Underwater sound wave generator

Abstract

To provide an underwater sound wave generator that generates a loud sound that can be heard by humans even in water and plays a musical scale like a musical instrument so that humans do not feel uncomfortable. 【Solution means】The underwater sound wave generator 100 includes a housing 10 that is partially open and has a shape capable of holding a gas 20 in water, and a vibrating portion disposed inside the housing 10. The sound wave 90 generated by the vibration of the vibrating portion propagates into the water through the housing 10 and the water surface 30 located at the open portion 12 of the housing 10. The vibrating portion includes a sounding board 112, and a sound wave 90 is generated by applying an impact to the sounding board 112.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an underwater sound wave generator.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes "a dynamic underwater sound wave transmitting device characterized by comprising an underwater auditory correction equalizer that emphasizes high frequencies in the signal output from the signal source in view of the attenuation of underwater sound by water and the residual air in the outer ear." Patent Document 2 describes "an underwater sound generating device that outputs sound into water to repel fish in a target water area." [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-36998 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-10141

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an underwater sound wave generator is provided. The underwater sound wave generator may include a housing that is partially open and has a shape capable of holding gas underwater. The underwater sound wave generator may include a vibrating portion disposed inside the housing. In the underwater sound wave generator, sound waves generated by the vibration of the vibrating portion may be propagated into the water through the housing and the water surface located at the open portion of the housing.

[0004] In the underwater sound wave generator, the vibrating portion may include a sounding board. In the underwater sound wave generator, sound waves generated by an impact applied to the sounding board may be propagated into the water through the housing and the water surface located at the open portion of the housing.

[0005] In any of the above underwater acoustic wave generators, the vibrating part may include a plurality of sounding boards having different sizes from each other. Any of the above underwater acoustic wave generators may include a striker disposed inside the housing, and a striker control unit that rotates the striker to sequentially apply an impact to the plurality of sounding boards.

[0006] Any of the above underwater acoustic wave generators may include a plurality of strikers disposed inside the housing, each corresponding to one of the plurality of sounding boards. Any of the above underwater acoustic wave generators may include a striker control unit that applies an impact to each of the plurality of sounding boards by each of the plurality of strikers.

[0007] Any of the above underwater acoustic wave generators may include an imaging unit that images the periphery of the housing. Any of the above underwater acoustic wave generators may include a situation determination unit that analyzes the captured image captured by the imaging unit to determine the situation around the housing. In any of the above underwater acoustic wave generators, the striker control unit may control the plurality of strikers according to the determination result by the situation determination unit.

[0008] In any of the above underwater acoustic wave generators, the vibrating part may be a speaker. In any of the above underwater acoustic wave generators, the sound wave generated by the speaker may be propagated into the water through the housing and the water surface located at the open portion of the housing. The underwater acoustic wave generator may include a sound control unit that generates a sound wave in the speaker according to the determination result by the situation determination unit. Any of the above underwater acoustic wave generators may include a reflector located ahead in the direction where the open portion of the housing is located and capable of reflecting the sound wave propagated from the open portion into the water.

[0009] Any of the above underwater acoustic wave generators may include a string-shaped member having one end attached to the open portion side of the housing. The underwater acoustic wave generator may include a weight portion disposed in the water, and the weight portion that holds the string-shaped member so that the length of the string-shaped member between the housing and the weight portion can be adjusted.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an underwater acoustic wave generating device is provided. The underwater acoustic wave generating device may include a plurality of housings each having a shape that can hold gas underwater with a part thereof open, and having different lengths and widths from each other. For each of the plurality of housings, the acoustic wave generated inside the housing by the vibration of the housing may be propagated into the water through the water surface located at the open portion of the housing.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an underwater acoustic wave generating device is provided. The underwater acoustic wave generating device may include a housing with a part thereof open. The underwater acoustic wave generating device may include a film portion disposed at the open portion of the housing and configured to separate the gas in the space inside the housing from the water in the water. In the underwater acoustic wave generating device, the acoustic wave generated by the vibration of the vibrating portion may be propagated into the water through the housing and the film portion.

[0012] Any of the above underwater acoustic wave generating devices may include a film control portion that controls the propagation direction of the acoustic wave by controlling the direction in which the film surface of the film portion faces in the water. Any of the above underwater acoustic wave generating devices may include a gas supply portion that supplies gas from the outside of the housing to the inside of the housing.

[0013] Note that the above summary of the invention does not list all the necessary features of the present invention. Also, sub-combinations of these feature groups may also be inventions.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Also, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution means of the invention.

[0016] When a diver indicates a diving point or communicates with each other underwater, means relying on vision such as hand signs and light are generally used. However, in an underwater environment with low transparency, light may be blocked and it may be difficult to visually observe hand signs or the like. In such an environment, means using sound are effective. Sound is useful because it can be used not only for communication between humans but also for guiding non-human organisms to a specific location.

[0017] However, even if one tries to communicate using sound, it is difficult to generate a loud sound underwater. As a result, if a diver misses the sound, the divers may become separated and lose sight of the diving point (the location where the boat is moored), leading to a risk of a maritime accident due to, for example, the oxygen in the cylinder running out. The underwater sound wave generator 100 according to the present embodiment has a configuration that contributes to solving such problems.

[0018] For example, the underwater sound wave generator 100 can generate a loud sound that can be heard by humans even underwater and play musical scales like an instrument so that humans do not feel uncomfortable. The underwater sound wave generator 100 may be able to freely change the pitch of the sound, and may also be able to perform operations such as musical scale manipulation and automatic performance by a control device. The underwater sound wave generator 100 can be installed at a specified water depth underwater so that divers can always grasp the diving point to which they should return. The underwater sound wave generator 100 may also be able to make adjustments such as changing the sound source when a person is near or far by combining it with visual means (such as a camera).

[0019] FIG. 1 schematically shows an example of the underwater sound wave generator 100 and the installation of the underwater sound wave generator 100 underwater. The underwater sound wave generator 100 includes a housing 10. The housing 10 is partially open and has a shape capable of holding the gas 20 underwater. The open part of the housing 10 may be referred to as the open part 12.

[0020] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the shape of the housing 10 is hemispherical. The shape of the housing 10 does not have to be hemispherical as long as it has an open part 12 and is capable of holding the gas 20 underwater. The shape of the housing 10 may be, for example, a cylindrical shape having an open part 12, a rectangular parallelepiped shape having an open part 12, a conical shape having an open part 12, a bell shape having an open part 12, or the like.

[0021] The underwater sound wave generator 100 includes a vibrating part disposed inside the housing 10. The vibrating part may include various musical instruments. For example, the vibrating part may include percussion instruments such as a glockenspiel and a triangle, stringed instruments such as a koto, and wind instruments such as a flute. The underwater sound wave generator 100 may include a vibration mechanism corresponding to each of the above-described musical instruments. For example, when the vibrating part is a percussion instrument, the vibration mechanism may be a striking mechanism such as a mallet. When the vibrating part is a stringed instrument, the vibration mechanism may be a plucking mechanism such as a pick or a bowing mechanism such as a bow. When the vibrating part is a wind instrument, the vibration mechanism may be a mechanism for supplying gas. The vibrating part may be an electronic musical instrument that emits an electronic sound from a speaker. The vibrating part may not be a musical instrument, and may be, for example, a speaker or the like.

