JP2006135688

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DESCRIPTION JP2006135688
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a teleconferencing system, an audio input / output device,
and an audio device, in which setting operation of a conference room is very easy and the
number of microphones and speakers can be easily changed even when the number of meeting
attendees is changed. Do. SOLUTION: A panel-type audio input / output device can be used by
selecting and using a condenser type device having a flat plate-like fixed electrode and a flat
plate-like diaphragm as either a speaker or a microphone. Configure as. In addition, the sound
input / output device can arrange a plurality of sound devices in a panel shape, and can change
the number and arrangement of the sound devices set in the speaker or the microphone
according to the position of the speaker or the listener. Configure. Furthermore, the
teleconferencing system is configured such that two or more sound input / output devices are
connected to each other, and the number and arrangement of sound devices set in the speaker or
the microphone can be changed according to the setting of the usage form. [Selected figure]
Figure 6
Acoustic device, acoustic input / output device, and teleconference system
[0001]
The present invention relates to an acoustic device that switches and operates a planar capacitor
type device as a speaker or a microphone, an acoustic input / output device including a plurality
of acoustic devices, and a teleconference system including a plurality of acoustic input / output
devices.
[0002]
04-05-2019
1
Various teleconferencing systems have been proposed for performing teleconferencing by
connecting so as to exchange audio and video between remote conference rooms.
In the teleconferencing system, a microphone is provided in each of the conference rooms to pick
up the voice spoken by the conference attendees, and a speaker is provided to emit the voice
picked up in the other conference room. The microphones and speakers are installed in the
following manners: a microphone for each attendee, a microphone for the entire conference
room, a speaker or an earphone for each attendee, a speaker for the entire conference room
Various forms can be considered.
[0003]
Among them, in the configuration in which microphones for each attendee are provided,
conventionally, one or more speakers are shared by a plurality of attendees without providing a
speaker for each attendee. For this reason, there is a problem that the sense of reality is not high
because the speaker who is shown on the display and the voice of the speaker come from
different positions.
[0004]
Therefore, in response to such a problem, a teleconferencing information transmitting apparatus
and an information receiving apparatus capable of realizing a teleconferencing full of sense of
reality using a single audio channel while providing a microphone and a speaker for each
meeting attendee are disclosed. (See, for example, Patent Document 1). JP 07-58859 A
[0005]
In the conventional teleconferencing system, multiple microphones and speakers must be
prepared according to the number of conference attendees, and wiring must be performed
according to the seat arrangement, and the number of conference attendees has changed. In this
case, the number of microphones and speakers has to be changed, and there is a problem that
the setting operation of the conference room is very complicated in order to perform the remote
conference.
04-05-2019
2
[0006]
Further, even during the teleconference, there may occur a situation where the microphone
needs to be intensive or a situation where the speakers are intensive.
However, in this case, the number of microphones and speakers can not be changed because the
user is in a meeting, and the voice of the speaker (speaker) can not be emitted to all the listeners.
Sometimes the (speaker) voices can not be picked up well, resulting in an unrealistic meeting.
[0007]
Therefore, the present invention is a teleconferencing system in which the setting work of the
conference room is very easy, and the number of microphones and speakers can be easily
changed according to the positions of the speakers and listeners who are present in the
conference. An object of the present invention is to provide an acoustic input / output device that
constitutes a system, and an acoustic device that constitutes this acoustic input / output device.
[0008]
The present invention has the following configuration as means for solving the above-mentioned
problems.
[0009]
(1) A flat capacitor type device in which a flat plate-like fixed electrode and a flat plate-like
vibrating plate are disposed opposite to each other, and connected to the fixed electrode via a
changeover switch to amplify an input signal and a signal voltage according to the signal Sound
output signal amplifying means for vibrating the diaphragm by applying the voltage to the
stationary electrode; and connected to the stationary electrode through a changeover switch, and
the capacitance of the stationary electrode is changed by the vibration of the diaphragm. A sound
collection signal amplification means for amplifying and outputting a signal voltage to be
generated, and the switch, and switching the switch to input the signal voltage applied from the
sound emission signal amplification means to the flat capacitor type device. To operate as a
speaker that emits a sound wave by the vibration of the diaphragm in accordance with the above,
or to collect the sound wave propagated from the outside by using the flat condenser type device.
Characterized in that a signal voltage generated by the vibration of the vibration plate with a, a
connection switching means for operating as a microphone to be applied to the sound pickup
signal amplification means in accordance with the.
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3
[0010]
In this configuration, in the acoustic device, when the planar capacitor type device and the sound
emission signal amplifying means are connected by switching the changeover switch by the
connection switching means, a voltage corresponding to the input signal is applied to the fixed
electrode. In the planar capacitor type device, the electrostatic capacitance between the fixed
electrode and the diaphragm changes according to this voltage, and the diaphragm vibrates to
generate a sound wave.
Therefore, the planar capacitor type device can be operated as a speaker that emits a sound wave
according to the input signal.
