Noise Cancellation Device

Abstract

To disclose one example of a noise canceling device.SOLUTION: A noise canceling device 10 generates an opposite-phase sound by utilizing opposite-phase information stored in a storage part 12. Consequently, it is not necessary to collet noise by a microphone and then utilize the picked-up noise to generate an opposite-phase sound. The noise canceling device 10 can achieve noise reduction utilizing the opposite-phase sound without comprising microphones as many as noise generation sources. Here, the "previously generated opposite-phase information" is information generated based upon noise picked up in advance for each of noise generation sources, for example, when a product is developed. Consequently, a developer can pick up noise accurately by arranging a microphone nearby the noise generation source.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a noise cancellation device and a vehicle seat equipped with the noise cancellation device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, the noise cancellation device described in Patent Document 1 reduces noise by emitting an antiphase sound to reduce the noise. The noise cancellation device has a microphone for collecting the noise in order to generate the antiphase sound. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-152820 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Generally, in a noise cancellation device using a microphone, the microphone needs to be installed near the noise source in order to accurately measure the noise. Therefore, for example, to reduce the noise generated in a vehicle seat, a microphone needs to be installed for each of the many actuators mounted on the vehicle seat.

[0005] However, installing the same number of microphones as the number of actuators increases the number of parts and assembly steps, making this method difficult to say is an appropriate noise reduction measure from the standpoint of cost, etc. Furthermore, if an actuator is added after microphones have been installed, it is virtually impossible to install a microphone corresponding to that actuator.

[0006] The present disclosure discloses an example of a noise cancellation device in consideration of the above points. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A noise cancellation device that reduces noise by emitting an antiphase sound for reducing the noise desirably includes, for example, at least one of the following components. That is, the components are a memory unit (12) capable of storing antiphase information for generating antiphase sound, an information input unit (13) to which pre-created antiphase information is input, an information writing unit (14) that stores the antiphase information input to the information input unit (13) in the memory unit (12), and a generation unit (15) that generates antiphase sound using the antiphase information stored in the memory unit (12).

[0008] As a result, the noise cancellation device generates antiphase sounds using the antiphase information stored in the storage unit (12), so there is no need to collect noise with a microphone and generate antiphase sounds using the collected noise. Therefore, the noise cancellation device can perform noise reduction using antiphase sounds even if it does not have the same number of microphones as the noise sources.

[0009] Note that "pre-created antiphase information" refers to information created based on noise collected in advance for each noise source, for example, during product development. Because the antiphase information is information created in advance during product development, the creator of the information, i.e., the developer, can place a microphone near the noise source and collect accurate noise.

[0010] The noise cancellation device may have the following configuration, for example. That is, it is desirable to provide a communication unit (16) capable of communicating with the outside through wireless or wired communication, a necessary information determination unit (17) that determines whether or not antiphase information necessary for reducing noise is stored in the storage unit (12), and an information acquisition unit (18) that, when the necessary information determination unit (17) determines that the antiphase information necessary for reducing noise is not stored in the storage unit (12), acquires the necessary antiphase information from an external storage unit via the communication unit (16) and inputs the information to the information input unit (13).

[0011] This allows the noise cancellation device to automatically obtain the antiphase information necessary to reduce noise, thereby ensuring noise reduction and improving convenience for users of the noise cancellation device.

[0012] Furthermore, in the noise cancellation device, it is desirable that the generation unit (15) has a mixing function for generating antiphase sound by using two or more pieces of antiphase information from among the plurality of pieces of antiphase information stored in the storage unit (12).

[0013] This makes it possible for the noise cancellation device to reliably reduce noise even when there are multiple noise sources. Incidentally, the symbols in each of the parentheses above are examples showing the correspondence with the specific configurations, etc. described in the embodiments described below, and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations, etc. shown by the symbols in the parentheses above. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating a noise cancellation device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is an example of a flowchart showing a noise cancellation operation. [Figure 4] 10 is an example of a flowchart showing reading control of antiphase information. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The following "embodiments of the invention" are examples of embodiments that fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. In other words, the invention-specific matters described in the claims are not limited to the specific configurations and structures shown in the following embodiments.