[0022] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the underwater sound wave generator 100 includes a soundboard 112 which is an example of the vibrating part. The soundboard 112 is, for example, a soundboard used for a glockenspiel. The soundboard 112 vibrates when an impact is applied thereto, and generates a sound wave 90. For example, the soundboard 112 may vibrate when struck by a mallet or the like by the diver 80, and generate a sound wave 90. Since the soundboard 112 is located in the space inside the housing 10 filled with the gas 20, an impact can be applied to the vibrating part mechanically or manually without receiving water resistance.

[0023] The soundboard 112 may be gently held by the housing 10 to such an extent that the soundboard 112 can vibrate freely inside the housing 10. In order to efficiently transmit the vibration of the soundboard 112 to the housing 10, a spring material or the like may be installed between the soundboard 112 and the housing 10. Also in the case of each of the above-described various musical instruments, in order to efficiently transmit the vibration generated by each musical instrument to the housing 10, appropriate measures may be taken according to each musical instrument. In such a case, the vibrating part of each musical instrument may be gently held by the housing 10 to such an extent that it can vibrate freely, and a member having an appropriate material and shape may be disposed between the vibrating part of each musical instrument and the housing 10.

[0024] The type of the gas 20 may be selected in consideration of comprehensively factors such as low danger and harmfulness, not extremely high water solubility, and easy availability. For example, the gas 20 may be air, nitrogen, or the like.

[0025] The sound wave 90 generated by the vibration of the vibrating part of the underwater sound wave generator 100 is considered to propagate into the water through the housing 10 and the water surface 30 located at the open part 12 of the housing 10. This is based on the fact and consideration described below as a result of the inventors' intensive study.

[0026] When the sound board 112 is struck with the same intensity, if the wall thickness of the housing 10 is too thick, the volume and the reach distance of the sound wave 90 are small. For example, when the material of the housing 10 is metal or plastic, in order to generate a sound wave 90 with a large volume, it is desirable that the wall thickness of the housing 10 is about 2 to 3 mm. Since the volume of the sound wave 90 depends on the wall thickness of the housing 10, it is considered important that not only does the housing 10 provide a mere reverberation space (if it only provides a mere reverberation space, it should depend on the volume inside the housing 10 and hardly depend on the wall thickness), but also the housing 10 itself vibrates.

[0027] When a cylindrical housing 10 with a circularly open bottom surface is used, among the directions of the upper surface side, the side surface side, and the bottom surface side of the housing 10, the volumes on the upper surface side and the side surface side of the housing 10 are small, and the volume on the bottom surface side (the direction where the water surface 30 is located), which is the open part 12, is the largest. From this, it is considered that many components of the sound wave 90 emitted by the underwater sound wave generator 100 propagate into the water through the water surface 30.

[0028] As a result of the inventors' intensive study, the fact and consideration described below were also obtained. When the gas 20 is held in a closed housing without the open part 12 and the vibrating part is vibrated inside the housing, the volume of the generated sound wave is considerably small. From this, it is considered important that the open part 12 exists in order to generate a sound wave 90 with a large volume.

[0029] When experiments were conducted using the aforementioned cylindrical housing 10 (with a volume of approximately 20 liters), even if there was an open portion 12, when the inside of the housing 10 was filled with water and there was no gas 20 present, the volume of the sound wave 90 propagating in the water was quite small, and the audible range of the sound wave 90 was also about 3 m in radius. On the other hand, when the inside of the housing 10 was filled with the gas 20, the volume of the sound wave 90 propagating in the water was quite large, and the audible range was more than 30 m in radius. From this, it is considered important that there is a space filled with the gas 20 inside the housing 10 having the open portion 12 in order to generate a sound wave 90 with a large volume.

[0030] The larger the volume of the gas 20 held inside the housing 10, the larger the volume of the sound wave 90 becomes. That is, it is possible to control the volume of the sound wave 90 by controlling the volume of the gas 20 held inside the housing 10. In this case, the volume of the gas 20 may be controlled by changing the volume of the housing 10, or the volume of the gas 20 itself supplied into the housing 10 may be controlled. From this, it is considered important that the space where the sound wave 90 can resonate is large and / or the area of the housing 10 that can vibrate freely is large in order to generate a sound wave 90 with a large volume.

[0031] The larger the area of the water surface 30 located at the open portion 12 of the housing 10, the larger the volume of the sound wave 90 becomes. From this, it is considered important that the area of the water surface 30 is large in order to generate a sound wave 90 with a large volume. Therefore, for example, the shape of the housing 10 may be a conical shape with the bottom surface being the open portion 12.

[0032] By the underwater sound wave generating device 100 having such a configuration, it is possible to generate a large sound that can be heard by humans even underwater. Therefore, it is difficult for the diver 80 to miss hearing the sound, it is difficult for the diver 80 to get lost and lose the diving point, and the risk of leading to a drowning accident due to the oxygen depletion of the cylinder is reduced. Furthermore, the large sound can also be used for the purpose of guiding underwater organisms other than humans to a specific location or direction. The underwater organisms may be, for example, fish 82.

[0033] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the underwater acoustic wave generating device 100 is held by the ship 40. The method of installing the underwater acoustic wave generating device 100 in water is not particularly limited. For example, the underwater acoustic wave generating device 100 may be held by an anchor or the like installed on the seabed or the like. For example, the underwater acoustic wave generating device 100 may be held by an underwater drone or the like that can move in water.

[0034] In the example shown in FIG. 1, an upper holding part 42 is connected to the upper part of the underwater acoustic wave generating device 100, and the upper holding part 42 is connected to the ship 40. An arm 44 is connected to the lower part of the underwater acoustic wave generating device 100, one end of a lower holding part 46 is slidably connected to the arm 44, and a weight 48 is connected to the other end of the lower holding part 46. Thereby, the underwater acoustic wave generating device 100 may be stably held at an arbitrary water depth.

[0035] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the arm 44 may be a part of the housing 10. The housing 10 and the arm 44 may be integrated. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the underwater acoustic wave generating device 100 may not have the arm 44, and the lower holding part 46 may be directly attached to the housing 10.

[0036] The weight 48 may have a weight greater than the weight that resists the buoyancy caused by the gas 20 inside the housing 10. The weight and the number of the weights 48 may be adjusted so that the underwater acoustic wave generating device 100 can maintain a stable posture in water.

[0037] The shapes and materials of the upper holding part 42 and the lower holding part 46 may be appropriately selected according to the method of installing the underwater acoustic wave generating device 100 in water. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when the underwater acoustic wave generating device 100 is held by the ship 40 and suspended by the weight 48, the upper holding part 42 and the lower holding part 46 may be ropes or the like.

[0038] For example, when the underwater sound wave generator 100 is held by the ship 40 without a weight that resists the buoyancy of the gas 20, the upper holding part 42 may be a rigid rod or the like. In this case, the arm 44 and the lower holding part 46 may be absent. For example, when the underwater sound wave generator 100 is held by an anchor or the like installed on the seabed or the like, the lower holding part 46 may be a rope or the like, or may be a rigid rod or the like. In this case, the upper holding part 42 may be absent.

