Audio signal distribution method, audio signal distribution device, and audio signal distribution system

Abstract

This audio signal distribution method involves: allocating, in advance, the playback roles for each of a plurality of speakers; distributing the audio signals to the plurality of speakers in accordance with such allocation; and in a case where the number of the plurality of speakers has been decreased, causing the audio of the decreased speaker to be additionally played back by the speaker which formed a pair with the decreased speaker, such pair having the playback role.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] One embodiment of the present invention relates to an audio signal distribution method, an audio signal device, and an audio signal distribution system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a wireless speaker system that distributes and plays audio content to a plurality of speakers. The wireless speaker system of Patent Document 1 includes a party mode for distributing audio content to a plurality of speakers, and an individual mode in which any one of the plurality of speakers inputs another audio signal and plays it individually.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The number of speakers may increase or decrease according to the usage situation of the user. For example, when playing the audio signals of the L channel and the R channel of the stereo in the living room, the speaker that was playing the audio signal of the L channel may be carried to the bedroom and used individually in the bedroom. In this case, it becomes impossible to play the audio signal of the L channel in the living room.

[0005] Therefore, an object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide an audio signal distribution method capable of appropriately playing an audio signal even when the number of speakers changes.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The audio signal distribution method according to an embodiment of the present invention assigns a playback role to each of a plurality of speakers in advance, distributes an audio signal to the plurality of speakers according to the assignment, and when the number of the plurality of speakers decreases, the sound of the decreased speaker is further played back to the speaker paired with the decreased speaker in terms of the playback role.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an audio signal can be appropriately played back even when the number of speakers changes.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the audio signal distribution system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The audio signal distribution system 1 includes a distribution device 10 and a plurality of speakers 11 to 14. The distribution device 10 and the plurality of speakers 11 to 14 are connected by wireless communication. However, the distribution device 10 and the plurality of speakers 11 to 14 may be connected by wire using an audio cable or the like.

[0010] The distribution device 10 is composed of, for example, a set-top box, a personal computer, an audio receiver, a wireless access point, or a speaker device. The distribution device 10 receives content data from a content playback device such as a TV or a player. Further, the distribution device 10 may receive content data from a server or the like via the Internet.

[0011] The distribution device 10 decodes the received content data to extract audio signals of a plurality of channels. However, the distribution device 10 may receive the decoded audio signals of a plurality of channels. The distribution device 10 distributes the audio signals of a plurality of channels to the speakers 11 to 14.

[0012] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the distribution device 10. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the speaker 11. Since the speakers 11 to 14 all have the same configuration and function, the configuration of the speaker 11 is shown representatively in Figure 3.

[0013] The distribution device 10 includes a display 101, a user interface (I / F) 102, a CPU 103, a flash memory 104, a RAM 105, a wireless communication unit 106, and an HDMI (registered trademark) interface (I / F) 107.

[0014] The display 101 is composed of a plurality of LEDs and displays, for example, the standby state / power-on state. The user I / F 102 is composed of, for example, a power button.

[0015] The CPU 103 reads out the program stored in the flash memory 104, which is a storage medium, to the RAM 105 to realize a predetermined function. For example, the CPU 103 decodes the content data received from the HDMI (registered trademark) I / F 107 and extracts audio signals of a plurality of channels.

[0016] The wireless communication unit 106 is a wireless communication unit conforming to a standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The wireless communication unit 106 communicates with the speakers 11 to 14 by wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The CPU 103 distributes audio signals of a plurality of channels to the speakers 11 to 14 via the wireless communication unit 106.

[0017] The speaker 11 includes a display 111, a user interface (I / F) 112, a CPU 113, a flash memory 114, a RAM 115, a wireless communication unit 116, a DSP 117, and a playback unit 118.

[0018] The display 111 is composed of a plurality of LEDs and displays, for example, the standby state / power-on state. Also, the display 111 may display the current playback mode. The playback mode will be described later.

[0019] The user I / F 112 consists of, for example, a power button. Further, the user I / F 112 may have a mode change button that accepts changes to the playback mode.

[0020] The CPU 113 reads out the program stored in the flash memory 114, which is a storage medium, into the RAM 115 to realize a predetermined function. For example, the CPU 113 inputs the audio signal received via the wireless communication unit 116 to the DSP 117. The DSP 117 performs various signal processes on the input audio signal. The playback unit 118 includes a DA converter, an amplifier, and a speaker unit (not shown). The playback unit 118 plays back and outputs the audio signal after being signal-processed by the DSP 117. Further, the CPU 113 accepts changes to the playback mode via the user I / F 112.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operations of the speaker 11 and the distribution device 10 when the mode is changed. Although the operation of the speaker 11 is shown representatively in FIG. 4, the same operation is performed in the other speakers 12 to 14.

