Noise cancellation system and noise cancellation method

Abstract

To provide a noise cancellation system and the like capable of canceling noise according to the spatial layout within a facility.SOLUTION: A noise cancellation system 1 includes a sound collection unit 21 that collects sound, a sound output unit 22 that outputs sound, and a control device 80 that controls the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 via a communication module 84. The sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 are each arranged in at least one of a plurality of regions z. The control device 80 includes a storage unit 86 that stores arrangement information of the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22, and a control unit 85 that controls the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 based on the arrangement information. The control unit 85 causes the sound output unit 22 arranged in a specified region za to output a sound of the opposite phase to the sound collected by the sound collection unit 21 arranged in another region zb, which is different from the specified region za, among the plurality of regions z.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a noise cancellation system and a noise cancellation method. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Noise cancellation devices that cancel noise have been known in the past. Patent Document 1 discloses a noise cancellation device that reduces noise regardless of seat position inside a vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-255735 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] With conventional noise cancellation devices, it is difficult to cancel noise in accordance with the spatial layout within a facility.

[0005] The present invention provides a noise cancellation system and the like that can cancel noise according to the spatial layout within a facility. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the noise cancellation system of the present invention comprises a sound collection unit that collects sound, a sound output unit that outputs sound, and a control unit that controls the sound collection unit and the sound output unit via a communication module, wherein the sound collection unit and the sound output unit are each arranged in at least one of a plurality of areas, and the control unit has a memory unit that stores arrangement information of the sound collection unit and the sound output unit, and a control unit that controls the sound collection unit and the sound output unit based on the arrangement information, and the control unit outputs a sound that is in the opposite phase to the sound collected by the sound collection unit that is arranged in another area other than a predetermined area among the plurality of areas, from the sound output unit that is arranged in the predetermined area.

[0007] One aspect of the noise cancellation method of the present invention is a noise cancellation method for a noise cancellation system comprising a plurality of noise cancellation devices arranged in a plurality of areas and a control device communicatively connected to the plurality of noise cancellation devices, the method including the steps of acquiring arrangement information of the plurality of noise cancellation devices arranged in the plurality of areas, and controlling the plurality of noise cancellation devices based on the arrangement information, wherein in the step of controlling the plurality of noise cancellation devices, a sound that is in antiphase with a sound collected by a noise cancellation device in another area other than a predetermined area among the plurality of areas is output from the noise cancellation device in the predetermined area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The noise cancellation system etc. of the present invention can cancel noise according to the spatial layout within a facility. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a noise cancellation system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a noise cancellation device and a control device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3]4 is a diagram showing identification information, arrangement information, etc. of the noise cancellation device stored in a storage unit of the control device. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates multiple noise cancellation devices positioned in multiple areas within a facility. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a first noise cancellation device arranged in a predetermined area and a second noise cancellation device arranged in another area. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a waveform of a sound collected by the second noise cancellation device. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a waveform of a sound output from the first noise cancellation device. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a first noise cancellation device arranged in a predetermined area and a second noise cancellation device arranged in another area. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of settings of a sound collecting unit and a sound output unit in two areas. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram showing another example of setting the sound collecting unit and the sound output unit in two areas. FIG. [Figure 11] 3 is a diagram illustrating a noise cancellation method of the noise cancellation system according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] 4 is a flowchart showing a noise cancellation method of the noise cancellation device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a noise cancellation system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a lighting device and a control device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 15] 4 is a diagram showing identification information, arrangement information, etc. of lighting devices stored in a storage unit of a control device. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 illustrates multiple lighting devices positioned in multiple areas within a facility. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a first lighting device arranged in a predetermined area and a second lighting device arranged in another area. [Figure 18]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a first lighting device arranged in a predetermined area and a second lighting device arranged in another area. [Figure 19] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of settings of a sound collecting unit and a sound output unit in two areas. [Figure 20] 10 is a diagram showing another example of setting the sound collecting unit and the sound output unit in two areas. FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a noise cancellation method of the noise cancellation system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart showing a noise cancellation method for the lighting device according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (Background to the invention) Noise cancellation devices are used to cancel noise entering from outside. For example, when a space within a facility is arbitrarily divided into multiple areas, a noise cancellation device is placed in each of the multiple areas. However, if the layout of the multiple areas changes, the placement and wiring of the noise cancellation devices must be changed depending on the size, shape, etc. of the new areas. In other words, conventional noise cancellation devices have a problem in that it is not easy to cancel noise when the layout of the space within the facility is changed.

[0011] The noise cancellation system etc. of the present invention has the following configuration in order to cancel noise in accordance with the spatial layout within a facility.

[0012] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that each of the embodiments described below represents a specific example of the present invention. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection configurations, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in an independent claim showing an implementation of one aspect of the present invention will be described as optional components. Implementation of the present invention is not limited to the current independent claim, but may also be expressed by other independent claims.

[0013] It should be noted that the drawings are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily strict illustrations. In addition, in the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations may be omitted or simplified.

[0014] (Embodiment 1) [Noise cancellation system configuration] The overall configuration of the noise cancellation system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a noise cancellation system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0016] The noise cancellation system 1 is a system for canceling noise in a predetermined space within a facility. As shown in Fig. 1, the noise cancellation system 1 includes a plurality of noise cancellation devices 10 and a control device 80. Note that Fig. 1 also shows an information terminal 90.

[0017] The noise cancellation system 1 is used in spaces where people converse or work, such as spaces within facilities such as business facilities, commercial facilities, educational facilities, and public facilities. The floor space within the facility may be divided into multiple areas z for use. In this example, the multiple areas z are made up of six areas z1, z2, z3, z4, z5, and z6. The number of multiple areas z is not limited to six, and may be two to five or seven or more. A plurality of noise cancellation devices 10 are arranged in the multiple areas z1 to z6.

[0018] The plurality of noise cancellation devices 10 and the control device 80 are capable of communicating with each other via a wireless communication network r1. The communication method between the noise cancellation devices 10 and the control device 80 may be a specific low-power radio using a frequency in the 920 MHz band, Zigbee (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or WiFi (registered trademark). Note that the plurality of noise cancellation devices 10 and the control device 80 may also be capable of communicating with each other via a wired communication network.

[0019] The control device 80 and the information terminal 90 can communicate with each other via a wireless r1 communication network. The communication method between the control device 80 and the information terminal 90 is Bluetooth (registered trademark) or WiFi (registered trademark). The information terminal 90 is, for example, a tablet terminal or a mobile terminal, and performs various settings of the noise cancellation system 1 while connected to the control device 80 for communication.

[0020] The configurations of the noise cancellation device 10 and the control device 80 included in the noise cancellation system 1 will be described below.

[0021] [Configuration of noise cancellation device and control device] The configurations of the noise cancellation device 10 and the control device 80 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0022] 2 is a block diagram of the noise cancellation device 10 and the control device 80 according to the first embodiment. An information terminal 90 is also shown in the figure.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 80 includes a communication module 84, a control unit 85, and a storage unit 86.

[0024] The communication module 84 is configured by, for example, a wireless module including an antenna, and is capable of communicating with a plurality of noise cancellation devices 10 via wireless communication r1.

