Sound output device

Abstract

To realize a sound output device that is less likely to be affected by sound superposition.SOLUTION: A sound output device (1) includes: a housing (10); a first sound output unit (11) that outputs at least one of bass, middle, and treble from a first output surface (S11) provided on a front surface (S1) of the housing (10); a second sound output unit (12) that outputs bass from a second output surface (S12) provided so as to incline downward toward the front of the housing (10) on an upper surface (S2) of the housing (10); and a control unit (13) that controls the timing of sound output from the first sound output unit (11) to be delayed with respect to the timing of sound output from the second sound output unit (12).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sound output device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, sound output devices such as audio output devices, which are peripheral devices of television devices, have been thinned so as not to hide the screen of the television device when installed below the television device.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a display device including a speaker unit that outputs sounds in a high frequency band and a mid frequency band, and a speaker unit that outputs sounds in a low frequency band. The speaker unit that outputs sounds in the high frequency band and the mid frequency band, and the speaker unit that outputs sounds in the low frequency band respectively radiate the sounds in the high frequency band and the mid frequency band, and the sounds in the low frequency band downward, diffract them inside a housing, and output them to the front of the display.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the sound output device described in Patent Document 1, since the high and mid frequencies and the low frequencies are radiated downward, diffracted inside the housing, and output to the front of the display, there is a possibility that an increase or decrease in sound and resonance due to the superposition of sounds may occur.

[0006] Therefore, an aspect of the present invention aims to realize a sound output device in which the influence due to the superposition of sounds hardly occurs.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a sound output device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a housing, a first sound output unit that outputs at least one of bass, midrange, and treble from a first output surface provided on the front surface of the housing, and a second sound output unit that outputs bass from a second output surface provided on the upper surface of the housing so as to incline downward toward the front of the housing, and a control unit that controls so that the timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit is delayed with respect to the timing of outputting sound from the second sound output unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize a sound output device in which the influence due to the superposition of sounds hardly occurs.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

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Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] <Embodiment 1> 〔Sound output device 1〕 Hereinafter, the sound output device 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the sound output device 1 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the sound output device 1 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the sound output device 1 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the speaker box of the bass output unit. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the sound output device 1 according to Embodiment 1.

[0012] The sound output device 1 is an integrated sound output device including a plurality of sound output units, and examples thereof include an audio output device as shown in FIG. 3.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the sound output device 1 includes a housing 10, a first sound output unit 11, and a second sound output unit 12.

[0014] 〔Housing 10〕 The housing 10 is the main body of the sound output device 1 that outputs sound through the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the first sound output unit 11 is provided on the front surface S1 of the housing 10, and the second sound output unit 12 is provided on the upper surface S2.

[0016] Here, the front surface S1 refers to the surface of the housing 10 that faces the user U. The upper surface S2 refers to the surface provided above the housing 10.

[0017] The first output surface S11, which is the output surface of the first sound output unit 11, and the second output surface S12, which is the output surface of the second sound output unit 12, are provided on surfaces outside the housing 10 and facing different directions. As a result, the sound output from the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12 does not diffract inside the housing 10, so it is less likely to cause sound increase, decrease, and resonance.

[0018] Note that in this specification, the output surface of the sound output unit means the surface that is exposed to the outside and outputs sound in each individual sound output unit.

[0019] Here, as shown in FIG. 3, when the sound output device 1 is an audio output device that is a peripheral device of a television device (not shown) and is installed below the television device, it is required to be thinned so as not to hide the screen of the television device. In the display device, the depth length is shortened, whereas when thinning the sound output device 1, which is an audio output device, as shown in FIG. 3, it is the height H that is reduced instead of the depth D.

[0020] In a normal sound output device in which the bass output unit is provided on the front surface of the housing, in order to output bass with a sufficient volume, the output surface of the bass output unit is large (the length in the short side direction is long), and the height of the housing is high. However, when the height is shortened, it becomes impossible to provide a bass output unit with a long length in the short side direction of the output surface on the front surface of the housing.

[0021] On the other hand, as shown in the enlarged perspective view of FIG. 3, in the sound output device 1 according to Embodiment 1, unlike the front surface S1 of the housing 10, the second sound output unit 12 is provided on the upper surface S2. Therefore, as shown in the front view and the enlarged perspective view of FIG. 3, the length R12 in the short side direction of the second output surface S12 can be made longer than the length R11 in the short side direction of the first output surface S11.

[0022] Hereinafter, an example shown in the front view of FIG. 3 will be used for explanation. In the front view of FIG. 3, the first output surface S11 is composed of a high-frequency output surface (first output surface) S111 that is the output surface of the high-frequency output unit 111, a mid-frequency output surface (first output surface) S112 that is the output surface of the mid-frequency output unit 112, and a low-frequency output surface (first output surface) S113 that is the output surface of the low-frequency output unit 113. In this case, the length R12 in the short side direction of the second output surface S12 can be made longer than the length R111 in the short side direction of the high-frequency output surface S111, the length R112 in the short side direction of the mid-frequency output surface S112, and the length R113a in the short side direction of the low-frequency output surface S113.