[0011]
Further, in the acoustic device, when the switching switch is switched by the connection
switching means to connect the flat capacitor type device and the collected sound signal
amplifying means, when the diaphragm of the flat capacitor type device vibrates by the sound
wave propagated from the outside, A minute current is generated as the distance between the
diaphragm and the fixed electrode changes due to vibration and the capacitance generated in the
fixed electrode changes, and a signal voltage obtained by flowing this minute current through the
high resistance resistance element Can be amplified by the sound pickup signal amplification
means and output.
Therefore, the planar capacitor type device can be operated as a microphone for collecting the
propagated sound wave and extracting an audio signal.
[0012]
(2) Biasing means for applying different bias voltages to the diaphragm in the case where the
connection switching means operates the flat capacitor type device as a microphone and in the
case where the flat capacitor type device is operated as a speaker It is characterized by having.
[0013]
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In general, sound can be properly collected or emitted by setting the bias voltage to different
values in the case of using a flat capacitor type device as a microphone and the case of using it as
a speaker.
In this configuration, different bias voltages can be applied to the diaphragm depending on
whether the flat capacitor type device is operated as a microphone or as a speaker, so that sound
is properly collected or emitted from the flat capacitor type device. It can be done.
[0014]
(3) A plurality of acoustic devices according to (1) or (2) are provided, and the planar capacitor
type devices of the acoustic devices are arranged in a panel, and each planar capacitor type
device is operated as a microphone or a speaker. And control means for individually outputting a
control signal to the connection switching means of each of the audio devices.
[0015]
In this configuration, by arranging a plurality of planar capacitor-type devices in a panel shape,
when the planar capacitor-type device is used as a speaker, the sound wave emitted from this
device becomes a plane wave and directivity in the front direction is obtained. Have.
Therefore, even when one used as a speaker and one used as a microphone are mixed, the
microphone is provided in the lateral direction of the speaker, so that the wraparound of voice
from the speaker to the microphone can be minimized.
[0016]
In addition, since the sound input / output device includes a plurality of sound devices, and the
flat condenser type device of each sound device can be individually switched and used as a
microphone or a speaker, the sound device used as a microphone, The arrangement of the sound
device used as a speaker can be set in various patterns according to the use situation of the
sound input / output device.
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Also, the microphones and the speakers can be arranged in a well-balanced manner without
increasing the total number of sound devices.
[0017]
(4) When the control unit detects the voice of the speaker with the flat capacitor type device
operated as a microphone, the flat capacitor type device operated as a microphone according to
the size of the voice or the detected position of the voice Change the quantity and arrangement
of
[0018]
In this configuration, the acoustic input / output device changes the number and arrangement of
planar capacitor type devices operated as a microphone according to the size and detection
position of the speaker's voice detected by the acoustic device.
Therefore, the input gain can be adjusted by changing the number of planar capacitor type
devices operated as a microphone. In addition, when the voice of the speaker is detected by the
flat condenser type device operated as a microphone, only the flat condenser type device of the
acoustic device in the vicinity of the speaker is operated as a microphone, so that the speech of
the speaker is efficient. It can be picked up well.
[0019]
(5) The control means changes the number and arrangement of the planar capacitor type devices
operated as microphones and arranges them in a row, and synthesizes the signals collected by
the respective planar capacitor type devices by shifting the timing sequentially It is characterized
by
[0020]
In this configuration, the control means of the sound input / output device arranges the sound
devices for operating the flat capacitor type device as a microphone in a row, and sequentially
shifts the timings and synthesizes the signals collected by the flat capacitor type devices. Thus,
the directivity of sound collection can be controlled.
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Therefore, the microphone array can be configured by the acoustic device, the directivity of
sound collection can be controlled, and only the voice of a specific speaker can be collected, and
the sound collection efficiency can be improved.
[0021]
(6) A plurality of human detection sensors for detecting the position of the listener, wherein the
control unit operates as a speaker according to the number of listeners detected by the human
detection sensor and the detection position. It is characterized by changing the quantity and
arrangement.
[0022]
In this configuration, the acoustic input / output device changes the number and arrangement of
flat capacitor type devices operated as speakers according to the number and arrangement of
listeners detected by the human sensor.
Therefore, the output gain can be adjusted by changing the number of planar capacitor type
devices operated as a speaker. Further, by operating only the flat capacitor type device in the
vicinity of the listener detected by the human sensor as the speaker, it is possible to efficiently
emit sound to the listener.
[0023]
(7) The control means changes the number and arrangement of the flat capacitor type devices
operated as a speaker based on the position information of the listener detected by the human
sensor or the position information of the listener set in advance. Are arranged in a row, and the
emission timing of each planar capacitor type device is changed.
[0024]
In this configuration, the control means of the acoustic input / output device arranges the planar
capacitor type devices operated as speakers in a row, and changes the sound output timing of
each planar capacitor type device, thereby controlling the directivity of the sound output. Thus, it
is possible to emit sound only at the position where the listener is present, and the emission
efficiency can be improved.
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[0025]
(8) The acoustic input and output devices according to any one of (3) to (7) are respectively
installed in different spaces, and an output signal of the sound collection signal amplifying means
in each of the acoustic input and output devices is It connects so that it may input as an input
signal of the said noise emission signal amplification means of these.
[0026]
In this configuration, the teleconference system can be configured by mutually connecting at
least two sound input / output devices.