[0025] The storage unit 86 stores identification information and location information of the noise cancellation device 10.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the identification information, arrangement information, etc. of the noise cancellation device 10 stored in the storage unit 86 of the control device 80. As shown in FIG.

[0027] The identification information of the noise cancellation device 10 is a physical address or a logical address. The identification information may be a MAC address (Media Access Control address) or a communication address. The placement information includes location information of the noise cancellation device 10 and information about the area z to which the noise cancellation device 10 belongs. The information about the area z to which the noise cancellation device 10 belongs is information about the area among the multiple areas z in which the sound collection unit 21 and sound output unit 22 (see FIG. 2) of the noise cancellation device 10 are located. The identification information and placement information are input to the control device 80 by an information terminal 90 that is communicatively connected to the control device 80.

[0028] The storage unit 86 also stores setting information regarding the on / off operation of the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 of the noise cancellation device 10. Inputs for setting the on / off operation of the sound collection unit 21 and the on / off operation of the sound output unit 22 are input to the control device 80 by an information terminal 90 that is communicatively connected to the control device 80.

[0029] The control unit 85 controls the noise cancellation device 10 based on the identification information, arrangement information, and setting information stored in the storage unit 86 .

[0030] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a plurality of noise cancellation devices 10 arranged in a plurality of areas z within a facility.

[0031] In FIG. 4, the space within the facility is divided into multiple areas z arranged in a matrix. In FIG. 4, areas z1, z2, z4, and z5 are extracted from the multiple areas z1 to z6 and shown. The multiple areas z may be conference rooms, reception rooms, or conversation spaces and work spaces set up in the open space of an office. Each area z is a space zone formed in a three-dimensional space. A partition shown by a dashed line is set up between two adjacent areas z, but this is not limiting, and there does not need to be a partition between two adjacent areas z.

[0032] The noise cancellation devices 10 are installed, for example, on building materials located on the ceiling of each area z. Nine noise cancellation devices 10 are arranged in a matrix in each area z. The number of noise cancellation devices 10 provided in each area z is not limited to multiple devices, and may be one. In other words, it is sufficient that one or more noise cancellation devices 10 are provided in each area z.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, the noise cancellation device 10 includes a sound unit 20, a communication module 40, and a setting section 50.

[0034] The communication module 40 is configured by, for example, a wireless module including an antenna. The communication module 40 can be connected to the outside for communication via wireless r1. Specifically, the communication module 40 communicates with a control device 80 located outside the noise cancellation device 10.

[0035] The sound unit 20 has a sound collection section 21 that collects sound, a sound output section 22 that outputs sound, and a sound control section 25 that controls the sound collection section 21 and the sound output section 22.

[0036] The sound collecting unit 21 is a microphone that collects sounds within the area z. For example, the sound collecting unit 21 has a unidirectional microphone and collects sounds vertically below the sound collecting unit 21. The sound collecting unit 21 includes a signal converter that converts the collected sounds into sound data signals.

[0037] The sound output unit 22 is a speaker that outputs sound based on a data signal input from the outside, and includes a signal converter that converts the data signal into sound.

[0038] The sound control unit 25 is capable of outputting sound data signals of sounds collected by the sound collection unit 21 to the outside via the communication module 40. Specifically, the sound control unit 25 outputs the sound data signals to a control device 80 located outside the noise cancellation device 10.

[0039] Furthermore, the sound control unit 25 can cause the sound output unit 22 to output a sound based on a data signal for noise cancellation acquired via the communication module 40. The data signal for noise cancellation includes a data signal that is in the opposite phase to a sound input from outside into the area z in which the noise cancellation device 10 is placed. This data signal for noise cancellation is generated by the control device 80.

[0040] The control device 80 sets the operation of the sound collecting unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 of each noise cancellation device 10 to ON or OFF based on the setting information stored in the storage unit 86 .

[0041] The setting unit 50 of the noise cancellation device 10 turns on and off the operation of the sound collection unit 21 based on the setting information output from the control device 80, thereby enabling or disabling the sound collection function of the sound collection unit 21. The setting unit 50 also turns on and off the operation of the sound output unit 22 based on the setting information output from the control device 80, thereby enabling or disabling the sound output function of the sound output unit 22. The on and off settings of the operation of the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 are performed for each of one or more noise cancellation devices 10 arranged in each area z.

[0042] Here, an example of setting the operation of the sound collecting unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 to ON / OFF will be described, focusing on the area z4 and the area z5 among the multiple areas z shown in FIG.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a first noise cancellation device 10a arranged in a predetermined area za and a second noise cancellation device 10b arranged in another area zb.

[0044] Figure 5 shows a top view of areas z4 and z5 shown in Figure 4. In this example, area z4 is referred to as a predetermined area za, and area z5 is referred to as another area zb different from the predetermined area za. Below, an example of canceling noise entering area z4 will be described.

[0045] 5, the predetermined area za and the other area zb are adjacent to each other. A first noise cancellation device 10a, a second noise cancellation device 10b, and a plurality of third noise cancellation devices 10c that make up the plurality of noise cancellation devices 10 are arranged in the predetermined area za and the other area zb.

[0046] A first noise cancellation device 10a is arranged in the predetermined area za. In the first noise cancellation device 10a, the operation of the sound collection unit 21 is set to off and the operation of the sound output unit 22 is set to on. In addition, a plurality of third noise cancellation devices 10c are also arranged in the predetermined area za. In the third noise cancellation device 10c, the operation of both the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 is set to off.

[0047] In this example, to cancel noise entering the predetermined area za from another area zb, the noise cancellation device closest to the other area zb among one or more noise cancellation devices 10 arranged in the predetermined area za is selected as the first noise cancellation device 10a. Note that the first noise cancellation device 10a may also be the noise cancellation device closest to the second noise cancellation device 10b in the other area zb among the one or more noise cancellation devices 10 in the predetermined area za.

[0048] A second noise cancellation device 10b is arranged in another area zb. In the second noise cancellation device 10b, the operation of the sound collection unit 21 is set to on, and the operation of the sound output unit 22 is set to off. In addition, a plurality of third noise cancellation devices 10c are also arranged in another area zb. In the third noise cancellation device 10c, the operation of both the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 is set to off.

[0049] In this example, to collect noise generated in the other area zb, of the one or more noise cancellation devices 10 arranged in the other area zb, the noise cancellation device closest to the center of the other area zb is selected as the second noise cancellation device 10b. In other words, when the other area zb is viewed vertically, the second noise cancellation device 10b is arranged near the center of the other area zb. Note that the second noise cancellation device 10b may also be a noise cancellation device arranged directly above a table between people facing each other.

[0050] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the waveform of a sound collected by the second noise cancellation device 10b.

[0051] 6 shows the waveform of the sound emitted in the other area zb and the waveform of the surrounding environmental sound. The waveform of the sound collected by the second noise cancellation device 10b is a sound waveform that combines the waveform of the sound emitted in the other area zb and the waveform of the surrounding environmental sound, as shown by the solid line. The second noise cancellation device 10b outputs a sound data signal of the sound collected by the sound collection unit 21 to the control device 80. The control unit 85 of the control device 80 acquires the sound data signal output from the second noise cancellation device 10b.