[0039] The underwater sound wave generator 100 may include a control device that performs various controls. The control device may control the performance of various musical instruments included in the vibrating part. The control device may control various accessory functions provided in the underwater sound wave generator 100. The arrangement of the control device is not particularly limited. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the control device may be arranged inside the housing 10 of the underwater sound wave generator 100, or may be arranged outside the housing 10. The control device may be arranged on the ship 40 or on land. In these cases, the control device may be communicable with the main body side (the side including the housing 10) of the underwater sound wave generator 100 by wire or wirelessly.

[0040] So far, the case where the vibrating part includes the soundboard 112 which is a musical instrument has been described as an example. However, as described above, the vibrating part may be a speaker. In this case, it is considered that the sound wave 90 generated by the speaker propagates into the water through the housing 10 and the water surface 30 located in the open portion 12 of the housing 10. When the vibrating part is a speaker, the diaphragm or the like of the speaker may be in contact with the housing 10 so that the vibration of the diaphragm or the like of the speaker easily propagates to the housing 10. The diaphragm or the like may be gently in contact with the housing 10 to such an extent that the diaphragm or the like can vibrate freely within the housing 10. In order to efficiently transmit the vibration of the diaphragm or the like to the housing 10, a spring material or the like may be installed between the diaphragm or the like and the housing 10.

[0041] Figure 2 schematically shows an example of the underwater acoustic wave generator 100 and the installation of the underwater acoustic wave generator 100 in water. Here, the differences from Figure 1 will be mainly described. In the example shown in Figure 2, the underwater acoustic wave generator 100 includes a plurality of sounding boards 112 with different sizes as an example of the vibrating part. Each of the plurality of sounding boards 112 with different sizes may have different pitches from each other, and the plurality of sounding boards 112 as a whole may constitute a musical scale. In the example shown in Figure 2, the lengths of the plurality of sounding boards 112 are different, and the shorter the sounding board 112, the higher the pitch, and the longer the sounding board 112, the lower the pitch. Note that the underwater acoustic wave generator 100 may include a plurality of sounding boards 112 with the same size.

[0042] In the example shown in Figure 2, the underwater acoustic wave generator 100 may include a hammer 122 disposed inside the housing 10. The underwater acoustic wave generator 100 may be controlled to sequentially apply an impact to the plurality of sounding boards 112 by rotating the hammer 122. The hammer 122 may be rotated by a motor or the like provided in the underwater acoustic wave generator 100.

[0043] Figure 3 schematically shows an example of the underwater acoustic wave generator 100 and the installation of the underwater acoustic wave generator 100 in water. Here, the differences from Figure 2 will be mainly described. In the example shown in Figure 3, the underwater acoustic wave generator 100 includes a plurality of hammers 122 disposed inside the housing 10, each corresponding to one of the plurality of sounding boards 112. The underwater acoustic wave generator 100 may be controlled to apply an impact to each of the plurality of sounding boards 112 by each of the plurality of hammers 122. The underwater acoustic wave generator 100 may be controlled to play a piece of music by controlling the plurality of hammers to apply impacts to the plurality of sounding boards 112.

[0044] The underwater acoustic wave generating device 100 may include an imaging unit that images the periphery of the housing 10. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the underwater acoustic wave generating device 100 includes a camera 50 as an example of the imaging unit. The underwater acoustic wave generating device 100 may have a mechanism for adjusting the angle of view of the camera 50 in order to image the periphery of the housing 10. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the underwater acoustic wave generating device 100 has a mechanism that allows the camera 50 to rotate around three orthogonal axes. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the camera 50 is located at the upper part of the housing 10, but the position of the camera 50 is not limited to this. The camera 50 may be located inside the housing 10, on the side surface of the housing 10, etc. The camera 50 does not necessarily have to be installed on the housing 10 as long as the positional relationship between the camera 50 and the housing 10 can be grasped, and it may be installed at a position away from the housing 10. For example, the camera 50 may be held by the ship 40. For example, the camera 50 may be held by an underwater drone or the like that can move underwater.

[0045] The underwater acoustic wave generating device 100 may analyze the captured image captured by the camera 50 to determine the situation around the housing 10. For example, the underwater acoustic wave generating device 100 determines whether there is a diver 80 around the housing 10. For example, the underwater acoustic wave generating device 100 determines the distance to an object such as the diver 80 or the fish 82 around the housing 10. The underwater acoustic wave generating device 100 may control a plurality of transducers 122 according to the determination result of the situation. For example, the underwater acoustic wave generating device 100 determines the distance from the housing 10 to an object such as the diver 80 or the fish 82, and may control a plurality of transducers 122 to emit different sound waves 90 according to the distance.

[0046] In the example shown in FIG. 3, as described above, the vibrating part may be a speaker. In this case, the underwater acoustic wave generating device 100 may generate a sound wave 90 in the speaker according to the determination result of the situation around the housing 10 obtained by analyzing the captured image.

[0047] The underwater sound wave generator 100 may be equipped with a timer. The underwater sound wave generator 100 may prompt a diver to perform specific actions by generating sound waves 90 according to the diver's diving plan. For example, the underwater sound wave generator 100 may prompt the diver to return by generating predetermined sound waves 90 when the scheduled return time arrives. For example, the underwater sound wave generator 100 may sound the sound waves 90 at intervals of several minutes to periodically inform the diver of the direction of the return point. In particular, when diving to a deep depth or diving for a long time, it is necessary to stay in a low water pressure environment and wait for a certain period of time to prevent decompression sickness. This waiting time may be boring and painful for the diver 80. For example, in such a case, the underwater sound wave generator 100 can play music underwater to relieve the boredom of the diver 80 and provide a comfortable diving experience.

[0048] The underwater sound wave generator 100 may emit 90 underwater not only to humans such as the diver 80 but also to underwater organisms such as fish 82. For example, by generating sound waves 90 that reach from one end to the other end of an underwater net cage, it can be used for purposes such as driving fish 82 and the like to the water surface or a tunnel, depending on the nature of the sound (frequency, amplitude, sound pressure, type of sound such as the sound of a whale, etc.) to which the target underwater organisms such as fish 82 respond. Therefore, the underwater sound wave generator 100 is considered to be useful also in the aquaculture industry and the like.

[0049] It is also conceivable to move underwater organisms in a desired direction by stimulation with light instead of by stimulation with sound waves 90. However, as a result of the applicants' intensive studies, especially when the target underwater organism is a fish 82, although the fish 82 initially reacts to light, it may eventually become accustomed to the light stimulation and stop moving. On the other hand, when using stimulation with sound waves 90, it has been found that habituation such as in the case of light stimulation is less likely to occur and the effect can be continuously obtained.

[0050] When moving aquatic organisms in a specific direction, a plurality of underwater acoustic wave generators 100 may be arranged along the desired direction, and each of the plurality of underwater acoustic wave generators 100 may be sounded in order along the direction in which the aquatic organisms are to be moved.

[0051] The underwater acoustic wave generator 100 may include a light source. The light source may be arranged, for example, inside the housing 10, outside the housing 10, or at the edge of the open portion 12 of the housing 10. The light source may be arranged, for example, to emit light vertically downward.

