Speaker system, speaker, wireless terminal, and program

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a speaker suitable for a voice conference, listening to music, and the like in an environment where a third party is present in the surroundings.　[Solution] A personal speaker 2 is arranged with a speaker surface 200 facing a direction in which sound beams 203 output from a plurality of directional speakers provided on the speaker surface 200 will be reflected by a ceiling 4, for example, and then reach a listening position of a user. A wireless terminal 3 collects, at the listening position of the user, the sound beams 203 output from the plurality of directional speakers provided on the speaker surface 200, detects a sound volume level of the sound beams, and turns off a directional speaker which is the output source of a sound beam 203 the detected sound volume level of which is less than a prescribed value. Due to this configuration, among the plurality of directional speakers provided on the speaker surface 200, a directional speaker which may cause sound leakage is turned off.

Description

Speaker system, speaker, wireless terminal, and program

[0001] The present invention relates to a speaker system suitable for audio conferences, listening to music, and the like in an environment where third parties are present nearby.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a multi-participant video conference system that includes a central distribution device and a plurality of computers connected to the central distribution device via a network.

[0003] The central distribution device mixes the audio data sent from the computers other than the computer to generate conference audio data for each computer, and transmits the generated conference audio data to the computer. The central distribution device also synthesizes the image data sent from each computer to generate conference image data, and transmits the generated conference image data to each computer.

[0004] The computer is connected to a camera, a microphone, a monitor, and a speaker, and transmits image data of the user captured by the camera and audio data of the user captured by the microphone to a central distribution device, and also receives conference image data and conference audio data from the central distribution device and outputs them from the monitor and speaker, respectively.

[0005] This allows multiple geographically separated users (conference participants) to hold a conference as if they were in the same place while viewing the images of each user displayed on their computers.

[0006] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-228669

[0007] In the video conference system described in Patent Document 1, for example, when participating in a video conference from one's own desk at work, there are cases where one does not want people nearby, such as those sitting next to one, to hear the conference audio. However, if the volume is lowered so that people nearby cannot hear the conference audio, it becomes difficult to hear the conference audio, which may cause disruptions to the conference, such as missing what the conference participants are saying.

[0008] Although earphones or headphones can be used instead of speakers, users may feel uncomfortable wearing earphones or headphones for long periods of time, making them unsuitable for long video conferences.

[0009] This problem also occurs when a user wants to listen to music privately in a space shared with others, such as a cafe, without being heard by people sitting next to them.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a speaker system suitable for audio conferences, listening to music, and the like in an environment where third parties are present nearby.

[0011] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention achieves the following functions by using a speaker and a wireless terminal that functions as a controller for the speaker.

[0012] The speaker has multiple directional speakers arranged in an array on the speaker surface, and is positioned with the speaker surface facing in the direction in which the sound beams output from the multiple directional speakers are reflected by surrounding objects (such as the ceiling) and reach the user's listening position.

[0013] The wireless terminal collects sound beams output from multiple directional speakers at the user's listening position and detects their volume levels. For example, the wireless terminal detects the volume levels of the sound beams output from the multiple directional speakers by causing the multiple directional speakers to output sound beams of different frequencies and detecting the volume levels of the sound signals collected at the user's listening position for each sound beam frequency. Alternatively, the wireless terminal detects the volume levels of the sound beams output from the multiple directional speakers by collecting the sound beams in sequence at the user's listening position while causing the multiple directional speakers to output sound beams in sequence and detecting the volume levels of the collected sound signals. Then, the wireless terminal turns off any directional speaker that is the source of a sound beam whose detected volume level is below a predetermined value.