[0052] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the waveform of the sound output from the first noise cancellation device 10a.

[0053] 7 shows a waveform of a sound having an opposite phase to the sound collected by the second noise cancellation device 10b in another area zb. The control unit 85 of the control device 80 causes the sound output unit 22 in the predetermined area za to output the sound having an opposite phase to the sound collected by the sound collection unit 21 in the other area zb.

[0054] Specifically, the control unit 85 generates a data signal having an opposite phase to the sound data signal output from the second noise cancellation device 10b, based on the sound data signal. The control unit 85 then transmits the generated data signal to the first noise cancellation device 10a as a noise cancellation data signal. The first noise cancellation device 10a in the predetermined area za acquires the noise cancellation data signal transmitted from the control device 80. The first noise cancellation device 10a outputs a sound based on the acquired data signal from the sound output unit 22, thereby canceling noise entering the predetermined area za from another area zb. This configuration makes it possible to cancel noise entering the area z4 from the area z5.

[0055] Next, an example in which the above-mentioned predetermined area za is replaced with another area zb will be described.

[0056] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of a first noise cancellation device 10a arranged in a predetermined area za and a second noise cancellation device 10b arranged in another area zb.

[0057] 8 shows a top view of the areas z4 and z5 shown in FIG. 4. In this example, area z5 is referred to as a predetermined area za, and area z4 is referred to as another area zb different from the predetermined area za. An example of canceling noise entering area z5 will be described below.

[0058] 8, the predetermined area za and the other area zb are adjacent to each other. A first noise cancellation device 10a, a second noise cancellation device 10b, and a plurality of third noise cancellation devices 10c that make up the plurality of noise cancellation devices 10 are arranged in the predetermined area za and the other area zb.

[0059] A first noise cancellation device 10a is arranged in the predetermined area za. In the first noise cancellation device 10a, the operation of the sound collection unit 21 is set to off and the operation of the sound output unit 22 is set to on. In addition, a plurality of third noise cancellation devices 10c are also arranged in the predetermined area za. In the third noise cancellation device 10c, the operation of both the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 is set to off.

[0060] In this example, to cancel noise entering the predetermined area za from another area zb, the noise cancellation device closest to the other area zb among one or more noise cancellation devices 10 arranged in the predetermined area za is selected as the first noise cancellation device 10a. Note that the first noise cancellation device 10a may also be the noise cancellation device closest to the second noise cancellation device 10b in the other area zb among the one or more noise cancellation devices 10 in the predetermined area za.

[0061] A second noise cancellation device 10b is arranged in another area zb. In the second noise cancellation device 10b, the operation of the sound collection unit 21 is set to on, and the operation of the sound output unit 22 is set to off. In addition, a plurality of third noise cancellation devices 10c are also arranged in another area zb. In the third noise cancellation device 10c, the operation of both the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 is set to off.

[0062] In this example, to collect sounds generated in the other area zb, of the one or more noise cancellation devices 10 arranged in the other area zb, the noise cancellation device closest to the center of the other area zb is selected as the second noise cancellation device 10b. In other words, when the other area zb is viewed vertically, the second noise cancellation device 10b is arranged near the center of the other area zb. Note that the second noise cancellation device 10b may also be a noise cancellation device arranged directly above a table between people facing each other.

[0063] The second noise cancellation device 10b outputs a sound data signal of the sound collected by the sound collection unit 21 to the control device 80. The control unit 85 of the control device 80 acquires the sound data signal output from the second noise cancellation device 10b. Based on the sound data signal output from the second noise cancellation device 10b, the control unit 85 generates a data signal with an inverse phase to the sound data signal. The control unit 85 then transmits the data signal to the first noise cancellation device 10a as a data signal for noise cancellation. The first noise cancellation device 10a in the predetermined area za acquires the data signal for noise cancellation transmitted from the control device 80. The first noise cancellation device 10a outputs a sound based on the acquired data signal from the sound output unit 22, thereby canceling noise entering the predetermined area za from another area zb. This configuration makes it possible to cancel noise entering the area z5 from the area z4.

[0064] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of settings of the sound collecting unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 in two areas z4 and z5.

[0065] FIG. 9 shows an example of canceling noise entering each of area z4 and area z5, and illustrates an example of the settings of the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 that combines FIG. 5 and FIG. 8. In this example, to cancel noise entering area z4, a first noise cancellation device 10a is placed in the position closest to area z5 among one or more noise cancellation devices 10 in area z4, and a second noise cancellation device 10b is placed in the center of area z5. Furthermore, to cancel noise entering area z5, a first noise cancellation device 10a is placed in the position closest to area z4 among one or more noise cancellation devices 10 in area z5, and a second noise cancellation device 10b is placed in the center of area z4. With this configuration, it is possible to cancel noise entering area z4 from area z5, and to cancel noise entering area z5 from area z4.

[0066] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the settings of a plurality of noise cancellation devices 10 in two areas z4 and z5.

[0067] FIG. 10 shows an example in which the layout of two regions z4 and z5 has been changed so that region z4 is narrower than region z5. In FIG. 10, in order to cancel noise entering region z4, a first noise cancellation device 10a is arranged in a position closest to region z5 among one or more noise cancellation devices 10 in region z4, and a second noise cancellation device 10b is arranged near the center of region z5. Furthermore, in order to cancel noise entering region z5, a first noise cancellation device 10a is arranged in a position closest to region z4 among one or more noise cancellation devices 10 in region z5, and a second noise cancellation device 10b is arranged near the center of region z4. This configuration makes it possible to cancel noise entering region z4 from region z5 and to cancel noise entering region z5 from region z4. Furthermore, even if the layout of multiple regions z4 and z5 is changed, for example, it is possible to change the settings of the noise cancellation device 10 in accordance with the layout change and perform noise cancellation in multiple regions z4 and z5.

[0068] The noise cancellation system 1 of this embodiment includes a sound collection unit 21 that collects sound, a sound output unit 22 that outputs sound, and a control device 80 that controls the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 via a communication module 84. The sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 are each arranged in at least one of a plurality of regions z. The control device 80 includes a storage unit 86 that stores arrangement information of the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22, and a control unit 85 that controls the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 based on the arrangement information. The control unit 85 causes the sound output unit 22 arranged in the predetermined region za to output, from the sound output unit 22 arranged in the predetermined region za, a sound that is in the opposite phase to the sound collected by the sound collection unit 21 arranged in another region zb that is different from the predetermined region za among the plurality of regions z.

[0069] In this way, noise can be canceled according to the layout of the space within the facility by controlling the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 based on the placement information of the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22. For example, if the layout of a specific space within the facility changes, the settings of the noise cancellation device 10 can be changed in accordance with the layout change, and noise cancellation can be performed in the specific space.

[0070] Although the above describes an example of setting the operation of the sound output unit 22 of the first noise cancellation device 10a and the operation of the sound collection unit 21 of the second noise cancellation device 10b, the timing at which these are actually activated may be determined arbitrarily. For example, the sound control unit 25 may always activate the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22. Alternatively, the sound control unit 25 may activate the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 based on a predetermined schedule. Schedule information is input to the control device 80 by an information terminal 90 that is communicatively connected to the control device 80.