[0022] The speaker 11 accepts changes to the playback mode via the user I / F 112 (S71). The playback mode is set to any one of the multi-channel mode, the synchronous playback mode, and the solo mode. The speaker 11 transmits mode change information corresponding to the accepted playback mode to the distribution device 10 (S72). The distribution device 10 receives the mode change information (S81) and performs an operation according to the received mode change information (S82).

[0023] The multi-channel mode is a mode in which audio signals of different channels are played back in each of a plurality of speakers. When the distribution device 10 accepts a mode change to the multi-channel mode, it assigns the playback roles of the speakers set to the multi-channel mode and distributes audio signals to the plurality of speakers according to the assignment (S83).

[0024] For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the distribution device 10 distributes an L-channel audio signal to the speaker 11, an R-channel audio signal to the speaker 12, an SL (surround L) channel audio signal to the speaker 14, and an SR (surround R) channel audio signal to the speaker 13. The speakers 11 to 14 reproduce the audio signals of the received channels respectively. Thereby, the audio signal distribution system 1 performs surround reproduction.

[0025] The synchronous reproduction mode is a mode in which the audio signals of the same channel of the same content are synchronously reproduced by a plurality of speakers. When the distribution device 10 receives the mode change information of the synchronous reproduction mode, it distributes the same audio signal to all the connected speakers 11 to 14 (S84).

[0026] For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the distribution device 10 distributes the audio signals of the L channel and the R channel to the speakers 11 to 14. Each speaker reproduces the received L-channel and R-channel audio signals. Thereby, the user can carry the speakers 11 to 14 to different rooms respectively, and listen to the same content as the content listened to at a certain place (for example, the living room) at another place (for example, the bedroom).

[0027] The solo mode is a mode in which an audio signal of content different from that of other speakers is reproduced. In the solo mode, the distribution device 10 distributes the specified audio signal to the solo-mode speaker. The speaker receives the audio signal of arbitrary content from the distribution device 10. Alternatively, the solo-mode speaker may receive and reproduce the audio signal of arbitrary content from a certain host device (for example, a server connected via the Internet) other than the distribution device 10.

[0028] The user sets at least one of the speakers 11 to 14 to the solo mode and designates the content to be reproduced by the speaker set to the solo mode. The user designates the content to be reproduced by the speaker set to the solo mode by using an information processing device (not shown) such as a smartphone connected to the distribution device 10 and the speakers 11 to 14 via a network.

[0029] Also, the speaker set to the solo mode may be connected to a network different from the network for connecting to the distribution device 10. For example, when the distribution device 10 is connected to speakers 11 to 14 via Wi-Fi (registered trademark), the speaker set to the solo mode is connected to an information processing device such as a smartphone via Bluetooth (registered trademark) and receives an audio signal from the information processing device.

[0030] Thereby, the user can carry the speaker from one location (e.g., the living room) to another location (e.g., the bedroom) and listen to content different from the content listened to in the living room.

[0031] Next, the operation of the multi-channel mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. As described above, in the multi-channel mode, the distribution device 10 assigns respective playback roles to speakers 11 to 14 in advance and distributes an audio signal to speakers 11 to 14 according to the assignment.

[0032] FIG. 5 is an assignment table of the playback roles of speakers 11 to 14 stored in the flash memory 114 of the distribution device 10. The distribution device 10 assigns a playback role to each of speakers 11 to 14. In the example of FIG. 5, the distribution device 10 assigns the L channel to speaker 11, the R channel to speaker 12, the SR channel to speaker 13, and the SL channel to speaker 14.

[0033] The distribution device 10 identifies speakers 11 to 14 using the IP address and the MAC address. The MAC address is an example of unique identification information of the speaker. The IP address is a local IP address and is assigned by a router (not shown). When the distribution device 10 has the function of a router, the distribution device 10 assigns the IP address. The distribution device 10 stores in the flash memory 114 by associating the IP address, the MAC address, and the playback role of each speaker.

[0034] Note that the assignment table for the playback roles is not limited to the example stored in the distribution device 10. For example, the speakers 11 to 14 may store the assignment table for the playback roles. Further, the assignment table for the playback roles may be stored in an information processing device such as a smartphone owned by the user, or a remote controller or the like. When referring to the assignment table for the playback roles, the distribution device 10 downloads the table from the device storing the table each time.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operations of the speaker 11 and the distribution device 10 in the multi-channel mode. Although the operation of the speaker 11 is shown representatively in FIG. 6, the same operation is performed in the other speakers 12 to 14.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 6, the speaker 11 connects to the distribution device 10 via a network (S11). Similarly, the distribution device 10 connects to the speakers 11 to 14 via a network (S21). As shown in FIG. 5, the distribution device 10 assigns a playback role to each connected speaker (S22). The playback role is set, for example, in advance by the user operating the distribution device 10 and the speakers 11 to 14. The user may also set it using an information processing device (not shown) such as a smartphone connected to the distribution device 10 via a network.