That is, the teleconferencing system can be configured by mutually connecting the output signal
of the sound pickup signal amplification means of a certain sound input / output device to the
sound emission signal amplification means of another sound input / output device.
When the teleconferencing system is configured by three or more sound input / output devices,
the output of the sound collection signal amplification means of one sound input / output device
is the sound emission signal amplification means of the other sound input / output device
Common connection to
This enables smooth teleconferencing between the sound input and output devices.
[0027]
In addition, it is possible to use selectively various things, such as an audio cable, a local area
network, a telephone line, the internet, radio wave communication, infrared communication, for
the connection between audio devices.
[0028]
(9) In each of the plurality of planar capacitor-type devices arranged in the form of a panel, each
of the acoustic input / output devices is a planar capacitor-type device operated as a microphone
and an arrangement pattern of planar capacitor-type devices operated as a speaker And a pattern
storage unit that stores one or a plurality of response patterns associated with an arrangement
pattern of the sound input / output device, and a pattern selection unit that selects the
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8
arrangement pattern, wherein the control unit is arranged by the pattern selection unit. When a
pattern is selected, this arrangement pattern is notified to the control means of the other sound
input / output device, and each planar capacitor type device is set to the selected arrangement
pattern, and from the control means of the other sound input / output device When notified of
the placement pattern, the correspondence corresponding to the placement pattern is received.
And sets each planar capacitor type device in turn.
[0029]
In this configuration, in the teleconferencing system, switching of a plurality of planar capacitor
type devices arranged in a panel is performed based on the arrangement pattern selected by the
pattern selection means of the sound input / output device.
Therefore, the acoustic device can be set as a speaker or a microphone according to the usage
form.
For example, all the sound devices of one sound input / output device can be set to operate as
microphones, and all sound devices of the other sound input / output device can be set to
operate as speakers, in this case Can use this system for lectures etc.
[0030]
According to the present invention, a plurality of condenser type devices of the audio device can
be arranged in a panel shape, and connection of each audio device can be switched to be used as
a microphone or a speaker. The arrangement can be easily changed according to the mode set
according to the position of the speaker or the listener or the use form, and the function can be
efficiently performed according to the purpose.
[0031]
The acoustic device of the present invention can select and use a capacitor type device (planar
capacitor type device) in which a flat plate-like fixed electrode and a flat plate-like diaphragm are
disposed opposite to each other as either a speaker or a microphone. It is a panel type voice
input / output device.
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Further, in the sound input / output device of the present invention, a plurality of sound devices
are arranged in a panel, and the number and arrangement of the sound devices set in the speaker
or the microphone can be changed according to the position of the speaker or the listener. .
Furthermore, the teleconferencing system according to the present invention has a configuration
in which two or more sound input / output devices are connected to each other, and the number
or arrangement of sound devices set in the speaker or the microphone can be changed according
to the setting of the usage form. it can.
[0032]
Hereinafter, the details of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view
showing a schematic configuration of a capacitor type device constituting an acoustic device
according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1A, the flat capacitor type
device 11 is made of a conductive thin film having no air permeability between two meshprocessed flat plate-like fixed electrodes (positive electrode, negative electrode) 12 and 13. The
flat diaphragm 14 is disposed to face the fixed electrodes 12 and 13. Further, in the acoustic
device according to the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1B, the flat platelike fixed single-layer fixed electrode (positive electrode) 16 formed of mesh is made of a
conductive thin film without air permeability. It is also possible to use a flat condenser type
device 15 in which flat diaphragms 17 are opposed.
[0033]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration when using a capacitor type device
as a speaker and when using it as a microphone. As shown in FIG. 2A, when the planar capacitor
type device 11 is operated and used as a speaker, an amplifier (power amplifier) 21 and a bias
power supply 22 are connected to the planar capacitor type device 11. That is, the audio signal
input from the input terminal 20 is amplified by the non-inversion voltage amplifier 21P, and a
voltage corresponding to this signal is applied to the fixed electrode 12 on the front side of the
planar capacitor type device 11 and the inversion voltage The amplifier 21 N inverts the positive
and negative of the phase to be amplified, and a voltage corresponding to this signal is applied to
the fixed electrode 13 on the rear surface side of the planar capacitor type device 11. The
diaphragm 14 is applied with a bias voltage from the bias power supply 22 and vibrates due to
the attractive force / repulsive force generated according to the potential difference between the
fixed electrodes 12 and 13 to generate air vibration that becomes a sound wave.
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[0034]
As shown in FIG. 2B, when the planar capacitor type device 11 is operated and used as a
microphone, the differential amplifier 23 and the bias power supply 24 are connected to the
planar capacitor type device 11. That is, the fixed electrode 12 is connected to the non-inversion
input terminal of the differential amplifier 23. The fixed electrode 13 is connected to the
inverting input terminal of the differential amplifier 23. Further, a bias voltage is applied to the
diaphragm 14 from the bias power supply 24. The diaphragm 14 and the fixed electrodes 12 and
13 are electrostatically coupled, and the fixed electrodes 12 and 13 have capacitances according
to the distance from the diaphragm 14 by the bias voltage applied to the diaphragm 14. Is
occurring. When an audio wave propagates from the outside, the diaphragm 14 is vibrated by
the audio wave, and the distance between the diaphragm 14 and the fixed electrodes 12 and 13
changes due to this vibration, so the capacitance generated in the fixed electrodes 12 and 13 is
Due to the change, a minute current is generated, and the signal voltage obtained by causing the
minute current to flow through the resistance element having a high resistance value is amplified
by the differential amplifier 23 to transmit the propagated sound wave from the output terminal
25 to the sound signal. Can be taken out.