[0071] Furthermore, the sound collection unit 21 may collect a first transmitted sound that is transmitted when a sound is generated, and the sound control unit 25 may output a sound data signal of the first transmitted sound to the external control device 80 via the communication module 40. The sound collection unit 21 may collect sound of a predetermined range of sound pressure, and the sound control unit 25 may output a sound data signal of the sound of the predetermined range of sound pressure to the control device 80 via the communication module 40. The sound collection unit 21 may collect sound of a predetermined frequency band, and the sound control unit 25 may output a sound data signal of the sound of the predetermined frequency band to the control device 80 via the communication module 40. The control device 80 may adjust the output level of the sound output from the sound output unit 22 in accordance with the level of the sound collected by the sound collection unit 21.

[0072] [Noise cancellation method] A noise cancellation method of the noise cancellation system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Here, a control method of the noise cancellation system 1 including a plurality of noise cancellation devices 10 arranged in a plurality of areas z and a control device 80 communicatively connected to the plurality of noise cancellation devices 10 will be described.

[0073] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the noise cancellation method of the noise cancellation system 1.

[0074] The noise cancellation system 1 acquires arrangement information of the plurality of noise cancellation devices 10 arranged in the plurality of regions z (step S10).

[0075] Then, the noise cancellation system 1 controls the plurality of noise cancellation devices 10 based on the above-mentioned arrangement information (step S20).

[0076] In step S20, the noise cancellation system 1 outputs, from the noise cancellation device in the predetermined area za, a sound that is in the opposite phase to the sound collected by the noise cancellation device in another area zb different from the predetermined area za among the multiple areas z.

[0077] In this way, noise in the predetermined area za can be canceled by outputting from the noise cancellation device in the predetermined area za a sound that is in the opposite phase to the noise picked up by the noise cancellation device in another area zb different from the predetermined area za. This makes it possible to cancel noise in accordance with the spatial layout within the facility.

[0078] The noise cancellation method of the noise cancellation device 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0079] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the noise cancellation method of the noise cancellation device 10.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 12, the noise cancellation device 10 acquires a data signal for noise cancellation that is generated based on a noise sound picked up by another noise cancellation device different from the noise cancellation device itself (step S30).

[0081] In this example, the noise cancellation device 10 is a first noise cancellation device 10a, and the other noise cancellation device is a second noise cancellation device 10b. The noise cancellation data signal is a signal that includes a data signal that is in the opposite phase to a sound that is input from outside to the area z in which the noise cancellation device 10 is placed.

[0082] The noise cancellation device 10 cancels the noise by outputting a sound based on the data signal acquired in step S30 (step S40).

[0083] In this way, the noise cancellation device 10 can cancel noise in a specific space by acquiring a noise cancellation data signal generated based on noise picked up by another noise cancellation device and outputting sound based on that data signal, thereby making it possible to cancel noise according to the spatial layout within the facility.

[0084] (Embodiment 2) [Overall configuration of noise cancellation system] The overall configuration of a noise cancellation system 1A according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 13. In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which the noise cancellation device 10 has a lighting function. In the following, the noise cancellation device 10 having a lighting function will be described as a lighting device 11.

[0085] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a noise cancellation system 1A according to the second embodiment.

[0086] The noise cancellation system 1A is a system for canceling noise in a predetermined space within a facility. As shown in FIG. 13, the noise cancellation system 1A includes a plurality of lighting devices 11 and a control device 80. Note that FIG. 13 also shows an information terminal 90. In the second embodiment, a noise cancellation device 10 is provided inside the lighting device 11. Since a large number of lighting devices 11 are often installed within a facility, using lighting devices 11 with built-in noise cancellation devices 10 makes it possible to easily cancel noise according to the spatial layout within the facility.

[0087] The lighting devices 11 and the control device 80 can communicate with each other via a wireless r1 communication network. The communication method between the lighting devices 11 and the control device 80 may be a specific low-power radio using a frequency in the 920 MHz band, Zigbee (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or WiFi (registered trademark). The lighting devices 11 and the control device 80 may also be able to communicate with each other via a wired communication network.

[0088] The control device 80 and the information terminal 90 can communicate with each other via a wireless r1 communication network. The communication method between the control device 80 and the information terminal 90 is Bluetooth (registered trademark), WiFi (registered trademark), or the like. The information terminal 90 is, for example, a tablet terminal or a mobile terminal, and performs various settings of the noise cancellation system 1A while connected to the control device 80 for communication.

[0089] The configurations of the lighting device 11 and the control device 80 included in the noise cancellation system 1A will be described below.

[0090] [Configuration of lighting equipment and control devices] The configurations of the lighting device 11 and the control device 80 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0091] 14 is a block diagram of the lighting device 11 and the control device 80 according to the second embodiment. The drawing also shows an information terminal 90.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 14, the control device 80 includes a communication module 84, a control unit 85, and a storage unit 86.

[0093] The communication module 84 is configured by, for example, a wireless module including an antenna, and is capable of communicating with a plurality of lighting devices 11 via wireless communication r1.

[0094] The storage unit 86 stores identification information and location information of the lighting devices 11.

[0095] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the identification information, arrangement information, etc. of the lighting devices 11 stored in the storage unit 86 of the control device 80. As shown in FIG.

[0096] The identification information of the lighting device 11 is a physical address or a logical address. The identification information may be a MAC address (Media Access Control address) or a communication address. The placement information includes location information of the lighting device 11 and information about the area z to which the lighting device 11 belongs. The information about the area z to which the lighting device 11 belongs is information about the area in which the lighting device 11 is located among the multiple areas z. The identification information and placement information are input to the control device 80 by an information terminal 90 that is communicatively connected to the control device 80.

[0097] The storage unit 86 also stores setting information regarding the on / off operation of the sound collection unit 21 and sound output unit 22 (see FIG. 14 ) of the lighting device 11. Input for setting the on / off operation of the sound collection unit 21 and sound output unit 22 is input to the control device 80 by an information terminal 90 that is communicatively connected to the control device 80.

[0098] The control unit 85 controls the lighting device 11 based on the identification information, arrangement information, and setting information stored in the storage unit 86.

[0099] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a plurality of lighting devices 11 arranged in a plurality of areas z within a facility.

[0100] In FIG. 16, the space within the facility is divided into multiple areas z arranged in a matrix. In FIG. 16, areas z1, z2, z4, and z5 are extracted from the multiple areas z1 to z6 and shown. The multiple areas z may be conference rooms, reception rooms, or conversation spaces and work spaces set up in the open space of an office. Each area z is a space zone formed in a three-dimensional space. A partition shown by a dashed line is set up between two adjacent areas z, but this is not limiting, and there does not need to be a partition between two adjacent areas z.

[0101] The lighting devices 11 are installed, for example, on building materials located on the ceiling of each area z. Nine lighting devices 11 are arranged in a matrix in each area z. The number of lighting devices 11 installed in each area z is not limited to multiple, and may be one. In other words, it is sufficient that one or more lighting devices 11 are installed in each area z.

