100 will be described using Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the target area A. As shown in Fig. 1, a master station 1 and loudspeaker equipment 2 are provided in the target area A.

[0016] The master station 1 is installed, for example, in an organization (such as a city or town hall) that has jurisdiction over the target area A. The master station 1 uses a plurality of loudspeaker systems 2 installed in the target area A to amplify audio throughout the target area A. The master station 1 is connected to a microphone, and for example, picks up audio uttered by a person in charge of the organization using the microphone or the like, converts it into audio data, and transmits the audio data to the loudspeaker systems 2. The audio data is transmitted to the loudspeaker systems 2 and is also stored in the master station 1.

[0017] The master station 1 also stores predetermined audio data, and when it receives an external command, it selects audio data in accordance with the command and transmits the selected audio data to the public address system 2. The predetermined audio data is, for example, audio data related to audio for scheduled broadcasts that are to be amplified at specific times, or audio data related to audio corresponding to messages created for each event such as an earthquake or a ballistic missile attack, calling for attention.

[0018] An external command is a command issued from an external source (for example, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency) in response to the above-mentioned event. An example of an external command is a signal from the nationwide sequential warning system (J-Alert) issued by the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.

[0019] In addition, the master station 1 may transmit the stored audio data via a network (e.g., the Internet, wireless LAN, wired LAN, 3G, LTE, 4G, 5G, millimeter wave wireless communication, etc.) to a server (organization management server) managed by the organization that has jurisdiction over the target area A, and store the audio data in the organization management server.

[0020] In response to a request from the control device 5 (described later), the master station 1 transmits stored audio data to the control device 5. Specifically, when the master station 1 receives a request for audio data from the control device 5, it returns to the control device 5 the audio data that was most recently transmitted to the loudspeaker equipment 2 at the time the request was received. Similarly, in response to a request from the control device 5 (described later), the organizational management server transmits stored audio data to the control device 5. Specifically, when the organizational management server receives a request for audio data from the control device 5, it returns to the control device 5 the audio data that was most recently received from the master station 1 at the time the request was received.

[0021] The loudspeaker equipment 2 is connected to the master station 1 wirelessly and / or via a wire. The loudspeaker equipment 2 has a processing device 21 and a speaker 23. The processing device 21 receives audio data from the master station 1, converts the received audio data into an audio signal, amplifies the audio signal as necessary, and outputs the audio signal to the speaker 23. The speaker 23 converts the audio signal from the processing device 21 into audio. In other words, the speaker 23 amplifies the voice of the person in charge picked up by a microphone or the like at the master station 1, and audio based on audio data selected in accordance with an external command.

[0022] The public address system 2 further includes a sensor microphone 25. The sensor microphone 25 is a sensor that collects the sound amplified from the speaker 23. By providing the sensor microphone 25, it can be confirmed whether or not the sound is being amplified from the speaker 23.

[0023] Multiple loudspeaker systems 2 are installed so that sound is amplified evenly throughout the target area A. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, multiple loudspeaker systems 2 are arranged so that the target area A can be covered by the loudspeaker range R of each system 2. It is also preferable to arrange the loudspeaker systems 2 so that the multiple loudspeaker ranges R do not overlap, or if they do overlap, the overlap is minimized. This prevents congestion caused by sound from multiple loudspeaker systems 2, allowing sound to be heard more clearly throughout the target area A. Note that while the loudspeaker range R is shown as a circle in FIG. 1, the shape of the loudspeaker range R can be any shape depending on the characteristics of the loudspeaker systems 2.

[0024] The amplification range R of the loudspeaker system 2 may be determined, for example, by actually collecting the sound being amplified from the loudspeaker system 2 around the loudspeaker system 2 and analyzing the collected sound, or by simulation. Alternatively, the amplification range R of the loudspeaker system 2 may be determined, for example, by moving the movable loudspeaker 6 of the loudspeaker system 2 during amplified sound and having the movable loudspeaker 6 collect the sound being amplified from the loudspeaker system 2, and then based on the analysis of the collected sound.

[0025] A relay station 3 is installed in the target area A. The relay station 3 relays the audio data transmitted from the master station 1 and transmits it from the master station 1 to a loudspeaker system 2 located far away.

[0026] 1-2-2. Public address system configuration Next, the general configuration of the public address system 100 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the public address system 100. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the detailed configuration of the public address system 100. The public address system 100 comprises a monitoring device 4, a mobile loudspeaker 6, and a control device 5.

[0027] The monitoring device 4 is a computer system configured with various processors or electronic circuits such as a CPU, MPU, GPU, DSP, FPGA, ASIC, etc., storage devices (RAM, ROM, HDD, SSD, etc.), various interfaces (input / output interface, network interface, etc.), etc. The monitoring device 4 may be configured with one or more processors. The storage devices may also include any computer-readable recording medium, such as an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic tape, an SD card, etc.

[0028] The monitoring device 4 has a first information processing unit 41, a first storage unit 43, and a first communication unit 45. The first information processing unit 41 is configured with the above-mentioned processor or electronic circuit, etc., and executes various information processing in the monitoring device 4. The first information processing unit 41 executes various information processing by executing programs stored in the first storage unit 43. The first storage unit 43 is configured with a storage device, etc., and stores the programs executed by the first information processing unit 41, various parameters, etc.