[0035]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2C, when the planar capacitor type device 15 is operated and used as a
speaker, an amplifier (power amplifier) 27 and a bias power supply 28 are connected to the
planar capacitor type device 15. That is, the audio signal input from the input terminal 26 is
amplified by the non-inversion voltage amplifier 27 P, and a voltage corresponding to this signal
is applied to the fixed electrode 16 on the front side of the planar capacitor type device 15. The
diaphragm 17 is applied with a bias voltage from the bias power supply 28 and vibrates by the
attraction and repulsion generated according to the potential difference with the fixed electrode
16 to generate air vibration that becomes a sound wave.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 2D, when the planar capacitor type device 15 is operated and used as a
microphone, a differential amplifier 29 and a bias power supply 30 are connected to the planar
capacitor type device 15. That is, the fixed electrode 16 is connected to the non-inversion input
terminal of the differential amplifier 29. Further, a bias voltage is applied to the diaphragm 17
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from the bias power supply 30. The inverting input terminal of the differential amplifier 29 is
connected to the reference voltage terminal or the GND terminal. The fixed electrode 16 and the
diaphragm 17 are electrostatically coupled, and a capacitance corresponding to the distance
from the diaphragm 17 is generated in the fixed electrode 16 by the bias voltage applied to the
diaphragm 17. . When an audio wave propagates from the outside, the diaphragm 17 is vibrated
by the audio wave, and the distance between the diaphragm 17 and the fixed electrode 16 is
changed by the vibration, so that the capacitance generated in the fixed electrode 16 is changed.
A minute current is generated. Then, by amplifying the signal voltage obtained by the minute
current flowing through the resistor element having a high resistance value with the differential
amplifier, it is possible to take out the propagated voice wave as a voice signal from the output
terminal 31.
[0037]
Note that the bias voltage applied to the diaphragm 14 and the bias voltage applied to the
diaphragm 17 may be set to different values in the case of operating as a microphone and in the
case of operating as a speaker. For example, it is preferable to set the bias voltage when
operating and using as a speaker to a value larger in absolute value than the bias voltage when
operating and using as a microphone.
[0038]
Thus, the acoustic device of the present invention can use one-layer type and two-layer type
capacitor type devices with fixed electrodes, but in the following description, capacitor type
devices with two types of fixed electrodes are used An example case will be described.
[0039]
Next, switching between a case where the capacitor type device is operated as a microphone and
used and a case where the capacitor type device is operated and used as a speaker will be
described.
In the acoustic device of the present invention, the capacitor type device can be used as a
speaker or a microphone as described based on FIG. Further, in the acoustic device 1, switching
of connection of the power amplifier 21, the bias power supply 22, the differential amplifier 23,
and the bias power supply 24 to the planar capacitor type device 11 is switched by the switch
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34.
[0040]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the acoustic device. As shown in
FIG. 3, the switch 34 includes double throw switches 35 to 37 and a switch control terminal 38.
In the switch 35, the first terminal 35a is fixed to the output side of the noninverting voltage
amplifier 21P of the power amplifier 21, the second terminal 35b is fixed to the noninverting
input terminal of the differential amplifier 23, and the common terminal 35c is fixed to the
planar capacitor type device 11. The electrodes 12 are connected to each other. The switch 36
has a first terminal 36 a connected to the bias power supply 22, a second terminal 36 b
connected to the bias power supply 24, and a common terminal 36 c connected to the diaphragm
14 of the planar capacitor type device 11. In the switch 37, the first terminal 37a is the output
terminal of the inverted voltage amplifier 21N of the power amplifier 21, the second terminal
37b is the inverted input terminal of the differential amplifier 23, and the common terminal 37c
is the fixed electrode 13 of the planar capacitor type device 11. Are connected to each other.
Further, a resistor (not shown) is connected between the inverting input terminal and the noninverting input terminal of the differential amplifier 23 in order to suppress the influence of
radiation noise and the like.
[0041]
In the switch 34, the switches 35 to 37 are set so as to interlock the opening / closing operation
in accordance with the control signal input from the switching control terminal 38. That is, when
the first control signal is input from the switching control terminal 38, all the switches 35 to 37
are switched to the first terminal side, and when the second control signal is input from the
switching control terminal 38, the switches 35 to 37 are All switches to the 2nd terminal side.
Thus, the acoustic device 1 can be switched and used as a speaker or a microphone according to
a signal input from the switching control terminal 38.
[0042]
The bias power supply for applying a bias voltage to the diaphragm 14 of the flat capacitor type
device 11 is configured as follows instead of switching the bias power supply 22 and the bias
power supply 24 by the switch 36 as described above. You can also. That is, it is possible to
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always connect a bias power supply for applying a bias voltage to the diaphragm 14 of the flat
capacitor type device 11 and switch the bias voltage applied from the bias power supply to
different values according to the control signal. It is.
