Sound image control device, sound image control system provided with same, and sound image control program

Abstract

A DSP (10) is provided with an operation input unit (10a), an output control unit (10b), and an audio sound control unit (10c). The operation input unit (10a) receives an input to the operation unit (11) of a passenger car (20). The output control unit (10b) causes speakers (16a to 16d) provided in the passenger car (20) to output an operation sound in response to the input to the operation input unit (10a). The audio sound control unit (10c) causes the speakers (16a to 16d) to output an audio sound of an audio device. When the operation input unit (10a) receives the input to the operation unit (11) and the output control unit (10b) outputs the operation sound from the speakers (16a-16d), the audio sound control unit (10c) aligns a sound image with a position other than that of a driver of the passenger car (20) in a manner such that the driver does not easily hear the audio sound.

Description

Sound image control device, sound image control system including the same, and sound image control program

[0001] The present invention relates to a sound image control device that is mounted on a moving body and controls the output of sound inside the moving body, a sound image control system including the same, and a sound image control program.

[0002] In recent years, mobile objects such as passenger cars have been equipped with operating devices that accept input operations for audio, air conditioning, and the like from the driver (operator). Such operating devices may output an operating sound so that the operator can recognize that an operation has been performed when the operator operates the operating device without checking the operation while driving. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a switch device that is disposed on a steering wheel of a vehicle and that is arranged so that the directionality of the sound emitted from the operating knob is stronger toward the ears of the driver, who is an occupant of the vehicle.

[0003] JP 2019-53963 A (Patent No. 6942013 A)

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional switch devices have the following problems. That is, the switch device disclosed in the above publication has the problem that a separate speaker for emitting sound needs to be provided on the steering wheel or the like in order to generate a three-dimensional sound image in the vehicle cabin. An object of the present invention is to provide a sound image control device that can control the operation sound performed by the driver so that it is reliably heard by the driver using an existing configuration of a moving object, as well as a sound image control system and a sound image control program equipped with the same.

[0005] (Means for Solving the Problem) A sound image control device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a sound image control device that is mounted on a mobile body and controls the output of sound inside the mobile body, and includes an operation input unit, an output control unit, and an audio sound control unit. The operation input unit accepts input to an operation unit provided in the mobile body. The output control unit causes an operation sound to be output from an output unit provided in the mobile body in response to the input to the operation input unit. The audio sound control unit causes audio sound from an audio device provided in the mobile body to be output from the output unit. When the operation input unit accepts input to the operation unit and the output control unit outputs the operation sound, the audio sound control unit controls to align a sound image to a position other than the driver so that the audio sound is difficult to hear at the ears of the driver of the mobile body.

[0006] In order to ensure that the driver of a vehicle such as a passenger car is able to recognize the operation sounds that are output when the audio, air conditioner, etc. are operated, when an input to an operation unit is received and the operation sounds are output, control is performed to align the sound image to a position other than the driver's so that the audio sounds are difficult to hear at the driver's ears. Here, examples of vehicle include passenger cars, trucks, buses, trains, ships, airplanes, helicopters, and various attractions installed in facilities such as amusement parks.

[0007] The output unit provided in the mobile object includes, for example, a plurality of speakers mounted in a passenger vehicle, etc. The operating unit provided in the mobile object includes, for example, an operating unit for an air conditioner, audio equipment, etc. mounted in a passenger vehicle, etc. The audio equipment provided in the mobile object includes, for example, a television, a music player, a playback device for DVDs, Blu-ray discs, etc., an audio display, etc.

[0008] The operation sound of the operation unit is, for example, an electronically generated clicking sound, including sounds such as beeps, ticks, crunching sounds, and taps that are actually generated when operating a mechanical switch, etc. As a result, when a driver or the like operates an operation unit inside a mobile body such as a passenger car, control is performed to align the sound image of the audio sound with the position of a person other than the driver (such as a passenger), making it difficult for the audio sound to be heard at the position of the driver's ears, and making the operation sound easier to hear. As a result, it is possible to use an existing configuration of the mobile body to control the operation sound operated by the driver so that the driver can reliably hear it.