[0029] The first communication unit 45 is configured with a network interface etc. and performs communication with the outside. The first communication unit 45 is connected to the master station 1 and the control device 5 via a network (e.g., the Internet, wireless LAN, wired LAN, 3G, LTE, 4G, 5G, millimeter wave wireless communication, etc.).

[0030] In the monitoring device 4, the first information processing unit 41 performs the following functions. The first information processing unit 41 monitors the status of the loudspeaker equipment 2 by receiving information about the status of the loudspeaker equipment 2 from the connected master station 1 via the first communication unit 45. Specifically, the first information processing unit 41 monitors whether each loudspeaker equipment 2 is in a state where it can appropriately amplify sound. A "state where it is possible to appropriately amplify sound" refers to, for example, a state where sound can be amplified clearly throughout the entire sound amplification range R. On the other hand, an "abnormal state where it is not possible to appropriately amplify sound" refers to, for example, a state where only small sounds can be amplified, no sound can be amplified at all, or the amplified sound is unclear due to noise.

[0031] The first information processing unit 41 receives the electrical characteristics of the processing device 21 and speaker 23 of the loudspeaker equipment 2 from the master station 1, and monitors the state of the loudspeaker equipment 2 based on whether the received electrical characteristics are normal. The first information processing unit 41 receives, for example, measured values ​​of the impedance of the processing device 21 and speaker 23 as the electrical characteristics, and can determine that the loudspeaker equipment 2 is in an abnormal state when the received measured value of the impedance is greater than a predetermined value. The impedance of the processing device 21 and speaker 23 can be measured, for example, by inputting a voltage signal having a predetermined frequency to these devices and measuring the current signal output in response to this.

[0032] Additionally, the first information processing unit 41 can transmit a test signal to the loudspeaker equipment 2 to be monitored, and determine that the loudspeaker equipment 2 is in an abnormal state if there is no response to the signal from the loudspeaker equipment 2.

[0033] The first information processing unit 41 transmits information about the loudspeaker equipment 2 in an abnormal state to the connected control device 5 via the first communication unit 45. The information about the loudspeaker equipment 2 transmitted at this time may be information capable of identifying the loudspeaker equipment 2, such as identification information (e.g., an identification ID) assigned to the loudspeaker equipment 2 in an abnormal state, or the address of the loudspeaker equipment 2 in an abnormal state (e.g., a communication address such as an IP address).

[0034] The control device 5 is a computer system configured with various processors or electronic circuits such as a CPU, MPU, GPU, DSP, FPGA, ASIC, etc., storage devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, HDD, SSD, etc.), various interfaces (input / output interface, network interface, etc.), etc. The monitoring device 4 may be configured with one or more processors. The storage devices may also include any computer-readable recording medium, such as an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic tape, an SD card, etc.

[0035] The control device 5 has a second information processing unit 51, a second storage unit 53, and a second communication unit 55. The second information processing unit 51 is configured with a CPU and the like, and executes various information processes in the control device 5. The second information processing unit 51 executes programs stored in the second storage unit 53, thereby executing various information processes.

[0036] The second storage unit 53 is configured with a storage device or the like, and stores programs executed by the second information processing unit 51, various parameters, etc. Specifically, the second storage unit 53 stores equipment location information PI. The equipment location information PI stores information related to the location of each piece of loudspeaker equipment 2. The equipment location information PI stores, for example, identification information for each piece of loudspeaker equipment 2 and location information for the location where the piece of loudspeaker equipment 2 is located (for example, latitude-longitude, travel route to each piece of loudspeaker equipment 2, etc.).

[0037] The second communication unit 55 is configured with a network interface and the like, and communicates with the outside. The second communication unit 55 is connected to the mobile loudspeaker 6 via a wireless network. The second communication unit 55 is also connected to the master station 1 and the monitoring device 4 via a network (e.g., the Internet, wireless LAN, wired LAN, 3G, LTE, 4G, 5G, millimeter wave wireless communication, etc.).

[0038] In the control device 5, the second information processing unit 51 performs the following functions. The second information processing unit 51 executes information processing relating to the amplification using the mobile loudspeaker 6. Specifically, the second information processing unit 51 commands the mobile loudspeaker 6 to move to a position where it is desired to amplify the sound. More specifically, upon receiving identification information of the loudspeaker equipment 2 in an abnormal state from the monitoring device 4, the second information processing unit 51 references the equipment location information PI stored in the second memory unit 53, determines the location of the loudspeaker equipment 2 in an abnormal state, and moves the mobile loudspeaker 6 to the determined location.