[0037] The distribution device 10 distributes the audio signals of the channels assigned to the speakers 11 to 14 respectively (S23). The speakers 11 to 14 receive the audio signals of their respective channels (S12) and reproduce the audio signals (S13).

[0038] Then, the distribution device 10 determines whether there is a change in the number of connected speakers (S24). If there is a change in the number of speakers, the distribution device 10 changes the audio signals to be distributed and changes the channels of the audio signals to be reproduced by the speakers (S25).

[0039] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of changing the playback channel in the distribution device 10. The distribution device 10 determines whether the number of speakers has increased or decreased (S50). For example, when any one of the speakers 11 to 14 is in solo mode, the number of speakers decreases. Alternatively, when any one of the speakers 11 to 14 moves far away and is disconnected from the network, the number of speakers also decreases. Also, when any one of the speakers 11 to 14 shifts to the standby state, the number of speakers decreases. The distribution device 10 can determine whether there has been a change in the number of connected speakers, for example, by periodically checking the connection with the speakers 11 to 14. Alternatively, when the distribution device 10 is connected to the speakers 11 to 14 via a router (not shown), it can also determine whether there has been a change in the number of connected speakers by receiving information on the current connected devices (e.g., a list of IP addresses, etc.) from the router.

[0040] When the distribution device 10 determines that the number of speakers has decreased, it performs a process of playing the sound of the decreased speaker on the speaker that is paired with the decreased speaker in terms of the playback role (S51). The pairs in terms of the playback role are, for example, the L channel and the R channel. Also, the front channel and the surround channel, such as the L channel and the SL channel, or the R channel and the SR channel, are also pairs in terms of the playback role.

[0041] For example, in the example of FIG. 8, speaker 11 is playing the L channel, speaker 12 is playing the R channel, speaker 13 is playing the SR channel, and speaker 14 is playing the SL channel. From this state, when the connection of speaker 11 is released as shown in FIG. 9, the distribution device 10 distributes the sound signals of the L channel and the R channel to speaker 12, which is paired with speaker 11 in terms of the playback role. Speaker 12 plays the sound signals of the L channel and the R channel. Also, when the connection of speaker 14 is released as shown in FIG. 10, the distribution device 10 distributes the sound signals of the L channel and the SL channel to speaker 11, which is paired with speaker 14 in terms of the playback role. Speaker 11 plays the sound signals of the L channel and the SL channel.

[0042] In this way, when the number of speakers decreases, the distribution device 10 performs a process of causing the speaker that is paired with the decreased speaker in terms of the playback role to play the sound of the decreased speaker. Therefore, even when the number of speakers decreases, the sound signal distribution system 1 can reproduce the channels of the decreased speakers by using the speakers that are paired in terms of the playback role, without missing the channels of the decreased speakers. Therefore, it is possible to maintain a multi-channel mode that does not cause discomfort to the user.

[0043] On the other hand, when the distribution device 10 determines that the number of speakers has increased, it performs a process of playing the sound corresponding to the playback role of the increased speaker (S52). When the number of speakers increases, the distribution device 10 refers to the assignment table of the playback role and distributes the sound signals of the channels assigned to the increased speakers. Also, the distribution device 10 distributes the sound signals of the channels according to the assignment table of the playback role to the speakers that are paired with the increased speaker in terms of the playback role. For example, when changing from the state of FIG. 9 to the state of FIG. 8, the distribution device 10 distributes the sound signal of the L channel to speaker 11. Also, the distribution device 10 distributes the sound signal of the R channel to speaker 12.

[0044] In this way, when the sound signal distribution system 1 of this embodiment changes a certain speaker to the solo mode in the multi-channel mode, it plays sounds of a plurality of channels for the speaker that forms a pair in terms of the playback role. Then, when the sound signal distribution system 1 returns the speaker changed to the solo mode to the multi-channel mode, it distributes the sound signal according to the playback role assigned in the past. Also, when the sound signal distribution system 1 of this embodiment sets a certain speaker to the standby state even in the multi-channel mode, it plays sounds of a plurality of channels for the speaker that forms a pair in terms of the playback role. Then, when the sound signal distribution system 1 shifts the speaker set to the standby state to the power-on state, it distributes the sound signal according to the playback role assigned in the past. Alternatively, when the sound signal distribution system 1 of this embodiment disconnects a certain speaker from the network by moving it far away or the like, it plays sounds of a plurality of channels for the speaker that forms a pair in terms of the playback role. Then, when the sound signal distribution system 1 reconnects the speaker disconnected from the network to the network by moving it near the distribution device 10 or the like, it distributes the sound signal according to the playback role assigned in the past.