[0023] Accordingly, according to the sound output device 1 according to Embodiment 1, while making the height H of the housing 10 lower than the length R12 in the short side direction of the second output surface S12 so as not to hide the screen of the television device, a sufficient volume of bass can be output from the second sound output unit 12.

[0024] In addition, since the second sound output unit 12 is not provided on the lower surface of the housing 10, it is possible to prevent sound attenuation from occurring due to reflected sound from a placement surface such as the floor and a table.

[0025] 〔First sound output unit 11〕 The first sound output unit 11 outputs at least one of high, mid, and low frequencies from the first output surface S11 provided on the front surface S1 of the housing 10. Examples of the first sound output unit 11 include a speaker.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the first sound output unit 11 includes a high-frequency output unit 111, a mid-frequency output unit 112, and a low-frequency output unit 113 on the front surface S1 of the housing 10.

[0027] The high-frequency output unit 111 outputs high frequencies, the mid-frequency output unit 112 outputs mid frequencies, and the low-frequency output unit 113 outputs low frequencies.

[0028] Here, the high - pitched sound is, for example, a sound with a frequency of 5000 Hz or higher. The mid - pitched sound is, for example, a sound with a frequency of 500 Hz or higher and less than 5000 Hz. The low - pitched sound is, for example, a sound with a frequency of 20 Hz or higher and less than 500 Hz. However, in this embodiment, the high - pitched sound, the mid - pitched sound, and the low - pitched sound only need to include sounds with frequencies within the range commonly recognized in the technical field, and are not limited to sounds with frequencies within these ranges.

[0029] In addition, in this specification, the sound output unit that outputs sounds in a certain sound range mainly means the sound output unit that outputs sounds in that sound range, and the sounds output by the sound output unit may include sounds in sound ranges other than that sound range. For example, the sounds output by the "sound output unit that outputs low - pitched sounds" may include mid - pitched sounds or high - pitched sounds.

[0030] As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 1 and the front view of FIG. 3, in the order from the inside to the outside of the R - channel (channel) RC on the front surface S1, the high - pitched sound output unit 111, the mid - pitched sound output unit 112, and the low - pitched sound output unit 113 are arranged. Similarly, in the order from the inside to the outside of the L - channel (channel) LC on the front surface S1, the high - pitched sound output unit 111, the mid - pitched sound output unit 112, and the low - pitched sound output unit 113 are arranged.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a plurality of low - pitched sound output units 113 may be provided on the front surface S1 of the housing 10. In this way, by providing a plurality of low - pitched sound output units 113 on the front surface S1 of the housing 10, a low - pitched sound with a sufficient volume can be output.

[0032] Also, the length R113b in the longitudinal direction of the low - pitched sound output surface S113 may be longer than the length R113a in the short - hand direction. Thereby, while reducing the height H of the housing 10, a low - pitched sound with a sufficient volume can be output from the low - pitched sound output unit 113.

[0033] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the speaker box (enclosure) 113a of the bass output unit 113 may have a structure independent of the speaker boxes (for example, the housing 10) of the other sound output units that make up the first sound output unit 11, such as the treble output unit 111 and the midrange output unit 112.

[0034] As a result, the sound output from the bass output unit 113 is less likely to be affected by the sounds output from the other sound output units that make up the first sound output unit 11, such as the treble output unit 111 and the midrange output unit 112, and the user can output bass that is easier to hear.

[0035] 〔Second sound output unit 12〕 As shown in the enlarged perspective views of FIGS. 2 and 3, the second sound output unit 12 outputs bass from a second output surface S12 provided so as to incline downward toward the front of the housing 10 on the upper surface S2 of the housing 10. Examples of the second sound output unit 12 include a speaker.

[0036] Note that "so as to incline downward toward the front of the housing 10" means a state in which the normal direction of the second output surface S12 (the sound output direction of the second sound output unit 12) faces forward with respect to the front-rear axis of the housing 10 and upward with respect to the vertical axis of the housing 10. The inclination with respect to the left-right axis of the housing 10 in the normal direction is not particularly limited.

[0037] Also, the front-rear axis of the housing 10 is an axis with the direction facing the user as the front direction and the opposite direction as the rear direction. The vertical axis of the housing 10 is an axis indicating the vertical direction in the installed housing 10. The left-right axis of the housing 10 is an axis orthogonal to the front-rear axis and the vertical axis.

[0038] As a result, even if the sound output from the second sound output unit 12 contains a sound with a relatively high frequency, that is, a sound with high directivity, in the bass, since the second output surface S12 of the second sound output unit 12 is inclined obliquely forward, the sound can be output forward without spreading too much.

[0039] In addition, since the second output surface S12 of the second sound output unit 12 is provided to face obliquely upward, the user can listen to the bass that does not include resonance with the sound reflected by the wall of the room or the like.