[0052] The underwater acoustic wave generator 100 may include a plurality of light sources. The underwater acoustic wave generator 100 may sequentially turn on each of the plurality of light sources. Thereby, for example, when a diver 80 is searching for the underwater acoustic wave generator 100, in addition to aurally perceiving the sound wave 90, the light emitted by the light source can be visually perceived, making it easier to search for the underwater acoustic wave generator 100.

[0053] If the light source is arranged inside the housing 10, a plurality of sound plates 112 are illuminated by the light source, making it easier to see when the diver 80 strikes the plurality of sound plates 112. If the object such as the diver 80 or the fish 82 can be illuminated by the light emitted from the light source, the camera 50 can also capture the object more clearly.

[0054] FIG. 4 schematically shows an example of the underwater acoustic wave generator 100 and the installation of the underwater acoustic wave generator 100 in water. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the underwater acoustic wave generator 100 includes a housing 10, a lower holding portion 46, and a weight portion 200. It is not essential for the underwater acoustic wave generator 100 to include all of these.

[0055] One end of the lower holding portion 46 may be attached to the open portion 12 side of the housing 10. When the housing 10 has an arm 44, one end of the lower holding portion 46 may be attached to the arm 44. The lower holding portion 46 may be a string-like member. The other end of the lower holding portion 46 may be attached to the weight portion 200. The lower holding portion 46 may be an example of a string-like member.

[0056] The weight portion 200 may be disposed in water. The weight portion 200 may hold the lower holding portion 46 in a manner that allows adjustment of the length of the lower holding portion 46 between the housing 10 and the weight portion 200. Thereby, the water depth of the housing 10 can be appropriately maintained at a desired water depth. The weight portion 200 may have a weight greater than the weight that resists the buoyancy caused by the gas 20 inside the housing 10. The weight portion 200 may have a base portion 210. Among the weight portion 200, the base portion 210 may have a weight greater than the weight that resists the buoyancy caused by the gas 20 inside the housing 10. The base portion 210 may be fixed to the bottom of the sea, the lake bottom, or the like.

[0057] FIG. 5 schematically shows an example of the weight portion 200. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the weight portion 200 shown in FIG. 4 as seen from the front left front. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the weight portion 200 has a frame 220, a plurality of fasteners 230, and a plurality of locking mechanisms 240. In the example shown in FIG. 5, there may be one fastener 230, and there may be one locking mechanism 240. It is not essential for the weight portion 200 to have all of these.

[0058] The frame 220 may be the framework of the weight portion 200. The frame 220 may be attached to the base portion 210. Each of the plurality of fasteners 230 may be attached to different locations of the lower holding portion 46. The fastener 230 may be, for example, a carabiner.

[0059] The locking mechanism 240 may be attached to the frame 220. The lower holding portion 46 may be held by the weight portion 200 by the fastener 230 attached to the lower holding portion 46 being fixed to the frame 220 by the locking mechanism 240. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the locking mechanism 240 is rotatably attached to the frame 220. By rotating the locking mechanism 240, the locked state A and the unlocked state B may be switchable.

[0060] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the locking mechanism 240 is in the locked state A. By switching the locking mechanism 240 from the locked state A to the unlocked state B, the fastener 230 attached to the lower holding portion 46 may be detached from the frame 220. As a result, the corresponding portion of the lower holding portion 46 is released from the weight portion 200, and the length of the lower holding portion 46 between the housing 10 and the weight portion 200 may be increased. Conversely, by switching the locking mechanism 240 from the unlocked state B to the locked state A, the fastener 230 attached to the lower holding portion 46 may be fixed to the frame 220. As a result, the corresponding portion of the lower holding portion 46 is fixed to the weight portion 200, and the length of the lower holding portion 46 between the housing 10 and the weight portion 200 may be decreased.

[0061] FIG. 6 schematically shows an example of the weight portion 200. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the weight portion 200 shown in FIG. 4 as viewed obliquely upward from the front right. As shown in FIG. 6, the lower holding portion 46 may be held by the weight portion 200 by being caught by the frame 220 on the side opposite to the locking mechanism 240.

[0062] The configuration of the weight portion 200 shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 is merely an example, and the weight portion 200 may be different from the configuration shown in FIGS. 4 to 6. For example, the weight portion 200 may hold the lower holding portion 46 by winding the lower holding portion 46 around a cylindrical winding portion.

[0063] In this case, the weight portion 200 may adjust the length of the lower holding portion 46 between the housing 10 and the weight portion 200 by adjusting the amount of winding of the lower holding portion 46 around the winding portion. In this case, the weight portion 200 may be provided with a rotation locking mechanism that prevents unintentional rotation of the reel.

[0064] In this case, the winding portion may have a structure in which flange portions are provided at both ends of the central shaft portion. For example, the winding portion may have a so-called bobbin shape and a drum shape. The weight portion 200 may have a handle portion for rotating the winding portion around the diver 80. For example, the winding portion may have a so-called reel shape.

[0065] FIG. 7 schematically shows an example of the underwater acoustic wave generating device 100 and the installation of the underwater acoustic wave generating device 100 in water. Here, the points different from FIG. 1 will be mainly described. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the underwater acoustic wave generating device 100 includes a reflector 60. The reflector 60 is located at the tip of the direction 13 in which the open portion 12 of the housing 10 is located. The reflector 60 may be capable of reflecting the sound waves that have propagated through the water from the open portion 12.

[0066] The direction 13 in which the open portion 12 of the housing 10 is located may be in the direction of the vertical central axis of the housing 10, or may be a direction slightly deviated from the direction of the central axis. The direction 13 in which the open portion 12 of the housing 10 is located may be the same as the direction in which the water surface 30 is located in water.

[0067] The installation method of the reflector 60 may be appropriately selected according to the installation method of the underwater acoustic wave generating device 100 in water. For example, as in the example shown in FIG. 7, when the underwater acoustic wave generating device 100 is held by the ship 40 and suspended by the weight 48, the reflector 60 may be installed on the lower holding portion 46. In this case, the lower holding portion 46 may be a rope or the like, but may also be a more rigid rod or the like in order to stabilize the posture of the reflector 60. The reflector 60 may be integrated with the weight 48. The reflector 60 may also serve as the weight 48.

[0068] For example, when the underwater acoustic wave generating device 100 is held by the ship 40 without a weight that resists the buoyancy of the gas 20, the upper holding portion 42, the arm 44, and the lower holding portion 46 are configured rigidly, and the reflector 60 may be installed on the rigid 46. For example, when the underwater acoustic wave generating device 100 is held by an anchor or the like installed on the seabed or the like, the reflector 60 may be installed on the lower holding portion 46. In this case, the lower holding portion 46 may be a rope or the like, but may also be a more rigid rod or the like in order to stabilize the posture of the reflector 60. The reflector 60 may be integrated with the anchor or the like.

[0069] The posture of the reflector 60 may be fixed or variable with respect to the housing 10. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the posture of the reflector 60 is variable, and the reflector 60 can be oriented in any direction. As a result, the strong sound wave 90 emitted vertically downward from the housing 10 can be reflected and propagated in any direction. For example, by scanning the reflection direction to propagate the sound wave 90, it is possible to propagate the sound wave 90 with a large intensity over a wider range. It is also possible to concentrate and propagate the sound wave 90 with a large intensity in a desired direction.