[0009] A sound image control device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the sound image control device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein when the operation input unit receives an input to the operation unit, the output control unit performs control to align the sound image of the operation sound with the position of the driver's ears. This makes it possible to more effectively make the operation sound easier for the driver to hear by combining the control of shifting the audio sound from the audio device from the position of the driver's ears with the control of aligning the sound image of the operation sound with the position of the driver's ears.

[0010] A sound image control device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the sound image control device according to the second aspect of the present invention, in which the output control unit controls at least one of the phase and amplitude of the sound output from the output unit to control the sound image of the operation sound. This allows the operation sound to be concentrated in a specific direction (such as the driver's ears) by precisely adjusting the phases of waveforms radiated from output units such as multiple speakers and / or independently adjusting the volume from each output unit.

[0011] A sound image control device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the sound image control device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, in which the audio sound control unit controls at least one of the phase and amplitude of the sound output from the output unit to control the sound image of the audio sound. This makes it possible to precisely adjust the phase of the waveform radiated from the output units such as multiple speakers and / or independently adjust the volume from each output unit, thereby concentrating the audio sound in a specific direction (such as a position other than the driver).

[0012] A sound image control device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the sound image control device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein when the operation input unit receives an input to the operation unit, the audio sound control unit controls the output unit to output a sound having a phase that cancels out the audio sound at the position of the driver's ears. As a result, when the operation unit is operated, the output unit outputs a sound having a phase that cancels out the audio sound at the position of the driver's ears, thereby canceling the audio sound as noise and allowing only the operation sound to be heard clearly.

[0013] A sound image control device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the sound image control device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, further comprising an external sound detection unit that detects external sounds including audio sounds. The audio sound control unit performs control so that a sound having a phase that cancels out the external sounds detected by the external sound detection unit is output from the output unit. As a result, when an input is made to the operation unit, a sound having a phase that cancels out the external sounds including the audio sounds is output, thereby canceling out unnecessary noise other than the operation sounds, allowing the driver to clearly hear only the operation sounds.

[0014] A sound image control device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the sound image control device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein when the operation input unit receives an input to the operation unit, the output control unit controls the output unit to output a sound having a phase that cancels out the operation sound at the positions of the ears of passengers other than the driver. As a result, when there is an input to the operation unit, a sound having a phase that cancels out the operation sound at the positions of the ears of passengers other than the driver is output, so that the operation sound can be controlled so that only the driver can hear it.

[0015] A sound image control device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the sound image control device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, further comprising a storage unit that stores a plurality of original sound data as operation sounds. As a result, since a plurality of original sound data for operation sounds is stored in the storage unit, a driver or the like can select and use a preferred operation sound.

[0016] A sound image control system according to a ninth aspect of the present invention includes the sound image control device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, an operation unit provided in a mobile object, and an output unit provided in the mobile object, thereby achieving the effect of controlling the operation sound operated by the driver so that it can be reliably heard by the driver using the existing configuration of the mobile object.

[0017] A sound image control program according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is a sound image control program for controlling sound output inside a mobile body, and causes a computer to execute a sound image method including an operation input step, an output control step, and an audio sound control step. In the operation input step, an input to an operation unit provided in the mobile body is accepted. In the output control step, an operation sound is output from an output unit provided in the mobile body in response to the input in the operation input step. In the audio sound control step, audio sound from an audio device provided in the mobile body is output from the output unit. When the input to the operation unit is accepted in the operation input step and the operation sound is output in the output control step, control is performed in the audio sound control step to align the sound image to a position other than the driver so that the audio sound is difficult to hear at the position of the driver's ears.

[0018] In order to ensure that the driver of a vehicle such as a passenger car is able to recognize the operation sounds that are output when the audio, air conditioner, etc. are operated, when an input to an operation unit is received and the operation sounds are output, control is performed to align the sound image to a position other than the driver's so that the audio sounds are difficult to hear at the driver's ears. Here, examples of vehicle include passenger cars, trucks, buses, trains, ships, airplanes, helicopters, and various attractions installed in facilities such as amusement parks.