[0016] This embodiment is an example in which a noise canceling device according to the present disclosure is applied to a seat (hereinafter referred to as a vehicle seat) mounted on a vehicle such as a car. Note that at least one member or part described with a reference numeral is provided, unless otherwise specified, such as "one".

[0017] In other words, unless otherwise specified, such as "one," two or more of the relevant member may be provided. The noise cancellation device disclosed in this disclosure includes at least the components such as members or parts that are described with reference numerals, as well as the structural parts shown in the drawings.

[0018] (First embodiment) <1. Overview of vehicle seats with noise cancellation function> The vehicle seat 1 shown in Fig. 1 is a vehicle seat equipped with an audio playback function. Specifically, a speaker 20 (see Fig. 2) capable of playing audio and antiphase audio is built into the headrest 2 of the vehicle seat 1.

[0019] The headrest 2 is located at the upper end of the seat back and is a portion for supporting the head of the seated occupant. The seat back is a portion for supporting the back of the seated occupant. By connecting a portable terminal or the like to the vehicle seat 1, the seated occupant can play audio content such as music from the speaker 20.

[0020] In the vehicle seat 1 according to this embodiment, the headrest 2, seat back, seat cushion length adjustment unit, ottoman, slide device, etc. can be operated using an electric actuator (for example, an electric motor).

[0021] For this reason, the vehicle seat 1 includes a plurality of actuators that can be noise sources. Each actuator operates based on an actuator operation command signal issued from an operating unit (not shown) operated by the seat occupant.

[0022] <2. Noise cancellation device> 2.1 Configuration of noise cancellation device The vehicle seat 1 is equipped with a noise canceling device 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the noise canceling device 10 is a device that outputs an antiphase sound from a speaker 20 to reduce noise.

[0023] The noise cancellation device 10 is configured with a control device 11. The control device 11 is configured to have at least a computer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The control device 11 is also configured to have a storage unit 12, an information input unit 13, an information writing unit 14, a generation unit 15, a communication unit 16, a necessary information determination unit 17, an information acquisition unit 18, etc.

[0024] In this embodiment, the information writing unit 14, the generating unit 15, the necessary information determining unit 17, and the information obtaining unit 18 are realized by software being executed by a CPU. The software is pre-stored in a non-volatile storage unit such as a ROM.

[0025] <Storage section> The storage unit 12 stores antiphase information for generating antiphase sounds. The storage unit is a nonvolatile storage device that can retain stored information even if the power supply to a flash memory, a magnetic storage device, or the like is stopped.

[0026] <Information input section> The information input unit 13 is an interface or the like to which pre-created antiphase information is input. The information input unit 13 according to this embodiment can accommodate both a case in which the antiphase information is input directly by a seat occupant or a person who performs maintenance on the vehicle seat (hereinafter collectively referred to as a user), and a case in which the antiphase information is input via the communication unit 16.

[0027] <Information writing section> The information writing unit 14 stores the antiphase information input to the information input unit 13 in the storage unit 12. That is, the information writing unit 14 stores the antiphase information input to the information input unit 13 in a storage area of ​​the storage unit 12 in a format that can be read by the generation unit 15.

[0028] <Generation section> The generation unit 15 generates an antiphase sound by using the antiphase information stored in the storage unit 12, and outputs the antiphase sound from the speaker 20. The generation unit 15 is also capable of performing a mixing function.

[0029] The mixing function is executed when there are two or more noise sources, and generates antiphase sound by using two or more pieces of antiphase information corresponding to the noise sources from among the multiple pieces of antiphase information stored in the memory unit 12.

