JP2008042261A - Sound emitting and collecting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sound emitting and collecting apparatus capable of positively emitting, collecting or emitting and collecting sounds in a direction designated by a user. <P>SOLUTION: In the sound emitting collecting apparatus 1, direction buttons 12 are disposed radially around the center of an apparatus enclosure, and the direction buttons 12a-12p corresponding to designated directions. Upon the depression of each of the direction buttons 12, the apparatus 1 is brought into a sound emitting collecting designation state in a designated direction corresponding to the depressed direction button 12, and into a state capable of emitting, collecting or emitting and collecting sounds. Further, when a direction button 12 corresponding to the designated direction of the sound emitting collecting designation state, the apparatus 1 releases the sound emitting collecting designation state in a corresponding direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sound emission and collection device that can perform sound emission, sound collection, or state of sound emission and collection in a direction designated by a user.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method for conducting a conference between remote locations, a method of communicating a sound signal by arranging a sound emitting and collecting device at each location where a conference is performed and connecting these devices via a network is often used. Various kinds of sound emission and collection devices used for such conferences have been devised.

The video conference system of Patent Document 1 detects the positions of participants using a plurality of sensors. When the position of the participant is detected, sound is emitted and collected in the direction in which the participant is detected. Further, when the participant moves during the conference, the movement of the participant is detected and the sound emission and collection destination is changed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-041228

  However, since the video conference system of Patent Document 1 requires a plurality of sensors, the cost of the system increases. In addition, the position of the participant cannot be detected correctly due to a measurement error or malfunction of the sensor.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a sound emission and collection device that can reliably emit and collect sound in a direction specified by a user.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided sound emitting and collecting means capable of emitting sound and collecting sound with directivity for each of a plurality of designated directions, and the sound emitting and collecting means. And a sound emission / collection sound control means for controlling the setting / release of the sound emission / collection sound designation state, and a plurality of sound emission / collection sound control means provided in association with the plurality of designated directions, respectively, The sound emission and collection device is configured to detect the pressing of the direction button, set the corresponding designated direction to the sound emission and collection designation state, and emit and collect the sound. The sound means emits and collects sound in the designated direction.

  In this configuration, you can set / cancel the release / collection sound designation state by pressing the direction buttons corresponding to multiple designation directions. Pressing the azimuth button on the sound emission / collection device that can emit and / or collect sound by holding the sound emission / collection designation state in the designated direction indicated by each azimuth button Set and emit sound with directivity.

  As a result, the user can enter a state in which sound can be emitted by pressing the direction button corresponding to the direction in which the sound is desired to be emitted. For example, by disposing a plurality of azimuth buttons from the approximate center of the apparatus casing in the corresponding designated direction, the designated direction corresponding to each azimuth button becomes clear. As a result, the user can recognize at a glance the direction buttons corresponding to the direction in which he / she wants to emit and collect sound, and the direction in which he / she does not want to emit / collect sound. be able to.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the sound emission and collection control means detects pressing of a direction button, sets a corresponding designated direction to a sound emission and designation designation state, and emits sound in the designated direction to the sound emission and collection means. It is characterized by letting only be performed.

  In this configuration, by pressing the azimuth button, a sound emission / collection designation state in a designated direction indicated by each azimuth button is set, and sound is emitted with directivity. Thereby, the user can make the designated direction into a state capable of sound emission by pressing the direction button corresponding to the direction in which the sound is desired to be emitted.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the sound emission and collection control means detects pressing of a direction button, sets a corresponding designated direction to a sound emission and collection designated state, and collects sound in the designated direction in the sound emission and collection means. It is characterized by letting only be performed.

  In this configuration, by pressing the direction button, a sound emission / collection designation state in a designated direction designated by each direction button is set, and sound is collected with directivity. Thereby, the user can make the designated direction into a state in which sound can be collected by pressing a direction button corresponding to the direction in which the sound is desired to be collected.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the sound emission / collection control means detects that the direction button in the sound emission / collection designation state is pressed again, and displays the sound emission / collection designation state in the designated direction corresponding to the corresponding direction button. It is characterized by releasing.

