Wireless microphone system, receiver, and audio output method

Abstract

To improve convenience by flexibly setting opportunities for participants to speak.SOLUTION: A wireless microphone system is capable of wireless communication between an input device and each of a plurality of wireless microphones capable of collecting voice of speakers and wirelessly communicating audio signals of the voice. The wireless microphone system includes a receiver that receives the audio signals transmitted from the wireless microphones and outputs audio using one of a plurality of audio channels. The receiver retains audio channel management data that is generated based on input from the input device and defines usage relationships between the plurality of audio channels and the plurality of wireless microphones, and outputs, as audio, the audio signals of the speaker transmitted from the wireless microphones based on the audio channel management data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wireless microphone system, a receiver, and an audio output method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a two-way communication system for a conference facility that includes a plurality of microphone slaves capable of two-way wireless communication and a system control unit. In this two-way communication system for a conference facility, the system control unit is provided with a speech slot management table and a speech waiting management table. When a microphone slave sends a speech request signal to the system control unit, the system control unit grants the microphone slave permission to speak and registers it in the speech slot management table if there is space in the speech slot management table, or registers the microphone slave in the speech waiting management table and puts it on standby if there is no space. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-61183 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, a microphone is assigned for use by each conference participant, and the participants' microphone sub-units are managed using two tables: a speech slot management table in which a certain number of microphone sub-units (a number less than the certain number of participants) are registered, and a speech waiting management table in which microphone sub-units for the remaining participants (a number other than the certain number of participants) are registered. When a vacant space occurs in the speech slot management table, a microphone sub-unit that is currently registered in the speech waiting management table and has issued a speech request signal is newly registered in the speech slot management table. However, Patent Document 1 does not anticipate the ability to freely determine or edit which of multiple microphone sub-units will use multiple audio channels used for wireless communication between each microphone sub-unit and the system control unit (in other words, which microphone sub-unit will be assigned). Particularly in conferences with multiple participants, it is often difficult to predict which participant will request to speak and when. Therefore, there is a need for flexibility in setting speaking opportunities so that participants have opportunities to speak, for example.

[0005] The present disclosure has been devised in consideration of the above-described conventional situation, and aims to provide a wireless microphone system, receiver, and audio output method that flexibly set opportunities for participants to speak, thereby improving convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure provides a wireless microphone system comprising an input device and a receiver capable of wireless communication with each of a plurality of wireless microphones capable of picking up the voice of a speaker and wirelessly transmitting an audio signal of the voice, the receiver receiving the audio signal transmitted from the wireless microphones and outputting the audio using one of a plurality of audio channels, the receiver retaining audio channel management data that is generated based on input from the input device and that defines the usage relationship between the plurality of audio channels and the plurality of wireless microphones, and the receiver outputting the voice signal of the speaker transmitted from the wireless microphones based on the audio channel management data.

[0007] The present disclosure also provides a receiver comprising: a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with each of a plurality of wireless microphones that are capable of picking up the voice of a speaker and wirelessly transmitting an audio signal of the voice; an audio output unit that outputs the audio signal received from the wireless microphone using one of a plurality of audio channels; and a control unit that holds audio channel management data that is generated based on input from an input device and that specifies the usage relationship between the plurality of audio channels and the plurality of wireless microphones, and controls the audio output of the speaker's audio signal sent from the wireless microphone based on the audio channel management data.

[0008] The present disclosure also provides an audio output method using a wireless microphone system including at least an input device and a receiver, the audio output method comprising the steps of wirelessly communicating with each of a plurality of wireless microphones capable of picking up a speaker's voice and wirelessly communicating an audio signal of the voice, retaining audio channel management data that is generated based on input from the input device and that specifies the usage relationship between a plurality of audio channels and the plurality of wireless microphones, receiving the audio signal transmitted from the wireless microphone, and outputting the speaker's audio signal transmitted from the wireless microphone using one of the plurality of audio channels based on the audio channel management data.

[0009] These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium, or may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present disclosure, opportunities for participants to speak can be set flexibly, thereby improving convenience. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1]Block diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a wireless microphone system and an example of the hardware configuration of a receiver [Figure 2] Block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a wireless microphone [Figure 3] Block diagram showing an example of a PC hardware configuration [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an audio channel matrix. [Figure 5] A sequence diagram showing an example of the operation procedure when registering a wireless microphone in a wireless microphone system. [Figure 6] A sequence diagram showing an example of the operation procedure when editing an extension channel using a wireless microphone system. [Figure 7] A sequence diagram showing an example of the operation procedure when a call using a wireless microphone is started using a wireless microphone system. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure when a voice channel is selected by a voice channel management unit. [Figure 9] A sequence diagram showing an example of the operation procedure when a call using a wireless microphone ends in a wireless microphone system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, with appropriate reference to the drawings, a detailed description will be given of embodiments specifically disclosing a wireless microphone system, a receiver, and an audio output method according to the present disclosure. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters and redundant descriptions of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the claims.

[0013] <System configuration> First, an example of the system configuration of a wireless microphone system and an example of the hardware configuration of a receiver according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the system configuration of wireless microphone system 1 and an example of the hardware configuration of receiver 10. In the following embodiment (this embodiment), wireless microphone system 1 will be described as being used during a conference in which multiple employees participate as participants, for example, in a company conference room, but the use case of wireless microphone system 1 need not be limited to conferences.

[0014] The wireless microphone system 1 includes a receiver 10, a plurality of wireless microphones 20, and a PC 30. Detailed configuration examples of the receiver 10, the wireless microphones 20, and the PC 30 will be described later. The receiver 10 and each of the plurality of wireless microphones 20 establish a wireless connection in accordance with a wireless communication standard described later and then communicate wirelessly with each other. Data communication between the receiver 10 and the PC 30 is possible via a wired connection, and the receiver 10 and the PC 30 are wired together via, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) cable or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable. Note that the receiver 10 and the PC 30 may also communicate wirelessly with each other via a wireless connection, similar to the case between the receiver 10 and each of the plurality of wireless microphones 20.