[0102] 14, the lighting device 11 includes a sound unit 20, a lighting unit 30, a communication module 40, and a setting unit 50. In this example, the noise cancellation device 10 built into the lighting device 11 includes the sound unit 20, the lighting unit 30, the communication module 40, and the setting unit 50.

[0103] The communication module 40 is configured by, for example, a wireless module including an antenna. The communication module 40 can communicate with the outside via wireless r1. Specifically, the communication module 40 communicates with a control device 80 located outside the lighting device 11.

[0104] The lighting unit 30 has a lighting section 31 that emits light and a lighting control section 35 that controls the lighting section 31. The lighting section 31 includes a light source such as a plurality of light-emitting diodes that emit white light, red light, green light, or blue light. The lighting control section 35 is composed of a microprocessor, memory, etc. The lighting control section 35 controls the lighting section 31 to provide a lighting environment for each area z.

[0105] The sound unit 20 has a sound collection unit 21 that collects sound, a sound output unit 22 that outputs sound, and a sound control unit 25 that controls the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22. The configurations of the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0106] The sound control unit 25 of the second embodiment can control the operation of the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 based on the lighting state of the lighting unit 31. For example, the sound control unit 25 operates the sound collection unit 21 or the sound output unit 22 when the lighting control unit 35 turns on the lighting unit 31, and stops the operation of the sound collection unit 21 or the sound output unit 22 when the lighting control unit 35 turns off the lighting unit 31.

[0107] Furthermore, the control device 80 sets the operation of the sound collecting unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 of each lighting device 11 to ON or OFF based on the setting information stored in the storage unit 86 .

[0108] The setting unit 50 of the lighting device 11 turns on and off the operation of the sound collection unit 21 based on the setting information output from the control device 80, thereby enabling or disabling the sound collection function of the sound collection unit 21. The setting unit 50 also turns on and off the operation of the sound output unit 22 based on the setting information output from the control device 80, thereby enabling or disabling the sound output function of the sound output unit 22. The on and off setting of the operation of the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 is performed for each of the one or more lighting devices 11 arranged in each area z.

[0109] Here, an example of setting the operation of the sound collecting unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 to ON / OFF will be described, focusing on the area z4 and the area z5 among the multiple areas z shown in FIG.

[0110] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a first lighting device 11a arranged in a predetermined area za and a second lighting device 11b arranged in another area zb.

[0111] Figure 17 shows a top view of areas z4 and z5 shown in Figure 16. In this example, area z4 is called a predetermined area za, and area z5 is called another area zb different from the predetermined area za. Below, an example of canceling noise entering area z4 will be described.

[0112] 17, the predetermined area za and the other area zb are adjacent to each other. A first lighting device 11a, a second lighting device 11b, and a third lighting device 11c that make up the plurality of lighting devices 11 are arranged in the predetermined area za and the other area zb.

[0113] A first lighting device 11a is arranged in the predetermined area za. In the first lighting device 11a, the operation of the sound collection unit 21 is set to off and the operation of the sound output unit 22 is set to on. In addition, a plurality of third lighting devices 11c are also arranged in the predetermined area za. In the third lighting device 11c, the operation of both the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 is set to off.

[0114] In this example, to cancel noise entering the predetermined area za from the other area zb, the lighting device closest to the other area zb among the one or more lighting devices 11 arranged in the predetermined area za is selected as the first lighting device 11a. Note that the first lighting device 11a may also be the lighting device closest to the second lighting device 11b in the other area zb among the one or more lighting devices 11 in the predetermined area za.

[0115] A second lighting device 11b is disposed in another area zb. In the second lighting device 11b, the operation of the sound collection unit 21 is set to on, and the operation of the sound output unit 22 is set to off. In addition, a plurality of third lighting devices 11c are also disposed in another area zb. In the third lighting device 11c, the operation of both the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 is set to off.

[0116] In this example, to collect noise generated in the other area zb, the lighting device closest to the center of the other area zb is selected as the second lighting device 11b from among one or more lighting devices 11 arranged in the other area zb. In other words, the second lighting device 11b is arranged near the center of the other area zb when viewed vertically. Note that the second lighting device 11b may also be an illumination device arranged directly above a table between people facing each other.

[0117] In addition, the first lighting device 11a, the second lighting device 11b and the third lighting device 11c in the specified area za and the other area zb each have the lighting unit 31 turned on, that is, the light irradiation function of the lighting unit 31 is set to be enabled.

[0118] The second lighting device 11b outputs a sound data signal of the sound collected by the sound collection unit 21 to the control device 80. The control unit 85 of the control device 80 acquires the sound data signal output from the second lighting device 11b. Based on the sound data signal output from the second lighting device 11b, the control unit 85 generates a data signal with an inverse phase to the sound data signal. The control unit 85 then transmits the data signal to the first lighting device 11a as a noise cancellation data signal. The first lighting device 11a in the predetermined area za acquires the noise cancellation data signal transmitted from the control device 80. The first lighting device 11a outputs a sound based on the acquired data signal from the sound output unit 22, thereby canceling noise entering the predetermined area za from another area zb. This configuration makes it possible to cancel noise entering the area z4 from the area z5.

[0119] Next, an example in which the above-mentioned predetermined area za is replaced with another area zb will be described.

[0120] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing another example of a first lighting device 11a arranged in a predetermined area za and a second lighting device 11b arranged in another area zb.

[0121] Figure 18 shows a top view of areas z4 and z5 shown in Figure 16. In this example, area z5 is called a predetermined area za, and area z4 is called another area zb different from the predetermined area za. Below, an example of canceling noise entering area z5 will be described.

[0122] 18, the predetermined area za and the other area zb are adjacent to each other. A first lighting device 11a, a second lighting device 11b, and a third lighting device 11c that make up the plurality of lighting devices 11 are arranged in the predetermined area za and the other area zb.

[0123] A first lighting device 11a is arranged in the predetermined area za. In the first lighting device 11a, the operation of the sound collection unit 21 is set to off and the operation of the sound output unit 22 is set to on. In addition, a plurality of third lighting devices 11c are also arranged in the predetermined area za. In the third lighting device 11c, the operation of both the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 is set to off.

[0124] In this example, to cancel noise entering the predetermined area za from the other area zb, the lighting device closest to the other area zb among the one or more lighting devices 11 arranged in the predetermined area za is selected as the first lighting device 11a. Note that the first lighting device 11a may also be the lighting device closest to the second lighting device 11b in the other area zb among the one or more lighting devices 11 in the predetermined area za.

[0125] A second lighting device 11b is disposed in another area zb. In the second lighting device 11b, the operation of the sound collection unit 21 is set to on, and the operation of the sound output unit 22 is set to off. In addition, a plurality of third lighting devices 11c are also disposed in another area zb. In the third lighting device 11c, the operation of both the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 is set to off.

[0126] In this example, to collect sounds generated in the other area zb, the lighting device closest to the center of the other area zb is selected as the second lighting device 11b from among one or more lighting devices 11 arranged in the other area zb. In other words, the second lighting device 11b is arranged near the center of the other area zb when viewed vertically. Note that the second lighting device 11b may also be arranged directly above a table between people facing each other.