[0070] For example, the posture of the reflector 60 is fixed at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the direction of the central axis in the vertical direction of the housing 10. As a result, the strong sound wave 90 emitted vertically downward from the housing 10 can be propagated in the horizontal direction. Therefore, even when a diver 80 or the like is located in the horizontal direction of the housing 10, the sound wave 90 with a larger intensity can reach the diver 80 or the like. In this case, the reflector 60 may be rotatable around the vertical direction. The direction in which the posture of the reflector 60 is fixed is not limited to 45 degrees with respect to the direction of the central axis in the vertical direction of the housing 10, and may be fixed in any direction according to the purpose.

[0071] The underwater sound wave generating device 100 may include a mechanism for supplying the gas 20 into the housing 10. The underwater sound wave generating device 100 may include a gas mechanism for supplying the gas 20 from the outside of the housing 10 into the housing 10. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the underwater sound wave generating device 100 includes a mechanism for supplying the gas 20 from the ship 40 into the housing 10 through the gas supply pipe 70.

[0072] The mechanism for supplying gas 20 into the housing 10 is not limited to this. For example, the gas 20 may be supplied by opening the valve of a gas cylinder pre-filled with compressed gas 20 disposed inside the housing 10 in advance. For example, the gas 20 may be supplied by a chemical reaction that generates the gas 20. As the chemical reaction, the thermal decomposition reaction of sodium bicarbonate or the generation of carbon dioxide by the weak acid dissociation reaction may be used. For example, when water enters the housing 10, sodium bicarbonate and an organic acid such as citric acid may dissolve by coming into contact with the water that has entered, and carbon dioxide may be automatically generated by the above-described chemical reaction.

[0073] Accordingly, particularly when the depth at which the housing 10 is located is deep and the gas 20 is compressed due to high water pressure, the gas 20 can be additionally supplied, so that a sufficient space filled with the gas 20 can be secured inside the housing 10. Further, when the posture of the housing 10 in water is disturbed by the influence of a strong ocean current or the like and the gas 20 inside the housing 10 leaks out of the housing 10, the gas 20 can be additionally supplied, so that the underwater sound wave generator 100 can be operated more stably.

[0074] The underwater sound wave generator 100 may include a mechanism for adjusting the amount of the gas 20 inside the housing 10. The underwater sound wave generator 100 may adjust the volume of the sound wave 90 by adjusting the amount of the gas 20 inside the housing 10. As described above, by increasing the amount of the gas 20 inside the housing 10, the volume of the sound wave 90 can be increased, and by decreasing the amount of the gas 20 inside the housing 10, the volume of the sound wave 90 can be decreased.

[0075] FIG. 8 schematically shows an example of the underwater acoustic wave generator 100 and the installation of the underwater acoustic wave generator 100 in water. Here, mainly the differences from FIG. 1 will be described. In the example shown in FIG. 8, a film portion 16 is provided which is arranged in the open portion 12 of the housing 10 and is configured to separate the gas 20 in the space inside the housing 10 from the water in the water. In this case, it is considered that the sound wave 90 generated by the vibration of the vibration portion propagates into the water through the housing 10 and the film portion 16. Similar to the example shown in FIG. 7, the underwater acoustic wave generator 100 also includes a mechanism for supplying the gas 20 inside the housing 10 in the example shown in FIG. 8.

[0076] The film portion 16 may be in contact with the water below the housing 10 with almost no gap. That is, the film surface of the film portion 16 and the water surface 30 may be in contact so as to form substantially the same plane. FIG. 8 illustrates a state in which the film surface of the film portion 16 and the water surface 30 form the same plane.

[0077] The film portion 16 may be lighter from the viewpoint of the transmission characteristics of the sound wave 90. The film thickness of the film portion 16 may be thinner from the viewpoint of the transmission characteristics of the sound wave 90. As the material of the film portion 16, a material that is stable against water may be appropriately selected. It is desirable that the material of the film portion 16 has a water pressure resistance strength that can withstand the water pressure corresponding to the assumed water depth.

[0078] The underwater acoustic wave generator 100 may include a mechanism for supplying the gas 20 inside the housing 10 described above, and increase the internal air pressure of the housing 10 to counteract the water pressure. Thereby, since a material with low water pressure resistance can be selected as the material of the film portion 16, the degree of freedom in selecting the material of the film portion 16 is increased.

[0079] The film portion 16 may be, for example, a metal film such as aluminum or titanium. The film portion 16 may be, for example, a plastic film such as polyolefin or polyester. The film portion 16 may be, for example, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, etc. The film portion 16 may be experimentally selected from various functional materials a material that satisfies requirements such as high water resistance, high durability, light weight, and thin film.

[0080] By including the membrane portion 16, the underwater sound wave generator 100 can prevent the gas 20 inside the housing 10 from leaking out even if the posture of the housing 10 in water is disturbed by the influence of a strong ocean current or the like. Since water does not enter the space filled with the gas 20 inside the housing 10, it is possible to prevent various members located inside the housing 10 from malfunctioning, deteriorating, etc. due to water immersion. Since the gas 20 inside the housing 10 does not leak out, as will be described later, the posture of the housing 10 can also be tilted. Since the gas 20 does not come into contact with water, a water-soluble gas 20 such as carbon dioxide can also be used as the gas 20. For example, when using the generation of carbon dioxide by the thermal decomposition reaction or weak acid dissociation reaction of sodium bicarbonate as the supply means of the gas 20, there is a problem that some carbon dioxide dissolves in water, but when the underwater sound wave generator 100 uses the membrane portion 16, it does not become a major problem.

[0081] FIG. 9 schematically shows an example of the underwater sound wave generator 100 and the installation of the underwater sound wave generator 100 in water. Here, the points different from FIG. 8 will be mainly described. The underwater sound wave generator 100 may control the propagation direction of the sound wave 90 by controlling the direction 17 in which the membrane surface of the membrane portion 16 faces in water. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the underwater sound wave generator 100 includes a housing posture control mechanism 18 that controls the posture of the housing 10. The underwater sound wave generator 100 may control the direction 17 in which the membrane surface of the membrane portion 16 faces by controlling the housing posture control mechanism 18.

[0082] The direction 17 in which the membrane surface of the membrane portion 16 faces may be an approximate direction in which the membrane surface of the membrane portion 16 faces. For example, the direction 17 in which the membrane surface faces may be the same as the direction of the perpendicular to the membrane surface of the membrane portion 16. For example, when the membrane surface of the membrane portion 16 becomes a curved surface due to water pressure, air pressure, etc., the direction 17 in which the membrane surface faces may be the same as the direction of the tip of the line drawn from the center point of the membrane surface of the membrane portion 16 to the center of the sphere including the curved surface.

[0083] As a result, a sound wave 90 with a high intensity can be propagated in any direction. For example, by scanning the propagation direction and propagating the sound wave 90, it becomes possible to propagate the sound wave 90 with a high intensity over a wider range. It is also possible to concentrate and propagate the sound wave 90 with a high intensity in a desired direction.