[0015] The receiver 10 functions as a wireless communication master for one or more wireless microphones 20 functioning as slave microphones, and is placed at a predetermined location in the conference room or other venue where the conference is to be held. Between the receiver 10 and each of the wireless microphones 20, wireless signals (e.g., audio signals or control signals) are transmitted and received over a wireless line conforming to a time-division multiple access wireless communication standard (e.g., time-division multiplexing). When a user of the wireless microphone 20 inputs sound (e.g., speaks) into the wireless microphone 20, the audio signal picked up by the wireless microphone 20 is transmitted to the receiver 10 over the wireless line. Here, the wireless communication standard for the time-division multiplexing is described as being, for example, the 1.9 GHz DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication) standard for digital cordless telephones established in 2011. However, it goes without saying that the wireless communication standard for the time-division multiplexing is not limited to DECT.

[0016] Here, a brief description will be given of the frequency band of the carrier used in DECT communications.

[0017] DECT wireless communications use a total of six frequency bands in the 1.9 GHz band (specifically, 1895.616 MHz to 1904.256 MHz). The six frequency bands are a carrier (carrier wave; the same applies below) with a center frequency of 1895.616 MHz, a carrier with a center frequency of 1897.344 MHz, a carrier with a center frequency of 1899.072 MHz, a carrier with a center frequency of 1900.800 MHz, a carrier with a center frequency of 1902.528 MHz, and a carrier with a center frequency of 1904.256 MHz. These frequency bands are described in detail, for example, in Figure 2 of Patent No. 6982806.

[0018] These frequency bands do not overlap, making radio wave interference and wireless communication failures unlikely. Furthermore, DECT communication using the 1.9 GHz band does not interfere with radio waves emitted by devices such as wireless LANs or microwave ovens, allowing the quality of the audio signal in the wireless microphone system 1 to be maintained. Furthermore, the receiver 10 and wireless microphones 20 constantly or periodically monitor the usage status of their respective frequency bands (e.g., availability of resources such as carriers or slots) for each frame period of DECT communication, and select the optimal frequency band to efficiently utilize the 1.9 GHz frequency band. According to the DECT communication standard, the receiver 10 can simultaneously communicate with multiple wireless microphones 20 by combining time division multiplex access (TDMA) and frequency division multiplex access (FDMA). Since slots are described in detail in Figure 3 of the aforementioned Japanese Patent No. 6982806, a detailed description of slots is omitted here.

[0019] The receiver 10 performs wireless communication with each of the multiple wireless microphones 20. As shown in Fig. 1, the receiver 10 includes a receiver control unit 11, k (k is a predetermined integer equal to or greater than 1) wireless control units, k wireless units, k transmitting / receiving antennas, an audio channel management unit 14, a memory 15, an audio control unit 16, n (n is a predetermined integer equal to or greater than 2) audio output units, and n speakers. The receiver 10 may further include a display unit DP1 and an operation unit IN1.

[0020] The receiver control unit 11 is configured by a semiconductor chip on which at least one of electronic devices such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), GPU (Graphical Processing Unit), and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is implemented. The receiver control unit 11 functions as a controller that manages the overall operation of the receiver 10, and performs control processing to manage the timing of the operations of each unit of the receiver 10, data input / output processing between each unit of the receiver 10, data arithmetic processing, and data storage processing. The receiver control unit 11 executes various processes by using programs and control data stored in the ROM (Read Only Memory) of the memory 15. During operation, the receiver control unit 11 uses the RAM (Random Access Memory) of the memory 15 to temporarily store data or information generated or acquired by the receiver control unit 11 in the RAM of the memory 15.

[0021] In FIG. 1, the k (k: a predetermined integer equal to or greater than 1) wireless control units are wireless control units 121, 122, ..., 12k. Wireless control units 121 to 12k control the establishment and release of wireless connections with wireless microphones 20 based on an operating clock from receiver control unit 11, and instruct the wireless units on the carriers and slots specified by receiver control unit 11. Wireless control units 121 to 12k control wireless units 131 to 13k to perform wireless communication with wireless microphones 20 associated with the specified carriers and slots. Wireless control units 121 to 12k also acquire audio signals received from wireless microphones 20 from the wireless units and temporarily store them in memory 15.

[0022] 1, the k radio units are radio units 131, 132, ..., 13k. Each of the radio units 131 to 13k generates a control signal for controlling synchronization of the wireless microphone system 1 and periodically transmits it to the wireless microphone 20, and receives control signals for wireless connection periodically transmitted from each of the plurality of wireless microphones 20. When each of the radio units 131 to 13k receives an audio signal having a frequency in the 1.9 GHz band from each of the plurality of wireless microphones 20, it performs various reception processes such as demodulation and transmits the signal to the corresponding radio control unit.

[0023] 1, the k transmitting and receiving antennas are designated as transmitting and receiving antennas Ant11, Ant12, ..., Ant1k. Each of the transmitting and receiving antennas Ant11 to Ant1k is connected to a corresponding radio unit. The transmitting and receiving antenna Ant11 corresponds to a radio unit 131, the transmitting and receiving antenna Ant12 corresponds to a radio unit 132, and similarly, the transmitting and receiving antenna Ant1k corresponds to a radio unit 13k. Each of the transmitting and receiving antennas Ant11 to Ant1k transmits (radiates) a transmission signal (radio wave) from the corresponding radio unit, and receives an audio signal transmitted from each of the plurality of wireless microphones 20 and sends it to the corresponding radio unit.

[0024] 1, the transmitting and receiving antennas Ant21, Ant22, ..., Ant2k are positioned slightly offset from the transmitting and receiving antennas Ant11 to Ant1k. Each of the transmitting and receiving antennas Ant21 to Ant2k is connected to a corresponding radio unit. The transmitting and receiving antenna Ant21 is associated with a radio unit 131, the transmitting and receiving antenna Ant22 is associated with a radio unit 132, and similarly, the transmitting and receiving antenna Ant2k is associated with a radio unit 13k. The transmitting and receiving antennas Ant21 to Ant2k are positioned slightly offset from the transmitting and receiving antennas Ant11 to Ant1k in order to suppress the effects of fading (fluctuations in radio signals), and by having multiple antennas slightly shifted in position, better radio communication can be achieved.

[0025] The audio channel management unit 14 reads from the memory 15 and stores an audio channel matrix MTX1 (see FIG. 4), which is generated based on an input from the PC 30 and defines the usage relationship between each of a plurality of audio channels (see below) and a plurality of wireless microphones 20. Based on the audio channel matrix MTX1, the audio channel management unit 14 identifies (selects) an audio channel corresponding to the microphone number of the wireless microphone 20 and controls through which audio channel an audio signal received from the wireless microphone 20 is to be output. For example, the audio channel management unit 14 selects an audio channel for outputting an audio signal received from the wireless microphone 20, and sends to the audio control unit 16 an instruction to output the audio through the audio channel corresponding to the identification information, including identification information (e.g., an audio channel number) of the selected audio channel. Details of the audio channel matrix MTX1 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4.