[0039] Furthermore, the second information processing unit 51 commands the mobile loudspeaker 6 that has arrived at the location of the abnormal loudspeaker equipment 2 to amplify the sound. Specifically, the second information processing unit 51 acquires the sound data to be amplified from the master station 1 and transmits the acquired sound data to the mobile loudspeaker 6. This allows the mobile loudspeaker 6 to amplify the sound based on the received sound data at the location of the abnormal loudspeaker equipment 2. Specifically, the second information processing unit 51 requests the stored sound data from the master station 1 and receives the sound data transmitted in response to this request. The second information processing unit 51 may also request the stored sound data from the organization management server and receive the sound data transmitted in response to this request.

[0040] 1-2-3. Configuration of the mobile loudspeaker The mobile loudspeaker 6 is movable within the target area A, and moves to a designated position within the target area A to amplify sound. Mobile loudspeakers 6 that are not being used for sound amplification are placed in designated parking areas. There are multiple mobile loudspeakers 6 in the loudspeaker system 100.

[0041] The configuration of the mobile loudspeaker 6 will be explained below using Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the front appearance of the mobile loudspeaker 6. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the mobile loudspeaker 6. The mobile loudspeaker 6 is an unmanned aerial vehicle that can be remotely controlled or automatically piloted, and performs flight operations such as ascending, moving forward, rotating, and descending in response to flight instructions from the control device 5.

[0042] The mobile loudspeaker 6 has a main body 60a, multiple arms 60b extending horizontally and radially from the main body 60a, multiple legs 60c extending downward, and rotors 65 attached to the upper tip of each leg 60c. The mobile loudspeaker 6 flies using lift generated by rotating the rotors 65 using the rotation of a motor 66. The mobile loudspeaker 6 generates a reaction by changing the rotation direction of some of the rotors 65, preventing the main body 60a itself from rotating.

[0043] A speaker 72 is attached to the main body 60a of the mobile speaker 6 facing downward. The speaker 72 amplifies sound. The angle of the speaker 72 can be changed in the up and down directions indicated by the arrows by a speaker direction control mechanism 71. This allows the direction in which the speaker 72 amplifies sound to be changed downward or forward and backward.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 5, the mobile loudspeaker 6 includes a mobile control device 61, a memory device 62, a sensor group 63, a GPS receiver 64, a battery 68, and a wireless communication device 69 as components for flight.

[0045] The mobile control device 61 is configured with a CPU and other components, and performs various calculation processes related to the mobile loudspeaker 6. The mobile control device 61 controls the mobile loudspeaker 6 in accordance with various programs to execute functions described below. The storage device 62 is a memory such as a ROM, RAM, or flash memory. The storage device 62 stores programs used by the mobile control device 61, calculation parameters, calculation results, etc.

[0046] The sensor group 63 includes an acceleration sensor and an angular velocity sensor that detect acceleration and angular velocity for purposes such as attitude control of the mobile loudspeaker 6, an air pressure sensor for detecting altitude, and a geomagnetic sensor for detecting direction. The GPS receiver 64 includes an antenna and a signal processing unit, and receives signals from GPS satellites to detect position information of the mobile loudspeaker 6. The battery 68 stores the power necessary for operation of the mobile loudspeaker 6 and supplies it to each component. The wireless communication device 69 includes a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with the control device 5. The wireless communication device 69 can communicate using, for example, wireless LAN, 3G, LTE, 4G, 5G, millimeter wave wireless communication, etc.

[0047] The mobile loudspeaker 6 further includes a microphone direction control mechanism 73 and a microphone 74. The microphone 74 can change its angle in the vertical direction by using the microphone direction control mechanism 73, similar to the speaker 72, to change its sound collection direction.

[0048] In the above-mentioned mobile loudspeaker 6, the mobile control device 61 performs the following functions. When the mobile control device 61 receives position information of the loudspeaker equipment 2 in an abnormal state from the control device 5, it controls the number of rotations and the rotation speed of the motor 66 to fly the mobile loudspeaker 6 from its current position to the position indicated in the received position information. Specifically, the mobile control device 61 obtains the tilt and rotation direction of the main body 60a based on the output data of the above-mentioned sensor group 63 and GPS receiver 64, and obtains position information including the latitude and longitude, altitude, and azimuth angle of the main body 60a during flight. The mobile control device 61 controls the number of rotations and the rotation speed of the motor 66 based on the above-mentioned output data to fly the mobile loudspeaker 6 while correcting the attitude and position of the main body 60a, thereby moving the mobile loudspeaker 6 to the location of the loudspeaker equipment 2 in an abnormal state.

[0049] Furthermore, the mobile control device 61 converts audio data received from the control device 5 via the wireless communication device 69 into an audio signal, and outputs the audio to the speaker 72 to amplify the audio. Furthermore, the mobile control device 61 transmits audio data collected by the microphone 74 to the control device 5 via the wireless communication device 69.

[0050] 1-3.Sound amplification operation The following describes the sound amplification operation of the sound amplification system 100 having the above configuration, with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the sound amplification operation of the sound amplification system 100. When sound amplification is performed by the sound amplification system 100, the state of the sound amplification equipment 2 arranged in the target area A where sound amplification is to be performed is monitored (step S1).