  In this configuration, when the release button for the direction button is detected while the sound emission specification state is set, the sound emission specification state in the specified direction indicated by each direction button is canceled, and Or stop sound emission. As a result, the user presses the direction button corresponding to the direction in which sound emission, sound collection or sound emission is not desired, so that the designated direction is not sounded, sound collected or sound emission is not performed. Can do.

  The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the plurality of azimuth buttons include light emitting means that emits light when the sound emission / collection sound designation state is set and does not emit light when the sound emission / collection sound designation state is canceled.

  In this configuration, each of the plurality of azimuth buttons emits light when the sound emission / collection sound designation state is set, and does not emit light when the sound emission / collection sound designation state is canceled. As a result, the direction button in a state where sound emission, sound collection or sound collection is possible is clarified, so that the user can see at a glance the designated direction set to sound emission, sound collection or sound collection possible. Recognize.

  The invention of claim 6 includes a plurality of separation operation azimuth buttons equivalent to the plurality of azimuth buttons, and designation signal transmission means for transmitting a azimuth button designation signal corresponding to the pressed separation operation azimuth button. A remote operation device is provided, and the sound emission / collection control means receives the direction button designation signal and sets / releases the sound emission / collection designation state.

  In this configuration, the remote control device is also provided with a plurality of direction buttons corresponding to the designated direction. When the azimuth button provided on the remote control device is pressed, the remote control device transmits a signal related to the pressed azimuth button to the device main body. The apparatus main body is set to a release / collection sound designation state or a release / collection sound designation state release state according to the received signal. As a result, the user can operate the remote control device at a location away from the device main body to set the sound emission, sound collection, or direction in which sound can be collected. You don't have to.

  The invention of claim 7 includes an omnidirectional sound collection stop button for setting / releasing sound collection stop in all directions, and detecting the pressing of the omnidirectional sound collection stop button to stop sound collection from all directions. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the re-pressing of the omnidirectional sound pickup stop button is detected and the state before the omnidirectional sound pickup stop button is pressed is returned.

  In this configuration, when the omnidirectional sound collection stop button is pressed, sound collection from all directions is stopped or sound collection is resumed. As a result, the user can consult only on his / her own device without knowing the contents of the conversation from the remote participants.

As described above, according to the present invention, the designated direction corresponding to each azimuth button is clear, and by pressing the azimuth button, sound emission, sound collection, sound emission possible state, or impossible state is achieved. Can be easily done.
In other words, it is possible to easily and reliably set whether to emit sound, collect sound, or emit sound in the direction specified by the user.

[First embodiment]
A sound emission and collection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1A is a plan view of the sound emission and collection device 1. FIG. 1B is a partially enlarged view of the sound emission and collection device 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a sound emission / collection function of the sound emission / collection apparatus 1.
As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, the sound emission and collection device 1 of the present embodiment includes an operation unit 11, an orientation instruction unit 20, an input / output connector 14, a speaker array 15 (speakers 15a to 15p). ), Microphone array 16 (microphones 16a to 16p), 17 (microphones 17a to 17p), and the like. In addition, functionally, it includes an operation unit 11, a direction instruction unit 20, a communication unit 21, a direction control unit 22, a voice control unit 23, a speaker array 15, and microphone arrays 16 and 17.