[0045] (Modification Example 1) In the above embodiment, the distribution device 10 distributed the sound signals of each channel to a plurality of speakers that form a pair in terms of the playback role. For example, the distribution device 10 distributed the sound signal of the stereo L channel to the speaker 11 and the sound signal of the stereo R channel to the speaker 12.

[0046] However, the distribution device 10 may distribute both sound signals to a plurality of speakers that form a pair in terms of the playback role. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the distribution device 10 may distribute both the sound signals of the stereo L channel and the R channel to the speaker 11, and may also distribute both the sound signals of the stereo L channel and the R channel to the speaker 12. Also, the distribution device 10 may distribute both the sound signals of the surround SL channel and the SR channel to the speaker 13, and may also distribute both the sound signals of the surround SL channel and the SR channel to the speaker 14.

[0047] In this case, the distribution device 10 distributes information indicating the playback roles assigned to each speaker. The speakers 11 to 14 receive the information and the audio signals of a plurality of channels respectively. The speakers 11 to 14 play back the audio signals of the channels according to the playback roles assigned to their own devices.

[0048] For example, the speaker 11 receives the audio signals of both the stereo L channel and the R channel, but plays back the audio signal of the L channel. The speaker 12 receives the audio signals of both the stereo L channel and the R channel, but plays back the audio signal of the R channel. The speaker 13 receives the audio signals of both the surround SL channel and the SR channel, but plays back the audio signal of the SR channel. The speaker 14 receives the audio signals of both the surround SL channel and the SR channel, but plays back the audio signal of the SL channel.

[0049] When the number of a plurality of speakers decreases, the distribution device 10 causes the speakers paired with the decreased speakers in terms of playback role to play back both audio signals. For example, when the speaker 11 decreases as shown in FIG. 12, the distribution device 10 instructs the speaker 12 to play back both the stereo L channel and the R channel. The speaker 12 plays back both the stereo L channel and the R channel according to the instruction of the distribution device 10.

[0050] Further, the distribution device 10 may distribute the audio signals of all channels to all speakers. Also in this case, the speakers 11 to 14 play back the audio signals of the channels according to the playback roles assigned to their own devices. When the number of speakers decreases, the distribution device 10 causes the speakers paired with the decreased speakers in terms of playback role to play back the audio signals of a plurality of channels. For example, when the connection with the speakers 12 to 14 is released, the distribution device 10 instructs the speaker 11 to play back the audio signals of all channels. The speaker 11 plays back the received audio signals of all channels.

[0051] However, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the distribution device 10 distributes the audio signals of channels corresponding to the playback roles of the speakers 11 to 14, the data amount of the audio signals distributed to each speaker can be reduced compared to the first modification example. In particular, wireless communication is a time-division method in which other data is not transmitted while a certain data is being transmitted. Therefore, while the distribution device 10 distributes an audio signal to a certain speaker, it cannot distribute an audio signal to other speakers. The speakers 11 to 14 hold the audio signal in a buffer in order to synchronize the playback timing with other speakers. The longer the time for distributing the audio signal to one speaker, the more the capacity (holdable time) of the buffer needs to be ensured. Also, if the capacity (holdable time) of the buffer is exceeded, the playback of some audio signals may be missing. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the distribution device 10 distributes the audio signals of channels corresponding to the playback roles of the speakers 11 to 14, the capacity of the buffer can be reduced and the missing of the playback of the audio signal can be prevented.

[0052] (Second Modification Example) In the above embodiment, the distribution device 10 determines whether there is a change in the number of connected speakers by periodically checking the connection with the speakers 11 to 14. Alternatively, the distribution device 10 determines whether there is a change in the number of connected speakers by receiving information on current connected devices (for example, a list of IP addresses, etc.) from a router (not shown). That is, the distribution device 10 detects an increase or decrease in the number of a plurality of speakers based on the network connection state. However, the distribution device 10 may also detect an increase or decrease in the number of a plurality of speakers by detecting the sound reproduced from the speakers 11 to 14 with a microphone.

[0053] For example, the distribution device 10 detects an increase or decrease in the number of speakers by calculating the correlation value between the sound signal acquired by the microphone and the sound signals of each channel distributed to the speakers 11 to 14. The distribution device 10 calculates, for example, the correlation value between the sound signal of the L channel and the sound signal acquired by the microphone. When the calculated correlation value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the distribution device 10 determines that it is connected to the speaker 11. When the calculated correlation value becomes less than the predetermined threshold, the distribution device 10 determines that the communication with the speaker 11 has been disconnected, and causes the speaker 12 to reproduce the sound signals of the L channel and the R channel. Similarly, the distribution device 10 can determine whether there has been a change in the number of connected speakers by obtaining the correlation values between the sound signals of each channel and the sound signal acquired by the microphone, respectively.