[0051] Specifically, the first information processing unit 41 of the monitoring device 4 receives the electrical characteristics of the processing device 21 and speaker 23 of the loudspeaker equipment 2 from the master station 1, and monitors the state of the loudspeaker equipment 2 based on whether the received electrical characteristics are normal. For example, it receives measured values ​​of the impedance of the processing device 21 and speaker 23, and determines that the loudspeaker equipment 2 is in an abnormal state when the received measured value of the impedance is greater than a predetermined value. The first information processing unit 41 transmits information about the loudspeaker equipment 2 in an abnormal state to the control device 5. This allows the control device 5 to determine which piece of loudspeaker equipment is in an abnormal state.

[0052] It is preferable that the state of the loudspeaker equipment 2 is known when loudspeaker equipment 2 is used to amplify sounds. For example, if the time for loudspeaker equipment 2 is determined in advance, the operation of monitoring the state of the loudspeaker equipment 2 in step S1 can be performed in a time period before the time for loudspeaker equipment 2 to amplify sounds.

[0053] Additionally, the operation of monitoring the status of the loudspeaker equipment 2 in step S1 can be executed, for example, when a disaster occurs at the location where the loudspeaker equipment 2 is installed. As a result, if an emergency loudspeaker needs to be made in the event of a disaster, but there is a possibility that the loudspeaker equipment 2 has malfunctioned or been destroyed due to the disaster, it is possible to know whether the loudspeaker equipment is in an abnormal state by the time the emergency loudspeaker is made. Whether a disaster has occurred at the location where the loudspeaker equipment 2 is installed can be known, for example, by obtaining disaster occurrence information regarding the occurrence of a disaster from an external server or the like.

[0054] Furthermore, the operation of monitoring the state of the loudspeaker equipment 2 in step S1 may be executed at predetermined intervals. This makes it possible to constantly grasp the state of the loudspeaker equipment 2. For example, even when unexpected loudspeaker operation is required, the state of the loudspeaker equipment 2 can be grasped before the loudspeaker operation.

[0055] For example, when audio data of audio picked up by a microphone or the like, or audio data selected in accordance with an external command, is transmitted from the master station 1 to the loudspeaker equipment 2 and the audio is amplified using the audio data, the second information processing unit 51 of the control device 5 checks whether any loudspeaker equipment 2 has been determined to be in an abnormal state as a result of monitoring the loudspeaker equipment 2 in step S1.

[0056] If there is no loudspeaker equipment 2 in an abnormal state ("No" in step S2), the second information processing unit 51 does not perform any particular loudspeaker operation using the movable loudspeaker 6. That is, all loudspeaker equipment 2 loudspeakers amplify the sound based on the audio data transmitted from the master station 1 (step S3).

[0057] On the other hand, if there is loudspeaker equipment 2 in an abnormal state ("Yes" in step S2), the second information processing unit 51 causes the mobile loudspeaker unit 6 to amplify sound instead of the loudspeaker equipment 2 in an abnormal state. Specifically, the second information processing unit 51 first moves the mobile loudspeaker unit 6 to the installation position of the loudspeaker equipment 2 in an abnormal state (step S4). Specifically, the second information processing unit 51 references the equipment location information PI to determine the location information associated with the identification information of the loudspeaker equipment 2 in an abnormal state transmitted from the monitoring device 4, and determines the installation position of the loudspeaker equipment 2 in an abnormal state from the determined location information. The second information processing unit 51 commands the mobile loudspeaker unit 6 to move to the installation position of the loudspeaker equipment 2 in an abnormal state that has been determined.

[0058] When the mobile loudspeaker 6 arrives at the location of the loudspeaker equipment 2 in an abnormal state, the second information processing unit 51 transmits the audio data that was to be amplified by the loudspeaker equipment 2 in an abnormal state, which has been received from the master station 1 or the organizational management server, to the mobile loudspeaker 6. Specifically, if there is loudspeaker equipment in an abnormal state ("Yes" in step S2), the second information processing unit 51 requests the master station 1 or the organizational management server for the audio data that the master station 1 most recently transmitted to the loudspeaker equipment 2 (audio data of the broadcast audio that was most recently intended to be broadcast from the loudspeaker equipment 2), receives the audio data returned from the master station 1 or the organizational management server in response to this request, and transmits it to the mobile loudspeaker 6.

[0059] It should be noted that the movement of the movable loudspeaker 6 in step S4 and the acquisition of audio data by the control device 5 in step S5 may be performed in either order, or may be performed substantially in parallel. This allows the movable loudspeaker 6 to amplify the audio that the loudspeaker equipment 2 in the abnormal state was trying to amplify at the location of the loudspeaker equipment 2 in the abnormal state (step S5).

[0060] When amplifying audio in place of the abnormal loudspeaker equipment 2, the mobile loudspeaker 6 may amplify the audio multiple times by playing back the audio data received from the master station 1 via the control device 5 multiple times, or it may amplify the audio only once by playing back the audio data once. Amplifying the audio multiple times prevents people in the target area A from missing the audio.

[0061] When amplifying sound in place of the abnormal sound amplification equipment 2, the mobile loudspeaker 6 may amplify the sound while remaining stationary above the abnormal sound amplification equipment 2, or may amplify the sound while moving within the amplification range R of the abnormal sound amplification equipment 2. By amplifying the sound while moving within the amplification range R, it is possible to amplify the sound evenly throughout the amplification range R of the abnormal sound amplification equipment 2, without generating any areas in the amplification range R where the sound was not properly amplified.