[0026] Memory 15 includes at least a ROM that stores programs that define the various processes performed by receiver control unit 11 and control data used during execution of those programs, and a RAM that serves as a work memory used when executing the various processes performed by receiver control unit 11. The ROM stores programs that define the various processes performed by receiver control unit 11 and control data used during execution of those programs. The RAM temporarily stores data or information (such as audio signals received from individual wireless microphones 20) generated or acquired by receiver control unit 11. Note that the data or information stored in the RAM is not limited to these.

[0027] In response to an instruction from audio channel management unit 14 (see above), audio control unit 16 outputs an audio signal stored in memory 15 to an audio output unit corresponding to an audio channel corresponding to the microphone number of wireless microphone 20 that is the source of the audio signal. Here, an audio channel refers to an output system for an audio signal, and specifically, is composed of one audio output unit and a pair of speakers corresponding to that audio output unit. Therefore, receiver 10 according to this embodiment has a total of n audio channels.

[0028] In FIG. 1, the n (n: a predetermined integer equal to or greater than 1) audio output units are audio output units 171, 172, ..., 17n and speakers SP1, SP2, ..., SPn. Each of the audio output units 171 to 17n is connected to a corresponding speaker. The audio output unit 171 corresponds to the speaker SP1, the audio output unit 172 corresponds to the speaker SP2, and similarly, the audio output unit 17n corresponds to the speaker SPn. Each of the audio output units 171 to 17n acquires an audio signal stored in memory 15 via the receiver control unit 11 and outputs the audio via the corresponding speaker.

[0029] The n speakers are speakers SP1, SP2, ..., SPn in Fig. 1. Each of the speakers SP1 to SPn outputs an audio signal from a corresponding audio output unit.

[0030] The external interface unit 18 is a network interface circuit that performs wired or wireless communication between the receiver 10 and the PC 30. As described above, in the case of a wired connection, the connection is made using a LAN cable or a USB cable. On the other hand, in the case of a wireless connection, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), short-range wireless communication (for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark)), etc.

[0031] The display unit DP1 is a display device using, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display, and displays various settings made by the operation unit IN1. The display unit DP1 may also be a light-emitting element using an LED (Light Emission Diode), and indicates various states during wireless communication, such as the reception level, audio level, registration of the wireless microphone 20, or remaining battery power, by lighting up or blinking.

[0032] The operation unit IN1 is an operation device that serves as a user interface, and includes, for example, a volume knob, a power switch, and a registration button that is pressed when registering the wireless microphone 20.

[0033] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of a wireless microphone according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of wireless microphone 20. In Fig. 1, wireless microphone 20 is illustrated as being a handheld type, but it is not limited to being a handheld type and may be, for example, a gooseneck type, a boundary type, or another type.

[0034] The wireless microphone 20 can pick up the voice of a speaker (e.g., a conference participant) when he or she speaks, and further transmits the audio signal of the picked up voice wirelessly to the receiver 10 in accordance with a wireless communication standard such as DECT (see above).

[0035] 2, the wireless microphone 20 includes a microphone control unit 21, a microphone radio unit 22, a transmitting / receiving antenna Ant121, a transmitting / receiving antenna Ant221, a microphone 23, a microphone audio processing unit 24, a memory 25, a storage unit 26, and a battery 27. The wireless microphone 20 may further include a display unit DP2 and an operation unit IN2.

[0036] The microphone control unit 21 is configured by a semiconductor chip on which at least one of electronic devices such as a CPU, DSP, or FPGA is mounted. The microphone control unit 21 functions as a controller that manages the overall operation of the wireless microphone 20, and performs control processing to manage the timing of the operation of each unit of the wireless microphone 20, data input / output processing between each unit of the wireless microphone 20, data calculation processing, and data storage processing. The microphone control unit 21 executes various processes by using programs and control data stored in the ROM of the memory 25. During operation, the microphone control unit 21 uses the RAM of the memory 25, and temporarily stores data or information generated or acquired by the microphone control unit 21 in the RAM of the memory 25.

[0037] The microphone radio unit 22 periodically generates a control signal for wireless connection and sends it to the receiver 10 via the transmitting / receiving antenna Ant121. The microphone radio unit 22 converts an audio signal that has been picked up by the microphone 23 and processed by the microphone audio processing unit 24 into a 1.9 GHz band radio signal and sends it to the receiver 10 via the transmitting / receiving antenna Ant121. When the latter receives various signals having a frequency in the 1.9 GHz band transmitted from the receiver 10 via the transmitting / receiving antenna Ant221 (see, for example, FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 9), the microphone radio unit 22 performs various reception processes such as demodulation and sends the signals to the microphone control unit 21.

[0038] The transmitting / receiving antenna Ant121 transmits (radiates) a transmission signal (radio wave) from the microphone radio unit 22, and also receives various signals (see, for example, Figures 5, 6, 7 and 9) transmitted from the receiver 10 and sends them to the microphone radio unit 22.

[0039] The transmitting and receiving antenna Ant221 is positioned slightly offset from the transmitting and receiving antenna Ant121. The transmitting and receiving antenna Ant221 is positioned slightly offset from the transmitting and receiving antenna Ant121 in order to suppress the effects of fading (fluctuations in wireless signals), and by having multiple antennas slightly offset in position, better wireless communication can be achieved.

[0040] The microphone 23 picks up the voice of a speaker (e.g., a conference participant) present in the vicinity of the wireless microphone 20, and sends the signal of the voice obtained by the pick-up (voice signal) to the microphone voice processing unit 24.

[0041] The microphone audio processing unit 24 performs various known audio signal processing on the audio signal picked up by the microphone 23 , and temporarily stores the processed audio signal in the memory 25 or sends it to the microphone control unit 21 .

[0042] Memory 25 includes at least a ROM that stores programs that define the various processes performed by microphone control unit 21 and control data used during execution of those programs, and a RAM that serves as a work memory used when executing the various processes performed by microphone control unit 21. The ROM stores programs that define the various processes performed by microphone control unit 21 and control data used during execution of those programs. The RAM temporarily stores data or information generated or acquired by microphone control unit 21 (for example, a voice signal of a speaker picked up by microphone 23). Note that the data or information stored in RAM is not limited to these.