[0127] The second lighting device 11b outputs a sound data signal of the sound collected by the sound collection unit 21 to the control device 80. The control unit 85 of the control device 80 acquires the sound data signal output from the second lighting device 11b. Based on the sound data signal output from the second lighting device 11b, the control unit 85 generates a data signal with an inverse phase to the sound data signal. The control unit 85 then transmits the data signal to the first lighting device 11a as a noise cancellation data signal. The first lighting device 11a in the predetermined area za acquires the noise cancellation data signal transmitted from the control device 80. The first lighting device 11a outputs a sound based on the acquired data signal from the sound output unit 22, thereby canceling noise entering the predetermined area za from another area zb. This configuration makes it possible to cancel noise entering the area z5 from the area z4.

[0128] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of settings of the sound collecting unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 in two areas z4 and z5.

[0129] FIG. 19 shows an example of canceling noise entering each of area z4 and area z5. FIG. 19 shows an example of the settings of the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 that combines FIG. 17 and FIG. 18. In this example, to cancel noise entering area z4, a first lighting device 11a is placed in a position closest to area z5 among the one or more lighting devices 11 in area z4, and a second lighting device 11b is placed in the center of area z5. Furthermore, to cancel noise entering area z5, a first lighting device 11a is placed in a position closest to area z4 among the one or more lighting devices 11 in area z5, and a second lighting device 11b is placed in the center of area z4. With this configuration, it is possible to cancel noise entering area z4 from area z5, and to cancel noise entering area z5 from area z4.

[0130] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing another example of the settings of the plurality of lighting devices 11 in the two areas z4 and z5.

[0131] FIG. 20 shows an example in which the layout of two regions z4 and z5 is changed so that region z4 is narrower than region z5. In FIG. 20, in order to cancel noise entering region z4, a first lighting device 11a is arranged in a position closest to region z5 among one or more lighting devices 11 in region z4, and a second lighting device 11b is arranged near the center of region z5. Furthermore, in order to cancel noise entering region z5, a first lighting device 11a is arranged in a position closest to region z4 among one or more lighting devices 11 in region z5, and a second lighting device 11b is arranged near the center of region z4. This configuration can cancel noise entering region z4 from region z5 and can also cancel noise entering region z5 from region z4. Furthermore, even if the layout of multiple regions z4 and z5 is changed, for example, it is possible to change the settings of the lighting devices 11 in accordance with the layout change and perform noise cancellation in multiple regions z4 and z5.

[0132] The noise cancellation system 1A of this embodiment includes a sound collection unit 21 that collects sound, a sound output unit 22 that outputs sound, and a control device 80 that controls the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 via a communication module 84. The sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 are each arranged in at least one of a plurality of regions z. The control device 80 includes a storage unit 86 that stores arrangement information of the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22, and a control unit 85 that controls the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 based on the arrangement information. The control unit 85 causes the sound output unit 22 arranged in the predetermined region za to output, from the sound output unit 22 arranged in the predetermined region za, a sound that is in the opposite phase to the sound collected by the sound collection unit 21 arranged in another region zb that is different from the predetermined region za among the plurality of regions z.

[0133] In this way, noise can be canceled according to the layout of the space within the facility by controlling the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 based on the arrangement information of the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22. For example, if the layout of a predetermined space within the facility is changed, the settings of the lighting device 11 can be changed in accordance with the layout change, and noise cancellation can be performed in the predetermined space.

[0134] In the above, an example is shown in which the sound control unit 25 of the lighting device 11 controls the operation of the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 based on the lighting state of the lighting unit 31, but this is not limited to this, and the control unit 85 of the control device 80 may control the operation of the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 based on the lighting state of the lighting unit 31.

[0135] For example, the control unit 85 may control the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 based on whether the lights in the predetermined area za and the other areas zb are on or whether there are people in the predetermined area za and the other areas zb. In this case, the control unit 85 of the control device 80 activates the sound collection unit 21 or the sound output unit 22 when the lighting control unit 35 turns on the lighting unit 31, and stops the operation of the sound collection unit 21 or the sound output unit 22 when the lighting control unit 35 turns off the lighting unit 31. The on / off state of the lighting unit 31 may be switched by a motion sensor provided in each area z, or by a push-type or snap-type wall switch.

[0136] [Noise cancellation method] A noise cancellation method of the noise cancellation system 1A according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 21. Here, a control method of the noise cancellation system 1A including a plurality of lighting devices 11 arranged in a plurality of areas z and a control device 80 connected to and communicating with the plurality of lighting devices 11 will be described.

[0137] FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the noise cancellation method of the noise cancellation system 1A.

[0138] The noise cancellation system 1A acquires arrangement information of a plurality of lighting devices 11 arranged in a plurality of regions z (step S10A).

[0139] Then, the noise cancellation system 1A controls the plurality of lighting devices 11 based on the above-mentioned arrangement information (step S20A).

[0140] In step S20A, the noise cancellation system 1A outputs, from the lighting device in the predetermined area za, a sound that is in the opposite phase to the sound collected by the lighting device in another area zb different from the predetermined area za among the multiple areas z.

[0141] In this way, noise in the predetermined area za can be canceled by outputting from the lighting device in the predetermined area za a sound that is in the opposite phase to the noise picked up by the lighting device in another area zb different from the predetermined area za. This makes it possible to cancel noise according to the spatial layout within the facility.

[0142] The noise cancellation method of the lighting device 11 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0143] FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a noise cancellation method of the lighting device 11.

[0144] As shown in FIG. 22, lighting device 11 acquires a noise cancellation data signal generated based on a noise sound picked up by another lighting device different from itself (step S30A).

[0145] In this example, the lighting device 11 is a first lighting device 11a, and the other lighting device is a second lighting device 11b. The noise cancellation data signal is a signal that includes a data signal of an opposite phase to a sound input from outside to the area z where the lighting device 11 is placed.

[0146] The lighting device 11 cancels the noise by outputting a sound based on the data signal acquired in step S30A (step S40A).

[0147] In this way, lighting device 11 acquires a noise cancellation data signal generated based on noise picked up by another lighting device and outputs sound based on the data signal, thereby canceling noise in a specific space. Noise can be canceled according to the spatial layout within the facility.

[0148] (summary) A noise cancellation system according to one aspect of the present invention will be described below.

[0149] The noise cancellation system of Example 1 includes a sound collection unit 21 that collects sound, a sound output unit 22 that outputs sound, and a control device 80 that controls the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 via a communication module 84. The sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 are each arranged in at least one of a plurality of regions z. The control device 80 includes a storage unit 86 that stores arrangement information for the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22, and a control unit 85 that controls the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 based on the arrangement information. The control unit 85 causes the sound output unit 22 arranged in the predetermined region za to output a sound that is in the opposite phase to a sound collected by the sound collection unit 21 that is arranged in another region zb of the plurality of regions z that is different from the predetermined region za.

[0150] In this way, noise can be canceled according to the layout of the space within the facility by controlling the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 based on the placement information of the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22. For example, if the layout of a specific space within the facility changes, the settings of the noise cancellation device 10 can be changed in accordance with the layout change, and noise cancellation can be performed in the specific space.

[0151] The noise cancellation system of Example 2 is the noise cancellation system described in Example 1, and the above-mentioned placement information may include position information of the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22, and information regarding the area among the multiple areas z in which the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 are placed.