[0054] Note that speakers 11 to 14 output sounds in the inaudible range (e.g., 20 kHz or higher), and the distribution device 10 may detect an increase or decrease in the number of speakers by detecting the sounds in the inaudible range with a microphone. When the distribution device 10 acquires a test sound at a predetermined level or higher, it determines that each speaker is connected. When the distribution device 10 can no longer acquire the test sound, it determines that the communication with each speaker has been disconnected. For the sounds in the inaudible range, a unique frequency band may be assigned to each speaker. For example, speaker 11 plays a test sound in the 20 to 21 kHz band, speaker 12 plays a test sound in the 21 to 22 kHz band, speaker 13 plays a test sound in the 22 to 23 kHz band, and speaker 14 plays a test sound in the 23 to 24 kHz band. When the distribution device 10 acquires a test sound at a predetermined level or higher in the 20 to 21 kHz band, it determines that it is connected to speaker 11. When the distribution device 10 can no longer acquire the test sound in the 20 to 21 kHz band, it determines that the communication with speaker 11 has been disconnected. Also, the sounds in the inaudible range may be, for example, spreading codes (pseudo-noises) uniquely assigned to each speaker. In this case, the distribution device 10 obtains the correlation value between the spreading code of each speaker and the sound signal acquired by the microphone. For example, the distribution device 10 calculates the correlation value between the spreading code of speaker 11 and the sound signal acquired by the microphone. When the calculated correlation value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the distribution device 10 determines that it is connected to speaker 11. When the calculated correlation value becomes less than the predetermined threshold, the distribution device 10 determines that the communication with speaker 11 has been disconnected, and causes speaker 12 to play the sound signals of the L channel and the R channel.

[0055] (Modification Example 3) The distribution device 10 may measure the distances to the speakers 11 to 14. For example, the distribution device 10 transmits an output instruction for a test sound to each of the speakers 11 to 14. The distribution device 10 detects the test sound with a microphone. The distribution device 10 obtains, as the distances to the respective speakers 11 to 14, the time differences from when the output instruction is transmitted until the test sound is detected by the microphone. Then, when the distance to each speaker becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the distribution device 10 determines that the communication with each speaker has been disconnected. Also, when the distance to each speaker becomes less than the predetermined threshold value, the distribution device 10 determines that it is connected to each speaker.

[0056] Note that the distribution device 10 may use a plurality of microphones to acquire the position information of the speakers 11 to 14. If the distribution device 10 measures the distances to the speakers using three microphones arranged at different positions, the position of the speaker can be uniquely determined.

[0057] The distribution device 10 can acquire the position information of the speakers 11 to 14 and perform various processes based on the position information of each speaker. For example, based on the position information of each speaker, the distribution device 10 can determine which speaker to distribute the sound signal of which channel at what level. Thereby, the distribution device 10 can perform advanced processes such as a process of localizing the sound image of the sound source and a process of reproducing indirect sound to assist the sound field of the listening environment based on the position information of each speaker.

[0058] (Modification Example 4) When the number of speakers decreases, the distribution device 10 may increase the volume of the speaker paired with the decreased speaker in terms of the reproduction role. For example, when the distribution device 10 determines that the communication with the speaker 11 has been disconnected, it transmits instruction information to increase the volume by 6 dB to the speaker 12. The speaker 12 increases the volume of the sound to be reproduced based on the instruction information. Thereby, the sound signal distribution system 1 can compensate for the volume decrease due to the decrease in the number of speakers.

[0059] (Modification Example 5) The distribution device 10 may be a speaker as described above. FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a sound signal distribution system 1A when it includes a sound bar 10A as another example of the distribution device. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the sound bar 10A. The sound signal distribution system 1A is different from the sound signal distribution system 1 in that it includes a sound bar 10A instead of the distribution device 10, and other configurations are the same as those of the sound signal distribution system 1.

[0060] The sound bar 10A is different in that it further includes a DSP 108 and a playback unit 109 with respect to the distribution device 10 shown in FIG. 2. Other configurations and functions in the sound bar 10A are the same as those of the distribution device 10. The sound bar 10A is, for example, installed on the upper surface of a TV stand or the like under the front of a TV, and is a wide and low-height speaker.