[0040] In one aspect, as shown in FIG. 3, the horizontal component in the normal direction of the second output surface S12 may face the direction D12 (in front of the housing 10) that is approximately 0 degrees with respect to the left-right axis of the housing 10. In this way, since the horizontal component in the normal direction of the second output surface S12 faces the direction D12 that is approximately 0 degrees with respect to the left-right axis of the housing 10, the user in front of the housing 10 can more easily listen to the bass.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the horizontal component in the normal direction of the first output surface S11 of the first sound output unit 11 also faces the direction D11 that is approximately 0 degrees with respect to the left-right axis of the housing 10. Specifically, the horizontal component in the normal direction of the first output surface S11 of the high-frequency output unit 111 faces the direction D111, the horizontal component in the normal direction of the first output surface S11 of the middle-frequency output unit 112 faces the direction D112, and the horizontal component in the normal direction of the first output surface S11 of the low-frequency output unit 113 faces the direction D113. The directions D111 to D113 are directions that are approximately 0 degrees with respect to the left-right axis of the housing 10.

[0042] In another aspect, the horizontal component in the normal direction of the second output surface S12 may face the direction D12X (the direction away from the central portion S2b of the housing 10) that faces outward of the housing 10 with respect to the left-right axis of the housing 10. Thereby, the bass can be output over a wider range, and the user can listen to the bass with sufficient volume over a wider range.

[0043] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the second sound output unit 12 is provided at the end portion S2a of the upper surface S2 of the housing 10. However, in the present embodiment, the position where the second sound output unit 12 is provided on the upper surface S2 of the housing 10 is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, the second sound output unit 12 may be provided, for example, at the central portion S2b near the center of the housing 10. Thereby, since the width W, which is the length in the longitudinal direction of the housing 10, is shortened, the sound output device 1 can be made compact.

[0044] [Control Unit 13] The control unit 13 controls the sounds output from the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12 of the sound output device 1.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 13 includes a band division unit 131, a filter processing unit 132, a delay correction unit 133, an addition unit 134, a sound volume adjustment unit 14, and a sound conversion unit 15.

[0046] (Band Division Unit 131) As shown in FIG. 5, the band division unit 131 receives a signal from outside the sound output device 1 and divides the signal into a high - pitched signal which is a signal in the high - frequency range, a mid - pitched signal which is a signal in the mid - frequency range, and a low - pitched signal which is a signal in the low - frequency range.

[0047] (Filter Processing Unit 132) The filter processing unit 132 performs filter processing on each of the high - pitched signal, the mid - pitched signal, and the low - pitched signal divided by the band division unit 131.

[0048] The filter processing unit 132 includes a high - pitched filter processing unit 132a, a mid - pitched filter processing unit 132b, and a low - pitched filter processing unit 132c. The high - pitched filter processing unit 132a performs filter processing on the high - pitched signal. The mid - pitched filter processing unit 132b performs filter processing on the mid - pitched signal. The low - pitched filter processing unit 132c performs filter processing on the low - pitched signal.

[0049] (Delay Correction Unit 133) The delay correction unit 133 performs a delay correction process for correcting the delay caused by the filter processing on each of the high - pitched signal, the mid - pitched signal, and the low - pitched signal that have been filter - processed by the filter processing unit 132.

[0050] The high - frequency delay correction unit 133a performs a delay correction process to correct the delay generated by the filter process on the high - frequency signal that has been filtered by the high - frequency filter processing unit 132a. The mid - frequency delay correction unit 133b performs a delay correction process to correct the delay generated by the filter process on the mid - frequency signal that has been filtered by the mid - frequency filter processing unit 132b. The low - frequency delay correction unit 133c performs a delay correction process to correct the delay generated by the filter process on the low - frequency signal that has been filtered by the low - frequency filter processing unit 132c.

[0051] (Adder 134) The adder 134 adds at least a part of these signals to each of the high - frequency signal, mid - frequency signal, and low - frequency signal that have been subjected to the delay correction process by the delay correction unit 133. Thereby, the frequencies of the high - frequency signal, mid - frequency signal, and low - frequency signal can be adjusted respectively.

[0052] The high - frequency adder 134a adds at least a part of the mid - frequency signal and low - frequency signal that have been subjected to the delay correction process by the mid - frequency delay correction unit 133b and the low - frequency delay correction unit 133c respectively to the high - frequency signal that has been subjected to the delay correction process by the high - frequency delay correction unit 133a.

[0053] The mid - frequency adder 134b adds at least a part of the high - frequency signal and low - frequency signal that have been subjected to the delay correction process by the high - frequency delay correction unit 133a and the low - frequency delay correction unit 133c respectively to the mid - frequency signal that has been subjected to the delay correction process by the mid - frequency delay correction unit 133b.