[0014] Alternatively, the wireless terminal collects sound beams output from a plurality of directional speakers in positions around the user's listening position in the same manner as described above, detects the volume levels of the sound beams, and turns off the directional speaker that is the output source of the sound beam whose detected volume level is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0015] For example, one aspect of the present invention is a speaker system comprising a speaker and a wireless terminal that functions as a speaker controller, wherein the speaker comprises: a plurality of directional speakers arranged in an array on a speaker surface; generation means that generates audio data of different frequencies for each of the directional speakers; output means that outputs the audio data generated for each of the directional speakers by the generation means from the corresponding directional speaker in accordance with an instruction from the wireless terminal; and on / off means that controls on / off of each of the directional speakers in accordance with an instruction from the wireless terminal, wherein the wireless terminal comprises: instruction means that instructs the speaker to output audio data of different frequencies for each of the directional speakers; sound collection means that collects the audio data output from the plurality of directional speakers at different frequencies for each of the directional speakers; and analysis means that analyzes the volume level of the sound collection signal collected by the sound collection means for each frequency of the audio data output from the directional speakers. and an off instruction means for instructing the directional speaker that is the output source of audio data whose volume level analyzed by the analysis means is less than a predetermined value or greater than a predetermined value to turn off the speaker.

[0016] Another aspect of the present invention is a speaker system comprising a speaker and a wireless terminal that functions as a speaker controller, wherein the speaker comprises: a plurality of directional speakers arranged in an array on a speaker surface; output means for outputting externally input or internally generated audio data from the plurality of directional speakers in a predetermined order in accordance with instructions from the wireless terminal; and on / off means for controlling the on / off of each directional speaker in accordance with instructions from the wireless terminal, wherein the wireless terminal comprises: instruction means for instructing the speaker to output the audio data from the plurality of directional speakers in the predetermined order; sound collection means for collecting the audio data output from the plurality of directional speakers in the predetermined order; and analysis means for analyzing the volume level of each picked-up signal of the audio data output from the plurality of directional speakers in the predetermined order and picked up sequentially by the sound collection means. and an off instruction means for instructing the directional speaker that is the output source of audio data whose volume level analyzed by the analysis means is less than a predetermined value or greater than a predetermined value to turn off the speaker.

[0017] In the present invention, the speakers are arranged with their speaker faces facing in the direction in which the sound beams output from the multiple directional speakers are reflected and reach the user's listening position. The wireless terminal collects the sound beams output from the multiple directional speakers at the user's listening position or a position surrounding the listening position, detects their volume levels, and turns off the directional speaker that is emitting the sound beam if the detected volume level is below a predetermined value (when the wireless terminal is placed at the user's listening position) or above a predetermined value (when the wireless terminal is placed surrounding the user's listening position). In this way, it is possible to turn off a directional speaker that may cause sound leakage among the multiple directional speakers. Therefore, according to the present invention, a speaker system suitable for audio conferences, listening to music, and the like in environments where third parties are present can be provided.

[0018] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a video conference system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic functional diagram of a personal speaker 2. Figs. 3(A), (B), (C), and (D) are front, rear, left side, and top views of the personal speaker 2. Fig. 4 is a schematic functional diagram of a wireless terminal 3. Fig. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the wireless terminal 3. Fig. 6 is a schematic functional diagram of a personal speaker 2a, which is a modified version of the personal speaker 2. Fig. 7 is a schematic functional diagram of a wireless terminal 3a, which is a modified version of the wireless terminal 3.

[0019] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a video conference system according to the present embodiment.

[0021] As shown in the figure, the video conference system according to this embodiment includes a video conference terminal 1, a personal speaker 2, and a wireless terminal 3.

[0022] The video conference terminal 1 is a network terminal equipped with a camera, a microphone, and a display, and transmits image data of users captured by the camera and audio data of users captured by the microphone to a video conference server (not shown) via the network, and also receives conference image data and conference audio data from the video conference server and outputs them from the monitor and personal speaker 2, respectively. This allows multiple users (video conference participants) who are geographically separated to hold a conference while viewing the images of each user displayed on the video conference terminal 1, feeling as if they were in the same place.

[0023] The personal speaker 2 is wirelessly connected to the video conference terminal 1, and outputs conference audio data received from the video conference terminal 1 as a highly directional audio beam 203 from a speaker surface 200. The personal speaker 2 has a tilt adjustment mechanism 21, which will be described later, and is placed, for example, on a desk 5 together with the video conference terminal 1, and the tilt of the speaker surface 200 is adjusted so that the audio beam 203 output from the speaker surface 200 is reflected by the ceiling 4 and reaches the user's listening position.