[0084] FIG. 10 schematically shows an example of an underwater sound wave generating device 100. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the underwater sound wave generating device 100 has a shape that can hold a gas 20 in water with a part open, and includes a plurality of housings 10 that are different from each other in length and width. In this case, for each of the plurality of housings 10, it is considered that the sound wave 90 generated in the housing 10 when the housing 10 vibrates is propagated into the water through the water surface 30 located at the open portion 12 of the housing 10.

[0085] In the example shown in FIG. 10, each of the plurality of housings 10 is cylindrical with a closed upper surface and an open portion 12 at the lower surface. As shown in FIG. 10, since the areas of the upper surfaces of the plurality of housings 10 are different, for example, when the diver 80 is struck by a wasp or the like, each of the plurality of housings 10 emits sound waves 90 with different pitches.

[0086] The underwater sound wave generating device 100 may include a housing holding portion 19. In the example shown in FIG. 10, six housings 10 that are different from each other in length and width are held by the housing holding portion 19 in series so that the heights of the upper surfaces of the housings 10 are aligned. The number of the plurality of housings 10 is not particularly limited. The number of the plurality of housings 10 is, for example, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 or more. The arrangement of the plurality of housings 10 is not limited to a series arrangement. The arrangement of the plurality of housings 10 is, for example, a rectangular arrangement, a polygonal arrangement, a circular arrangement, an elliptical arrangement, or the like.

[0087] In the example shown in FIG. 10, an example in which the cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of housings 10 is circular is shown, but other shapes may also be used. For example, the cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of housings 10 may be a polygon, an ellipse, or any other arbitrary shape.

[0088] The heights of the upper surfaces of the plurality of housings 10 may be offset. For example, the plurality of housings 10 may be held by the housing holding portion 19 at the height of the center of gravity of each of the plurality of housings 10. For example, the plurality of housings 10 may be held by the housing holding portion 19 in an arrangement and position such that the moment of inertia of the entire underwater sound wave generator 100 is balanced.

[0089] Each of the plurality of housings 10 may be gently held by the housing holding portion 19 to such an extent that the upper surface of the housing 10 can vibrate freely. Each of the plurality of housings 10 may be held by the housing holding portion 19 by installing a spring material or the like between the housing 10 and the housing holding portion 19.

[0090] The underwater sound wave generator 100 may include a lower holding portion 46 and a weight 48. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the underwater sound wave generator 100 includes one weight 48 and a plurality of balance weights 49. The weight 48 may be heavy enough to counteract the buoyancy of the gas 20 inside the plurality of housings 10. In the example shown in FIG. 10, three balance weights 49 are installed in the housing holding portion 19 in a triangular arrangement for each of the plurality of housings 10, but the number and arrangement of the balance weights 49 are not limited to this. The plurality of balance weights 49 may be installed in the housing holding portion 19 in a number and arrangement necessary to prevent the posture of the underwater sound wave generator 100 in water from tipping over or the like.

[0091] The volumes of the plurality of housings 10 may be the same or different. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the volumes of the plurality of housings 10 are the same. As described above, the volume of the sound wave 90 can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of the gas 20 inside the housing 10. Therefore, in this case, each of the plurality of housings 10 emits a sound wave 90 of the same volume.

[0092] The volumes of the plurality of housings 10 may be adjusted according to the degree of attenuation of the sound pitch emitted by each of the plurality of housings 10 in water. For example, for the housing 10 that emits a sound wave 90 of a sound pitch that is easily attenuated in water, the volume of the housing 10 can be increased and the amount of the gas 20 that can be held can be increased to increase the volume.

[0093] The volume of the plurality of housings 10 may be adjusted according to the sensitivity of attenuation of the pitch emitted by each of the plurality of housings 10 to the diver 80 and the fish 82 in water. For example, for the housing 10 that emits sound waves 90 of a pitch with low sensitivity of the diver 80 in water, the volume of the housing 10 can be increased and the amount of the gas 20 that can be held can be increased to increase the volume.

[0094] FIG. 11 schematically shows an example of the functional configuration of the underwater sound wave generator 100. The underwater sound wave generator 100 includes a vibration unit 110, an imaging unit 120, a situation determination unit 130, a battery control unit 140, a sound control unit 150, a film control unit 160, and a gas supply unit 170. It is not always essential for the underwater sound wave generator 100 to include all of these.

[0095] The vibration unit 110 is disposed inside the housing 10. The vibration unit 110 may include various musical instruments. For example, the vibration unit 110 may include percussion instruments such as a glockenspiel and a triangle, stringed instruments such as a koto, wind instruments such as a flute, etc. The vibration unit 110 may be an electronic musical instrument that emits electronic sounds from a speaker. The vibration unit 110 may not be a musical instrument and may be, for example, a speaker or the like.

[0096] The imaging unit 120 images the periphery of the housing 10. The imaging unit 120 may be located inside the housing 10, on the side surface of the housing 10, etc. The imaging unit 120 does not necessarily have to be installed on the housing 10 as long as the positional relationship between the imaging unit 120 and the housing 10 can be grasped, and it may be installed at a position away from the housing 10. For example, the imaging unit 120 may be held by the ship 40. For example, the imaging unit 120 may be held by an underwater drone or the like that can move in water.

[0097] The situation determination unit 130 analyzes the captured image captured by the imaging unit 120 to determine the situation around the housing 10. The situation determination unit 130 may determine whether an object is located around the housing 10. For example, the situation determination unit 130 determines whether there is a diver 80 around the housing 10. For example, the situation determination unit 130 determines whether there are aquatic organisms such as fish 82 around the housing 10. The situation determination unit 130 may determine the distance to an object located around the housing 10. For example, the situation determination unit 130 determines the distance to the diver 80 around the housing 10. For example, the situation determination unit 130 determines the distance to aquatic organisms such as fish 82 around the housing 10.

[0098] The bat control unit 140 controls the bat 122. When the underwater sound wave generator 100 includes a plurality of sound plates 112, the bat control unit 140 may control the bat 122 to sequentially apply impacts to the plurality of sound plates 112 by rotating the bat 122.

[0099] When the underwater sound wave generator 100 includes a plurality of sound plates 112 arranged inside the housing 10 and a plurality of bats 122 each corresponding to one of the plurality of sound plates 112, the bat control unit 140 may control the plurality of bats 122 so that each of the plurality of bats 122 applies an impact to each of the plurality of sound plates 112. The bat control unit 140 may control the plurality of bats 122 to apply impacts to the plurality of sound plates 112 so as to play a piece of music.

[0100] The bat control unit 140 may control the plurality of bats 122 according to the situation determination result by the situation determination unit 130. For example, the bat control unit 140 may control the plurality of bats 122 to emit different sound waves 90 according to the distance from the housing 10 to objects such as the diver 80 and the fish 82. For example, the bat control unit 140 may control the plurality of bats 122 to emit different pieces of music according to the distance from the housing 10 to the object.

[0101] The sound control unit 150 may control the music emitted by the underwater sound wave generator 100. For example, the sound control unit 150 controls the plurality of reeds 122 by the reed control unit 140 according to the musical score data so as to emit a sound wave 90 corresponding to the musical score data. The sound control unit 150 may store the musical score data in advance. The sound control unit 150 may also receive the musical score data from the outside.