[0054] The low - frequency adder 134c adds at least a part of the high - frequency signal and mid - frequency signal that have been subjected to the delay correction process by the high - frequency delay correction unit 133a and the mid - frequency delay correction unit 133b respectively to the low - frequency signal that has been subjected to the delay correction process by the low - frequency delay correction unit 133c.

[0055] (Sound volume increase / decrease unit 14) The sound increase / decrease unit 14 increases or decreases each of the high-frequency signal, mid-frequency signal, and low-frequency signal added by the addition unit 134. Examples of the sound increase / decrease unit 14 include an amplifier and the like.

[0056] The high-frequency increase / decrease unit 14a increases or decreases the high-frequency signal added by the high-frequency addition unit 134a. The mid-frequency increase / decrease unit 14b increases or decreases the mid-frequency signal added by the mid-frequency addition unit 134b. The low-frequency increase / decrease unit 14c increases or decreases the low-frequency signal added by the low-frequency addition unit 134c.

[0057] (Sound conversion unit 15) The sound conversion unit 15 converts each of the high-frequency signal, mid-frequency signal, and low-frequency signal increased or decreased by the sound increase / decrease unit 14 from a digital sound signal to an analog sound signal so that sound can be output from at least one of the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12.

[0058] The high-frequency conversion unit 15a converts the high-frequency signal increased or decreased by the high-frequency increase / decrease unit 14a from a digital sound signal to an analog sound signal so that a high frequency can be output from the high-frequency output unit 111. The mid-frequency conversion unit 15b converts the mid-frequency signal increased or decreased by the mid-frequency increase / decrease unit 14b from a digital sound signal to an analog sound signal so that a mid frequency can be output from the mid-frequency output unit 112. The low-frequency conversion unit 15c converts the low-frequency signal increased or decreased by the low-frequency increase / decrease unit 14c from a digital sound signal to an analog sound signal so that a low frequency can be output from the low-frequency output unit 113 and the second sound output unit 12.

[0059] 〔Modification example〕 (Modification example 1) In the above example, the first sound output unit 11 includes the high-frequency output unit 111, the mid-frequency output unit 112, and the low-frequency output unit 113. However, in the present embodiment, the first sound output unit 11 only needs to output at least one of the low frequency, mid frequency, and high frequency. For example, in the present embodiment, the first sound output unit 11 may include two of the high-frequency output unit 111 and the mid-frequency output unit 112, or may only include the low-frequency output unit 113. Even in such a case, it is possible to realize the sound output device 1 in which sound increase / decrease and resonance are less likely to occur, similar to the above example.

[0060] (Modification 2) The number of the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12 is not limited to the above example. For example, the sound output device 1 may include a plurality of second sound output units 12. By providing a plurality of second sound output units 12 in this way, bass can be output more preferably.

[0061] (Modification 3) As described above, the speaker box 113a of the bass output unit 113 may have a structure independent of the speaker boxes of the treble output unit 111 and the midrange output unit 112. Similarly, the speaker boxes of the treble output unit 111 and the midrange output unit 112 may also have a structure independent of the speaker boxes of other sound output units. That is, in the present embodiment, at least one speaker box (enclosure) of the treble output unit 111, the midrange output unit 112, and the bass output unit 113 may have a structure independent of the speaker boxes of other sound output units constituting the first sound output unit 11.

[0062] <Embodiment 2> The sound output device according to the present invention may control the timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12 as in the sound output device 1X according to Embodiment 2.

[0063] Hereinafter, the sound output device 1X according to Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0064] 〔Sound output device 1X〕 FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the sound output device 1X according to Embodiment 2. As shown in FIG. 6, the sound output device 1X according to Embodiment 2 includes a control unit 13X instead of the control unit 13 in Embodiment 1. Except for this point, the sound output device 1X according to Embodiment 2 has the same configuration as the sound output device 1 according to Embodiment 1.

[0065] 〔Control unit 13X〕 The control unit 13X further includes a sound output timing control unit (control unit) 135. Except for this point, the control unit 13X has the same configuration as the control unit 13 in Embodiment 1.

[0066] (Sound output timing control unit 135) The sound output timing control unit 135 controls such that the timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit 11 is delayed with respect to the timing of outputting sound from the second sound output unit 12.

[0067] Here, the distance from the first sound output unit 11 having the first output surface S11 to the user on the front surface S1 of the housing is shorter than the distance from the second sound output unit 12 having the second output surface S12 to the user on the upper surface S2 of the housing. Therefore, if the timing of outputting sound is not controlled, the sound output from the first sound output unit 11 reaches the user earlier than the sound output from the second sound output unit 12.

[0068] On the other hand, as described above, the sound output device 1X allows the user to listen to sound in the same manner as a normal sound output device in which all sound output units are provided on the same surface by the sound output timing control unit 135 controlling the timing of outputting sound. In addition, the sound output device 1X can prevent resonance between the sound output from the first sound output unit 11 and the sound output from the second sound output unit 12.