[0019] The output unit provided in the mobile body includes, for example, a plurality of speakers mounted in a passenger vehicle, etc. The operating unit provided in the mobile body includes, for example, an operating unit for an air conditioner, audio equipment, etc. mounted in a passenger vehicle, etc. The operating sound of the operating unit is, for example, an electronically generated sound, and includes sounds such as beeps, clicks, crunching, and taps that are actually generated when operating a mechanical switch, etc.

[0020] As a result, when a driver or the like operates an operation unit inside a moving body such as a passenger car, when an operation sound is output, control is performed to align the sound image of the audio sound with the position of a person other than the driver (such as a passenger), making it difficult for the audio sound to be heard at the position of the driver's ears and making the operation sound easier to hear. As a result, it is possible to use an existing configuration of the moving body to control the operation sound operated by the driver so that it can be reliably heard by the driver.

[0021] Effect of the Invention According to the sound image control device of the present invention, it is possible to use an existing configuration of a moving body to control the operation sound performed by the driver so that the operation sound can be reliably heard by the driver.

[0022] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a sound image control system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a control block diagram showing the configuration of a DSP included in the sound image control system of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of sound image control in normal operation executed by the sound image control system of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of sound image control executed by the sound image control system of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of sound image control executed by the sound image control system of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of sound image control executed by the sound image control system of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a sound image control system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] A sound image control system 1 including a DSP (sound image control device) 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. Note that in this embodiment, unnecessary detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed description of well-known matters or redundant description 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. Furthermore, the applicant provides the accompanying drawings and the following description to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present invention, and does not intend for them to limit the subject matter recited in the claims.

[0024] (1) Configuration of sound image control system 1 The sound image control system 1 according to this embodiment is a system mounted on a passenger vehicle (mobile body) 20 to control the output of sound to the driver of the passenger vehicle 20 and to persons other than the driver, and as shown in FIG. 1, includes a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) (sound image control device) 10, an operation unit 11, a sound information storage unit (storage unit) 12, a sound detection unit 13a, an amplifier unit 13b, a car audio (operation unit) 14, a plurality of amplifiers 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d, and a plurality of speakers (output units) 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d.

[0025] The operation unit 11 includes, for example, a temperature control dial for an air conditioner mounted on the passenger vehicle 20, operation buttons for a driving assistance system, etc. The sound information storage unit (storage unit) 12 stores original sound data of multiple types of sounds that are generated when actually operating a mechanical switch, etc., such as clicking sounds (tick, crunch, tap) that are electronically generated when the operation unit 11 is operated.

[0026] As a result, for example, by selecting and setting an operation sound that the driver prefers, the original sound data can be converted from a digital signal to an analog signal and output from the speakers 16a to 16d. Note that the original sound data for the operation sounds is generated, for example, based on the results of sampling various sounds. The sound information storage unit 12 stores a plurality of original sound data that can reproduce various sound waveforms, such as metallic sounds, dull sounds, and soft sounds. The stored plurality of original sound data are linked to each type, such as metallic sounds and dull sounds, and are also grouped as a library according to the operator's preferences.

[0027] The sound detection unit 13a detects external sounds such as car audio sounds, driving sounds, road noise, etc. in order to perform active noise canceling processing, which will be described later. The amplification unit 13b amplifies the external sounds detected by the sound detection unit 13a and transmits them to the DSP 10. The car audio (operation unit) 14 is, for example, a television, display audio, audio player, etc. of a car navigation system installed in a passenger vehicle, and adjusts the volume, etc., by operation input from the driver, etc.

[0028] The amplifiers 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d are provided for the four speakers 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d, respectively, and amplify and output electrical signals representing sounds transmitted from the DSP 10 to the speakers 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d. The speakers (output units) 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d output audio sounds and operation sounds from the operation unit 11 and the car audio 14, etc., based on the electrical signals transmitted from the DSP 10 and amplified by the amplifiers 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d. The sounds output from the speakers 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d are controlled by the DSP 10 so that they sound different for people seated in the driver's seat 21a, the passenger seat 21b, and the rear seats 21c and 21d of the passenger vehicle 20.