[0102] For example, when the vibrating unit 110 is a speaker, the sound control unit 150 may control the speaker to emit a sound wave 90 corresponding to the sound source data. For example, when targeting the diver 80, the sound source may be music. For example, when targeting the fish 82, the sound source may be a sound source obtained by recording the sound of a whale, etc. The sound control unit 150 may store the sound source data in advance. The sound control unit 150 may also receive the sound source data from the outside.

[0103] The film control unit 160 controls the propagation direction of the sound wave 90 by controlling the direction 17 in which the film surface of the film unit 16 faces in water. The film control unit 160 may control the direction 17 in which the film surface of the film unit 16 faces by controlling the posture of the housing 10.

[0104] The gas supply unit 170 supplies gas 20 into the housing 10. The gas supply unit 170 may supply the gas 20 from the outside of the housing 10 into the housing 10. Thereby, especially when the water depth where the housing 10 is located is deep and the water pressure is high, resulting in the compression of the gas 20, the gas 20 can be additionally supplied, so that a sufficient space filled with the gas 20 can be secured inside the housing 10. Also, when the posture of the housing 10 in water is disturbed by the influence of a strong ocean current or the like and the gas 20 inside the housing 10 leaks out of the housing 10, the gas 20 can be additionally supplied, so that the underwater sound wave generator 100 can be operated more stably.

[0105] The gas supply unit 170 may adjust the amount of the gas 20 inside the housing 10. The gas supply unit 170 may adjust the volume of the sound wave 90 by adjusting the amount of the gas 20 inside the housing 10. The gas supply unit 170 may supply the gas 20 from the outside of the housing 10 to the inside of the housing 10 according to the water depth at which the housing 10 is located. The gas supply unit 170 may supply the gas 20 from the outside of the housing 10 to the inside of the housing 10 according to the water pressure measured by the water pressure sensor included in the housing 10. The gas supply unit 170 may supply the gas 20 from the outside of the housing 10 to the inside of the housing 10 so that the water pressure and the air pressure inside the housing 10 become equal.

[0106] FIG. 12 schematically shows an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 1200 that functions as a control device of the underwater sound wave generator 100. The program installed in the computer 1200 causes the computer 1200 to function as one or more "units" of the device according to the present embodiment, or causes the computer 1200 to execute an operation or the one or more "units" associated with the device according to the present embodiment, and / or causes the computer 1200 to execute the process or the steps of the process according to the present embodiment. Such a program may be executed by the CPU 1212 to cause the computer 1200 to execute specific operations associated with some or all of the blocks of the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

[0107] The computer 1200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 1212, a RAM 1214, and a graphic controller 1216, which are interconnected by a host controller 1210. The computer 1200 also includes input / output units such as a communication interface 1222, a storage device 1224, a DVD drive, and an IC card drive, which are connected to the host controller 1210 via an input / output controller 1220. The DVD drive may be a DVD-ROM drive, a DVD-RAM drive, or the like. The storage device 1224 may be a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, or the like. The computer 1200 also includes legacy input / output units such as a ROM 1230 and a keyboard, which are connected to the input / output controller 1220 via an input / output chip 1240.

[0108] The CPU 1212 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 1230 and the RAM 1214, thereby controlling each unit. The graphic controller 1216 acquires image data generated by the CPU 1212 in a frame buffer or the like provided in the RAM 1214 or within itself, and causes the image data to be displayed on the display device 1218.

[0109] The communication interface 1222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The storage device 1224 stores programs and data used by the CPU 1212 within the computer 1200. The DVD drive reads a program or data from a DVD-ROM or the like and provides it to the storage device 1224. The IC card drive reads programs and data from an IC card and / or writes programs and data to an IC card.

[0110] ROM 1230 stores therein a boot program or the like executed by the computer 1200 at activation, and / or a program dependent on the hardware of the computer 1200. The input / output chip 1240 may also be connected to the input / output controller 1220 via various input / output units through a USB port, a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port, or the like.

[0111] The program is provided by a computer-readable storage medium such as a DVD-ROM or an IC card. The program is read from the computer-readable storage medium, installed in the storage device 1224, the RAM 1214, or the ROM 1230 which is also an example of a computer-readable storage medium, and executed by the CPU 1212. The information processing described in these programs is read by the computer 1200, resulting in the cooperation between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. The apparatus or method may be configured by realizing the operation or processing of information according to the use of the computer 1200.

[0112] For example, when communication is executed between the computer 1200 and an external device, the CPU 1212 may execute a communication program loaded in the RAM 1214 and instruct the communication interface 1222 to perform communication processing based on the processing described in the communication program. The communication interface 1222 reads the transmission data stored in the transmission buffer area provided in a recording medium such as the RAM 1214, the storage device 1224, the DVD-ROM, or the IC card under the control of the CPU 1212, transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes the received data received from the network to the reception buffer area provided on the recording medium or the like.

[0113] Further, the CPU 1212 may cause all or necessary portions of files or databases stored in an external recording medium such as a storage device 1224, a DVD drive (DVD-ROM), an IC card, etc. to be read into the RAM 1214, and execute various types of processing on the data on the RAM 1214. Next, the CPU 1212 may write back the processed data to the external recording medium.

[0114] Various types of information such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases may be stored in the recording medium and may undergo information processing. The CPU 1212 may perform various types of processing on the data read from the RAM 1214, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgment, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information search / replacement, etc. described throughout this disclosure and specified by the instruction sequence of the program, and write back the results to the RAM 1214. Also, the CPU 1212 may search for information in files, databases, etc. within the recording medium. For example, when a plurality of entries each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute are stored in the recording medium, the CPU 1212 searches for an entry that matches the condition where the attribute value of the first attribute is specified among the plurality of entries, reads the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, and thereby may obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0115] The programs or software modules described above may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium on or near the computer 1200. Also, a recording medium such as a hard disk or RAM provided within a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as a computer-readable storage medium, thereby providing the program to the computer 1200 via the network.

[0116] In the flowchart and block diagram in this embodiment, a block may represent a stage of a process in which an operation is performed or a "part" of a device having a role of performing an operation. A specific stage and "part" may be implemented by a dedicated circuit, a programmable circuit supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium, and / or a processor supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium. The dedicated circuit may include a digital and / or analog hardware circuit, and may include an integrated circuit (IC) and / or a discrete circuit. The programmable circuit may include a reconfigurable hardware circuit including, for example, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic array (PLA), etc., including logical product, logical sum, exclusive logical sum, negative logical product, negative logical sum, and other logical operations, flip-flops, registers, and memory elements.

[0117] The computer-readable storage medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions executable by an appropriate device. As a result, a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored therein will comprise a product including instructions that can be executed to create means for performing the operations specified in the flowchart or block diagram. Examples of the computer-readable storage medium may include an electronic storage medium, a magnetic storage medium, an optical storage medium, an electromagnetic storage medium, a semiconductor storage medium, etc. More specific examples of the computer-readable storage medium may include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc, a memory stick, an integrated circuit card, etc.