[0061] The CPU 103 decodes the content data received from the HDMI (registered trademark) I / F 107 and extracts multi-channel sound signals. The CPU 103 inputs the extracted sound signals to the DSP 108. The DSP 108 performs various signal processes on the input sound signals. The playback unit 109 includes a DA converter, an amplifier, and a speaker unit. The playback unit 109 plays back and emits the sound signals after being signal-processed by the DSP 108.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 13, the sound bar 10A plays back and emits the sound signals of the L channel and the R channel by its own playback unit 109. Also, the sound bar 10A distributes the sound signals of the SR channel to the speaker 13 and distributes the sound signals of the SL channel to the speaker 14.

[0063] When the sound bar 10A determines that the number of speakers has decreased, similar to the distribution device 10, it performs a process of reproducing the sound of the decreased speaker for the speaker that pairs with the decreased speaker in terms of the reproduction role. For example, in the example of FIG. 13, when the connection of the speaker 14 is released, the sound bar 10A reproduces the sound signals of the SL channel and the SR channel for the speaker 13 that pairs with the speaker 14 in terms of the reproduction role. Alternatively, the sound bar 10A may reproduce the sound signal of the SL channel as the speaker that pairs with the speaker 14 in terms of the reproduction role of its own device.

[0064] (Modification Example 6) The number of speakers is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1, and may be, for example, two. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a sound signal distribution system 1B including a speaker 11 and a speaker 12. The sound signal distribution system 1B includes the speaker 11 and the speaker 12. The speaker 11 and the speaker 12 are speakers that pair with each other in terms of the reproduction role.

[0065] The speaker 11 receives sound signals of a plurality of channels from the distribution device 10. Alternatively, the speaker 11 receives content data from a content reproduction device such as a player. Further, the speaker 11 may receive content data from an information processing device such as a smartphone or from a server via the Internet. When the speaker 11 receives content data, it decodes the content data and extracts sound signals of a plurality of channels.

[0066] The speaker 11 reproduces the sound signal of the L channel among the received sound signals. Also, the speaker 11 distributes the sound signal of the R channel among the received sound signals to the speaker 12. The speaker 12 reproduces the sound signal of the R channel. The speaker 11 may distribute the sound signals of the L channel and the R channel to the speaker 12. The speaker 12 reproduces the sound signal of the R channel among the received sound signals of the L channel and the R channel.

[0067] In this example, the speaker 11 functions as a distribution device that distributes an audio signal to the speaker 12. Also, when the connection of the speaker 12 is released, the speaker 11 plays the audio signals of the L channel and the R channel in its own device that forms a pair in terms of the playback role.

[0068] (Modification Example 7) The audio signal distribution system may include a subwoofer. FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an audio signal distribution system 1C including a subwoofer 15. The subwoofer 15 is connected to the distribution device 10. The subwoofer 15 has the same configuration and function as the speakers 11 to 14.

[0069] The distribution device 10 distributes the audio signal of the LFE (Low Frequency Effect) channel to the subwoofer 15. When the connection of the subwoofer 15 is released, the distribution device 10 causes one of the speakers 11 to 14 to play the LFE channel. For example, the distribution device 10 distributes the audio signals of the L channel and the LFE channel to the speaker 11 and causes the speaker 11 to play the audio signals of the L channel and the LFE channel. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 13, when the distribution device is a speaker such as the sound bar 10A, the distribution device may further play the audio signal of the LFE channel.

[0070] (Modification Example 8) FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the speaker 11 according to Modification Example 8. The speaker 11 of Modification Example 8 includes a plurality of speaker units (two speaker units 81A and 81B in this example).

[0071] Speaker 11 receives multi-channel audio signals and assigns channels to a plurality of speaker units respectively. For example, when CPU 113 receives the audio signals of the L channel and the R channel, it causes speaker unit 81A to reproduce the audio signal of the L channel and speaker unit 81B to reproduce the audio signal of the R channel. Also, when CPU 113 receives only the audio signal of the L channel, for example, it may cause speaker unit 81A and speaker unit 81B to reproduce the same audio signal of the L channel.

[0072] Also, CPU 113 may receive information indicating the reproduction role and assign reproduction roles to speaker unit 81A and speaker unit 81B respectively based on the information. For example, when CPU 113 receives the audio signals of the L channel and the R channel and the reproduction role assigned to the own device is the L channel, it causes speaker unit 81A and speaker unit 81B to reproduce the same audio signal of the L channel. When CPU 113 receives the audio signals of the L channel and the R channel and the reproduction role assigned to the own device is the L channel and the R channel, it causes speaker unit 81A to reproduce the audio signal of the L channel and speaker unit 81B to reproduce the audio signal of the R channel.