[0152] In this way, by controlling the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 based on the positional information of the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 and information regarding the area in which the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 are located, noise can be canceled according to the spatial layout within the facility.

[0153] The noise cancellation system of Example 3 is the noise cancellation system described in Example 1 or 2, in which the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 are provided in each of the multiple noise cancellation devices 10, the multiple noise cancellation devices 10 are provided in multiple areas z, and a first noise cancellation device 10a of the multiple noise cancellation devices 10 is provided in a predetermined area za, and a second noise cancellation device 10b of the multiple noise cancellation devices 10 is provided in another area zb.

[0154] According to this, for example, noise entering the predetermined area za from another area zb can be canceled using the sound output unit 22 of the first noise cancellation device 10a and the sound collection unit 21 of the second noise cancellation device 10b.

[0155] The noise cancellation system of Example 4 is the noise cancellation system described in Example 3, and the noise cancellation device 10 may have a setting unit 50 that sets the operation of the sound collection unit 21 on or off and the operation of the sound output unit 22 on or off.

[0156] By providing the noise cancellation device 10 with the setting unit 50, the sound collection function and sound output function of the noise cancellation device 10 can be set as desired. Therefore, for example, if the layout of a specific space within a facility is changed, the settings of the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 can be changed in accordance with the layout change, and noise cancellation can be performed in the specific space. This makes it possible to cancel noise according to the layout of the space within the facility.

[0157] The noise cancellation system of Example 5 is the noise cancellation system described in Example 3 or 4, in which one or more noise cancellation devices 10 are arranged in the other area zb, and the control unit 85 may collect sound from the noise cancellation device that is closest to the center of the other area zb among the one or more noise cancellation devices 10 arranged in the other area zb.

[0158] This allows the sound from the other area zb to be collected appropriately and a sound with an opposite phase to the collected sound to be output from the specified area za, thereby canceling the noise entering the specified area za from the other area zb.

[0159] The noise cancellation system of Example 6 is the noise cancellation system described in any one of Examples 3 to 5, in which one or more noise cancellation devices 10 are arranged in the predetermined area za, and the control unit 85 may output the above-mentioned antiphase sound from the noise cancellation device that is closest to another area zb among the one or more noise cancellation devices 10 arranged in the predetermined area za.

[0160] This makes it possible to appropriately cancel noise entering the predetermined area za from other areas zb.

[0161] The noise cancellation system of Example 7 is the noise cancellation system described in any one of Examples 3 to 6, and the control device 80 may set the operation of the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 to on or off for each of one or more noise cancellation devices 10 arranged in each of the multiple areas z.

[0162] In this way, by setting the operation of the sound collecting section 21 and the sound output section 22 to on or off for each of one or more noise cancellation devices 10, it is possible to cancel noise in a plurality of areas z.

[0163] The noise cancellation system of Example 8 is the noise cancellation system described in Example 7, and the input for setting the operation of the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 to on or off may be input to the control unit 80 by an information terminal 90 that is communicatively connected to the control unit 80.

[0164] This makes it possible to easily set the operation of the sound collecting unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 to on or off, thereby making it possible to cancel noise according to the spatial layout within the facility.

[0165] The noise cancellation system of Example 9 is the noise cancellation system described in any one of Examples 1 to 8, in which predetermined schedule information is stored in the memory unit 86, and the control unit 85 may operate the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 based on the schedule information.

[0166] This allows noise in the space within the facility to be canceled based on a predetermined schedule.

[0167] The noise cancellation system of Example 10 is the noise cancellation system described in Example 9, and the schedule information may be input to the control device 80 by an information terminal 90 that is communicatively connected to the control device 80.

[0168] This makes it possible to easily set a schedule for the operation of the sound collecting unit 21 and the sound output unit 22. This makes it possible to cancel noise in the space within the facility based on a predetermined schedule.

[0169] The noise cancellation system of Example 11 is the noise cancellation system described in any one of Examples 1 to 10, and the control device 80 may adjust the output level of the sound output from the sound output unit 22 according to the level of the sound collected by the sound collection unit 21.

[0170] This makes it possible to cancel noise in the space within the facility according to the level of the sound collected by the sound collecting unit 21.

[0171] The noise cancellation system of Example 12 is the noise cancellation system according to any one of Examples 3 to 8, wherein the noise cancellation device 10 further includes an illumination unit 31 that irradiates light, and an illumination control unit 35 that controls the illumination unit 31. The control unit 85 may control the operation of the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 based on the lighting state of the illumination unit 31.

[0172] In this way, by controlling the operation of the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 based on the lighting state of the lighting unit 31, noise in the space within the facility can be canceled in accordance with the lighting state of a specified space.

[0173] The noise cancellation system of Example 13 is the noise cancellation system described in Example 12, and the control unit 85 may operate the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 when the lighting control unit 35 turns on the lighting unit 31, and may stop the operation of the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 when the lighting control unit 35 turns off the lighting unit 31.

[0174] This makes it possible to cancel noise in the space within the facility in accordance with the lighting unit 31 being turned on or off.

[0175] The noise cancellation system of Example 14 includes a plurality of noise cancellation devices 10 arranged in a plurality of regions z, and a control device 80 connected to the plurality of noise cancellation devices 10 via a communication module 84. Each of the plurality of noise cancellation devices 10 has a sound collection unit 21 that collects sound and a sound output unit 22 that outputs sound. The control device 80 has a storage unit 86 that stores arrangement information of the plurality of noise cancellation devices 10 in the plurality of regions z, and a control unit that controls the plurality of noise cancellation devices 10 based on the arrangement information. The plurality of noise cancellation devices 10 include at least a first noise cancellation device 10a arranged in a predetermined region za of the plurality of regions z, and a second noise cancellation device 10b arranged in another region zb different from the predetermined region za. The control unit 85 causes the sound output unit 22 of the first noise cancellation device 10a to output a sound that is in the opposite phase to the sound collected by the sound collection unit 21 of the second noise cancellation device 10b.

[0176] In this way, noise can be canceled according to the layout of the space within the facility by controlling the sound collection unit 21 and the sound output unit 22 based on the arrangement information of the multiple noise cancellation devices 10. For example, if the layout of a specific space within the facility changes, the settings of the noise cancellation device 10 can be changed in accordance with the layout change, and noise cancellation can be performed in the specific space.

[0177] The noise cancellation method of Example 15 is a noise cancellation method for a noise cancellation system including a plurality of noise cancellation devices 10 arranged in a plurality of areas z and a control device 80 communicatively connected to the plurality of noise cancellation devices 10, and includes the steps of acquiring arrangement information of the plurality of noise cancellation devices 10 arranged in the plurality of areas z, and controlling the plurality of noise cancellation devices 10 based on the arrangement information. In the step of controlling the plurality of noise cancellation devices 10, a sound having an opposite phase to a sound collected by a noise cancellation device 10 in another area zb different from a predetermined area za among the plurality of areas z is output from the noise cancellation device 10 in the predetermined area za.