[0029] (2) Configuration of DSP (Sound Image Control Device) 10 As shown in Fig. 1, the DSP 10 according to this embodiment is connected to an operation unit 11, a sound information storage unit 12, and a sound detection unit 13a via an amplifier unit 13b, and to a car audio 14, and controls the sounds output from speakers 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d via amplifiers 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d. As shown in Fig. 2, the DSP 10 has an operation input unit 10a, an output control unit 10b, an audio sound control unit 10c, and an external sound detection unit 10d.

[0030] The operation input unit 10a accepts input to an operation unit 11 provided in the passenger vehicle 20. The output control unit 10b outputs operation sounds from speakers 16a to 16d provided in the passenger vehicle 20 in response to the input to the operation input unit 10a. When the operation input unit 10a accepts input to the operation unit 11, the output control unit 10b performs control so that the sound image of the operation sound is aligned with the position of the driver's ears.

[0031] Here, the output control unit 10b controls at least one of the phase and amplitude of the sound output from the speakers 16a to 16d to control the sound image of the operation sound. Furthermore, when the operation input unit 10a accepts input to the operation unit 11, the output control unit 10b controls the speakers 16a to 16d to output sounds having a phase that cancels out the operation sound at the positions of ears other than the driver's.

[0032] The audio sound control unit 10c outputs audio sounds from the car audio 14 provided in the passenger vehicle 20 from the speakers 16a to 16d. When the operation input unit 10a accepts input to the operation unit 11 and the output control unit 10b outputs operation sounds, the audio sound control unit 10c performs control to align a sound image with a position other than the driver so that the audio sounds are difficult to hear at the position of the driver's ears of the passenger vehicle 20.

[0033] Here, the audio sound control unit 10c controls at least one of the phase and amplitude of the sound output from the speakers 16a to 16d to control the sound image of the audio sound. When the operation input unit 10a accepts input to the operation unit 11, the audio sound control unit 10c controls the speakers 16a to 16d to output sounds having a phase that cancels out the audio sound at the position of the driver's ears.

[0034] The external sound detection unit 10d detects external sounds, including audio sounds. This allows the audio sound control unit 10c to perform active noise canceling processing so that the speakers 16a-16d output sounds with a phase that cancels out the external sounds detected by the external sound detection unit 10d. The phase control of the audio sounds and / or operation sounds described above is achieved by precisely adjusting the phase of the waveforms emitted from the speakers 16a-16d. For example, if two speakers are provided and the same signal is emitted from each speaker, adjusting the phase of these signals can cause the two speakers to interfere with each other, concentrating sound waves (or radio waves) in a specific direction.

[0035] Here, when the phases of the two signals are in sync, the signal wave is strong in that direction, and conversely, when the phases are opposite, the signal wave is weak in that direction, so that the strength of the signal wave in a specific direction can be controlled. On the other hand, amplitude control of audio sound and / or operation sound is performed by independently adjusting the volume of each speaker 16a to 16d, thereby concentrating the sound in a desired direction. In this embodiment, more precise beamforming can be achieved by combining phase control and amplitude control.

[0036] <Contents of sound image control> In the sound image control system 1 of this embodiment, the DSP 10 performs the following control to enable the driver sitting in the driver's seat 21 a of the passenger car 20 to hear the operation sound when operating the operation unit 11 as clearly as possible.

[0037] In this embodiment, the four speakers 16a to 16d mounted on the passenger vehicle 20 are arranged at the four corners of the vehicle interior space, as shown in Fig. 3. In other words, in normal operation except when there is an operational input to the operation unit 11 or the car audio 14, the sound image control system 1 outputs audio sounds and the like from the four speakers 16a to 16d, with the sound image aligned with the center of the four occupants seated in the driver's seat 21a, passenger seat 21b, and rear seats 21c and 21d of the passenger vehicle 20, as shown in Fig. 3.