[0062] When the mobile loudspeaker 6 is caused to amplify sound while moving within the amplification range R of the loudspeaker equipment 2 in an abnormal state, the second information processing unit 51 transmits not only the position information of the loudspeaker equipment 2 in an abnormal state, but also information relating to the amplification range R of that loudspeaker equipment 2. This allows the mobile loudspeaker 6 to grasp the amplification range R of the loudspeaker equipment 2 in an abnormal state. The information relating to the amplification range R of the loudspeaker equipment 2 can be, for example, information relating to a plurality of positions on the boundary line of the amplification range R (for example, coordinate points formed by (latitude, longitude)). Alternatively, if the amplification range R is circular, the center point of the amplification range R and the radius of the amplification range R can be the information relating to the amplification range R.

[0063] If the number of operable mobile loudspeaker units 6 is equal to or greater than the number of abnormal loudspeaker units 2, the second information processing unit 51 causes one mobile loudspeaker unit 6 to amplify sound in place of one abnormal loudspeaker unit 2. On the other hand, if the number of operable mobile loudspeaker units 6 is less than the number of abnormal loudspeaker units 2, the second information processing unit 51 may cause one mobile loudspeaker unit 6 to amplify sound in place of multiple abnormal loudspeaker units 2. In this case, it is preferable to cause one mobile loudspeaker unit 6 to amplify sound in place of multiple loudspeaker units 2 that are located within a small range, such as those that are close to each other or adjacent to each other.

[0064] Furthermore, for example, if the amplification range R of a loudspeaker unit 2 in an abnormal state is reached by sounds amplified by other loudspeaker units 2 in a normal state, and amplification of the sound by the mobile loudspeaker unit 6 in the amplification range R of the loudspeaker unit 2 in an abnormal state results in the sound being difficult to hear due to congestion, the second information processing unit 51 may cause the mobile loudspeaker unit 6 to amplify the sound, avoiding the timing of amplification by the other normal loudspeaker units 2. Specifically, the second information processing unit 51 may cause the mobile loudspeaker unit 6 to amplify the sound after the other normal loudspeaker units 2 have amplified the sound.

[0065] Whether or not congestion will occur in the amplification range R of the abnormal loudspeaker equipment 2 may be determined in advance, for example, when the loudspeaker equipment 2 is installed, by storing the identification information of the loudspeaker equipment 2 where congestion will occur in the second storage unit 53. Alternatively, for example, a mobile loudspeaker 6 that has reached the location of the abnormal loudspeaker equipment 2 may use the microphone 74 to pick up sounds around the abnormal loudspeaker equipment 2, and it may be determined that congestion will occur if the picked-up sounds clearly include sounds amplified by other loudspeaker equipment 2.

[0066] However, in cases where it is necessary to amplify the sound immediately, such as when amplifying a highly urgent sound such as an evacuation order, the second information processing unit 51 may cause the mobile loudspeaker 6 to amplify the sound at the same time that another loudspeaker unit 2 is amplifying the sound, even if there is a possibility of congestion occurring in the amplification range R of the loudspeaker unit 2 that is in an abnormal state.

[0067] The second information processing unit 51 can determine that it is necessary to immediately amplify a voice, for example, when the command received by the master station 1 from outside is a command to amplify a voice of high urgency, and / or when an analysis of the voice data received from the master station 1 reveals that the voice data is data of voice with high urgency content. Furthermore, when causing the mobile loudspeaker 6 to amplify a voice, the second information processing unit 51 may notify the mobile loudspeaker 6 as to whether or not the voice to be amplified needs to be amplified immediately.

[0068] 1-4. Variation 1 In the above embodiment, the electrical characteristics (e.g., impedance) of the processing device 21 and speaker 23 of the loudspeaker equipment 2 are measured, and the state of the loudspeaker equipment 2 is monitored based on whether the measurement results of the electrical characteristics are normal. The method of monitoring the state of the loudspeaker equipment 2 is not limited to this. For example, the master station 1 transmits test audio data to the loudspeaker equipment 2, causing the loudspeaker equipment 2 to amplify the test audio, and while the test audio is being amplified, the sensor microphone 25 provided in the loudspeaker equipment 2 picks up surrounding audio, and if the audio picked up by the sensor microphone 25 does not correspond to the test audio, it can be determined that the loudspeaker equipment 2 to which the sensor microphone 25 is provided is in an abnormal state.

[0069] The test sound may be, for example, a sound that is amplified at a predetermined time using the public address system 100, or a special sound suitable for understanding the state of the public address equipment 2, or the like.

[0070] Furthermore, the above-mentioned "the picked-up audio does not correspond to the test audio" means, for example, that the picked-up audio is quieter and harder to hear than the test audio, that the picked-up audio does not contain the test audio, or that the picked-up audio contains a lot of noise and therefore the test audio is not clear.