[0043]
Next, the configuration of the sound input / output device will be described. FIG. 4 is a block
diagram showing a schematic configuration of the sound input / output device. The sound input
/ output device 2 includes a plurality of sound devices 1 (four sound devices 1 are shown in FIG.
4), a switching control unit 41, an output sound processing control unit 42, an input sound
processing control unit 43, and a main control A unit 44, a human sensor 45, an operation unit
46, a storage unit 47, a signal input terminal 48, a signal output terminal 49, and a control signal
terminal 50 are provided.
[0044]
The switching control unit 41 is connected to the switching control terminal 38 of the switching
unit 34 in each audio device 1, outputs a control signal, and performs switching for using each
audio device 1 as a speaker or a microphone.
[0045]
The output sound processing control unit 42 is connected to the input terminal of each sound
device 1.
The output sound processing control unit 42 includes an output sound quality adjustment unit
51 that corrects the frequency characteristic of the sound emitted from the sound device 1 when
the flat capacitor type device 11 of the sound device 1 is used as a speaker. Further, the output
sound processing control unit 42 includes an output gain adjustment unit 52 that performs
output gain adjustment of sound to be emitted from the acoustic device 1 when the flat capacitor
type device 11 is used as a speaker.
[0046]
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The input voice processing control unit 43 is connected to the output terminal of each audio
device 1. The input sound processing control unit 43 includes an input sound quality adjustment
unit 53 that corrects the frequency characteristic of the sound collected by the sound device 1
when the flat condenser type device 11 of the sound device 1 is used as a microphone. In
addition, the input voice processing control unit 43 includes an input gain adjustment unit 54
that performs input gain adjustment of voice collected by the acoustic device 1 when the flat
capacitor type device 11 is used as a microphone.
[0047]
The main control unit 44 outputs control signals to the switching control unit 41, the output
sound processing control unit 42, and the input sound processing control unit 43 to control the
operations of these units.
[0048]
The human sensor 45 determines the presence or absence of a speaker or a listener at the front
of each sound device 1 of the sound input / output device 2.
[0049]
The operation unit 46 is used to input position information of a speaker or a listener, and to set a
use mode in accordance with the use mode of the sound input / output device 2.
[0050]
The storage unit 47 corresponds to an arrangement pattern of the flat capacitor type device 11
operated as a microphone, an arrangement pattern of the flat capacitor type device 11 operated
as a speaker, and a correspondence corresponding to an arrangement pattern selected by
another sound input / output device 2. One or more arrangement patterns are stored.
[0051]
The signal input terminal 48 is for inputting an audio signal output from another acoustic input /
output device 2, and a plurality of the signal input terminals 48 are connected to the input
terminal 20 of each audio device 1 through the output audio processing control unit 42. It
consists of the terminal of.
[0052]
The signal output terminal 49 is for outputting an audio signal to another sound input / output
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device 2, and from a plurality of terminals connected to the output terminal 25 of each sound
device 1 via the input sound processing control unit 43. Become.
[0053]
The control signal terminal 50 is for connecting between the main control units 44 of the
respective sound input / output devices 2 in order to exchange information with another sound
input / output device 2.
[0054]
FIG. 5 is an example of a front view of the sound input / output device.
As shown in FIG. 5, the sound input / output device 2 is configured by arranging a plurality of
flat capacitor type devices 11 of the sound device 1 adjacently in a panel shape.
FIG. 5 shows a panel-like acoustic input / output device 2 in which a total of 55 planar capacitortype devices 11 in a total of 55 sheets in total of 5 in length and 11 in width are arranged as an
example.
[0055]
The sound input / output device 2 is preferably configured as a wall-mounted device, such as a
whiteboard, or configured as a self-standing device, such as a whiteboard.
Also, if the surface of the panel-like sound input / output device 2 is white, it can be used as a
projection type television screen for a television conference system.
[0056]
The number and shape of the sound devices 1 of the sound input / output device 2 are not
limited to those shown in the figure.
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[0057]
The sound input / output device 2 is based on the position information of the speaker or the
listener input from the human sensor 45 or the operation unit 46, or the information sent from
another sound input / output device 2, and each sound device 1 Can be individually configured
to operate as a microphone or a speaker.
The sound input / output device 2 can also be set to operate as a microphone or a speaker for
each group by grouping the sound devices 1 in which a plurality of sound devices 1 are arranged
in a matrix as described above, for example, for each row. .
[0058]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the teleconference system
according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As an example, FIG. 6 shows a teleconferencing system 3 with a minimum configuration of two
sound input / output devices 2.
[0059]
When the teleconference system 3 is configured by two sound input / output devices 2, the
sound input / output device 2 installed on the conference room A side (hereinafter also referred
to as a sound input / output device 2a).
And the sound input / output device 2 (hereinafter, also referred to as a sound input / output
device 2b) installed on the conference room B side.
And the signal output terminal 49 of the sound input / output device 2a installed on the
conference room A side and the signal input terminal 48 of the sound input / output device 2b
installed on the conference room B side.