[0043] The storage unit 26 is, for example, a flash memory, and stores data or information generated or acquired by the microphone control unit 21 (for example, a voice signal of a speaker picked up by the microphone 23, etc.).

[0044] Battery 27 is, for example, a secondary battery, and supplies the necessary power to each component of wireless microphone 20. For example, if wireless microphone 20 is electrically connected to an external commercial power source, battery 27 may be charged by receiving power from the external commercial power source.

[0045] The display unit DP2 is a display device using, for example, an LCD or organic EL, and displays various settings made by the operation unit IN2 or notification contents from the receiver 10 (for example, the microphone number of the wireless microphone 20, the audio channel number of the audio channel in use).

[0046] The operation unit IN2 is an operation device that serves as a user interface, and includes, for example, a registration button that is pressed when registering the wireless microphone 20 to the receiver 10, a volume knob, and a power switch.

[0047] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of a PC according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a PC. While PC 30 is given as an example of an external input device that constitutes wireless microphone system 1 according to this embodiment, a smartphone or a tablet terminal may be used instead of PC 30.

[0048] The PC 30 is installed with bundled software (not shown) that can be executed to generate an audio channel matrix MTX1 either by itself or in cooperation with the receiver 10, and generates and saves the audio channel matrix MTX1 or sends it to the receiver 10 based on the operations of the operator (administrator) of the wireless microphone system 1.

[0049] 3, the PC 30 includes a processor 31, a memory 32, a storage unit 33, and an external interface unit 34. The PC 30 may further include a display unit DP3 and an operation unit IN3.

[0050] The processor 31 is configured by a semiconductor chip equipped with at least one electronic device, such as a CPU, DSP, or FPGA. The processor 31 functions as a controller that manages the overall operation of the PC 30, performing control processing to coordinate the timing of the operations of each component of the PC 30, data input / output processing between the components of the PC 30, data calculation processing, and data storage processing. The processor 31 executes various processes using programs and control data stored in the ROM of the memory 32. During operation, the processor 31 uses the RAM of the memory 32 and temporarily stores data or information generated or acquired by the processor 31 in the RAM of the memory 32. In response to a signal from the operation unit IN3 based on the operation of, for example, the operator (administrator) of the wireless microphone system 1, the processor 31 activates the bundled software described above. The processor 31 creates an audio channel matrix MTX1 using the bundled software alone or through data communication with the receiver 10, and stores the audio channel matrix MTX1 in the memory 32 or the storage unit 33.

[0051] The memory 32 includes at least a ROM for storing programs that define the various processes performed by the processor 31 and control data used during execution of the programs, and a RAM as a work memory used when the processor 31 executes the various processes. The ROM stores programs that define the various processes performed by the processor 31 and control data used during execution of the programs. The RAM temporarily stores data or information (such as an audio channel matrix MTX1) generated or acquired by the processor 31. However, the data or information stored in the RAM is not limited to these.

[0052] The storage unit 33 is, for example, a flash memory, and stores data or information (for example, the audio channel matrix MTX1, etc.) generated or acquired by the processor 31.

[0053] The external interface unit 34 is a network interface circuit that performs wired or wireless communication between the PC 30 and the receiver 10. As described above, in the case of a wired connection, a LAN cable or a USB cable is used for connection. On the other hand, in the case of a wireless connection, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or a short-range wireless communication (for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark)) is used.

[0054] The display unit DP3 is a display device using, for example, an LCD or organic EL, and displays various screens (for example, an application screen (for example, a screen for generating the audio channel matrix MTX1) while the processor 31 is running the bundled software (see above)).

[0055] The operation unit IN3 is an operation device serving as a user interface, and includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touchpad, and a touch panel.

[0056] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an audio channel matrix MTX1. The audio channel matrix MTX1 is generated by the PC 30 alone, or is generated based on mutual data communication between the PC 30 and the receiver 10. The audio channel matrix MTX1 is a table that defines the usage relationship between n audio channels (specifically, pairs of audio output unit 171 and speaker SP1, audio output unit 172 and speaker SP2, ..., audio output unit 17n and speaker SPn) and each of a plurality of wireless microphones 20. In the example of Fig. 4, n = 16 and the number of wireless microphones 20 is 20, but each value is merely an example and is not limited to these values. 4, the microphone numbers are identification information for each of the wireless microphones 20, specifically Mc1, Mc2, Mc3, Mc4, Mc5, Mc6, Mc7, Mc8, Mc9, Mc10, Mc11, Mc12, Mc13, Mc14, Mc15, Mc16, Mc17, Mc18, Mc19, and Mc20. Similarly, the audio channel numbers are identification information for each of the audio channels, specifically Ch1, Ch2, Ch3, Ch4, Ch5, Ch6, Ch7, Ch8, Ch9, Ch10, Ch11, Ch12, Ch13, Ch14, Ch15, and Ch16.

[0057] The usage relationship indicates that if a ``●'' symbol or a ``◯'' symbol is assigned to each microphone number, the audio signal picked up by the wireless microphone 20 with that microphone number can use the audio channel number with the assigned symbol exclusively or selectively.

[0058] The symbol "●" indicates a registered channel. A registered channel is an audio channel that is necessarily designated for one microphone number. Therefore, the audio channel with audio channel number Ch1 is registered as a registered channel for microphone number Mc1, the audio channel with audio channel number Ch2 is registered as a registered channel for microphone number Mc2, the audio channel with audio channel number Ch3 is registered as a registered channel for microphone number Mc3, and the audio channel with audio channel number Ch4 is registered as a registered channel for microphone number Mc4. The audio channel with audio channel number Ch5 is registered as a registered channel for microphone numbers Mc5 to MC10, and the audio channel with audio channel number Ch13 is registered as a registered channel for microphone numbers Mc11 to MC20.

[0059] The "○" symbol indicates an extension channel. An extension channel is an audio channel that is specified for one microphone number as an alternative or additional to the registered channel. In other words, if a registered channel is in use and the audio channel for that registered channel cannot be used, and an extension channel is registered, that extension channel will be usable as long as it is not in use. Therefore, audio channels with audio channel numbers Ch6 to Ch12 are registered as extension channels for microphone numbers Mc5 to Mc10, and audio channels with audio channel numbers Ch13 to Ch16 are registered as extension channels for microphone numbers Mc11 to Mc20.