The operation unit 11 includes a plurality of buttons and a display screen, and starts and stops the sound emitting and collecting device 1, specifies a sound emitting and collecting device to be connected, registers a participant, specifies a sound emitting and collecting destination, and sets a sound collecting volume. Various settings such as adjustment can be made. The operation unit 11 includes an execution mode designation button for designating both the sound emission destination only, the sound collection destination only, and the sound emission / collection destination by the direction instruction unit 20. Specifically, both the sound emission mode in which only the sound collection destination is designated by the direction instruction unit 20, the sound collection mode in which only the sound collection destination is designated by the direction instruction unit 20, and the sound collection destination by the direction instruction unit 20 are designated. The specified sound emission / collection mode. For example, if the sound emission / collection device 1 is set to the sound emission / collection mode so as to specify both of the sound emission / collection by default, the sound emission / collection sound can be smoothly output to the participant in the initial state. it can. Then, when the participant designates the sound emission mode or the execution mode of the sound collection mode with the operation unit 11, it is possible to select only sound emission or only sound collection.
In addition, the operation unit 11 is connected to the direction control unit 22 and the voice control unit 23, and receives an operation input from the participant, and the connected sound emitting and collecting device information, the sound emitting destination, the sound collecting destination, and the sound emitting destination. Information such as the operation content including the sound volume is output to the direction control unit 22 and the voice control unit 23, and the operation content and the execution mode are displayed on the display screen.

The azimuth instruction unit 20 includes an azimuth button 12 (12a to 12j) and an omnidirectional sound pickup stop button 13. The azimuth instruction unit 20 is connected to the direction control unit 22, receives an operation input from the participant by the azimuth button 12 or the omnidirectional sound pickup stop button 13, and outputs azimuth information to the direction control unit 22. Sets / cancels the sound emission / receipt specified state for the direction specified by the participant.
Specifically, the direction buttons 12 are installed corresponding to the designated directions. In this embodiment, the azimuth | direction button 12 is arrange | positioned radially centering on the approximate center of an apparatus housing | casing. When the directional button 12 is pressed to set the sound emission / collection designated state, the sound emission / collection device 1 is in a state capable of sound emission, sound collection, or sound emission / collection in the designated direction.
Further, the direction button 12 includes a light emitter such as an LED, and emits light when setting the sound emission / collection designation state, and does not emit light when releasing the sound emission / collection designation state. Thereby, the participant can easily know in which direction the sound emitting and collecting apparatus 1 can emit sound, can collect sound, or can emit and collect sound.
The direction button 12 only needs to be able to clearly specify the designated direction of the sound emitting and collecting apparatus 1, so that the direction button 12 is not limited to 10 and is according to the sound emitting and collecting specifications as long as it is arranged radially about the approximate center of the apparatus housing. Any number may be used, and it is not necessary to emit light.

  In the following, the direction button 12 and the omnidirectional sound collection are divided into cases where the execution mode of the sound emission and collection device 1 is set to (1) sound emission mode, (2) sound collection mode, and (3) sound emission / collection mode. The operation of the sound emission and collection device 1 when the stop button 13 is pressed and the processing of the direction control unit 22 and the voice control unit 23 at that time will be described.

(1) In the sound emission mode in which the sound emission destination is designated by the direction instruction unit When the direction button 12 is pressed, the sound emission and collection device 1 enters the sound emission and sound collection designation state, and the input sound signal is input to the direction button. The sound is emitted to the designated direction corresponding to 12. When the azimuth button 12 is pressed again, the sound emission and collection device 1 cancels the sound emission / collection designation state and stops sound emission in the designated direction.

  When the omnidirectional sound collection stop button 13 is pressed, the omnidirectional sound collection stop button 13 emits light, stops sound collection from all directions, and corresponds to the azimuth button 12 set to the sound emission / collection designated state. Sounds in the specified direction. When the omnidirectional sound collection stop button 13 is pressed again, sound collection is started.

  At this time, the direction control unit 22 generates a direction signal (designated as the sound emission destination of each speaker 15a to 15p) generated from the operation input content (such as the sound emission destination Dir) input from the operation unit 11 and the direction instruction unit 20. DS) is output to the voice control unit 23.

The voice control unit 23 is a digital voice input from the communication unit 21 based on the operation input content (such as the sound output volume Vol) input from the operation unit 11 and the direction signal (DS) input from the direction control unit 22. The sound output directivity control, D / A conversion, amplification, etc. specific to each speaker 15a-15p of the speaker array 15 are performed on the signal (SD), and the generated analog audio signal (SA) is converted to each speaker of the speaker array 15. Output to 15a to 15p.
When the analog audio signal (SA) is input from the microphone arrays 16 and 17, the audio control unit 23 performs amplification, A / D conversion, sound collection directivity control, and the like on the analog audio signal (SA). The digital audio signal (SD) generated by adding the operation input content (such as connection destination sound emitting and collecting device information App) input from the operation unit 11 is output to the communication unit 21.