[0024] The wireless terminal 3 functions as a remote controller for the personal speaker 2 .

[0025] Next, the personal speaker 2 and the wireless terminal 3 that constitute the video conference system according to this embodiment will be described in detail.

[0026] The video conference terminal 1 may be a PC (Personal Computer), a notebook PC, a tablet PC, or the like, which is equipped with a camera, a microphone, and a display such as a liquid crystal panel, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0027] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of the personal speaker 2. Figs. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D are a front view, a rear view, a left side view, and a top view of the personal speaker 2.

[0028] As shown in the figure, the personal speaker 2 has a speaker array 20 , a tilt adjustment mechanism 21 , a wireless interface unit 22 , a test signal generation unit 23 , and a main control unit 24 .

[0029] The speaker array 20 is composed of a plurality of directional speakers 201 arranged in an array on a speaker surface 200 provided on one surface of a housing 202. For the speaker array 20, for example, a parametric speaker can be used.

[0030] The tilt adjustment mechanism 21 is a mechanism for adjusting the tilt of the speaker surface 200 (the tilt angle relative to the ceiling 4), and has a height-adjustable adjuster bolt 212 and a ball joint 211 that connects the end of the adjuster bolt 212 to the edge of the back surface 210 of the housing 202 (the surface opposite the speaker surface 200), and supports the housing 202 so that it can swing relative to the adjuster bolt 212.

[0031] The wireless interface unit 22 is an interface for wirelessly connecting to the video conference terminal 1 and the wireless terminal 3 via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like.

[0032] The test signal generating unit 23 generates audio signals (hereinafter referred to as test signals) of different frequencies at the same volume level for each of the directional speakers 201 that make up the speaker array 20 .

[0033] The main control unit 24 comprehensively controls the speaker array 20 , the wireless interface unit 22 , and the test signal generating unit 23 .

[0034] The main control unit 24 also includes a switching unit 240 and an on / off unit 241 .

[0035] In the normal mode, the switching unit 240 connects the speaker array 20 so as to output the conference audio data transmitted from the video conference terminal 1 via the wireless interface unit 22. When a test start instruction is received from the wireless terminal 3 via the wireless interface unit 22, the switching unit 240 transitions to the test mode, causes the test signal generating unit 23 to generate test signals of different frequencies at the same volume level for each directional speaker 201 constituting the speaker array 20, and switches the connection of the speaker array 20 so that the test signals generated for each directional speaker 201 by the test signal generating unit 23 are output from the corresponding directional speaker 201. Thereafter, when a test end instruction is received from the wireless terminal 3 via the wireless interface unit 22, the switching unit 240 returns to the normal mode.

[0036] In accordance with an off instruction received from the wireless terminal 3 via the wireless interface unit 22, the on / off unit 241 turns off the directional speakers 201 specified by the off instruction among the directional speakers 201 that make up the speaker array 20, and turns on the other directional speakers 201.

[0037] The functional configuration of the personal speaker 2 shown in FIG. 2 is realized in hardware using an integrated logic IC such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or in software using a computer such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor).

[0038] Next, the wireless terminal 3 will be described in detail.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of the wireless terminal 3.

[0040] As shown in the figure, the wireless terminal 3 has a radio interface unit 30, a man-machine interface unit 31, a test instruction unit 32, a sound collection unit 33, a test analysis unit 34, an off instruction unit 35, and a main control unit 36.

[0041] The wireless interface unit 30 is an interface for wireless communication with the personal speaker 2 .

[0042] The man-machine interface unit 31 is an interface for displaying information to the user and accepting various operations from the user, and is composed of an input / output device such as a touch sensor display.

[0043] The test instruction unit 32, in accordance with instructions received from the user via the man-machine interface unit 31, transmits to the personal speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 30 a test start instruction for transitioning the personal speaker 2 from normal mode to test mode, and a test end instruction for transitioning from test mode to normal mode.

[0044] The sound collection unit 33 collects the test signal output from the personal speaker 2 in the test mode using a built-in microphone or an external microphone.