[0069] For example, the sound output timing control unit 135 controls the timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12 based on the delay amount based on the positions of the first output surface S11 and the second output surface S12. Thereby, the timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12 can be controlled more preferably.

[0070] (Example of control of sound output timing) Hereinafter, a control example of the timing for outputting sound by the sound output timing control unit 135 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the sound output device 1X according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the control of the timing for outputting sound.

[0071] The sound output timing control unit 135 controls the timing for outputting sound from the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12 for each of the R channel RC and the L channel LC. Thereby, the timing for outputting sound from the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12 can be controlled more preferably.

[0072] Here, as shown in the enlarged perspective view of FIG. 7, a case where the sound output timing control unit 135 controls the timing for outputting sound from the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12 in the R channel RC will be described. The control of the timing for outputting sound from the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12 in the L channel LC by the sound output timing control unit 135 can be controlled by the same method as the R channel RC, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

[0073] First, the sound output timing control unit 135 determines the center position S11a of the first output surface S11, which is further centered on the center position S111a of the high sound output surface S111, the center position S112a of the middle sound output surface S112, and the center position S113a of the low sound output surface S113 that constitute the first sound output unit 11. For example, the sound output timing control unit 135 calculates the coordinates obtained by averaging the coordinates of the center position S111a, the center position S112a, and the center position S113a as the center position S11a of the first output surface S11. Note that the center position of the output surface is the geometric center of the output surface. For example, if the output surface is circular or elliptical, it is the center thereof.

[0074] Next, the sound output timing control unit 135 controls the timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12 based on the delay amount based on the center position S11a of the first output surface S11 and the center position S12a of the second output surface S12. Thereby, the timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12 can be controlled more suitably.

[0075] For example, the sound output timing control unit 135 controls the timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12 based on the delay amount based on the difference in distance from the center position S11a of the first output surface S11 to the user's listening position (specific listening position) and from the center position S12a of the second output surface S12 to the user's listening position. Thereby, the timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12 can be controlled even more suitably.

[0076] In the example shown in FIG. 8, first, the sound output timing control unit 135 calculates the distance difference d between the distance A from the center position S12a of the second output surface S12 to the user U and the distance B from the center position S11a of the first output surface S11 to the user U in the sound output device 1 placed on the stand P as shown in the following formula (1). In the example shown in FIG. 8, it is assumed that the user U is sitting on a sofa or the like to watch a television device (not shown) above the sound output device 1, and the distances A and B are predetermined values. Also, it is assumed that the distance A is longer than the distance B.

[0077] d(m)=A - B ···(1) Next, the sound output timing control unit 135 calculates the difference in arrival time Td of sound to the user U by dividing the distance difference d by the speed of sound c as shown in the following formula (2). The speed of sound c is, for example, 340 (m / s).

[0078] Td(s)=d / c ···(2) Next, the sound output timing control unit 135 calculates the sampling period Sr from the sampling frequency Fs as shown in the following formula (3).

[0079] Sr(s) = 1 / Fs(Hz) ··· (3) Next, as shown in the following formula (4), the sound output timing control unit 135 divides the difference in arrival times Td calculated by the above formula (2) by the sampling period Sr calculated by the above formula (3) to calculate the delay sample number (delay amount) DS. Note that the delay sample number DS is rounded to a natural number by rounding the first decimal place, etc.

[0080] DS = Td / Sr ··· (4) The sound output timing control unit 135 delays the timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit 11 by the delay sample number DS with respect to the timing of outputting sound from the second sound output unit 12.

[0081] For example, assuming that the difference in distance d is 0.1 m and the sampling frequency Fs is 48000 Hz, the delay sample number DS is 14 samples. Therefore, the sound output timing control unit 135 delays the timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit 11 by 14 sampling periods with respect to the timing of outputting sound from the second sound output unit 12.

[0082] 〔Control Method of Sound Output Device 1X〕 Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the control method of the sound output device 1X according to Embodiment 2 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the control method of the sound output device 1X according to Embodiment 2.

[0083] Step S101: The sound output timing control unit 135 controls so that the timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit 11 is delayed with respect to the timing of outputting sound from the second sound output unit 12. In one aspect, the sound output timing control unit 135 of the sound output device 1 controls the timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12 based on the delay amount based on the positions of the first output surface S11 and the second output surface S12 of the sound output device 1.

[0084] Step S102: The first sound output unit 11 outputs bass, midrange, and treble from the first output surface S11 provided on the front surface S1 of the housing 10 at the timing controlled by the sound output timing control unit 135. The second sound output unit 12 outputs bass from the second output surface S12 provided on the upper surface S2 of the housing 10 of the sound output device 1 so as to incline downward toward the front of the housing 10 at the timing controlled by the sound output timing control unit 135.

[0085] [Modification Example] (Modification Example 1) In the above example, the case where the first sound output unit 11 is composed of the treble output unit 111, the midrange output unit 112, and the bass output unit 113 has been described. However, in the present embodiment, the first sound output unit 11 may be composed of at least one sound output unit among the treble output unit 111, the midrange output unit 112, and the bass output unit 113.