(2) In the sound collection mode in which the sound collection destination is designated by the direction instructing unit When the direction button 12 is pressed, the sound emission and collection device 1 enters the sound emission and collection designated state, and the designated direction corresponding to the direction button 12 The audio signal picked up from is output. When the azimuth button 12 is pressed again, the sound emission and collection device 1 cancels the sound emission and collection designation state, and does not output the audio signal collected from the designated direction.

  When the omnidirectional sound collection stop button 13 is pressed while the azimuth button 12 is pressed, the omnidirectional sound collection stop button 13 emits light and stops collecting sound from all directions. When the omnidirectional sound collection stop button 13 is pressed again, sound collection from the designated direction corresponding to the azimuth button 12 set to the sound emission collection designated state is started.

  At this time, the direction control unit 22 generates the audio signals collected by the microphones 16a to 16p and 17a to 17p, which are generated from the operation input contents (such as the sound collection destination Dir) input from the operation unit 11 and the direction instruction unit 20. A direction signal (DS) designating whether or not to output is output to the voice control unit 23.

When an analog audio signal (SA) is input from the microphone arrays 16 and 17, the audio control unit 23 performs amplification and A / D conversion on the analog audio signal (SA), and performs sound collection directivity control and the like. Do. The voice control unit 23 selects a signal to be output to the communication unit 21 based on the direction signal (DS) input from the direction control unit 22. Then, the voice control unit 23 extracts the corresponding signal and communicates the digital voice signal (SD) generated by adding the operation input content (such as connection destination sound emitting and collecting device information App) input from the operation unit 11. To the unit 21.
The sound control unit 23 performs sound emission directivity control, D / A conversion, amplification, etc. specific to each speaker 15a to 15p of the speaker array 15 on the digital sound signal (SD) input from the communication unit 21. The generated analog audio signal (SA) is output to the speaker array 15.

(3) In the case of the sound emission / collection mode in which the sound emission / acquisition destination is designated by the direction instruction section When the direction button 12 is pressed, the sound emission / collection device 1 enters the sound emission / collection designation state, and the input audio signal is Sound is emitted in a designated direction corresponding to the direction button 12, and an audio signal picked up from the designated direction is output. When the azimuth button 12 is pressed again, the sound emitting and collecting apparatus 1 cancels the sound emitting / collecting designated state, stops sound emission in the designated direction, and does not output a sound signal collected from the designated direction.

  When the omnidirectional sound collection stop button 13 is pressed, the omnidirectional sound collection stop button 13 emits light, stops sound collection from all directions, and corresponds to the azimuth button 12 set to the sound emission / collection designated state. Sounds in the specified direction. When the omnidirectional sound collection stop button 13 is pressed again, sound collection from the direction corresponding to the direction button 12 set to the sound emission / collection designation state is started and sound emission / collection is performed in the corresponding designated direction.

  At this time, the direction control unit 22 generates the speakers 15 a to 15 p and the microphones 16 a to 16 p and 17 a generated from the operation input contents (such as the sound collection destination Dir) input from the operation unit 11 and the sound emission operation unit 20. A direction signal (DS) for designating a sound emission / collection destination of ˜17p is output to the voice control unit 23.

The voice control unit 23 is a digital voice input from the communication unit 21 based on the operation input content (such as the sound output volume Vol) input from the operation unit 11 and the direction signal (DS) input from the direction control unit 22. An analog audio signal (SA) generated by performing sound emission directivity control, D / A conversion, amplification and the like specific to each of the speakers 15 a to 15 p of the speaker array 15 is output to the speaker array 15.
In addition, when an analog audio signal (SA) is input from the microphone arrays 16 and 17, the audio control unit 23 performs amplification and A / D conversion on the analog audio signal (SA) to control sound collection directivity. Etc. Then, the voice control unit 23 extracts a signal corresponding to the direction signal (DS) input from the direction control unit 22, and the operation input content input from the operation unit 11 (connection destination sound emitting and collecting device information App and the like). The digital audio signal (SD) generated by adding is output to the communication unit 21.