[0060] In the audio channel matrix MTX1, if a cell corresponding to a microphone number and an audio channel number is blank, it indicates that the audio channel corresponding to that cell cannot be used to output an audio signal from the wireless microphone 20 of that microphone number.

[0061] For example, in state CON1, audio channel number Ch2 is exclusively assigned to microphone number Mc2 as a registered channel. That is, the receiver 10 outputs an audio signal transmitted from a wireless microphone 20 with microphone number Mc2 via the audio channel corresponding to audio channel number Ch2 (specifically, audio output unit 172 and speaker SP2). Therefore, the receiver 10 cannot output an audio signal transmitted from a wireless microphone 20 with a microphone number other than microphone number Mc2 via the audio channel corresponding to audio channel number Ch2. Note that, although detailed explanations are omitted, the same applies to the usage relationship between microphone number Mc1 and audio channel number Ch1, the usage relationship between microphone number Mc3 and audio channel number Ch3, and the usage relationship between microphone number Mc4 and audio channel number Ch4.

[0062] Furthermore, audio channel number Ch5 is exclusively assigned to microphone numbers Mc5 to Mc10 as a registered channel, and audio channel numbers Ch6 to Ch12 are additionally assigned as extension channels (see, for example, state CON2). Therefore, if an audio signal from any of the wireless microphones 20 with microphone numbers Mc5 to Mc9 is not being output, the receiver 10 can output an audio signal from the wireless microphone 20 with microphone number Mc10, for example, through the audio channel corresponding to audio channel number Ch5. However, if an audio signal from the wireless microphone 20 with one of microphone numbers Mc5 to Mc9 (for example, microphone number Mc5) is being output through the audio channel corresponding to audio channel number Ch5 (see state CON3), the receiver 10 can output an audio signal from the wireless microphone 20 with another microphone number (for example, microphone number Mc8) through the audio channel corresponding to a lower audio channel number (for example, audio channel number Ch6) among the unused extension channels (see state CON4).

[0063] The receiver 10 may have two operating modes (e.g., normal mode and conference mode) and may switch the operating mode from normal mode to conference mode when a predetermined condition is met. Here, the predetermined condition may be, for example, receiving a request from the PC 30 to change the operating mode to conference mode, a predetermined time period (e.g., a 15-minute period from 30 minutes before to 15 minutes before a predetermined conference), or when a new wireless microphone 20 to be used in a conference or the like is registered (see FIG. 5 ). However, the predetermined condition may not be limited to these conditions. The normal mode is an operating mode in which only one audio channel number can be assigned to one microphone number in the audio channel matrix MTX1 of FIG. 4. On the other hand, the conference mode is an operating mode in which one registered channel and multiple extension channels can be registered to one microphone number, as shown in the audio channel matrix MTX1 of FIG. 4. In the conference mode, only one registered channel may be registered to one microphone number. When the predetermined condition is no longer met, the receiver 10 may switch the operating mode from the conference mode to the normal mode.

[0064] <System operation procedure> Next, various examples of operation procedures of the wireless microphone system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 9. Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of operation procedures when wireless microphone 20 is registered by wireless microphone system 1.

[0065] 5, each of wireless control units 121-12k of receiver 10 periodically transmits a control signal (control information) related to wireless communication to each of multiple wireless microphones 20 (step St0). A person operating receiver 10 (e.g., an administrator of wireless microphone system 1) inputs an operation to register wireless microphone 20 (operation to start microphone registration) into operation unit IN1 (step St1). In this operation, for example, the microphone number and audio channel number of the wireless microphone 20 to be registered are input (specified). Operation unit IN1 generates an instruction to permit microphone registration, including the microphone number and audio channel number input in step St1, and sends the instruction to receiver control unit 11 (step St2).

[0066] When the receiver control unit 11 acquires the instruction to permit microphone registration from the operation unit IN1 in step St2, it sends an instruction to a wireless control unit (e.g., wireless control unit 121) to transmit the instruction to permit microphone registration to wireless microphone 20 (step St3). The wireless control unit (e.g., wireless control unit 121) transmits the instruction to permit microphone registration to wireless microphone 20 via the corresponding wireless unit and transmitting / receiving antenna (step St4). This instruction is control information indicating that microphone registration is currently permitted.

[0067] After receiving an instruction (control information) from the receiver 10 in step St4, when the wireless microphone 20 detects a registration operation on the operation unit IN3 (step St5), the wireless microphone 20 generates a microphone registration request and transmits it to the receiver 10 (step St6). The wireless control unit of the receiver 10 sends the microphone registration request transmitted in step St6 to the receiver control unit 11 (step St7).

[0068] Upon receiving the microphone registration request sent in step St7, the receiver control unit 11 permits the registration of the corresponding wireless microphone 20, generates a notification of successful microphone registration, and sends an instruction to a wireless control unit (e.g., the wireless control unit 121) to transmit the notification of successful microphone registration (step St8). For simplicity's sake, it is assumed here that the registration of the wireless microphone 20 that is the target of the microphone registration request is successful (i.e., a registration channel has not yet been assigned to the microphone number in the audio channel matrix MTX1). After permitting the registration of the wireless microphone 20, the receiver control unit 11 sends a notification of successful microphone registration (microphone registration notification) to the audio channel management unit 14 (step St9). This notification includes the microphone number and audio channel number input (specified) in step St1. Based on the notification of step St9, the audio channel management unit 14 adds (updates) the usage relationship between the corresponding microphone number and audio channel number to the audio channel matrix MTX1 (step St10). As a result, the receiver 10 can complete the setting of the registered channel for the microphone number input (specified) in step St1, and can output the audio signal transmitted from the wireless microphone 20 corresponding to that microphone number via the audio channel corresponding to the registered audio channel number.

[0069] A wireless control unit (for example, wireless control unit 121) transmits a notification of successful microphone registration to the corresponding wireless microphone 20 via the corresponding wireless unit and transmitting / receiving antenna (step St11). Upon receiving the notification of successful microphone registration transmitted in step St11, the corresponding wireless microphone 20 stores the registration information (specifically, the microphone number and the audio channel number registered as available) in the memory 25 or the storage unit 26 (step St12).