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Further, the control signal terminal 50 of the sound input / output device 2a and the control
signal terminal 50 of the sound input / output device 2b are connected.
[0060]
In addition, as long as it can transmit and receive signals such as an audio cable, a local area
network, a telephone line, the Internet, radio wave communication, infrared communication, etc.
for connection between both sound input / output devices 2a and 2b, what kind of You may use
one.
[0061]
In addition, depending on the use form of the teleconference system 3, by connecting between
the signal input terminal 48 and the signal output terminal 49 of the sound input / output device
2 with one or more cables, monaural sound and stereo sound can be obtained. And multi-channel
audio can be exchanged.
[0062]
In the sound input / output device 2, as described above, the output gain adjustment unit 52 of
the output sound processing control unit 42 can adjust the output gain of the flat capacitor type
device 11 used as a speaker, but further, a flat capacitor used as a speaker The output gain can
also be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of mold devices 11.
For example, when the output gain is small, the main control unit 44 outputs a control signal to
the switching control unit 41 so that the sound device 1 operating as a microphone operates as a
speaker according to the output gain. The operation of the sound device 1 is switched.
As a result, in the sound input / output device 2, the number of sound devices 1 used as speakers
is increased, so that the total output gain of the sound input / output device 2 can be increased.
[0063]
On the other hand, when the output gain is large, the main control unit 44 outputs a control
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signal to the switching control unit 41 so that the sound device 1 operating as a speaker operates
as a microphone. The operation of the acoustic device 1 is switched. As a result, the number of
acoustic devices 1 used as speakers is reduced, so the total output gain of the acoustic input /
output device 2 can be reduced.
[0064]
Further, in the sound input / output device 2, as described above, the input gain adjustment unit
54 of the input sound processing control unit 43 can adjust the input gain of the planar capacitor
type device 11 used as a microphone. The input gain can also be adjusted by increasing or
decreasing the number of planar capacitor type devices 11 used as. For example, when the gain
of the speaker's voice is large, the main control unit 44 of the sound input / output device 2
outputs a control signal to the switching control unit 41 to operate the sound device 1 operating
as a microphone as a speaker Thus, the operation of the sound device 1 is switched in quantity
according to the gain. As a result, the number of the acoustic devices 1 used as the microphones
is reduced, so the total input gain in the acoustic input / output device 2 can be reduced.
[0065]
On the other hand, when the gain of the voice of the speaker detected by the sound device 1
operating as the microphone of the sound input / output device 2 is small, the main control unit
44 outputs a control signal to the switching control unit 41 to operate as a speaker. In order to
operate the sound device 1 as a microphone, the operation of the sound device 1 is switched
according to the gain. As a result, the number of the acoustic devices 1 used as the microphones
increases, so that the total output gain of the acoustic input / output device 2 can be increased.
[0066]
Next, in the teleconference system 3, the sound input / output device 2 that detects the voice of
the speaker increases the ratio of the sound device 1 operated as a microphone, and the sound
input / output device 2 emits the voice of the speaker. However, it can be operated to increase
the proportion of the acoustic device 1 operated as a loudspeaker. When setting this mode, it is
possible to set and change in advance the ratio between the audio device 1 operating as a
speaker and the audio device 1 operating as a microphone from the operation unit 46. When this
mode is set, the main control unit 44 of the sound input / output device 2 exchanges information
04-05-2019
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with the main control unit 44 of the other sound input / output device 2, and the speaker of the
other sound input / output device 2 also The setting is made to change the ratio between the
sound device 1 operating as and the sound device 1 operating as a microphone. When one of the
sound input / output devices 2 detects the voice of the speaker, the main control unit 44 of the
sound input / output device 2 outputs a control signal to the switching control unit 41 to operate
as a microphone. In the other sound input / output device 2, the main control unit 44 of the
sound input / output device 2 outputs a control signal to the switching control unit 41 to
increase the ratio of the sound device 1 operating as a speaker. increase. Thus, in the
teleconference system 3, the speaker's sound input / output device 2 can reliably pick up the
speaker's voice, and the listener's sound input / output device 2 ensures the speaker's voice. It
can emit noise.
[0067]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of control of microphone arrangement at the time of
speaker detection. In the teleconference system 3, when the position of the speaker with respect
to the sound input / output device 2 is determined in advance, or when the sound of the speaker
is detected by the sound device 1 operating as the microphone, The sound device 1 near the
position where the voice is detected can be set to operate as a microphone, and the other sound
devices 1 can be set to operate as a speaker.
[0068]
For example, when it is fixed to the speaker a to speak in a remote conference, the main control
unit 44 of the sound input / output device 2 outputs a control signal to the switching control unit
41, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the sound device 1 near the position of the speaker a
operates as a microphone, and the other sound device 1 operates as a speaker.
[0069]
In addition, when the speaker is not fixed to the speaker a in the remote conference, the main
control unit 44 of the sound input / output device 2 outputs a control signal to the switching
control unit 41 to form a panel array All one stage of the acoustic device 1 is operated as a
microphone.