[0045] The test analysis unit 34 analyzes the sound signals collected by the sound collection unit 33 and detects the volume level for each frequency of the test signal output from each of the directional speakers 201 that make up the speaker array 20. The test analysis unit 34 also stores a table in which the frequencies of the test signals output from each of the directional speakers 201 that make up the speaker array 20 are registered for each of the directional speakers 201 that make up the speaker array 20, and when it detects a test signal whose volume level is below a predetermined value, it identifies, based on this table, the directional speaker 201 that corresponds to the frequency of the detected test signal as the output source of the test signal whose volume level is below the predetermined value (a directional speaker 201 that may be leaking sound), and determines this directional speaker 201 as a speaker to be turned off.

[0046] The off instruction unit 35 transmits an off instruction accompanied by the designation of the speaker to be turned off determined by the test analysis unit 34 to the personal speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 30 .

[0047] The functional configuration of the wireless terminal 3 shown in Fig. 4 is realized in hardware using an integrated logic IC such as an ASIC or FPGA, or in software using a computer such as a DSP, or is realized as a process in a mobile computer such as a smartphone or tablet PC (Personal Computer) that includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, an auxiliary storage device such as a flash memory, and a short-range wireless communication device such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), by the CPU loading a predetermined program from the auxiliary storage device onto the memory and executing it.

[0048] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram for explaining the operation (sound leakage prevention processing) of the wireless terminal 3.

[0049] This flow starts when the main control unit 36 ​​receives an operation to switch the personal speaker 2 to the test mode via the man-machine interface unit 31 .

[0050] First, the main control unit 36 ​​instructs the test initiation unit 32 to start a test. In response to this, the test initiation unit 32 transmits a test initiation instruction to the personal speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 30 (S100).

[0051] This causes the personal speaker 2 to enter test mode, and outputs test signals of different frequencies for each directional speaker 201 that make up the speaker array 20 from the speaker surface 200 as audio beams 203. As described above, the personal speaker 2 is arranged with the speaker surface 200 facing the ceiling 4 so that the audio beams 203 output from the speaker surface 200 are reflected by the ceiling 4 and directed toward the user's listening position.

[0052] Next, the main control unit 36 ​​instructs the sound collection unit 33 to collect sound. In response to this, the sound collection unit 33 collects the sound beam 203 of the test signal output from the personal speaker 2 in the test mode, using a built-in microphone or an external microphone (S101).

[0053] Then, when a predetermined time (e.g., 15 seconds) has elapsed as the time required for the sound collection unit 33 to collect the sound beam 203 of the test signal, the main control unit 36 ​​instructs the test instruction unit 32 to end the test. In response to this, the test instruction unit 32 transmits a test end instruction to the personal speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 30 (S102).

[0054] As a result, the personal speaker 2 stops outputting the audio beam 203 of the test signal, transitions from the test mode to the normal mode, and starts outputting the conference audio data received from the video conference terminal 1 .

[0055] Next, the main control unit 36 ​​passes the sound signals collected by the sound collection unit 33 to the test analysis unit 34. In response to this, the test analysis unit 34 detects the volume level for each frequency of the test signals output from each of the directional speakers 201 that make up the speaker array 20 via the sound signals collected by the sound collection unit 33 (S103).Then, it checks whether there is a test signal with a frequency whose volume level is below a predetermined value (S104).

[0056] If there is a test signal whose volume level is below a predetermined value (YES in S104), it is considered that this test signal is not reflected toward the user's listening position due to unevenness in the ceiling 4 or the like, causing sound leakage around the listening position. In this case, the test analysis unit 34 refers to the table and identifies the directional speaker 201 associated with the frequency of the test signal whose volume level is below the predetermined value as the directional speaker 201 that is the output source of the sound beam 203 of this test signal. Then, this identified directional speaker 201 is determined to be a speaker to be turned off (S105). Note that if a predetermined number or more of directional speakers 201 are determined to be speakers to be turned off, a message or the like may be output to the man-machine interface unit 31, prompting the user to adjust the position of the personal speaker 2 and the tilt of the speaker surface 200.