[0070] In addition, in response to generating the notification of successful microphone registration in step St8, the receiver control unit 11 generates a notification of microphone registration prohibition (i.e., that no other audio channel number will be newly registered as a registered channel for the wireless microphone 20 with that microphone number) and sends an instruction to a wireless control unit (e.g., wireless control unit 121) to send the notification of microphone registration prohibition (step St13). The wireless control unit (e.g., wireless control unit 121) transmits the notification of microphone registration prohibition (control information) to the corresponding wireless microphone 20 via the corresponding wireless unit and transmitting / receiving antenna (step St14).

[0071] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation procedure when editing an extension channel by the wireless microphone system 1.

[0072] 6, a person operating the PC 30 (for example, an operator or user of the wireless microphone system 1) inputs an operation to start editing the audio channel matrix MTX1 into the operation unit IN3 (step St21). Based on the operation in step St21, the PC 30 generates a request for the audio channel matrix MTX1 and sends it to the external interface unit 18 (step St22). The request for the audio channel matrix MTX1 received by the external interface unit 18 is sent to the receiver control unit 11 of the receiver 10. The receiver control unit 11 sends the request for the audio channel matrix MTX1 sent in step St22 to the audio channel management unit 14 (step St23).

[0073] The audio channel management unit 14 calls and acquires the data of the audio channel matrix MTX1 stored in the memory 15 (step St24) and notifies the receiver control unit 11 (step St25). The receiver control unit 11 sends the data of the audio channel matrix MTX1 to the PC 30 via the external interface unit 18 (step St26).

[0074] Here, a person operating the PC 30 (for example, an operator or user of the wireless microphone system 1) inputs an operation to edit the audio channel matrix MTX1 (for example, editing an extension channel) into the operation unit IN3 (step St27). Based on the operation in step St27, the PC 30 generates a change request for the audio channel matrix MTX1 and sends it to the external interface unit 18 (step St28). The change request for the audio channel matrix MTX1 received by the external interface unit 18 is sent to the receiver control unit 11 of the receiver 10. The receiver control unit 11 sends the change request for the audio channel matrix MTX1 sent in step St28 to the audio channel management unit 14 (step St29).

[0075] Based on the change request sent in step St29, the voice channel management unit 14 changes the relevant portion of the voice channel matrix MTX1 (step St30), generates a notification that the voice channel matrix MTX1 has been changed, and sends this to the receiver control unit 11 (step St31). The receiver control unit 11 sends the data of the changed voice channel matrix MTX1 to the PC 30 via the external interface unit 18 (step St32).

[0076] Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operational procedure when a call is started using the wireless microphone 20 in the wireless microphone system 1. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operational procedure when the audio channel management unit 14 selects an audio channel. The flowchart in Fig. 8 is an example of a subroutine of step St44 in Fig. 7. The explanation of Fig. 7 assumes that the microphone registration process for the wireless microphone 20 has been completed in accordance with the sequence in Fig. 5.

[0077] 7, when a user of the wireless microphone 20 (e.g., a conference participant) presses a call start button (step St41), the wireless microphone 20 generates a call start request and sends it to the receiver 10 (step St42). When the receiver control unit 11 of the receiver 10 receives the call start request sent in step St42, it generates an audio channel selection request for requesting selection of an audio channel number corresponding to the microphone number of the wireless microphone 20 that sent the request, and sends the request to the audio channel management unit 14 (step St43). The audio channel management unit 14 selects an audio channel number based on the audio channel selection request sent in step St43 (step St44). Details of the processing of step St44 will be described later with reference to FIG. 8.

[0078] If the voice channel management unit 14 has successfully selected the voice channel number (see FIG. 8), it generates a voice channel selection notification for notifying the selected voice channel number and sends it to the receiver control unit 11 (step St45). Based on the voice channel selection notification sent in step St45, the receiver control unit 11 generates a voice call start request for starting voice output of a voice signal from the wireless microphone 20 of the corresponding microphone number and sends it to the voice control unit 16 (step St46). Based on the voice call start request sent in step St46, the voice control unit 16 selects a voice output unit corresponding to the corresponding voice channel, and generates and sends an voice output request for outputting a voice signal to the selected voice output unit (step St47). In addition, the voice control unit 16 generates a voice call start notification indicating that voice output of a voice signal from the wireless microphone 20 of the corresponding microphone number has been successfully started from the voice output unit and sends it to the receiver control unit 11 (step St48). Based on the voice call start notification sent in step St48, the receiver control unit 11 generates a call start response indicating that the process for the voice call request of step St42 has been executed, and sends the response to the wireless microphone 20 that sent the voice call request (step St49). As a result, the audio signal sent from the wireless microphone 20 is received by the receiver 10, and audio is output from the audio channel with the audio channel number corresponding to the microphone number of the wireless microphone 20, resulting in an audio amplification state (step St50).

[0079] 8, the voice channel management unit 14 sets a variable m=0 (step St441) and increments the variable m (step St442). The voice channel management unit 14 determines whether the current variable m (i.e., the variable m indicating the voice channel number) is unused or not based on the voice channel matrix MTX1 (step St443). If it is determined that the current variable m (i.e., the variable m indicating the voice channel number) is not unused (i.e., is in use) (step St443, NO), the voice channel management unit 14 determines whether the current variable m is 16, which is the maximum value (step St444). If it is determined that the current variable m is 16, which is the maximum value (step St444, YES), the voice channel management unit 14 generates a channel selection notification (failure) indicating that it has failed to select an unused voice channel (step St448).

[0080] On the other hand, if it is determined that the current variable m is not 16, which is the maximum value (NO in step St444), the processing of the voice channel management unit 14 returns to step St442.

[0081] If the voice channel management unit 14 determines that the current variable m (i.e., the variable m indicating the voice channel number) is unused (step St443, YES), it determines whether the voice channel with that voice channel number is selectable based on the voice channel matrix MTX1 (step St445). This can be determined, for example, by whether the corresponding voice channel number is in use (e.g., a call is in progress). If it is determined that the voice channel with the unused voice channel number is not selectable (step St445, NO), the processing of the voice channel management unit 14 returns to step St444.

[0082] On the other hand, if the voice channel management unit 14 determines that a voice channel with an unused voice channel number is selectable (step St445, YES), it sets the corresponding voice channel number in the voice channel matrix MTX1 to in use (step St446). As a result, the voice channel management unit 14 generates a channel selection notification (success) indicating that the unused voice channel has been successfully selected (step St447).