[0178] In this way, noise in the predetermined area za can be canceled by outputting a sound that is in the opposite phase to the noise picked up by the noise cancellation device in another area zb from the noise cancellation device in the predetermined area za. This makes it possible to cancel noise according to the spatial layout within the facility.

[0179] (Other forms) Although the noise cancellation device, noise cancellation system, lighting device, etc. have been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to the above embodiments that would occur to those skilled in the art, and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of the embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

[0180] In the above, the relationship between the predetermined area za and the other areas zb has been described using areas z4 and z5 among the multiple areas z1 to z6 as an example, but this is not limiting. The relationship between the predetermined area za and the other areas zb may be two areas adjacent in the row direction, two areas adjacent in the column direction, or two areas adjacent in the diagonal direction among the multiple areas z1 to z6 arranged in a matrix.

[0181] In the above example, the first noise cancellation device 10a is the noise cancellation device that is closest to another area zb among the one or more noise cancellation devices 10 in the predetermined area za, but this is not limiting. For example, the first noise cancellation device 10a may be the noise cancellation device that is closest to the center of the predetermined area za among the one or more noise cancellation devices 10 in the predetermined area za.

[0182] In the above example, the second noise cancellation device 10b is the noise cancellation device that is closest to the center of the other area zb among the one or more noise cancellation devices 10 in the other area zb, but this is not limiting. For example, the second noise cancellation device 10b may be the noise cancellation device that is closest to the predetermined area za among the one or more noise cancellation devices 10 in the other area zb.

[0183] In the above-described first and second embodiments, the communication module 84 is provided inside the control device 80, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the communication module 84 may be provided outside the control device 80 as a wireless access point and connected to the control unit 85 by wire.

[0184] The order of the processes described in the flowcharts of the above embodiments is merely an example. The order of the processes may be changed, or the processes may be executed in parallel.

[0185] In the above-described embodiments, components such as the control unit may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0186] Furthermore, components such as the control unit may be realized by hardware. For example, components such as the control unit may be circuits (or integrated circuits). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or may be separate circuits. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0187] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0188] For example, the present invention may be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute the processes performed by the noise cancellation device and noise cancellation system of the above-described embodiments. Such a program includes an application program installed on a mobile terminal (an example of an operating terminal) such as a smartphone or tablet terminal. The present invention may also be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded. [Explanation of symbols]

[0189] 1. 1A noise cancellation system 10 Noise Cancellation Device 10a First noise cancellation device 10b Second noise cancellation device 11 Lighting equipment 21 Sound Collection Department 22 Sound output section 25 Sound control section 31 Lighting Department 35 Lighting control unit 40 Communication Module 50 Setting section 80 Control device 84 Communication Module 85 Control Unit 86 Memory section 90 Information terminal z, z1, z2, z3, z4, z5, z6, za, zb regions

Claims

1. a sound collection unit that collects sound, a sound output unit that outputs sound, and a control device that controls the sound collection unit and the sound output unit via a communication module; the sound collecting unit and the sound output unit are each disposed in at least one area among a plurality of areas; The control device a storage unit that stores arrangement information of the sound collection unit and the sound output unit; a control unit that controls the sound collection unit and the sound output unit based on the arrangement information; and The control unit causes the sound output unit disposed in the predetermined area to output a sound having an opposite phase to the sound collected by the sound collection unit disposed in another area different from the predetermined area among the plurality of areas. Noise cancellation system.

2. The arrangement information includes position information of the sound collection unit and the sound output unit, and information on the region in which the sound collection unit and the sound output unit are arranged among the plurality of regions. The noise cancellation system of claim 1 .

3. the sound collection unit and the sound output unit are provided in each of a plurality of noise cancellation devices, the plurality of noise cancellation devices are provided in the plurality of regions, a first noise cancellation device of the plurality of noise cancellation devices is provided in the predetermined area; A second noise cancellation device of the plurality of noise cancellation devices is provided in the other area. The noise cancellation system of claim 1 .

4. The noise cancellation device has a setting unit that sets the operation of the sound collection unit to on or off and the operation of the sound output unit to on or off. The noise cancellation system according to claim 3 .

5. one or more of the noise cancellation devices are arranged in the other area; The control unit collects sound from a noise cancellation device that is closest to a center of the other area among the one or more noise cancellation devices arranged in the other area.

5. The noise cancellation system according to claim 3 or 4.

6. one or more of the noise cancellation devices are arranged in the predetermined area, The control unit outputs the antiphase sound from a noise cancellation device that is closest to the other area among the one or more noise cancellation devices arranged in the predetermined area.

5. The noise cancellation system according to claim 3 or 4.

7. The control device sets the operation of the sound collecting unit and the sound output unit to on or off for each of the one or more noise cancellation devices arranged in each of the plurality of areas.

5. The noise cancellation system according to claim 3 or 4.

8. An input for setting the operation of the sound collecting unit and the sound output unit to on or off is input to the control device by an information terminal communicatively connected to the control device.

8. The noise cancellation system of claim 7.

9. The storage unit stores predetermined schedule information, The control unit operates the sound collection unit and the sound output unit based on the schedule information.

5. The noise cancellation system according to claim 1.

10. The schedule information is input to the control device by an information terminal connected to the control device.

10. The noise cancellation system of claim 9.

11. The control device adjusts the output level of the sound output from the sound output unit in accordance with the level of the sound collected by the sound collection unit.

5. The noise cancellation system according to claim 1.

12. The noise cancellation device further comprises: an illumination unit that irradiates light; an illumination control unit that controls the illumination unit; and The control unit controls the operation of the sound collection unit and the sound output unit based on the lighting state of the illumination unit.

5. The noise cancellation system according to claim 3 or 4.

13. The control unit activates the sound collection unit and the sound output unit when the lighting control unit turns on the lighting unit, and stops the operation of the sound collection unit and the sound output unit when the lighting control unit turns off the lighting unit.

13. The noise cancellation system of claim 12.

14. a plurality of noise cancellation devices arranged in a plurality of areas; and a control device connected to the plurality of noise cancellation devices via a communication module; Each of the plurality of noise cancellation devices has a sound collection unit that collects sound and a sound output unit that outputs sound, The control device a storage unit that stores arrangement information of the plurality of noise cancellation devices in the plurality of regions; a control unit that controls the plurality of noise cancellation devices based on the arrangement information; and the plurality of noise cancellation devices include at least a first noise cancellation device arranged in a predetermined area of ​​the plurality of areas, and a second noise cancellation device arranged in another area different from the predetermined area, The control unit outputs a sound having an opposite phase to the sound collected by the sound collection unit of the second noise cancellation device from the sound output unit of the first noise cancellation device. Noise cancellation system.

15. A noise cancellation method for a noise cancellation system including a plurality of noise cancellation devices arranged in a plurality of areas and a control device communicatively connected to the plurality of noise cancellation devices, the method comprising: acquiring arrangement information of the plurality of noise cancellation devices arranged in the plurality of regions; controlling the plurality of noise cancellation devices based on the arrangement information; Including, In the step of controlling the plurality of noise cancellation devices, a sound having an opposite phase to a sound collected by a noise cancellation device in another area other than a predetermined area among the plurality of areas is output from the noise cancellation device in the predetermined area. Noise cancellation method.

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