[0118] Computer-readable instructions may include any combination of one or more programming languages, including assembly instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or object-oriented programming languages such as Smalltalk®, JAVA®, C++, and conventional procedural programming languages such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages, either source code or object code described in any combination of one or more programming languages.

[0119] Computer-readable instructions may be provided locally or via a wide area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN), the Internet, etc., to a processor of a programmable data processing device such as a computer, or to a programmable circuit, for the processor or programmable circuit to execute the computer-readable instructions to generate means for performing the operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Here, the computer may be a personal computer (PC), tablet computer, smartphone, workstation, server computer, general-purpose computer, or special-purpose computer, etc., or may be a computer system with multiple computers connected. Such a computer system with multiple computers connected is also called a distributed computing system and is a computer in a broad sense. In a distributed computing system, each of the multiple computers executes a part of the program and, if necessary, passes data during program execution between computers, so that the multiple computers collectively execute the program.

[0120] Examples of processors include computer processors, central processing units, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, and the like. A computer may include one processor or multiple processors. In a multiprocessor system including multiple processors, each processor executes a part of a program and, as needed, passes data being processed between processors so that the multiple processors collectively execute the program. For example, in the execution of multitasking, each of the multiple processors may execute a portion of each task in pieces by switching tasks every time slice. In this case, which part of a single program each processor executes changes dynamically. Which part of a program each of the multiple processors executes may be statically determined by programming that takes the multiprocessor into account.

[0121] As described above, the present invention has been described using embodiments, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the description of the claims that forms with such changes or improvements may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0122] It should be noted that the execution order of each process such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, the specification, and the drawings is not explicitly indicated as "earlier" or "preceding" etc., and unless the output of the previous process is used in the subsequent process, it can be realized in any order. Regarding the operation flows in the claims, the specification, and the drawings, even if they are described using "first," "next," etc. for convenience, it does not mean that it is essential to implement them in this order.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0123] 10 housing, 12 open part, 13 direction in which the open part 12 is located, 16 film part, 17 direction in which the film surface faces, 18 housing attitude control mechanism, 19 housing holding part, 20 gas, 30 water surface, 40 ship, 42 upper holding part, 44 arm, 46 lower holding part, 48 weight, 49 balance weight, 50 camera, 60 reflector, 70 gas supply pipe, 80 diver, 82 fish, 90 sound wave, 100 underwater sound wave generating device, 110 vibrating part, 112 sound board, 120 imaging part, 122 bat, 130 situation determination part, 140 bat control part, 150 sound control part, 160 film control part, 170 gas supply part, 200 weight part, 210 base part, 220 frame, 230 fastener, 240 locking mechanism, 1200 computer, 1210 host controller, 1212 CPU, 1214 RAM, 1216 graphic controller, 1218 display device, 1220 input / output controller, 1222 communication interface, 1224 storage device, 1230 ROM, 1240 input / output chip

Claims

1. A housing having a shape that allows it to hold gas in water and having a part open, and a vibration part disposed inside the housing are provided, in a state where gas is held in the housing in water, sound waves generated by the vibration of the vibration part are propagated into the water through the housing and the water surface located at the open part of the housing and directly facing the gas held in the housing, an underwater sound wave generating device.

2. The vibration part includes a sounding board, the underwater sound wave generating device according to claim 1, wherein sound waves generated by applying an impact to the sounding board are propagated into the water through the housing and the water surface located at the open part of the housing.

3. The underwater sound wave generating device according to claim 2, wherein the vibration part includes a plurality of the sounding boards having different sizes from each other.

4. A housing having a shape that allows it to hold gas in water and having a part open, and a vibration part disposed inside the housing and including a plurality of sounding boards having different sizes from each other, a bat disposed inside the housing, and a bat control part that applies impacts to the plurality of sounding boards in order by rotating the bat are provided, in a state where gas is held in the housing in water, sound waves generated by applying an impact to the plurality of sounding boards of the vibration part are propagated into the water through the housing and the water surface located at the open part of the housing. an underwater sound wave generating device.

5. A housing having a shape that allows it to hold gas in water and having a part open, and a vibration part disposed inside the housing and including a plurality of sounding boards having different sizes from each other, a plurality of bats disposed inside the housing, each corresponding to each of the plurality of sounding boards, and a bat control part that applies impacts to each of the plurality of sounding boards by each of the plurality of bats are provided, in a state where gas is held in the housing in water, sound waves generated by applying an impact to the plurality of sounding boards of the vibration part are propagated into the water through the housing and the water surface located at the open part of the housing. an underwater sound wave generating device.

6. an imaging part that images the periphery of the housing, and a situation determination part that analyzes the captured image captured by the imaging part and determines the situation around the housing are provided, the underwater sound wave generating device according to claim 5, wherein the bat control part controls the plurality of bats according to the determination result by the situation determination part.

7. The vibration part is a speaker, The underwater sound wave generating device according to claim 1, wherein, in a state where gas is held in the housing in water, sound waves generated by the speaker are propagated into the water through the housing and a water surface located at an open portion of the housing and directly facing the gas held in the housing.

8. An imaging unit that images the periphery of the housing; A situation determination unit that analyzes an imaging image captured by the imaging unit to determine the situation around the housing; A sound control unit that generates sound waves in the speaker according to a determination result by the situation determination unit; The underwater sound wave generating device according to claim 7, comprising:

9. The underwater sound wave generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a reflector located at a position ahead in the direction in which the open portion of the housing is located and capable of reflecting sound waves propagated from the open portion through water.

10. A string-like member having one end attached to the open portion side of the housing; A weight portion disposed in the water, the weight portion holding the string-like member such that the length of the string-like member between the housing and the weight portion can be adjusted; The underwater sound wave generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising:

11. A housing having a partially open portion; A film portion disposed at the open portion of the housing and configured to separate the gas in the inner space of the housing from the water in the water; A vibration portion disposed inside the housing and including a plurality of sounding plates having different sizes; A hammer disposed inside the housing; A hammer control unit that rotates the hammer to sequentially apply impacts to the plurality of sounding plates; Comprising: Sound waves generated by applying impacts to the plurality of sounding plates of the vibration portion are propagated into the water through the housing and the film portion located at the open portion of the housing. Underwater sound wave generating device.

12. A housing having a partially open portion; A film portion disposed at the open portion of the housing and configured to separate the gas in the inner space of the housing from the water in the water; A vibration portion disposed inside the housing and including a plurality of sounding plates having different sizes; A plurality of hammers disposed inside the housing, each corresponding to one of the plurality of sounding plates; A hammer control unit that applies impacts to each of the plurality of sounding plates by each of the plurality of hammers; Comprising: Sound waves generated by applying impacts to the plurality of sounding plates of the vibration portion are propagated into the water through the housing and the film portion located at the open portion of the housing. Underwater sound wave generator. **Claim 13** A film control unit that controls the propagation direction of sound waves by controlling the direction in which the film surface of the film portion faces in the water The underwater sound wave generator according to claim 11 or 12, comprising the same. **Claim 14** A gas supply unit that supplies gas from the outside of the housing to the inside of the housing The underwater sound wave generator according to claim 11 or 12, comprising the same.

Images