[0083] Fig. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operational procedure when a call ends for the wireless microphone 20 in the wireless microphone system 1. As a premise for the explanation of Fig. 9, the wireless microphone 20 is in a call state (audio amplification state) according to the sequence of Fig. 7 (step St50).

[0084] 9, when a user of the wireless microphone 20 (e.g., a conference participant) presses a call end button (step St51), the wireless microphone 20 generates a call end request and sends it to the receiver 10 (step St52). When the receiver control unit 11 of the receiver 10 receives the call end request sent in step St52, it generates an audio call stop request for requesting the stop of audio output of an audio signal via the audio channel corresponding to the microphone number of the wireless microphone 20 that sent the request, and sends the request to the audio control unit 16 (step St53). This audio call stop request includes an audio channel number corresponding to the microphone number of the wireless microphone 20 currently in use. Based on the audio call stop request sent in step St53, the audio control unit 16 instructs the corresponding audio output unit to stop audio output of an audio signal via the audio channel with the corresponding audio channel number (step St54).

[0085] After issuing an instruction to stop the audio output of the audio signal in step St54, the audio control unit 16 generates a notification (audio call stop notification) indicating that the audio output of the audio signal via the audio channel with the corresponding audio channel number has been stopped, and sends the notification to the receiver control unit 11 (step St55). Based on the audio call stop notification sent in step St55, the receiver control unit 11 instructs the audio channel management unit 14 to release the audio channel corresponding to the corresponding microphone number (step St56). Based on the instruction in step St56, the audio channel management unit 14 performs a process to release the corresponding audio channel number in the audio channel matrix MTX1 to an unused state (step St57). Furthermore, after executing the audio channel number release process, the audio channel management unit 14 generates an audio channel release notification indicating that the release process of the corresponding audio channel number has been completed, and sends the notification to the receiver control unit 11 (step St58). Based on the audio channel release notification sent in step St58, the receiver control unit 11 generates a call end response indicating that the process for the call end request in step St52 has been executed, and sends the call end response to the wireless microphone 20 that sent the call end request (step St59). As a result, the audio output of the audio signal sent from the wireless microphone 20 at the receiver 10 is stopped.

[0086] As described above, wireless microphone system 1 according to this embodiment includes an input device (e.g., PC 30) and receiver 10, which is capable of wireless communication with each of a plurality of wireless microphones 20 capable of picking up the voice of a speaker and wirelessly transmitting audio signals of the voice, and which receives audio signals transmitted from wireless microphones 20 and outputs the audio using one of a plurality of audio channels. Receiver 10 holds audio channel management data (e.g., audio channel matrix MTX1) that is generated based on input from the input device and defines the usage relationship between the plurality of audio channels and the plurality of wireless microphones 20, and outputs the audio signals of the speaker transmitted from wireless microphones 20 based on the audio channel management data. This allows wireless microphone system 1 to flexibly set speaking opportunities for participants (speakers) in a conference or the like based on the audio channel matrix MTX1 generated based on input from PC 30, thereby improving convenience.

[0087] Receiver 10 also includes n audio output units (e.g., a pair of audio output unit 171 and speaker SP1, a pair of audio output unit 172 and speaker SP2, ..., a pair of audio output unit 17n and speaker SPn) that match the number n of audio channels (n: a predetermined integer equal to or greater than 2). This allows receiver 10 to receive audio signals from wireless microphone 20 corresponding to each of the n audio channels and output the audio using a maximum of n audio output units.

[0088] Furthermore, the audio channel management data (for example, the audio channel matrix MTX1) is configured so that the usage relationships between multiple audio channels and multiple wireless microphones 20 can be edited based on input from an input device (for example, the PC 30). This allows the wireless microphone system 1 to easily generate the audio channel matrix MTX1 using the PC 30 alone or in cooperation with the receiver 10, and to easily edit some or all of its contents.

[0089] Furthermore, the audio channel management data (e.g., audio channel matrix MTX1) assigns one or more usable audio channels from among multiple audio channels to one wireless microphone 20. For example, audio channel number Ch1 is assigned to microphone number Mc1, and audio channel numbers Ch5 to Ch12 are assigned to microphone number Mc5. This allows the wireless microphone system 1 to freely and flexibly set one or more audio channels (i.e., one exclusive audio channel or multiple selectable audio channels) to be usable for one wireless microphone 20.

[0090] Furthermore, the audio channel management data (e.g., audio channel matrix MTX1) assigns one or more unavailable audio channels out of multiple audio channels to one wireless microphone 20. For example, audio channel numbers Ch2 to Ch16 are assigned to microphone number Mc1, and audio channel numbers Ch1 to Ch4 and Ch13 to Ch16 are assigned to microphone number Mc5. This allows the wireless microphone system 1 to set one or more unavailable audio channels for one wireless microphone 20, thereby reducing the allocation of audio channels to wireless microphones 20 more than necessary.

[0091] Furthermore, the audio channel management data (e.g., audio channel matrix MTX1) assigns the same audio channels (e.g., audio channels with audio channel numbers Ch5 to Ch12) to some of the wireless microphones 20 (e.g., the wireless microphones 20 with microphone numbers Mc5 to MC10). As a result, in a situation where anyone from a team of multiple people may be able to speak at a conference or the like, the wireless microphone system 1 can output audio through an available audio channel among the multiple audio channels, regardless of which wireless microphone 20 a speaker uses, thereby providing equal (same) opportunities to speak and enabling flexible and excellent operation of the conference or the like.

[0092] Furthermore, when the receiver 10 receives a call start request from any one of the multiple wireless microphones 20, it selects an available audio channel from the multiple audio channels that corresponds to that wireless microphone 20 based on audio channel management data (e.g., audio channel matrix MTX1), and outputs the speaker's audio signal transmitted from that wireless microphone 20 via the selected audio channel. This allows the receiver 10 to appropriately output the audio signal transmitted from the wireless microphone 20 with that microphone number via the audio channel corresponding to the microphone number for which a registered channel or a registered channel and an extended channel are registered (set) in the audio channel matrix MTX1.

[0093] Furthermore, when the receiver 10 receives a call end request from a wireless microphone 20 that is currently in a call, the receiver 10 releases the audio channel that is being used by the wireless microphone 20 that is currently in a call and updates the audio channel management data (e.g., audio channel matrix MTX1). As a result, the receiver 10 can register (set) the microphone number of the wireless microphone 20 that has requested new registration for the audio channel that has been released by releasing the audio channel that corresponds to the microphone number of the wireless microphone 20 that has requested registration.