[0071] In this way, by determining whether the loudspeaker equipment 2 is in an abnormal state based on the results of sound pickup by the sensor microphone 25 installed in the loudspeaker equipment 2, it is possible to determine whether the loudspeaker equipment 2 is normal or abnormal depending on whether the desired sound is actually being amplified from the loudspeaker equipment 2, thereby making it possible to accurately grasp the state of the loudspeaker equipment 2.

[0072] 1-5. Variation 2 The status of the loudspeaker system 2 can also be monitored using the mobile loudspeaker 6. Specifically, the status of the loudspeaker system 2 can be monitored according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a method for monitoring the loudspeaker system 2 using the mobile loudspeaker 6. First, the master station 1 transmits test audio data to the loudspeaker system 2, causing the loudspeaker system 2 to amplify the test audio (step S11). The amplification in step S11 continues until all of the loudspeaker systems 2 have picked up the audio.

[0073] The test sound may be, for example, a sound that is amplified at a predetermined time using the public address system 100, or a special sound suitable for understanding the state of the public address equipment 2, or the like.

[0074] While the loudspeaker equipment 2 is amplifying the test sound, the second information processing unit 51 of the control device 5 receives a command from the monitoring device 4 to move the mobile loudspeaker unit 6 to the location of the loudspeaker equipment 2 to be monitored (step S12). In this case, if multiple mobile loudspeakers 6 are in operation, each of the multiple mobile loudspeakers 6 may be moved to one of the multiple loudspeaker equipment 2. This makes it possible to simultaneously pick up the test sound being amplified from the multiple loudspeaker equipment 2.

[0075] When the mobile loudspeaker 6 arrives at the loudspeaker equipment 2 to be monitored, the second information processing unit 51 uses the microphone 74 of the mobile loudspeaker 6 to pick up sounds around the loudspeaker equipment 2 to be monitored (step S13). The movement control device 61 of the mobile loudspeaker 6 transmits audio data of the picked up sounds to the monitoring device 4 via the control device 5 (step S14).

[0076] The first information processing unit 41 of the monitoring device 4 determines whether or not all loudspeaker equipment 2 arranged in the target area A have been subjected to monitoring and have collected sound (step S15). If loudspeaker equipment 2 remains to be monitored ("No" in step S15), the first information processing unit 41 transmits a command to the control device 5 to specify that a loudspeaker equipment 2 that has not yet been selected as a monitoring target will be selected as a monitoring target. As a result, steps S12 to S14 described above are executed with another loudspeaker equipment 2 selected as a monitoring target.

[0077] If it is determined that audio has been collected from all of the loudspeaker equipment 2 as monitoring targets ("Yes" in step S15), the first information processing unit 41 determines the state of each loudspeaker equipment 2 based on the audio data obtained by collecting audio from each loudspeaker equipment 2 (step S16). Specifically, the state of the loudspeaker equipment 2 is determined based on the audio data as follows.

[0078] As described above, when sound is collected using the mobile loudspeaker 6, the collected sound data contains sounds produced by the mobile loudspeaker 6 (for example, the rotational sound of the rotor 65). Therefore, the first information processing unit 41 uses a frequency filter or the like to remove the sound components produced by the mobile loudspeaker 6 from the sound data obtained by the mobile loudspeaker 6. The first information processing unit 41 then determines the state of the loudspeaker equipment 2 based on whether or not the sound data from which the sound components produced by the mobile loudspeaker 6 have been removed contains a clear test sound.

[0079] Specifically, if the audio data from which the sound components produced by the mobile loudspeaker 6 have been removed contains a clear test audio, it is determined that the loudspeaker equipment 2 that acquired the audio data is in a normal state. On the other hand, if the data does not contain any test audio or contains an unclear test audio such as a low volume, it can be determined that the loudspeaker equipment 2 that acquired the audio data is in an abnormal state.

[0080] Features The sound amplification method using the sound amplification system 100 according to the above embodiment monitors the status of sound amplification equipment 2 installed in the target area A, and if the sound amplification equipment 2 is in an abnormal state and cannot amplify sound normally, the mobile sound amplifier 6 is moved to the location of the sound amplification equipment 2 and made to amplify sound from the mobile sound amplifier 6 in place of the sound amplification equipment 2 in the abnormal state. As a result, even if the sound amplification equipment 2 installed in the target area A is unable to amplify sound due to an abnormality, the mobile sound amplifier 6 amplifies sound in place of the sound amplification equipment 2, so that sound can be reliably amplified in the target area A. As a result, important information can be reliably notified to people in the target area A, for example.

[0081] 2. Other embodiments As described above, each embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made as appropriate. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in the above embodiments to create new embodiments. For example, the following embodiments are possible.

[0082] (A) The order of execution of each step in the flowcharts of Figures 6 and 7 and the processing content of each step can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, multiple steps can be executed simultaneously.

[0083] (B) The mobile loudspeaker 6 is not limited to an unmanned aerial vehicle. The mobile loudspeaker 6 can also be, for example, a vehicle that can move on the ground. Alternatively, some of the multiple mobile loudspeakers 6 can be unmanned aerial vehicles as described above, and the remaining mobile loudspeakers 6 can be vehicles.