Then, the main control unit 44 of the sound input / output device 2 outputs a control signal to
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20
the switching control unit 41 when any of the sound devices 1 operating as a microphone detects
that the speaker a has started speaking at a certain timing. Then, as shown in FIG. 7A, the sound
device 1 near the position of the speaker a (the sound device 1 for three lines in the figure) is
operated as a microphone, and the other sound devices 1 are operated as a speaker. Switch to
make it
[0070]
As a result, the voice of the speaker can be reliably and efficiently collected.
[0071]
Next, in the teleconference system 3, when the position of the speaker with respect to the sound
input / output device 2 is determined in advance, or when the voice of the speaker is detected by
the sound device 1 operating as a microphone, The position information is set, and based on the
position information of the speaker, the plurality of acoustic devices 1 operated as microphones
are set to be arranged in a line.
Then, the sound collection timing of each sound device 1 is adjusted so that the directivity of the
sound collection is in the direction of the speaker, and a microphone array that synthesizes the
voices output from each sound device 1 is formed. Can control the directivity of
[0072]
For example, when it is fixed to the speaker a to speak in a remote conference, the main control
unit 44 of the sound input / output device 2 outputs a control signal to the switching control unit
41, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, based on the position information of the speaker a, the
acoustic devices 1 operated as microphones are set to be arranged in a line. Further, the main
control unit 44 outputs a control signal to the input speech processing control unit 43, and
individually changes the sound collection timing of each sound device 1 so that the directivity of
the sound collection becomes the direction of the speaker a. Then, it operates to combine the
signals collected by the respective sound devices 1. Further, the main control unit 44 outputs a
control signal to the switching control unit 41 and the output sound processing control unit 42
to operate the remaining acoustic device 1 as a normal speaker.
04-05-2019
21
[0073]
Also, if it is not fixed for the speaker a to speak in the remote conference, the main control unit
44 of the sound input / output device 2 indicates that the speaker a started speaking at a timing
during the remote conference. When detected by the audio device 1 operating as a microphone,
the control device outputs a control signal to the switching control unit 41, and the audio device
1 operated as a microphone based on the position information of the audio device 1 that has
detected the voice of the speaker a Set to be an array of columns. The main control unit 44
individually changes the sound collection timing of each sound device 1 so that the directivity of
the sound collection is in the direction of the speaker a, and combines the signals collected by
each sound device 1. , And outputs a control signal to the input speech processing control unit
43. Further, the main control unit 44 outputs a control signal to the input sound processing
control unit 43 so that the remaining sound device 1 operates as a normal speaker.
[0074]
As a result, a microphone array in which the directivity of sound collection is set in the direction
of the speaker a can be configured by the acoustic device 1 operated as a microphone, and only
the voice of the speaker a can be reliably collected. In addition, the sound input / output device 2
installed in another conference room can emit sound collected by the sound device 1 operated as
another speaker.
[0075]
Here, when the microphone array is formed by the sound device 1 in the sound input / output
device 2, the directivity of the sound collection can be obtained by delaying the detection timing
of the voice according to the distance between each sound device 1 and the speaker. It can
control.
[0076]
When the operation described based on FIGS. 7A and 7B is set to the sound input / output device
2, the sound input / output device 2 operates as a speaker at a constant timing even while
detecting the voice of the speaker The sound device 1 may be switched to operate as a
microphone at regular intervals, or the sound device 1 for one stage may be set to always
operate as a microphone.
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Thereby, even when another conference attendee starts speaking as a speaker, the acoustic
device 1 near the position of the speaker is set to operate as a microphone, or the arrangement
of the microphone array is changed. Voices of other speakers can be picked up.
[0077]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of speaker arrangement control by position detection of
a listener.
In the teleconference system 3, when the position of the listener with respect to the sound input
/ output device 2 is determined in advance, or when the position of the listener is detected by the
human sensor 45, the position of the listener is set. The sound device 1 near the position where
the listener position is set can be set to operate as a speaker, and the other sound devices 1 can
be set to operate as a microphone.
[0078]
For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the position of the listener is fixed in the conference
room A, the main control unit 44 of the sound input / output device 2 outputs a control signal to
the switching control unit 41. Then, the sound device 1 near the position of each listener is
operated as a speaker, and the other sound device 1 is operated as a microphone.
[0079]
Further, in the conference room A, when the main control unit 44 of the sound input / output
device 2 detects the listeners A to D positioned as shown in FIG. In this case, the control signal is
output to the switching control unit 41, and the sound device 1 near the position of the listener is
set to operate as a speaker, and the other sound devices 1 are set to operate as a microphone. Do.
[0080]
As a result, since the voice is emitted from the front speaker (sound device 1 operating as a
speaker) of each listener, each listener must surely hear the voice of the speaker speaking in
another conference room Can.
[0081]
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Next, in the teleconference system 3, when the position of the listener with respect to the sound
input / output device 2 is determined in advance, or when the position of the listener is detected
by the human sensor 45, based on the listener position. A speaker array in which the sound
emission timings of the respective sound devices 1 are adjusted such that the plurality of sound
devices 1 operated as speakers are arranged in a row and the directivity of the sound emission is
in the direction of the listener Can control the directivity of sound emission.