[0030] The generator 15 uses the actuator operation instruction signal to identify the actuator that is the noise source. When two or more actuators are operating, the generator 15 uses a mixing function to generate antiphase sounds.

[0031] <Communications Department> The communication unit 16 is an interface that communicates with the outside world via wireless or wired communication. Specifically, the communication unit 16 can communicate with a cloud-based data server that stores a large amount of antiphase information.

[0032] <Necessary information judgment section> The necessary information determination unit 17 determines whether or not the antiphase information required to reduce noise is stored in the storage unit 12. Specifically, the necessary information determination unit 17 uses software or the like incorporated in the operation unit to determine whether or not an actuator that could be a noise source is present in the current vehicle seat 1.

[0033] Next, the necessary information determination unit 17 determines whether or not the opposite phase information corresponding to the actuator that may be a noise source is stored in the storage unit 12. If it determines that the opposite phase information corresponding to the actuator that may be a noise source is not stored in the storage unit 12, it transmits identification information for identifying the actuator to the information acquisition unit 18.

[0034] <Information acquisition department> When the necessary information determination unit 17 determines that the antiphase information required to reduce noise is not stored in the memory unit 12, that is, when the information acquisition unit 18 receives the identification information transmitted from the necessary information determination unit 17, the information acquisition unit 18 acquires the necessary antiphase information from the data server via the communication unit 16 and inputs the acquired antiphase information to the information input unit 13.

[0035] <2.2 Operation of noise cancellation device> <Noise cancellation operation (see Figure 3)> 3 shows an example of noise cancellation operation control. This operation control is activated when a seating sensor (not shown) determines that an occupant is seated in the vehicle seat 1, and ends when the seat is no longer occupied.

[0036] When the operation control is initiated, the control device 11 determines whether any of the actuators has been activated (S1). If it is determined that any of the actuators has been activated (S1: YES), the control device 11 reads the reverse phase information of the actuator that is in operation from the storage unit 12 (S3).

[0037] If multiple actuators are activated, the control device 11 reads in the antiphase information corresponding to the activated actuators in step S3. Next, the control device 11 generates an antiphase sound based on the read antiphase information (step S5).

[0038] If multiple actuators are activated simultaneously, a mixing function is executed. Then, the control device 11 outputs the generated antiphase sound from the speaker 20 (S7). Next, the control device 11 determines whether all the actuators have stopped (S9).

[0039] If all the actuators have stopped (S9: YES), the control device 11 executes S1 again. If all the actuators have not stopped (S9: NO), the control device 11 executes S3 again.

[0040] In S3, which is executed when all actuators are not stopped, if, for example, the number of actuators in operation decreases, the antiphase information of the actuators that are actually operating is read and antiphase sounds are generated.

[0041] Furthermore, for example, if the number of actuators in operation increases, the antiphase information of the actuators that are actually in operation, including the increased number, is read and antiphase sounds are generated. <Reading control of antiphase information (Fig. 4)> 4 shows an example of the read control of the reverse phase information. The read control is started when the start switch (not shown) of the vehicle is pressed or when the user manually starts the read control, and is ended when the power supply to the control device 11 is stopped.

[0042] When the read control is activated, it is determined (S11) whether or not there is an actuator that could be a noise source in the current vehicle seat 1. If it is determined that there is an actuator (S11: YES), the control device 11 determines whether or not the opposite phase information corresponding to the actuator that could be a noise source is stored in the memory unit 12 (S13).

[0043] If it is determined that the antiphase information corresponding to the actuator that may be the noise source is not stored in the memory unit 12 (S13: NO), the control device 11 obtains information for identifying the actuator from the data server (S15) and stores the obtained antiphase information in the memory unit 12 (S17).

[0044] 3. Features of the noise cancellation device according to this embodiment In the noise cancellation device 10 according to this embodiment, the antiphase information stored in the storage unit 12 is used to generate the antiphase sound.