[0057] The main control unit 36 ​​then notifies the off instruction unit 35 of the speakers to be turned off determined by the test analysis unit 34. In response to this, the off instruction unit 35 transmits an off instruction along with the designation of the speakers to be turned off to the personal speaker 2 via the wireless interface unit 30 (S106). Then, this flow ends.

[0058] As a result, the personal speaker 2 switches the off target speaker designated by the off instruction to the off state.

[0059] On the other hand, if the volume levels of the test signals at all frequencies are equal to or greater than the predetermined value (NO in S104), this flow immediately ends.

[0060] One embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0061] In this embodiment, the personal speaker 2 is arranged with the speaker surface 200 facing the ceiling 4 so that the sound beams 203 output from the multiple directional speakers 201 are reflected by the ceiling 4 and reach the user's listening position. The wireless terminal 3 collects the sound beams 203 output from the multiple directional speakers 201 at the user's listening position, detects their volume levels, and turns off the directional speaker 201 that is the source of the sound beam 203 whose detected volume level is below a predetermined value. In this way, it is possible to turn off any directional speaker 201 among the multiple directional speakers 201 that outputs the sound beam 203 that is reflected by the ceiling 4 and heads toward a position other than the user's listening position. Therefore, this embodiment can provide a video conference system that is suitable for audio conferences in an environment where a third party is present nearby.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the personal speaker 2 has an inclination adjustment mechanism 21 for adjusting the inclination of the speaker surface 200 (the angle of inclination relative to the ceiling 4), so that the inclination of the speaker surface 200 can be adjusted so that the sound beam 203 output from the speaker surface 200 is reflected by the ceiling 4 and reliably reaches the user's listening position. This increases the degree of freedom in installing the personal speaker 2, improving convenience.

[0063] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0064] For example, in the above embodiment, the personal speaker 2 outputs, from the speaker surface 200, an audio beam 203 of a test signal having a different frequency for each directional speaker 201 constituting the speaker array 20. The wireless terminal 3 then detects the volume level of each frequency of the test signal output from each directional speaker 201 constituting the speaker array 20, identifies the directional speaker 201 that is the output source of the audio beam 203 of the test signal whose volume level is below a predetermined value, and determines this identified directional speaker 201 as the speaker to be turned off. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0065] The personal speaker 2 may output sound beams 203 of test signals of the same frequency in a predetermined order from a plurality of directional speakers 201 constituting the speaker array 20. The wireless terminal 3 may then detect the volume levels of the sound beams 203 of test signals output in a predetermined order from a plurality of directional speakers 201 constituting the speaker array 20, identify a directional speaker 201 that is the output source of the sound beams 203 of test signals whose volume level is less than a predetermined value, and determine this identified directional speaker 201 as a speaker to be turned off.

[0066] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the wireless terminal 3 executes the sound leakage prevention process in response to an operation to transition the personal speaker 2 to the test mode, but the sound leakage prevention process may also be executed at a predetermined timing, such as when the personal speaker 2 is started up.

[0067] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a personal speaker 2 a that is a modified example of the personal speaker 2 .

[0068] This personal speaker 2a differs from the personal speaker 2 shown in Fig. 2 in that a test signal generating unit 23a is used instead of the test signal generating unit 23, and a switching unit 240a is used instead of the switching unit 240. The rest of the configuration is basically the same as that of the personal speaker 2.

[0069] The test signal generating unit 23 a generates test signals of the same frequency for the plurality of directional speakers 201 that make up the speaker array 20 .

[0070] In the normal mode, the switching unit 240a connects the speaker array 20 so as to output the conference audio data transmitted from the video conference terminal 1 via the wireless interface unit 22. When a test start instruction is received from the wireless terminal 3 via the wireless interface unit 22, the switching unit 240a transitions to the test mode, causes the test signal generating unit 23a to generate test signals of the same frequency for the multiple directional speakers 201 constituting the speaker array 20, and switches the connection of the speaker array 20 so that the test signals generated by the test signal generating unit 23a are output in a predetermined order from the multiple directional speakers 201. Thereafter, when a test end instruction is received from the wireless terminal 3 via the wireless interface unit 22, the switching unit 240a returns to the normal mode.