Regardless of the execution mode of the sound emission and collection device 1, when the omnidirectional sound collection stop button 13 is pressed and held, the omnidirectional sound is set to the sound emission and collection designation state, and sound emission and collection in all directions is started. . When the omnidirectional sound collection stop button 13 is pressed and held again, the state before the long press of the omnidirectional sound collection stop button 13 is restored.
For example, when the execution mode is set to the sound emission mode, sound collection from all directions and sound emission in the designated direction are performed. In this state, if you press and hold the omnidirectional sound emission / collection stop button 13, the sound emission / collection designation state is set for all directions, and sound emission in all directions is started. Will do.

Note that, regardless of the execution mode of the sound emission and collection device 1, when the omnidirectional sound collection stop button 13 is pressed, only the omnidirectional sound collection stop button 13 is caused to emit light, but this is not a limitation. For example, the omnidirectional sound pickup stop button 13 may be turned off without causing the omnidirectional sound pickup stop button 13 to emit light, or the omnidirectional sound pickup stop button 13 may be turned on or blinked. The azimuth button 12 being turned on may stop emitting light or blink.
Further, the light emitting states of the azimuth designation button 12 and the omnidirectional sound collection stop button 13 may be changed by pressing the omnidirectional sound collection stop button 13 and pressing it for a long time. Thereby, the participant can know the sound emission and collection state of the sound emission and collection device 1.

Next, the input / output connector 14, the speaker array 15, the microphone arrays 16 and 17, and the communication unit 21 that are common configurations regardless of the execution mode of the sound emission and collection device 1 will be described.
The input / output connector 14 includes a LAN interface, an analog audio input terminal, an analog audio output terminal, a digital audio input / output terminal, and the like. The input / output connector 14 is connected to the communication unit 21.

  The speaker array 15 includes a plurality of omnidirectional speakers 15a to 15p on the back surface of the sound emitting and collecting apparatus 1, and converts an analog audio signal (SA) input from the audio control unit 23 into audio and releases it. Sound. The speaker array 15 may be composed of directional speakers.

  The microphone arrays 16 and 17 are composed of a plurality of microphones 16a to 16p and 17a to 17p on both sides of the sound emission and collection device 1, and the sound collected by the microphone arrays 16 and 17 is electrically converted to an analog audio signal ( SA) is generated and output to the voice control unit 23.

The communication unit 21 converts the audio data (VD) received from the connected sound emission and collection device via the input / output connector 14 from a data format (protocol) corresponding to the network to a digital audio signal (SD). This is given to the voice control unit 23.
Further, the communication unit 21 converts the digital audio signal (SD) input from the audio control unit 23 into audio data (VD) in a data format (protocol) corresponding to the network, and via the input / output connector 14, It transmits to the connected sound emission and collection device.

Next, a usage example of the sound emission and collection device that performs such a configuration and processing will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the following examples are a part of usage methods, and the configuration and processing of the present invention can be applied to similar usage methods.
3-5 is the figure which is implementing the meeting between remote places using the sound emission and collection apparatus 1. FIG. 3 (A), 4 (A), and 5 (A) are when the conference starts, and FIGS. 3 (B), 4 (B), and 5 (B) are the seat movements of the participant 4a and the participant 4d. Indicates the point in time when participation occurred.