[0038] When an operation input is made to the operation unit 11 or the car audio 14, the sound image is controlled so that the audio sound is concentrated at a position other than the driver, avoiding the position of the ears of the driver in the driver's seat 21a, as shown in Fig. 4 (audio sound beamforming processing). More specifically, when the operation input unit 10a accepts an input to the operation unit 11 and the output control unit 10b outputs the operation sound from the speakers 16a to 16d, the audio sound control unit 10c controls to focus the sound image at a position other than the driver (passenger) so that the audio sound is difficult to hear at the position of the driver's ears of the passenger car 20.

[0039] As a result, when a driver or the like operates the operation unit 11 or the car audio 14 inside the passenger car 20 and an operation sound is output, the sound image of the audio sound is adjusted to a position other than the driver, making it easier for the driver to hear the operation sound. Therefore, the driver can get a sense of actually operating the operation unit 11, the car audio 14, etc., and can recognize that the operation has been performed, which gives the driver a sense of security.

[0040] Furthermore, when an operation input is made to the operation unit 11 or the car audio 14, the sound image is controlled so that the operation sound is concentrated at the position of the ears of the driver in the driver's seat 21a (beamforming processing of the operation sound), as shown in Fig. 5. More specifically, when the operation input unit 10a accepts an input to the operation unit 11, the output control unit 10b controls the sound image of the operation sound to be aligned with the position of the driver's ears when outputting the operation sound.

[0041] This allows the driver to more effectively hear the operation sounds more easily by combining control of shifting the audio sound from the position of the driver's ears with control of aligning the sound image of the operation sounds to the position of the driver's ears. Furthermore, the sound image control system 1 of this embodiment combines active noise canceling processing to more effectively allow the driver to hear clear operation sounds.

[0042] Specifically, when an operation input is made to the operation unit 11 or the car audio 14, active noise canceling processing is performed so that the audio sound is canceled at the position of the ear of the driver in the driver's seat 21a, as shown in Fig. 6. More specifically, when the operation input unit 10a receives an input to the operation unit 11, control is performed so that a sound having a phase that cancels out the audio sound at the position of the driver's ear is output from at least one of the speakers 16a to 16d.

[0043] As a result, when the operation unit 11 is operated, sounds having a phase that cancels out the audio sounds at the position of the driver's ears are output from the speakers 16a to 16d, and the audio sounds are canceled as noise. Therefore, the driver in the driver's seat 21a can clearly hear only the operation sounds. Furthermore, when an operation input is made to the operation unit 11 or the car audio 14, as shown in FIG. 7, active noise canceling processing is performed so that the operation sounds of the operation unit 11, etc. are canceled at the position of the ears of passengers other than the driver. More specifically, when the operation input unit 10a accepts an input to the operation unit 11, the output control unit 10b controls the speakers 16a to 16d to output sounds having a phase that cancels out the operation sounds at the position of the ears of passengers other than the driver. This allows control so that the operation sounds are heard only by the driver.

[0044] <Major Features> The DSP 10 of this embodiment includes an operation input unit 10a, an output control unit 10b, and an audio sound control unit 10c. The operation input unit 10a accepts input to an operation unit 11 and a car audio 14 provided in the passenger vehicle 20. The output control unit 10b outputs operation sounds from speakers 16a to 16d provided in the passenger vehicle 20 in response to the input to the operation input unit 10a. The audio sound control unit 10c outputs audio sounds from audio equipment provided in the passenger vehicle 20 from the speakers 16a to 16d. When the operation input unit 10a accepts input to the operation unit 11 and the car audio 14 and the output control unit 10b outputs operation sounds from the speakers 16a to 16d, the audio sound control unit 10c performs control to align a sound image to a position other than the driver of the passenger vehicle 20 so that the audio sounds are difficult to hear at the driver's ears.

[0045] As a result, when the driver or the like operates the operation unit 11 or the car audio 14 inside the passenger car 20, the operation sound is output by controlling the sound image of the audio sound to be aligned with the position of someone other than the driver (such as a passenger), making it easier for the operation sound to be heard at the ear position of the driver of the passenger car 20. As a result, using the existing configuration of the passenger car 20 (such as speakers 16a to 16d), it is possible to control the operation sound operated by the driver so that it can be reliably heard by the driver.