[0084] (C) The audio amplified from the public address system 2 and the mobile loudspeaker 6 may be Japanese audio or audio in a language other than Japanese. The audio may also include Japanese audio and audio in a language other than Japanese. In this case, audio in the other language may be amplified along with Japanese audio.

[0085] (D) The monitoring device 4 and the control device 5 may be the same device. That is, the control device 5 may implement the functions of the monitoring device 4. Alternatively, the monitoring device 4 may implement the functions of the control device 5.

[0086] (E) In the above embodiments, each device may have a cloud computing configuration in which one function is shared and processed jointly by a plurality of devices via a network.

[0087] Each step in the flowcharts of Figures 6 and 7 can be executed by one device or can be shared and executed by multiple devices. Furthermore, if one step includes multiple processes, the multiple processes included in that one step can be executed by one device or can be shared and executed by multiple devices.

[0088] 3. Notes (1) A method for amplifying sound in a target area (for example, target area A) includes the following steps: (a) to (c) below do not limit the order in which the steps are performed. (a) Monitoring the status of public address systems (e.g., public address system 2) located in the area of ​​interest. (b) When the state of the loudspeaker equipment is in an abnormal state where normal sound amplification is not possible, a step of moving a movable loudspeaker (e.g., movable loudspeaker 6) to the location of the loudspeaker equipment in the abnormal state. (c) A step of amplifying sound using a mobile loudspeaker instead of the loudspeaker equipment in the abnormal state.

[0089] In the above-described sound amplification method, the status of sound amplification equipment installed in the target area is monitored, and if the sound amplification equipment is in an abnormal state where it cannot amplify sound normally, the mobile sound amplifier is moved to the installation position of the sound amplifier and made to amplify sound using the mobile sound amplifier in place of the sound amplifier in the abnormal state. As a result, even if the sound amplification equipment installed in the target area is unable to amplify sound due to an abnormality, the mobile sound amplifier amplifies sound in place of the sound amplifier, so sound can be reliably amplified in the target area.

[0090] (2) In the sound reinforcement method of (1) above, the step of monitoring the state of the sound reinforcement equipment may include the following steps. The following steps (d) and (e) do not limit the order in which the steps are performed. (d) obtaining the electrical characteristics of the public address system; (e) determining that the public address system is in an abnormal state if the electrical characteristics are not normal characteristics; This allows the state of the loudspeaker equipment to be checked without actually amplifying sound from the loudspeaker equipment.

[0091] (3) In the public address method of (1) or (2) above, the step of monitoring the state of the public address equipment may include the following steps. The following steps (d) and (e) do not limit the order in which the steps are performed. (f) A step of amplifying the test sound through the public address system. (g) Picking up the sound in a public address system. (h) determining that the public address system is in an abnormal state if the picked-up sound does not correspond to the test sound; This allows the user to actually amplify the sound from the loudspeaker equipment and check whether the sound is actually being amplified, thereby enabling the state of the loudspeaker equipment to be checked more accurately.

[0092] (4) In the above-described sound amplification method (3), the step of collecting the sound amplified by the sound amplification equipment may include the step of collecting the sound with a sound collection device (e.g., sensor microphone 25) provided in the sound amplification equipment. This allows the sound to be collected using a device provided in the sound amplification equipment, eliminating the need for an additional device for collecting sound.

[0093] (5) In the sound amplification method of (3) above, the step of collecting the sound amplified by the sound amplification equipment may include the following steps. The following steps (i) and (j) do not limit the order in which the steps are performed. (i) A step of moving a movable loudspeaker to the location of the loudspeaker equipment to be monitored. (j) A step of picking up sound with a mobile loudspeaker located at the location of the loudspeaker equipment to be monitored. This allows sound to be picked up using a moving loudspeaker, eliminating the need for other devices for sound collection.

[0094] (6) In any of the above public address methods (1) to (5), the step of monitoring the state of the public address equipment may be executed when a disaster occurs at the location where the public address equipment is installed. This makes it possible to check the state of the public address equipment 2 when there is a possibility that the public address equipment 2 has malfunctioned or been destroyed due to the occurrence of a disaster.

[0095] (7) In any of the above sound amplification methods (1) to (5), the step of monitoring the state of the sound amplification equipment may be executed at predetermined intervals. This allows the state of the sound amplification equipment to be known before any sudden, unplanned sound amplification is performed.

[0096] (8) In any of the above sound amplification methods (1) to (7), the step of amplifying the sound using the mobile sound amplifier may include a step of amplifying the sound using the mobile sound amplifier while moving the mobile sound amplifier within a sound amplification range in which the abnormal sound amplifier equipment can amplify the sound. This allows the sound to be amplified evenly throughout the sound amplification range.

[0097] (9) In any of the above sound amplification methods (1) to (8), the step of amplifying sound with a mobile sound amplifier may be performed after sound amplifier equipment other than the abnormal sound amplifier equipment has amplified the sound. This prevents sound amplified by other normal sound amplifier equipment from reaching the amplification range of the abnormal sound amplifier equipment, and prevents congestion between the abnormal sound amplifier equipment and the sound from the mobile sound amplifier equipment.