[0071] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a wireless terminal 3a, which is a modified example of the wireless terminal 3. In FIG.

[0072] 4 in that a test analysis unit 34a is used instead of the test analysis unit 34. The rest of the configuration is basically the same as that of the wireless terminal 3.

[0073] The test analysis unit 34a detects the volume level of the sound beam 203 of the sound collection unit 33 for each sound beam 203 of the test signal output in sequence from the plurality of directional speakers 201 that make up the speaker array 20. The test analysis unit 34a also stores a table in which the output order of the test signal is registered for each of the directional speakers 201 that make up the speaker array 20, and when the test analysis unit 34a detects a sound beam 203 of the test signal whose volume level is less than a predetermined value, the test analysis unit 34a identifies, based on this table, the directional speaker 201 linked to the detection order (output order of the test signal) of this sound beam 203 as the output source of the sound beam of the test signal whose volume level is less than the predetermined value, and determines this directional speaker 201 as the speaker to be turned off.

[0074] In this way, test signal sound beams 203 of the same frequency are output from the multiple directional speakers 201 that make up the speaker array 20 in a predetermined order, and sound is collected sequentially at the user's listening position, the volume level of each test signal sound beam 203 is detected, and even if a directional speaker 201 that is the output source of a test signal sound beam 203 whose volume level is below a predetermined value is determined to be the speaker to be turned off, it is possible to achieve the same effect as the above embodiment in which test signals of different frequencies are output simultaneously from the multiple directional speakers 201.

[0075] Here, instead of the audio beam 203 of the test signal, the audio beam 203 of the conference audio data sent from the video conference terminal 1 may be output from the plurality of directional speakers 201 in a predetermined order and collected at the user's listening position, thereby sequentially detecting the volume level of each of the audio beams 203 of the conference audio data output in a predetermined order from the plurality of directional speakers 201. When an audio beam 203 of the conference audio data with a volume level below a predetermined value is detected, the directional speaker 201 that is the output source is determined as a speaker to be turned off using the above table, thereby making it possible to determine a speaker to be turned off while the audio conference is being held.

[0076] In the above-described embodiment and its modified examples, the wireless terminal 3, 3a placed at the user's listening position collects the sound beams 203 output from the multiple directional speakers 201 constituting the speaker array 20 of the personal speakers 2, 2a and detects their volume levels. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the wireless terminal 3, 3a may be placed at a position other than the user's listening position. Of the sound beams 210 output from the multiple directional speakers 201, sound beams 203 scattered over a wide area due to irregularities in the ceiling 4 or the like are likely to be detected at a certain volume level in positions surrounding the user's listening position. Therefore, the wireless terminal 3, 3a placed at a position surrounding the user's listening position may collect the sound beams 203 output from the multiple directional speakers 201 of the personal speakers 2, 2a and detect their volume levels, and identify the source of the sound beam 203 (a directional speaker 201 that may be leaking sound) whose volume level is detected to be above a predetermined value as a speaker to be turned off. Even in this way, it is possible to turn off the directional speaker 201 among the multiple directional speakers 201 that make up the speaker array 20, which outputs an audio beam 203 that is reflected by the ceiling 4 and heads toward a position other than the user's listening position.

[0077] In the above-described embodiment and its modified examples, the tilt adjustment mechanism 21 of the personal speaker 2, 2a includes an adjuster bolt 212 and a ball joint 211 that connects the end of the adjuster bolt 212 to the edge of the rear surface 210 of the housing 202. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The tilt adjustment mechanism 21 may be any mechanism that can adjust the tilt of the speaker surface 200 (the tilt angle with respect to the ceiling 4). For example, a hinge, a ratchet, or the like may be used instead of the ball joint 211. Alternatively, the personal speaker 2, 2a may be provided with a drive mechanism such as a motor that drives the tilt adjustment mechanism 21, and the wireless terminal 3, 3a may control the drive mechanism in response to a user instruction to adjust the tilt of the speaker surface 200. Alternatively, the wireless terminal 3, 3a may control the drive mechanism to automatically adjust the tilt of the speaker surface 200 to an optimum angle, for example, after a speaker to be turned off is turned off. For example, the wireless terminal 3, 3a outputs a test signal or conference audio data from the personal speaker 2, 2a while changing the tilt of the speaker surface 200, picks up the sound at the user's listening position or a position around the listening position, and detects the volume level.The tilt of the speaker surface 200 is then automatically adjusted so that the detected volume level is maximized (when the wireless terminal 3, 3a is placed at the user's listening position) or minimized (when the wireless terminal 3, 3a is placed around the user's listening position).In this way, the tilt of the speaker surface 200 of the personal speaker 2, 2a can be automatically adjusted to an optimal tilt angle that minimizes sound leakage.