[0046] [Other Embodiments] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. (A) In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is realized as a sound image control device (DSP 10) and a sound image control method has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0047] For example, the present invention may be realized as a program that causes a computer to execute the above-described sound image control method. This program is stored in a memory (storage unit) installed in the sound image control device, and a CPU reads the sound image control program stored in the memory and causes hardware to execute each step. More specifically, the same effects as those described above can be obtained by having the CPU read the sound image control program and execute the above-described operation input step, output control step, and audio sound control step. The present invention may also be realized as a recording medium that stores the sound image control program.

[0048] (B) In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the functional blocks formed inside the DSP 10 realized the configuration of the present invention (the operation input unit 10a, the output control unit 10b, and the audio sound control unit 10c). However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0049] For example, when a sound image control device is retrofitted to an existing vehicle such as a passenger car 20, a sound image control system 101 may be configured in which a sound image control device 110 is added between the operation unit 11 and car audio 14 and the DSP 10a, as shown in Fig. 8. In this configuration, when the operation input unit 10a receives an operation input input to the operation unit 11 or car audio 14, the output control unit 10b and audio sound control unit 10c perform the beamforming control and active noise canceling processing described above, thereby achieving the same effects as those described above.

[0050] (C) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which, when the operation input unit 10a accepts input to the operation unit 11 and the output control unit 10b outputs an operation sound, the audio sound control unit 10c performs beamforming control to align a sound image to a position other than the driver so that the audio sound is difficult to hear at the position of the driver's ears of the passenger vehicle 20, and the output control unit 10b also performs beamforming control to align the sound image of the operation sound to the position of the driver's ears. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0051] For example, when the operation input unit accepts input to the operation unit and the output control unit outputs operation sounds, the audio sound control unit may only perform audio sound beamforming control, which aligns a sound image to a position other than the driver so that the audio sounds are difficult to hear at the driver's ears. Even in this case, sounds other than the operation sounds (audio sounds) are difficult to hear at the driver's ears, so the operation sounds can be reliably recognized by the driver. Furthermore, the combination with noise canceling processing for audio sounds and the combination with noise canceling processing for operation sounds are not essential, and any combination may be used.

[0052] (D) In ​​the above embodiment, an example was described in which the sound information storage unit 12 provided outside the DSP 10 was used as a storage unit for storing multiple types of original sound data for operation sounds. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, multiple types of original sound data for operation sounds may be stored in a storage unit provided inside the sound image control device (DSP).

[0053] (E) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which multiple speakers 16a to 16d serving as output units were installed at the four corners of the interior space of the passenger vehicle 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the passenger vehicle is a two-seater, two speakers may be provided, one next to the driver's seat and one next to the passenger seat. Furthermore, the number of speakers does not have to be four, and may be three or less, or five or more.

[0054] (F) In the above embodiment, a passenger car 20 has been described as an example of a moving body to which the present invention is applied. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, moving bodies to which the present invention is applied may be, in addition to passenger cars, trucks, buses, trains, ships, aircraft, helicopters, and various attractions installed in facilities such as amusement parks.

[0055] <Note> The sound image control device of the first invention is a sound image control device that is mounted on a moving body and controls the output of sound inside the moving body, and comprises: an operation input unit that accepts input to an operation unit provided on the moving body; an output control unit that causes an operation sound to be output from an output unit provided on the moving body in accordance with the input to the operation input unit; and an audio sound control unit that causes audio sound from an audio device provided on the moving body to be output from the output unit, wherein when the operation input unit accepts input to the operation unit and the output control unit outputs the operation sound, the audio sound control unit controls to align the sound image to a position other than the driver so as to make the audio sound difficult to hear at the position of the driver's ears of the moving body.

[0056] A sound image control device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the sound image control device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein when the operation input unit receives an input to the operation unit, the output control unit controls the sound image of the operation sound to match the position of the driver's ears.A sound image control device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the sound image control device according to the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the output control unit controls at least one of the phase and amplitude of the sound output from the output unit to control the sound image of the operation sound.