3A, 4A, and 5A, a sound emitting and collecting apparatus 1 installed in a conference room is a sound emitting and collecting apparatus (not shown) installed at a remote location via the Internet 3. Connected. The sound emission and collection device 1 collects the pronunciation of the participant 4 (4a to 4c), generates the audio data including the audio signal by performing the processing as described above, and sends it to the remote sound emission and collection device. Send audio data. In addition, an audio signal is emitted toward the participant 4 based on the audio data received from the remote sound emitting and collecting device.
In the following, usage examples will be shown separately when the execution mode of the sound emission and collection device 1 is set to (1) sound emission mode, (2) sound collection mode, and (3) sound emission / collection mode.

(1) In the case of the sound emission mode in which the sound emission destination is designated by the direction instructing unit Before the conference starts, the participant 4a operates the operation unit 11 of the sound emission / collection device 1 to output the sound emission / collection device of the conference partner. And setting the execution mode of the sound emission and collection device 1 to the sound emission mode, and then using the direction button 12 to emit sound in the direction of the participants 4a to 4c participating in the conference first. Make preparations such as setting the sound collection designation state.

As shown in FIG. 3B, when the participant 4a moves in the middle of the meeting or when the participant 4d joins in the middle, it is necessary to change or newly set the sound emission destination of the sound emission and collection device 1. Therefore, the corresponding participant 4 presses the direction button 12 to change the sound emission destination. Regarding the seat movement of the participant 4a, the participant 4a presses the direction button 12a to cancel the sound emission / collection designation state in the designated direction 120a. Further, the participant 4a presses the direction button 12b to set the sound emission / collection designation state in the designated direction 120b. In addition, for the participant 4d participating midway, the participant 4a presses the direction button 12j to newly set the sound emission / collection designation state in the designated direction 120j.
Each participant 4 may change the sound emission destination by operating the operation unit 11. Further, the moved participant 4a does not necessarily have to press the direction button 12 to give an instruction.

  As described above, in the sound emission and collection device 1 according to the present embodiment, the participant 4 can easily perform new setting or change of the sound emission destination by simply pressing the direction button 12 corresponding to the designated direction to be emitted. Can do. Thereby, the sound emission and collection device 1 can reliably emit sound in the direction designated by the participant 4.

(2) In the case of the sound collection mode in which the sound collection destination is designated by the direction instruction unit Before the conference starts, the participant 4a operates the operation unit 11 of the sound emission and collection device 1 to release the sound collection device of the other party. And setting the execution mode of the sound emission and collection device 1 to the sound collection mode, and using the direction button 12 or the like so as to collect sound from the direction of the participants 4a to 4c participating in the conference first. Make preparations such as setting the release / collection sound designation state.

As shown in FIG. 4B, when the participant 4a moves in the middle of the meeting or the participant 4d joins in the middle of the conference, it is necessary to change or newly set the sound collection destination of the sound emission and collection device 1. Therefore, the corresponding participant 4 presses the direction button 12 to change the sound collection destination. Regarding the seat movement of the participant 4a, the participant 4a presses the direction button 12a to cancel the sound emission / collection designation state in the designated direction 120a. Further, the participant 4a presses the direction button 12b to set the sound emission / collection designation state in the designated direction 120b. In addition, for the participant 4d participating midway, the participant 4a presses the direction button 12j to newly set the sound emission / collection designation state in the designated direction 120j.
The participant 4 may change the sound collection destination by operating the operation unit 11. Further, the moved participant 4a does not necessarily have to press the direction button 12 to give an instruction.

  As described above, in the sound emission and collection device 1 according to the present embodiment, the participant 4 can easily perform new setting or change of the sound collection destination simply by pressing the direction button 12 corresponding to the designated direction in which sound collection is desired. it can. Thereby, the sound emission and collection device 1 can reliably collect sound from the direction designated by the participant 4.

(3) In the case of the sound emission / collection mode in which the sound emission / acquisition destination is designated by the azimuth instruction unit Before the conference starts, the participant 4a operates the operation unit 11 of the sound emission / collection device 1 to release the other party. While setting the sound device and setting the execution mode of the sound emitting and collecting device 1 to the sound emitting and collecting mode, the direction button 12 so as to emit and collect sound from the direction of the participants 4a to 4c participating in the conference first. Etc. are used to make preparations such as setting a sound emission / collection sound designation state.