[0086] For example, the first sound output unit 11 may be composed of only the treble output unit 111 and the midrange output unit 112. In this case, the sound output timing control unit 135 controls the timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12 based on the delay amounts based on the center position S111a of the treble output surface S111, the center position S112a of the midrange output surface S112, and the center position S12a of the second output surface S12.

[0087] Also, the first sound output unit 11 may be composed of only the bass output unit 113. In this case, the sound output timing control unit 135 controls the timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12 based on the delay amounts based on the center position S113a of the bass output surface S113 and the center position S12a of the second output surface S12.

[0088] In this way, even if the first sound output unit 11 is composed of at least one sound output unit among the treble output unit 111, the midrange output unit 112, and the bass output unit 113, it is possible to control the timing of outputting sound in the same manner as in the above example.

[0089] (Modification Example 2) In the above example, the case where the second sound output unit 12 is composed of one sound output unit has been described. However, in the present embodiment, the second sound output unit 12 may be composed of a plurality of sound output units.

[0090] In this case, the sound output timing control unit 135 controls the timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12 based on the delay amount based on the center position S11a of the first output surface S11 and the center position S12a of the second output surface S12 that is further centered at the center position of each output surface of the sound output units constituting the second sound output unit 12.

[0091] For example, the sound output timing control unit 135 controls the timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12 based on the delay amount based on the difference in the distances from the center position S11a of the first output surface S11 and the center position S12a of the second output surface S12 to the user's listening position.

[0092] Thus, even when the second sound output unit 12 is composed of a plurality of sound output units, it is possible to control the timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12 in the same manner as in the above example.

[0093] (Modification Example 3) In the example shown in FIG. 8, the distances A and B are predetermined values. However, in the present embodiment, the distances A and B may not be constant.

[0094] In this case, the sound output timing control unit 135 may acquire the position information of the user U in real time based on an image (video) of the user U captured by an imaging unit (not shown) such as an in-camera.

[0095] Thereby, even if the distances A and B vary due to reasons such as the movement of the user U, the distance A, the distance B, the difference d in distances, the difference Td in arrival times, and the delay sample number DS of the samples can be calculated in real time. As a result, the sound output timing control unit 135 can suitably control the timing of outputting sound according to the position of the user U.

[0096] <Embodiment 3> The sound output device according to the present invention may specify the shape of the speaker and the size of each part, like the sound output device 1Y according to Embodiment 3.

[0097] Hereinafter, the sound output device 1Y according to Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 14. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in Embodiments 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0098] 〔Definition of terms〕 The definition of terms according to Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12 according to Embodiment 3.

[0099] DM11 and DM12 indicate the unit diameters of the speakers of the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12. The unit diameter is a dimension that does not include mounting brackets such as frames. MT11 and MT12 indicate the widths of the mounting brackets.

[0100] On the other hand, the speaker unit indicates the speaker in a state where a mounting bracket is attached.

[0101] 〔Size of sound output device 1Y〕 The size of the sound output device 1Y according to Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view showing a television TV and sound output devices 1Y, 1A, and 1B according to Embodiment 3.

[0102] (Depth D of sound output device 1Y) As shown in the upper figure of FIG. 11, the depth size of the base P of the television TV is 420 mm. The depth size of the legs of the television TV is 290 mm. And the clearance to be secured behind the legs when the television TV is installed on the base P is set to 20 mm.

[0103] From the above, the depth D of the sound output device 1Y is calculated as 420 - (290 + 20) = 110 [mm]. The depth D is the length at which the sound output device 1Y can fit between the front surface of the stand P and the legs of the television TV.

[0104] (Height H of the sound output device 1Y) As shown in the upper figure of FIG. 11, since the distance between the bottom surface of the screen of the television TV and the upper surface of the stand P is 90 mm, in order not to hide the screen of the television TV, the height H of the sound output device 1Y needs to be 90 mm or less.

[0105] On the other hand, since the unit diameter DM11 of the first sound output unit 11 is 70 mm and the width MT11 of the mounting bracket is 5 mm, as shown in FIG. 10, the size of one side of the first sound output unit 11 is calculated as 70 + 5×2 = 80 [mm].

[0106] When the first sound output unit 11 is installed on the front surface S1 of the housing 10 of the sound output device 1Y, if the thickness of the housing 10 of the sound output device 1Y is 3 mm, the minimum height H of the sound output device 1Y is calculated as 80 + 3×2 = 86 [mm]. Since this value of 86 mm is 90 mm or less, it is suitable as the height H of the sound output device 1Y.

[0107] According to the above, the height H of the sound output device 1Y is smaller than the depth D of the sound output device 1Y.

[0108] (When the second sound output unit 12 is installed on the front surface S1) Since the unit diameter DM12 of the second sound output unit 12 is 80 mm and the width MT12 of the mounting bracket is 5 mm, as shown in FIG. 10, the size of one side of the second sound output unit 12 is calculated as 80 + 5×2 = 90 [mm].