[0045] This eliminates the need to collect noise with a microphone and generate an antiphase sound using the collected noise. Therefore, the noise cancellation device 10 can perform noise reduction using an antiphase sound even if it does not have the same number of microphones as the noise sources.

[0046] Note that "pre-created antiphase information" refers to information created based on noise collected in advance for each noise source, for example, during product development. Because the antiphase information is information created in advance during product development, the creator of the information, i.e., the developer, can place a microphone near the noise source and collect accurate noise.

[0047] In the noise cancellation device 10, when it is determined that the antiphase information required to reduce noise is not stored in the storage unit 12, the necessary antiphase information is obtained from the outside via the communication unit 16.

[0048] As a result, the noise cancellation device 10 can automatically obtain the antiphase information required to reduce noise, thereby ensuring noise reduction and improving convenience for users of the noise cancellation device.

[0049] The noise cancellation device 10 can perform a mixing function that generates antiphase sound by using two or more pieces of antiphase information from among the plurality of pieces of antiphase information stored in the memory unit 12. As a result, the noise cancellation device 10 can reliably reduce noise even when there are multiple noise sources.

[0050] (Other embodiments) The generator 15 according to the above embodiment is capable of performing a mixing function. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the present disclosure may be configured such that a generator is configured for each actuator, and each generator operates independently.

[0051] In the above-described embodiment, the speaker 20 for reproducing audio content or the like is used to output the antiphase sound. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the present disclosure may be configured to include, for example, a dedicated speaker for outputting the antiphase sound.

[0052] The noise cancellation device 10 according to the above-described embodiment is capable of automatically reading in the antiphase information. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the disclosure may be such that, for example, when a user adds a new actuator to the vehicle seat 1, the antiphase information may be manually stored in the storage unit 12. In this case, the new antiphase information may be either antiphase information obtained via the communication unit or antiphase information obtained in advance.

[0053] The noise cancellation device 10 according to the above-described embodiment is configured to be mounted on a vehicle seat and to output an antiphase sound from the speaker 20 provided in the vehicle seat 1. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this in the above-described embodiment. That is, the present disclosure may also be configured, for example, such that the noise cancellation device 10 is mounted on a vehicle and outputs an antiphase sound from a speaker provided in the vehicle.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle seat according to the present disclosure is applied to a vehicle. However, the application of the invention disclosed in this specification is not limited thereto. That is, the present disclosure can also be applied to seats used in vehicles such as railway cars, ships, and aircraft, as well as stationary seats used in theaters, homes, etc.

[0055] Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments as long as it conforms to the spirit of the disclosure described in the above-described embodiments. Therefore, the present disclosure may be a configuration in which at least two of the above-described embodiments are combined, or a configuration in which any of the components illustrated or described with reference numerals in the above-described embodiments is eliminated. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 10...Noise cancellation device 11...Control device 12...Storage section 13...Information input section 14...Information writing section 15…Generation section 16…Communications Department 17… Necessary information judgment department 18…Information acquisition department 20...Speaker

Claims

1. In a vehicle seat having a function for audio playback, A speaker and a noise cancellation device that reduces noise by emitting an antiphase sound to reduce the noise; The noise cancellation device a storage unit capable of storing antiphase information for generating antiphase sounds; an information input unit to which pre-created antiphase information is input; an information writing unit that stores the antiphase information input to the information input unit in the storage unit; and A vehicle seat including a generator that generates an antiphase sound by utilizing the antiphase information stored in the memory.

2. The noise cancellation device a communication unit capable of communicating with the outside world via wireless or wired communication; and an information acquisition unit that, when a device that is a noise source is attached, acquires antiphase information necessary for reducing noise emitted from the device from an externally provided storage unit via the communication unit and inputs the information to the information input unit; The vehicle seat of claim 1 , comprising:

3. The vehicle seat according to claim 2 , wherein the generation unit has a mixing function for generating an antiphase sound by using two or more pieces of antiphase information from among the plurality of pieces of antiphase information stored in the storage unit.

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