[0057] A sound image control device according to a fourth invention is the sound image control device according to any one of the first to third inventions, in which the audio sound control unit controls at least one of the phase and amplitude of the sound output from the output unit to control the sound image of the audio sound.A sound image control device according to a fifth invention is the sound image control device according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, in which, when the operation input unit receives input to the operation unit, the audio sound control unit controls the output unit to output a sound having a phase that cancels out the audio sound at the position of the driver's ears.

[0058] A sound image control device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the sound image control device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, further comprising an external sound detection unit that detects external sounds including audio sounds, and the audio sound control unit performs control so that sound having a phase that cancels out the external sound detected by the external sound detection unit is output from the output unit.A sound image control device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the sound image control device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, wherein when the operation input unit accepts input to the operation unit, the output control unit performs control so that sound having a phase that cancels out the operation sound at the position of an ear other than the driver's.

[0059] A sound image control device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the sound image control device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, further comprising a storage unit for storing a plurality of original sound data as operation sounds.A sound image control system according to a ninth aspect of the present invention comprises the sound image control device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects of the present invention, an operation unit provided in the moving object, and an output unit provided in the moving object.

[0060] The sound image control device of the present invention has the effect of being able to use the existing configuration of a mobile body to control the operation sounds performed by the driver so that they can be reliably heard by the driver, and therefore can be widely applied as a sound image control device to be installed in various mobile bodies, facilities, etc.

[0061] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 sound image control system 10 DSP (sound image control device) 10a operation input unit 10b output control unit 10c audio sound control unit 10d external sound detection unit 11 operation unit 12 sound information storage unit (storage unit) 13a sound detection unit 13b amplifier unit 14 car audio (operation unit) 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d amplifier 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d speaker (output unit) 20 passenger car 21a driver's seat 21b passenger seat 21c, 21d rear seat 101 sound image control system 110 DSP

Claims

1. A sound image control device mounted on a moving body and controlling the output of sound inside the moving body, comprising: an operation input unit that accepts input to an operation unit provided on the moving body; an output control unit that outputs an operation sound from an output unit provided on the moving body in response to the input to the operation input unit; and an audio sound control unit that outputs audio sound from an audio device provided on the moving body from the output unit, wherein when the operation input unit accepts input to the operation unit and the output control unit outputs the operation sound, the audio sound control unit controls to align a sound image to a position other than the driver of the moving body so that the audio sound is difficult to hear at the position of the driver's ears.

2. The sound image control device according to claim 1, wherein when the operation input unit receives an input to the operation unit, the output control unit performs control so as to align the sound image of the operation sound with the position of the driver's ears.

3. The sound image control device according to claim 2, wherein the output control section controls at least one of the phase and amplitude of the sound output from the output section to control the sound image of the operation sound.

4. The sound image control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the audio sound control section controls at least one of a phase and an amplitude of the sound output from the output section to control the sound image of the audio sound.

5. A sound image control device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein when the operation input unit accepts an input to the operation unit, the audio sound control unit controls so that a sound having a phase that cancels out the audio sound at the position of the driver's ears is output from the output unit.

6. The sound image control device according to claim 5, further comprising an external sound detection unit that detects external sounds including the audio sound, wherein the audio sound control unit performs control so that a sound having a phase that cancels out the external sound detected by the external sound detection unit is output from the output unit.

7. A sound image control device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein when the operation input unit accepts an input to the operation unit, the output control unit controls so that a sound having a phase that cancels out the operation sound at the position of an ear other than that of the driver is output from the output unit.

8. The sound image control device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a storage unit for storing a plurality of original sound data as the operation sound.

9. A sound image control system comprising: a sound image control device according to claim 1 or 2; the operation unit provided on the moving body; and the output unit provided on the moving body.

10. A sound image control program for controlling sound output inside a moving body, comprising: an operation input step for accepting input to an operation unit provided in the moving body; an output control step for outputting an operation sound from an output unit provided in the moving body in response to the input in the operation input step; and an audio sound control step for outputting audio sound from an audio device provided in the moving body from the output unit, wherein, when accepting input to the operation unit in the operation input step and outputting the operation sound in the output control step, in the audio sound control step, a control is performed to align a sound image to a position other than that of the driver of the moving body so that the audio sound is difficult to hear at the position of the driver's ears.

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