As shown in FIG. 5B, when the participant 4a moves in the middle of the conference or when the participant 4d joins in the middle, it is necessary to change or newly set the sound emission and collection destination of the sound emission and collection device 1. Therefore, the corresponding participant 4 presses the direction button 12 to change the sound emission destination. Regarding the seat movement of the participant 4a, the participant 4a presses the direction button 12a to cancel the sound emission / collection designation state in the designated direction 120a. Further, the participant 4a presses the direction button 12b to set the sound emission / collection designation state in the designated direction 120b. In addition, for the participant 4d participating midway, the participant 4a presses the direction button 12j to newly set the sound emission / collection designation state in the designated direction 120j.
Participant 4 may change the sound collection destination by operating operation unit 11. Further, the moved participant 4a does not necessarily have to press the direction button 12 to give an instruction.

  As described above, in the sound emission and collection device 1 according to the present embodiment, the participant 4 can easily set or change the sound emission and collection destination by simply pressing the direction button 12 corresponding to the designated direction to be emitted and collected. It can be carried out. Thereby, the sound emission and collection device 1 can reliably emit and collect sound in the direction designated by the participant 4.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the remote control 5 has the direction instruction unit 201 in addition to the direction instruction unit 20 of the sound emitting and collecting apparatus 1 main body.
FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a conference between remote locations using the sound emission and collection device 1 and the remote controller 5. FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram of the remote controller 5. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the sound emission and collection functions of the sound emission and collection device 1 and the remote controller 5.
In the present embodiment, the execution mode of the sound emission and collection device 1 is shown as the sound emission and collection mode in which the sound emission and collection destination is designated by the direction instruction units 20 and 201. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the direction instruction units 20 and 201 are not limited thereto. May be a sound emission mode in which only the sound collection destination is designated, or a sound collection mode in which only the sound collection destination is designated by the direction instruction units 20 and 201.

In FIG. 6A, the sound emitting and collecting apparatus 1 installed in the conference room is connected to a sound emitting and collecting apparatus (not shown) installed at a remote place via the Internet 3.
The sound emission and collection device 1 determines the sound emission and collection destination by the operation of the operation unit 11 and the direction instruction unit 20 of the sound emission and collection device 1 and the operation of the remote controller 5 by the participant 4 (4a to 4d). Note that one remote controller 5 may be used jointly or a plurality of remote controllers 5 may be used.

The remote controller 5 in FIG. 6B includes a signal transmission unit 51 and an azimuth instruction unit 201, and the azimuth instruction unit 201 includes an azimuth button 52 (52 a to 52 j) and an omnidirectional sound collection stop button 53.
When the various buttons 52 and 53 are pressed, the signal transmission unit 51 transmits a signal including the operation input content (such as the sound emission and collection destination Dir2) to the sound emission and collection device 1.

  The direction button 52 (52a to 52j) has the same function as the direction button 12 (12a to 12j) of the sound emitting and collecting apparatus 1. When the azimuth button 52b is pressed, the sound emission / collection device 1 enables sound emission / collection toward the participant 4a in the same manner as when the azimuth button 12b is pressed.

  The omnidirectional sound collection stop button 53 has the same function as the omnidirectional sound collection stop button 13 of the sound emission and collection device 1. When the omnidirectional sound collection stop button 53 is pressed, the sound emission and collection device 1 stops sound collection from all directions and emits sound in the designated direction corresponding to the direction button 12 set to the sound emission and collection designated state. When the omnidirectional sound collection stop button 53 is pressed again, sound collection from the direction corresponding to the azimuth button 12 set to the sound emission / collection designation state is started and sound emission / collection is performed in the corresponding designated direction.