[0078] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and its modified examples, if a directional speaker 201 that may be leaking sound is included among the multiple directional speakers 201, the directional speaker 201 is switched off. However, when a directional speaker 201 is switched off, the output volume levels of the other directional speakers 201 may be increased by a predetermined value. This makes it possible to suppress fluctuations in the volume of the synthesized sound even if the number of directional speakers 201 that are on changes. Therefore, for example, during an audio conference or while listening to music, even if the number of directional speakers 201 that are on changes due to the above processing, the user will not be aware of a decrease in volume.

[0079] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and its modified examples, the sound beam 203 output from the multiple directional speakers is reflected by the ceiling 4, but it may be reflected by any suitable surface other than the ceiling 4 that exists in the indoor or outdoor space where the personal speakers 2, 2a are placed.

[0080] Furthermore, while the above embodiment and its modifications have been described with reference to an example in which the present invention is applied to a video conference system, the present invention is not limited thereto and can be applied to other speaker systems. The present invention can also be applied to an audio system that outputs music data received from an audio device from personal speakers 2, 2a. In this case, an audio system suitable for listening to music in an environment where third parties are present can be provided. Furthermore, in this case, by integrating personal speakers 2, 2a with the audio device, the audio device can play music data downloaded from a media server in accordance with instructions from wireless terminals 3, 3a and output the playback data from multiple directional speakers 201 that make up speaker array 20.

[0081] 1: Video conference terminal 2, 2a: Personal speaker 3, 3a: Wireless terminal 4: Ceiling 5: Desk 20: Speaker array 21: Tilt adjustment mechanism 22, 30: Wireless interface unit 23, 23a: Test signal generation unit 24: Main control unit 31: Man-machine interface unit 32: Test instruction unit 33: Sound collection unit 34, 34a: Test analysis unit 35: Off instruction unit 36: Main control unit 200: Speaker surface 201: Directional speaker 202: Housing 203: Sound beam 210: Back surface of housing (opposite side to speaker surface) 211: Ball joint 212: Adjuster bolt 240, 240a: Switching unit 241: On / off unit

Claims

1. A speaker system comprising a speaker and a wireless terminal that functions as a speaker controller, wherein the speaker comprises: a plurality of directional speakers arranged in an array on a speaker surface; a generation means for generating audio data of a different frequency for each of the directional speakers; an output means for outputting the audio data generated for each of the directional speakers by the generation means from each of the corresponding directional speakers in accordance with an instruction from the wireless terminal; and an on / off means for controlling the on / off of each of the directional speakers in accordance with an instruction from the wireless terminal, wherein the wireless terminal comprises: an instruction means for instructing the speaker to output audio data of a different frequency for each of the directional speakers; an audio collection means for collecting the audio data output from the plurality of directional speakers at a different frequency for each of the directional speakers; and an analysis means for analyzing the volume level of the collected signal collected by the audio collection means for each frequency of the audio data output from the directional speakers. and an off instruction means for instructing the speaker to turn off the directional speaker that is an output source of audio data whose volume level analyzed by the analysis means is less than a predetermined value or greater than a predetermined value.