[0073] Finally, the description of this embodiment should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above-described embodiments but by the scope of the claims. Further, the scope of the present invention includes the scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0074] 1: Audio signal distribution system 10: Distribution device 11~14: Speakers 101: Display 102: User I / F 103: CPU 104: Flash memory 105: RAM 106: Wireless communication unit 107: HDMI (Registered Trademark) I / F 111: Display 112: User I / F 113: CPU 114: Flash Memory 115: RAM 116: Wireless Communication Unit 117: DSP 118: Playback Unit

Claims

1. An audio signal distribution device, pre-assigns the playback role of each of a plurality of speakers, distributes an audio signal to the plurality of speakers according to the assignment, when the number of the plurality of speakers decreases, further plays the sound of the decreased speaker for the speaker paired with the decreased speaker in terms of the playback role, An audio signal distribution method, wherein each of the plurality of speakers has a first speaker unit and a second speaker unit respectively, the same channel is assigned to the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit of each of the plurality of speakers, and the audio signal of the same channel is played from the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit, when the number of the plurality of speakers decreases, different channels of sound are assigned to the decreased speaker and the speaker paired with the decreased speaker in terms of the playback role, and the audio signal of the channel assigned to the decreased speaker is played from the first speaker unit or the second speaker unit, An audio signal distribution method.

2. The playback role includes a stereo L channel and an R channel, both the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit play the audio signal of either the L channel or the R channel, when the number of the plurality of speakers decreases, the audio signal distribution device distributes the audio signals of the L channel and the R channel to the decreased speaker and the speaker paired with the decreased speaker in terms of the playback role, and either the first speaker unit or the second speaker unit plays the audio signal of either the L channel or the R channel, and the other of the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit plays the audio signal of the other of the L channel and the R channel, The audio signal distribution method according to Claim 1.

3. The playback role includes a front channel and a surround channel, both the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit play either the front channel or the surround channel, When the number of the plurality of speakers decreases, the audio signal distribution device distributes the audio signals of the front channel and the surround channel to the speaker that has decreased and the speaker that pairs with it in terms of the playback role, and either one of the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit plays back the audio signal of either the front channel or the surround channel, and the other of the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit plays back the audio signal of the other of the front channel and the surround channel. The audio signal distribution method according to claim 1.

4. When the number of the plurality of speakers decreases, the audio signal distribution device increases the volume of the speaker that has decreased and the speaker that pairs with it in terms of the playback role. The audio signal distribution method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The plurality of speakers are connected by a network. The audio signal distribution device detects an increase or decrease in the number of the plurality of speakers based on the connection state of the network. The audio signal distribution method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The audio signal distribution device detects an increase or decrease in the number of the plurality of speakers by detecting the sound reproduced from the plurality of speakers with a microphone. The audio signal distribution method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. The audio signal distribution device reproduces inaudible sound from the plurality of speakers and detects it with the microphone to detect an increase or decrease in the number of the plurality of speakers. The audio signal distribution method according to claim 6.

8. The playback role includes the L channel and the R channel of stereo. The audio signal distribution device distributes the audio signal of either the L channel or the R channel to each of the plurality of speakers that pair with each other in terms of the playback role. Both the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit of the speaker that has received the audio signal of the L channel play back the audio signal of the L channel. Both the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit of the speaker that has received the audio signal of the R channel play back the audio signal of the R channel. When the number of the plurality of speakers decreases, the audio signal distribution device distributes the audio signals of the L channel and the R channel to the speaker that pairs with the decreased speaker in terms of the playback role, and the speaker that receives the audio signals of the L channel and the R channel plays the audio signal of either the L channel or the R channel with either the first speaker unit or the second speaker unit, and plays the audio signal of the other of the L channel and the R channel with the other of the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit. The audio signal distribution method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The playback role includes the L channel and the R channel of stereo. The audio signal distribution device distributes the audio signals of both the L channel and the R channel to a plurality of speakers that pair with each other in terms of the playback role. Both the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit of the speaker to which the L channel is assigned play the audio signal of the L channel. Both the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit of the speaker to which the R channel is assigned play the audio signal of the R channel. When the number of the plurality of speakers decreases, the decreased speaker and the speaker that pairs with the decreased speaker in terms of the playback role play the audio signal of either the L channel or the R channel with either the first speaker unit or the second speaker unit, and play the audio signal of the other of the L channel and the R channel with the other of the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit. The audio signal distribution method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. The audio signal distribution device measures the distances to the plurality of speakers. Based on the distances, the audio signal distribution device detects an increase or decrease in the number of the plurality of speakers. The audio signal distribution method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A process of pre-assigning the playback role of each of the plurality of speakers, A process of distributing audio signals to the plurality of speakers according to the assignment, When the number of the plurality of speakers decreases, a process of further playing the sound of the decreased speaker for the decreased speaker and the speaker that pairs with the decreased speaker in terms of the playback role, An audio signal distribution device that executes the above processes. The plurality of speakers each have a first speaker unit and a second speaker unit, The audio signal distribution device, For each of the plurality of speakers, the same channel is assigned to the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit, and the audio signals of the same channel are reproduced from the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit, When the number of the plurality of speakers decreases, for the speaker that pairs with the decreased speaker in terms of the reproduction role, different channels of sound are assigned to the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit, and the audio signal of the channel assigned to the decreased speaker is reproduced from either the first speaker unit or the second speaker unit, Audio signal distribution device.