As shown in FIG. 7, the remote controller 5 transmits the operation input contents (such as the sound emission and collection destination Dir2) of the remote control 5 to the direction control unit 22 of the sound emission and collection apparatus 1. When the direction control unit 22 receives the operation input content (such as the sound emission / collection destination Dir2) from the remote controller 5, each speaker 15a receives the operation input content (such as the sound emission / collection destination Dir2) specified by the direction instruction unit 201 of the remote control 5. ~ 15p, direction signals (DS) for designating the sound emission and collection destinations of the microphones 16a to 16p and 17a to 17p are generated and output to the voice control unit 23.
In the present embodiment, the remote controller 5 has only the function of the direction instruction unit 201, but the function of the operation unit 11 may be added.

  As described above, in the sound emitting and collecting apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the participant 4 operates the remote controller 5 without directly operating the sound emitting and collecting apparatus 1, thereby selecting the sound emitting and collecting destination of the sound emitting and collecting apparatus 1. Can be specified. For this reason, the participant 4 can designate the sound emission and collection destination on the spot without standing up.

It is a top view of the sound emission and collection apparatus 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the sound emission and collection function of the sound emission and collection apparatus 1 of this invention. It is the figure which is carrying out the meeting between remote places using the sound emission and collection device. It is the figure which is carrying out the meeting between remote places using the sound emission and collection device. It is the figure which is carrying out the meeting between remote places using the sound emission and collection device. It is the figure which is performing the meeting between remote places using the sound emission and collection apparatus 1 and the remote control 5. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the sound emission / collection function of the sound emission / collection apparatus 1 and the remote control 5. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1-Sound emission and collection device, 4 (4a to 4d)-Participant, 3-Internet, 5-Remote control, 11-Operation unit, 12 (12a-12j), 52 (52a-52j)-Direction buttons, 13, 53 -Omni-directional sound collection stop button, 14-I / O connector, 15 (15a-15p)-Speaker array, 16 (16a-16p), 17 (17a-17p)-Microphone array, 20-Direction indicator, 21-Communication Section, 22-direction control section, 23-voice control section, 51-signal transmission section, 120 (120a, 120b, 120j) -designated direction

Claims (7)

Sound emission and collection means capable of emitting sound and / or collecting sound with directivity for each of a plurality of designated directions;
Sound emission / collection control means for controlling setting / release of the sound emission / collection sound designation state for the sound emission / collection means,
A sound emitting and collecting device comprising a plurality of azimuth buttons provided in correspondence with the plurality of designated directions and installed at positions or orientations that indicate the corresponding designated directions,
The sound emission and collection control means detects a pressing of a direction button, sets a corresponding designated direction to a sound emission and collection designation state, and causes the sound emission and collection means to emit sound in the designated direction.   The sound emission / collection control means detects depression of a direction button, sets a corresponding designated direction to a sound emission / collection designation state, and causes the sound emission / collection means to only emit sound in the designated direction. Sound emission and collection device.   The sound emission / collection sound control means detects depression of a direction button, sets a corresponding designated direction to a sound emission / collection designation state, and causes the sound emission / collection means to perform only sound collection in the designated direction. Sound emission and collection device. The sound emission and collection control means detects that the direction button of the sound emission and collection designation state is pressed again,
The sound emission and collection device according to claim 1, wherein the sound emission and collection designation state in the designated direction corresponding to the corresponding direction button is canceled.   5. The sound emission and collection device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of azimuth buttons include light emitting means that emits light when a sound emission / collection sound designation state is set and does not emit light when the sound emission / collection sound designation state is canceled. A plurality of azimuth buttons for separating operation equivalent to the plurality of azimuth buttons;
A remote control device having a designation signal transmission means for transmitting a direction button designation signal corresponding to the pressed separation operation direction button,
The sound emission and collection device according to claim 1, wherein the sound emission and collection control means receives the direction button designation signal, and sets and cancels the sound emission and collection designation state. It has an omnidirectional sound collection stop button to set / cancel omnidirectional sound collection stop,
Detects pressing of the omnidirectional sound collection stop button, stops sound collection from all directions,
Furthermore, the sound emission and collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the re-pressing of the omnidirectional sound collection stop button is detected to return to a state before the omnidirectional sound collection stop button is pressed.

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