[0094] Furthermore, the receiver 10 can switch the operating mode between normal mode and a specific mode (e.g., conference mode) when a predetermined condition is met. Here, the predetermined condition corresponds to, for example, receiving a request from the PC 30 to change the operating mode to conference mode, a predetermined time period (e.g., a 15-minute period from 30 minutes before to 15 minutes before a predetermined conference starts), or when a wireless microphone 20 to be used in a conference or the like is newly registered (see FIG. 5), but is not limited to these conditions. In normal mode, the receiver 10 assigns only one available audio channel out of multiple audio channels to one wireless microphone 20. In specific mode, the receiver 10 assigns one or more available audio channels out of multiple audio channels to one wireless microphone 20.

[0095] Furthermore, receiver 10 according to this embodiment includes wireless communication units that wirelessly communicate with each of a plurality of wireless microphones 20 that are capable of collecting the voice of a speaker and wirelessly transmitting audio signals of the voice (for example, a wireless unit 131 connected to transmitting / receiving antennas Ant11 and Ant21, a wireless unit 132 connected to transmitting / receiving antennas Ant12 and Ant22, ..., a wireless unit 13k connected to transmitting / receiving antennas Ant1k and Ant2k), and audio output units that output audio signals received from wireless microphones 20 using any of a plurality of audio channels (for example, a pair of audio output unit 171 and speaker SP1, a pair of audio output unit 172 and speaker SP2, ...). ..., pairs of audio output units 17n and speakers SPn), and a channel control unit (e.g., audio channel management unit 14) that holds audio channel management data (e.g., audio channel matrix MTX1) that is generated based on input from an input device (e.g., PC 30) and defines the usage relationship between multiple audio channels and multiple wireless microphones 20, and controls audio output of the speaker's audio signal sent from the wireless microphone 20 based on the audio channel management data. This allows the receiver 10 to flexibly set speaking opportunities for participants (speakers) in a conference or the like based on the audio channel matrix MTX1 generated based on input from the PC 30, thereby improving convenience.

[0096] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications, alterations, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components in the above-described embodiments may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0097] The present disclosure is useful as a wireless microphone system, a receiver, and an audio output method that flexibly set opportunities for participants to speak and improve convenience. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1 wireless microphone system 10 Receivers 11 Receiver control section 14 Voice Channel Management Unit 15, 25, 32 memory 16 Audio control section 18 External interface section 20 Wireless Microphone 21 Microphone control section 22 Microphone Radio Section 23 Microphone 24 Microphone audio processing unit 26, 33 Storage section 27 Battery 31 processors 121, 122, 12k radio control unit 131, 132, 13k radio section 171, 172, 17n Audio output section DP1, DP2, DP3 display section IN1, IN2, IN3 operation section Ant11, Ant12, Ant1k, Ant121 transmit / receive antennas Ant21, Ant22, Ant2k, Ant221 transmit / receive antennas SP1, SP2, SPn speakers

Claims

1. An input device; a receiver capable of wireless communication with each of a plurality of wireless microphones capable of collecting the voice of a speaker and wirelessly transmitting an audio signal of the voice, the receiver receiving the audio signal transmitted from the wireless microphones and outputting the audio using one of a plurality of audio channels; The receiver includes: retaining audio channel management data that is generated based on an input from the input device and defines a usage relationship between the plurality of audio channels and the plurality of wireless microphones, and outputting the audio signal of the speaker transmitted from the wireless microphone based on the audio channel management data; Wireless microphone system.

2. The receiver further includes n audio output units, the number of which corresponds to the number n of the plurality of audio channels (n: a predetermined integer equal to or greater than 2).

2. The wireless microphone system according to claim 1.

3. the audio channel management data is configured to enable editing of a usage relationship between the plurality of audio channels and the plurality of wireless microphones based on an input from the input device.

2. The wireless microphone system according to claim 1.

4. the audio channel management data assigns one or more available audio channels from among the plurality of audio channels to one of the wireless microphones; 2. The wireless microphone system according to claim 1.

5. the audio channel management data assigns one or more unavailable audio channels among the plurality of audio channels to one of the wireless microphones; 5. The wireless microphone system according to claim 4.

6. the audio channel management data assigns the same audio channels to a plurality of wireless microphones that are part of the plurality of wireless microphones, so that the same audio channels can be used; 2. The wireless microphone system according to claim 1.

7. When the receiver receives a call start request from any one of the plurality of wireless microphones, it selects an available audio channel from the plurality of audio channels corresponding to the any one of the wireless microphones based on the audio channel management data, and outputs the audio signal of the speaker transmitted from the any one of the wireless microphones via the selected audio channel.

2. The wireless microphone system according to claim 1.

8. when the receiver receives a call end request from a wireless microphone that is currently in a call among the plurality of wireless microphones, the receiver releases the audio channel that is currently being used by the wireless microphone that is currently in a call and updates the audio channel management data.

8. The wireless microphone system according to claim 7.

9. the receiver is capable of switching the operation mode between a normal mode and a specific mode when a predetermined condition is satisfied; In the normal mode, the receiver assigns only one available audio channel among the plurality of audio channels to one of the wireless microphones, In the specific mode, the receiver assigns one or more available audio channels from among the plurality of audio channels to one of the wireless microphones.

2. The wireless microphone system according to claim 1.

10. a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with each of a plurality of wireless microphones that can collect the voice of a speaker and wirelessly transmit audio signals of the voice; an audio output unit that outputs the audio signal received from the wireless microphone using one of a plurality of audio channels; a channel control unit that holds audio channel management data that is generated based on an input from an input device and defines a usage relationship between the plurality of audio channels and the plurality of wireless microphones, and controls audio output of the speaker's audio signal sent from the wireless microphone based on the audio channel management data. Receiver.

11. A method for outputting audio using a wireless microphone system including at least an input device and a receiver, a step of wirelessly communicating with each of a plurality of wireless microphones capable of collecting the voice of a speaker and wirelessly transmitting an audio signal of the voice; a step of storing audio channel management data generated based on an input from the input device and defining a usage relationship between a plurality of audio channels and the plurality of wireless microphones; receiving the audio signal transmitted from the wireless microphone; and outputting the voice signal of the speaker transmitted from the wireless microphone using one of the plurality of voice channels based on the voice channel management data. Audio output method.

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