[0109] This value of 90 mm exceeds the inner dimension 80 m of the housing 10 with a height H of 86 mm. Therefore, as shown in the sound output device 1A in the lower left figure of FIG. 11, even if an attempt is made to install the second sound output unit 12 on the front surface S1, it cannot be accommodated in the housing 10.

[0110] (When the second sound output unit 12 is installed on the upper surface S2) When the first sound output unit 11 is installed on the front surface S1, the lateral width of the first sound output unit 11 is 23 mm. Then, when the second sound output unit 12 is installed on the upper surface S2, it is necessary to secure 90 mm, which is the size of one side of the second sound output unit 12, in the horizontal direction so as not to overlap with the lateral width of the first sound output unit 11. This is because the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12 vibrate, and if their installation locations overlap, they may interfere with each other, so it is necessary to maintain a clearance. Furthermore, the thickness of the housing 10 is 3 mm.

[0111] From the above, the horizontal size is calculated as 23 + 90 + 3×2 = 119 [mm]. This numerical value of 119 mm exceeds the depth D of the sound output device 1Y, which is 110 mm. Therefore, as shown in the sound output device 1B in the lower right figure of Fig. 11, even if an attempt is made to install the second sound output unit 12 on the upper surface S2, the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12 overlap in the horizontal direction, so the second sound output unit 12 cannot be accommodated in the housing 10.

[0112] (When the second sound output unit 12 is installed on the upper surface S2 in an inclined manner) The configuration of the sound output device 1Y according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a side cross-sectional view showing the sound output device 1Y according to the present embodiment.

[0113] On the premise that the size in the depth direction of the opening is not changed from the state where the first sound output unit 11 with a size of one side of 80 mm is installed on the upper surface S2 of the housing 10. In that case, in order to install the second sound output unit 12 with a size of one side of 90 mm, it is necessary to install it on the upper surface S2 in an inclined manner.

[0114] In that case, the required inclination angle θ is calculated as θ≒30[°] because cosθ = 80 [mm] / 90 [mm]. Also, the required depth y is calculated as y = 80×tanθ = 45 [mm].

[0115] (Effect when the second sound output unit 12 is installed on the upper surface S2 in an inclined manner) FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the frequency characteristics of the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12 according to the present embodiment, and shows the effect when the unit diameter of the speaker is increased. The horizontal axis represents the input frequency. The vertical axis represents the output response, that is, the output level in dB when the frequency is changed while keeping the input level constant.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 13, the horizontal dashed line indicates the average sound pressure level and the sound pressure level 10 dB lower than the average sound pressure level. The frequency 10 dB lower than the average sound pressure level is set as the lower limit of the reproducible frequency.

[0117] The dashed-dotted line is a graph of the first sound output unit 11 with a unit diameter of 70 mm. The solid line is a graph of the second sound output unit 12 with a unit diameter of 80 mm. The frequency at the intersection of the lower dashed line and the dashed-dotted line and the solid line is the reproducible frequency. The reproducible frequency of the first sound output unit 11 is 100 Hz. The reproducible frequency of the second sound output unit 12 is 80 Hz. Therefore, by increasing the unit diameter of the speaker by 10 mm, the reproducible frequency can be lowered by about 20 Hz.

[0118] According to the above, by installing the second sound output unit 12 inclined on the upper surface S2, the unit diameter of the speaker can be increased, so that low sounds can be reproduced.

[0119] (Directivity of the sound of the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12) FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the directivity of the sound output from the first sound output unit 11 and the second sound output unit 12 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, the first output surface S11 of the first sound output unit 11 faces in the horizontal direction, that is, the direction toward the front of the user U. Therefore, the sound output from the first sound output unit 11 travels straight and reaches the user U as indicated by the arrow J.

[0120] On the other hand, the second output surface S12 of the second sound output unit 12 faces obliquely upward. The second sound output unit 12 outputs a low-frequency bass sound. Bass sounds are prone to diffraction, have low directivity, and tend to spread. Therefore, as indicated by the arrow K, the sound output from the second sound output unit 12 emits obliquely upward and then bends in a parabolic shape to reach the user U.

[0121] 〔Example of Realization by Software〕 The control blocks of the sound output devices 1, 1X, and 1Y may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like, or may be realized by software.

[0122] In the latter case, the sound output devices 1, 1X, and 1Y include a computer that executes instructions of a program, which is software for realizing each function. This computer includes, for example, at least one processor (control device) and at least one computer-readable recording medium that stores the above program. Then, in the above computer, when the above processor reads and executes the above program from the above recording medium, the object of the present invention is achieved. As the above processor, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) can be used. As the above recording medium, in addition to a "non-transitory tangible medium" such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, etc. can be used. Further, it may further include a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the above program. Also, the above program may be supplied to the above computer via any transmission medium (such as a communication network or a broadcast wave) capable of transmitting the program. Note that one aspect of the present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the above program is embodied by electronic transmission.