12. The reproduction role includes the stereo L channel and R channel, The audio signal distribution device, The audio signal of either the L channel or the R channel is reproduced from both the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit, When the number of the plurality of speakers decreases, the audio signals of the L channel and R channel are distributed to the decreased speaker and the speaker that pairs with the decreased speaker in terms of the reproduction role, and the audio signal of either the L channel or the R channel is reproduced from either the first speaker unit or the second speaker unit, and the audio signal of the other of the L channel and R channel is reproduced from the other of the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit, The audio signal distribution device according to claim 11.

13. The reproduction role includes a front channel and a surround channel, The audio signal distribution device, Both the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit reproduce either the front channel or the surround channel, When the number of the plurality of speakers decreases, the front channel and surround channel audio signals are distributed to the speaker that has decreased and the speaker that pairs with it in terms of the playback role, and either the first speaker unit or the second speaker unit plays one of the front channel and surround channel audio signals, and the other of the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit plays the other of the front channel and surround channel audio signals. The audio signal distribution device according to claim 11.

14. When the number of the plurality of speakers decreases, increase the volume of the speaker that has decreased and the speaker that pairs with it in terms of the playback role. The audio signal distribution device according to any one of claims 11 to 13.

15. The plurality of speakers are connected by a network. Detect an increase or decrease in the number of the plurality of speakers based on the connection state of the network. The audio signal distribution device according to any one of claims 11 to 14.

16. Detect an increase or decrease in the number of the plurality of speakers by detecting the sound reproduced from the plurality of speakers with a microphone. The audio signal distribution device according to any one of claims 11 to 14.

17. Play sound in the inaudible range from the plurality of speakers and detect it with the microphone to detect an increase or decrease in the number of the plurality of speakers. The audio signal distribution device according to claim 16.

18. The playback role includes the stereo L channel and R channel. The audio signal distribution device Distributes the audio signal of either the L channel or the R channel to a plurality of speakers that pair with each other in terms of the playback role. Cause both the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit of the speaker that has received the audio signal of the L channel to play the audio signal of the L channel. Cause both the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit of the speaker that has received the audio signal of the R channel to play the audio signal of the R channel. When the number of the plurality of speakers decreases, either the first speaker unit or the second speaker unit plays a sound signal of either the L channel or the R channel for the speaker that has decreased and the speaker paired with it in terms of the playback role, and distributes a sound signal of the other of the L channel and the R channel to the other of the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit. The sound signal distribution device according to any one of claims 11 to 17.

19. The playback role includes the L channel and the R channel of stereo. Distribute sound signals of both the L channel and the R channel to a plurality of speakers paired with each other in terms of the playback role. Both the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit of the speaker to which the L channel is assigned play the sound signal of the L channel. Both the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit of the speaker to which the R channel is assigned play the sound signal of the R channel. When the number of the plurality of speakers decreases, the speaker that has decreased and the speaker paired with it in terms of the playback role play a sound signal of either the L channel or the R channel by either the first speaker unit or the second speaker unit, and play a sound signal of the other of the L channel and the R channel by the other of the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit. The sound signal distribution device according to any one of claims 11 to 17.

20. The sound signal distribution device measures the distance to the plurality of speakers. Detect an increase or decrease in the number of the plurality of speakers based on the distance. The sound signal distribution device according to any one of claims 11 to 19.

21. A sound signal distribution system including a plurality of speakers and a sound signal distribution device, wherein the sound signal distribution device executes a process of pre-assigning a playback role to each of the plurality of speakers, and a process of distributing a sound signal to the plurality of speakers according to the assignment, and the plurality of speakers play the distributed sound signal, and the sound signal distribution device when the number of the plurality of speakers decreases, executes a process of further playing the sound of the speaker that has decreased for the speaker that has decreased and the speaker paired with it in terms of the playback role. A sound signal distribution system The plurality of speakers each have a first speaker unit and a second speaker unit, The audio signal distribution device, For each of the plurality of speakers, the same channel is assigned to the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit, and an audio signal of the same channel is reproduced from the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit, When the number of the plurality of speakers decreases, for the speaker that forms a pair with the decreased speaker in terms of the reproduction role, sounds of different channels are assigned to the first speaker unit and the second speaker unit, and an audio signal of the channel assigned to the decreased speaker is reproduced from the first speaker unit or the second speaker unit. An audio signal distribution system.

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