2. A speaker system comprising a speaker and a wireless terminal that functions as a speaker controller, wherein the speaker comprises: a plurality of directional speakers arranged in an array on a speaker surface; output means for outputting audio data input from outside or generated internally from the plurality of directional speakers in a predetermined order in accordance with instructions from the wireless terminal; and on / off means for controlling the on / off of each of the directional speakers in accordance with instructions from the wireless terminal, wherein the wireless terminal comprises: instruction means for instructing the speaker to output the audio data from the plurality of directional speakers in the predetermined order; sound collection means for collecting the audio data output from the plurality of directional speakers in the predetermined order; and analysis means for analyzing the volume level of the picked-up signal of each of the audio data output from the plurality of directional speakers in the predetermined order and picked up sequentially by the sound collection means. and an off instruction means for instructing the speaker to turn off the directional speaker that is an output source of audio data whose volume level analyzed by the analysis means is less than a predetermined value or greater than a predetermined value.

3. A speaker comprising: a plurality of directional speakers arranged in an array on a speaker surface; a generation means for generating audio data of different frequencies for each of the directional speakers; an output means for outputting the audio data generated for each of the directional speakers by the generation means from each of the corresponding directional speakers in accordance with instructions from a wireless terminal functioning as a controller; and an on / off means for controlling the on / off of each of the directional speakers in accordance with instructions from the wireless terminal.

4. A speaker comprising: a plurality of directional speakers arranged in an array on a speaker surface; output means for outputting audio data input from outside or generated internally from the plurality of directional speakers in a predetermined order in accordance with instructions from a wireless terminal functioning as a controller; and on / off means for controlling the on / off of each of the directional speakers in accordance with instructions from the wireless terminal.

5. A speaker as claimed in claim 3 or 4, further comprising an angle adjustment mechanism for adjusting the inclination angle of the speaker surface.

6. A wireless terminal functioning as a controller for a speaker having a plurality of directional speakers arranged in an array on a speaker surface, comprising: instruction means for instructing the speakers to output audio data at a different frequency for each of the directional speakers; sound collection means for collecting the audio data output from the plurality of directional speakers at a different frequency for each of the directional speakers; analysis means for analyzing the volume level of the collected signal collected by the sound collection means for each frequency of the audio data output from the directional speakers; and off instruction means for instructing the speaker to turn off the directional speaker that is the output source of audio data whose volume level analyzed by the analysis means is below a predetermined value or above a predetermined value.

7. A wireless terminal that functions as a controller for a speaker having a plurality of directional speakers arranged in an array on a speaker surface, comprising: instruction means for instructing the speaker to output audio data from the plurality of directional speakers in a predetermined order; sound collection means for collecting the audio data output from the plurality of directional speakers in the predetermined order; analysis means for analyzing the volume level of the picked-up signal of each of the audio data output from the plurality of directional speakers in the predetermined order and collected sequentially by the sound collection means; and off instruction means for instructing the speaker to turn off the directional speaker that is the output source of audio data whose volume level analyzed by the analysis means is below a predetermined value or above a predetermined value.

8. A program that causes a computer to function as a speaker controller having a plurality of directional speakers arranged in an array on a speaker surface, comprising: an instruction means for instructing the speakers to output audio data at a different frequency for each of the directional speakers; an audio collection means for collecting the audio data output from the plurality of directional speakers at a different frequency for each of the directional speakers; an analysis means for analyzing the volume level of the collected signal collected by the audio collection means for each frequency of the audio data output from the directional speakers; and an off instruction means for instructing the speakers to turn off the directional speakers that are the output source of audio data whose volume level analyzed by the analysis means is below a predetermined value or above a predetermined value.

9. A program that causes a computer to function as a controller for a speaker having a plurality of directional speakers arranged in an array on a speaker surface, comprising: an instruction means for instructing the speaker to output audio data from the plurality of directional speakers in a predetermined order; a sound collection means for collecting the audio data output from the plurality of directional speakers in the predetermined order; an analysis means for analyzing the volume level of a picked-up signal of each of the audio data output from the plurality of directional speakers in the predetermined order and collected by the sound collection means; and an off instruction means for instructing the speaker to turn off the directional speaker that is the output source of audio data whose volume level analyzed by the analysis means is less than a predetermined value or greater than a predetermined value.

Images