[0123] 〔Summary〕 The sound output device according to aspect 1 of the present invention includes a housing, a first sound output unit that outputs at least one of bass, midrange, and treble from a first output surface provided on the front surface of the housing, a second sound output unit that outputs bass from a second output surface provided on the upper surface of the housing so as to incline downward toward the front of the housing, and a control unit that controls so that the timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit is delayed with respect to the timing of outputting sound from the second sound output unit.

[0124] The sound output device according to aspect 2 of the present invention is, in the above aspect 1, the control unit may control the timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit and the second sound output unit by a delay amount based on the position of the first output surface and the position of the second output surface.

[0125] The sound output device according to aspect 3 of the present invention is, in the above aspect 2, the first sound output unit is composed of at least one sound output unit among a treble output unit that outputs treble, a midrange output unit that outputs midrange, and a bass output unit that outputs bass, and the control unit is based on a delay amount based on the center position of the first output surface that is located further in the center of the center positions of the output surfaces of the respective sound output units that constitute the first sound output unit and the center position of the second output surface. The timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit and the second sound output unit may be controlled.

[0126] The sound output device according to aspect 4 of the present invention is, in the above aspect 3, the control unit is based on a delay amount based on the difference between the distance from the center position of the first output surface to a specific listening position and the distance from the center position of the second output surface to the specific listening position. The timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit and the second sound output unit may be controlled.

[0127] The sound output device according to aspect 5 of the present invention is, in the above aspect 3 or 4, at least one speaker box of the treble output unit, the midrange output unit, and the bass output unit may have a structure independent of the speaker box of the other sound output unit that constitutes the first sound output unit.

[0128] In the sound output device according to Aspect 6 of the present invention, in any one of the above Aspects 1 to 5, the control unit may control the timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit and the second sound output unit that output the sound of the channel for each channel.

[0129] In the sound output device according to Aspect 7 of the present invention, in any one of the above Aspects 1 to 6, the length of the second output surface in the short side direction may be longer than the length of the first output surface in the short side direction.

[0130] In the sound output device according to Aspect 8 of the present invention, in any one of the above Aspects 1 to 7, the length of the second output surface in the short side direction may be longer than the height of the housing.

[0131] The sound output device according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, a control program for realizing the sound output device by operating the computer as each part (software element) provided in the sound output device, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0132] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment, new technical features can be formed.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0133] 1, 1X, 1Y Sound output device 10, 10X Housing 11 First sound output unit 12, 12a Second sound output unit 13, 13X Control unit 111 High sound output unit 112 Middle sound output unit 113 Low sound output unit 135 Sound output timing control unit (control unit) Difference in distance d DS Delay sample number (delay amount) LC L channel (channel) RC R channel (channel) S1 Front S2 Top S11 First output surface S12 Second output surface S111 High - sound output surface (first output surface) S112 Medium - sound output surface (first output surface) S113 Low - sound output surface (first output surface) S11a, S12a, S111a, S112a, S113a Center positions

Claims

1. A housing, a first sound output unit that outputs bass, midrange, and treble from a first output surface provided on the front surface of the housing, a second sound output unit that outputs bass from a second output surface provided on the upper surface of the housing so as to incline downward toward the front of the housing, a control unit that controls so that the timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit is delayed with respect to the timing of outputting sound from the second sound output unit, and the control unit controls the timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit and the second sound output unit based on a delay amount based on the center position of the first output surface and the center position of the second output surface, the first output surface has a treble output surface that outputs treble, a midrange output surface that outputs midrange, and a bass output surface that outputs bass, the center position of the first output surface is defined by coordinates obtained by averaging the coordinates of the center position of the treble output surface, the center position of the midrange output surface, and the center position of the bass output surface, A sound output device characterized by the above.

2. The control unit controls the timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit and the second sound output unit based on a delay amount based on the difference between the distance from the center position of the first output surface to a specific listening position and the distance from the center position of the second output surface to the specific listening position. The sound output device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit, calculates a delay sample number obtained by converting the delay amount by a sampling period, and controls so that the timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit is delayed corresponding to the delay sample number with respect to the timing of outputting sound from the second sound output unit. The sound output device according to claim 2.

4. The first sound output unit is composed of a treble output unit that outputs treble, a midrange output unit that outputs midrange, and a bass output unit that outputs bass, and at least one speaker box of the treble output unit, the midrange output unit, and the bass output unit has a structure independent of the speaker boxes of the other sound output units constituting the first sound output unit. The sound output device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The control unit controls the timing of outputting sound from the first sound output unit and the second sound output unit that output the sound of the channel for each channel. The sound output device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The sound output device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the length of the inclined surface direction of the second output surface is longer than the length in the short side direction of the first output surface.

7. The sound output device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the length of the inclined surface direction of the second output surface is longer than the height of the housing.

Images