[0098] (10) In any of the above sound amplification methods (1) to (10), the mobile sound amplifier may be an unmanned aerial vehicle. This allows the mobile sound amplifier to reliably reach the abnormal sound amplifier even if the route to the abnormal sound amplifier is blocked by a disaster or the like.

[0099] (11) A program for causing a computer to execute any one of the above sound amplification methods (1) to (10).

[0100] (12) A public address system (e.g., public address system 100) that amplifies sound in a target area includes a monitoring device (e.g., monitoring device 4) and a control device (e.g., control device 5). The monitoring device monitors the status of public address equipment installed in the target area. When the status of the public address equipment is abnormal and the equipment cannot amplify sound normally, the control device moves a mobile public address body to the location of the abnormal public address equipment and causes the mobile public address body to amplify sound instead of the abnormal public address equipment.

[0101] The above-mentioned public address system monitors the status of public address equipment installed in the target area, and if an abnormality occurs in the equipment that prevents it from amplifying sound normally, the mobile public address unit is moved to the location of the abnormal public address equipment and the mobile public address unit amplifies sound in place of the abnormal public address equipment. As a result, even if the public address equipment installed in the target area is unable to amplify sound due to an abnormality, the mobile public address unit amplifies sound in place of the abnormal public address equipment, ensuring that sound can be reliably amplified in the target area. [Industrial Applicability]

[0102] The present disclosure is broadly applicable to methods for amplifying sound in a target area. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 100: Public address system 1: Master station 2: Public address equipment 21: Processing equipment 23: Speaker 25: Sensor microphone 3: Relay station 4: Monitoring device 41: First information processing unit 43: 1st memory section 45: First Communications Department 5: Control device 51: Second information processing section 53:Second memory section 55: Second Communications Department 6: Mobile loudspeaker 60a: Main body 60b: Arm 60c: Legs 61: Movement control device 62: Storage device 63: Sensor group 64: GPS receiver 65: Rotor 66: Motor 68: Battery 69: Wireless communication equipment 71: Speaker direction control mechanism 72: Speaker 73: Microphone direction control mechanism 74: Mike A: Target area PI: Equipment location information R: Amplification range

Claims

1. A method for amplifying sound in a target area, comprising: monitoring the status of public address equipment located in the target area; a step of moving the movable loudspeaker to the installation position of the loudspeaker equipment in the abnormal state when the loudspeaker equipment is in an abnormal state where normal loudspeaker amplification cannot be performed; a step of amplifying sound using the mobile loudspeaker instead of the loudspeaker equipment in the abnormal state; A sound amplification method comprising:

2. The step of monitoring the state of the loudspeaker equipment includes: acquiring electrical characteristics of the loudspeaker equipment; determining that the loudspeaker equipment is in the abnormal state when the electrical characteristics are not normal; 2. The method of claim 1, comprising:

3. The step of monitoring the state of the loudspeaker equipment includes: a step of amplifying a test sound by the public address system; collecting sound with the loudspeaker equipment; determining that the public address system is in the abnormal state when the picked-up sound does not correspond to the test sound; 2. The method of claim 1, comprising:

4. 4. The sound amplification method according to claim 3, wherein the step of collecting the sound amplified by the sound amplification equipment includes the step of collecting the sound with a sound collection device provided in the sound amplification equipment.

5. The step of collecting the sound amplified by the loudspeaker equipment includes: a step of moving the movable loudspeaker to a location of a loudspeaker equipment to be monitored; a step of picking up sound with the mobile loudspeaker located at the installation position of the loudspeaker equipment to be monitored; 4. The method of claim 3, comprising:

6. 2. The sound amplification method according to claim 1, wherein the step of monitoring the state of the sound amplification equipment is executed when a disaster occurs at a location where the sound amplification equipment is installed.

7. 2. The sound amplification method according to claim 1, wherein the step of monitoring the state of the sound amplification equipment is executed at predetermined intervals.

8. 2. The sound amplification method according to claim 1, wherein the step of amplifying sound from the mobile sound amplifier includes a step of amplifying sound from the mobile sound amplifier while moving the mobile sound amplifier within a sound amplification range in which the abnormal sound amplifier equipment can amplify sound.

9. 2. The sound amplification method according to claim 1, wherein the step of amplifying the sound with the mobile sound amplifier is executed after a sound amplifier other than the sound amplifier in the abnormal state has amplified the sound.

10. The sound amplification method according to claim 1 , wherein the mobile sound amplification body is an unmanned aerial vehicle.

11. A program that causes a computer to execute the sound amplification method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A public address system for amplifying sound in a target area, comprising: a monitoring device that monitors the status of the loudspeaker equipment installed in the target area; a control device that, when the state of the loudspeaker equipment is in an abnormal state where normal sound amplification is not possible, moves a mobile loudspeaker to the location of the loudspeaker equipment in the abnormal state and causes the mobile loudspeaker to amplify sound instead of the loudspeaker equipment in the abnormal state; A public address system comprising:

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