[0082]
For example, as shown to FIG. 8 (B), when the position of the listener in the meeting room A is
being fixed, the main-control part 44 of the sound input-output device 2 is each listener (listeners
AD The control signal is output to the switching control unit 41 based on the position
information of 1), and the plurality of acoustic devices 1 operated as a speaker are set to be
arranged in a line.
Further, the main control unit 44 outputs a control signal to the output sound processing control
unit 42 so that the sound emission timing of each acoustic device 1 is individualized so that the
directivity of the sound emission becomes the direction of the listeners A to D. To make each
sound device 1 emit sound.
Further, the main control unit 44 outputs a control signal to the switching control unit 41 and
the input sound processing control unit 43 to operate the remaining acoustic device 1 as a
normal microphone.
[0083]
Further, when the main control unit 44 of the sound input / output device 2 detects the listeners
A to D by the human sensor 45 at a certain timing, the control signal to the switching control
unit 41 based on the position information of the listeners A to D , And operate the plurality of
acoustic devices 1 as speakers to form a speaker array of an appropriate arrangement, and emit
sound from another acoustic input / output device 2 in the direction of the listeners A to D.
[0084]
As a result, it is possible to configure a speaker array in which the directivity of sound emission is
set in the direction of the listeners A to D by the acoustic device 1 operated as a speaker. Sound
can be generated, and the sound of the speaker using the sound input / output device 2 installed
04-05-2019
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in another conference room can be reliably collected by the sound device 1 operated as another
microphone.
[0085]
Here, when the speaker array is formed by the sound device 1 in the sound input / output device
2, the directivity of sound emission is adjusted by adjusting the output timing of the sound
according to the distance between each sound device 1 and the speaker. Control.
[0086]
In the above description, settings for using the teleconference system 3 in a normal conference
mode have been described. However, in the teleconference system 3, different usage modes are
set according to the usage form of the audio input / output device 2 The operation of each sound
device 1 of the sound input / output device 2 can be switched.
[0087]
For example, by setting the shared viewing mode in the teleconference system 3 and connecting
the output of an audio output device such as a CD player or a computer (PC) to the input terminal
of each sound input / output device 2, the output from the audio output device The monaural
sound or stereo sound (external input sound) to be played can be simultaneously heard by the
respective sound input / output devices 2.
When the shared viewing mode is set, the main control unit 44 of each sound input / output
device 2 controls the switching control unit 41 to operate all the sound devices 1 as speakers.
Therefore, since the sound input / output device 2 outputs the external input sound from all the
sound devices 1, each listener can listen to the powerful sound.
[0088]
In addition, by setting the lecture mode in the teleconference system 3, it can be used as a sound
collection and amplification apparatus for a lecture.
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That is, when this lecture mode is set, the main control unit 44 of the sound input / output device
2 on the speaker (speaker) side controls the switching control unit 41 to operate all the sound
devices 1 as microphones. To set.
Further, the main control unit 44 of the listener-side sound input / output device 2 controls the
switching control unit 41 to set all the sound devices 1 to operate as speakers.
Then, monaural sound or stereo sound collected by the speaker side sound input / output device
2 is set to be emitted from the listener side sound input / output device 2.
Therefore, since the speaker does not have a speaker for listening to the listener's voice of the
speaker, the speaker can concentrate on the speaker and can reliably pick up the speaker's voice.
. In addition, since all the sound devices 1 operate as speakers, the listener's sound input / output
device 2 can listen to a realistic sound at an appropriate volume.
[0089]
Also, by setting the concert mode in the teleconference system 3, it can be used as a PA system
when the performer and the audience are in different halls. When this mode is set, the sound
device 1 which picks up sound in the sound input / output device 2 installed on the performer
side and the sound device 1 which emits sound in the sound input / output device 2 installed on
the spectator side The signal input terminals 48 connected to the respective sound devices 1 and
the signal output terminals 49 connected to the respective sound devices 1 are connected such
that the positions of and correspond to each other.
[0090]
When the user operates the operation unit 46 to set this concert mode, the main control unit 44
of the player-side sound input / output device 2 controls the switching control unit 41 so that all
the sound devices 1 are multichannel microphones. Set to work as. Further, the main control unit
44 of the sound input / output device 2 on the spectator side controls the switching control unit
41 so that all the sound devices 1 operate as multi-channel speakers. Therefore, the multichannel sound full of sense of reality collected by the plurality of microphones in one sound
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input / output device 2 is emitted as the multi-channel sound from the plurality of speakers in
the other sound input / output device 2 as it is. So, the audience can enjoy the sound of high
sense of reality.
[0091]
Further, the teleconference system (television conference system) 3 is not limited to a mode in
which two audio input / output devices 2 are connected in a one-to-one manner. Three or more
sound input / output devices 2 may be connected in a star or diagonal configuration. The
transmission method of the audio signal between each sound input / output device is arbitrary. It
is also free to mix multiple transmission methods.
[0092]
For example, in the teleconference system 3, when setting the three-way communication mode,
when installing the sound input / output device 2 in three conference rooms and performing
three-way communication, main control of each sound input / output device 2 The unit 44
controls the switching control unit 41 so that the right half of the panel-shaped flat capacitor
type device 11 is used for voice exchange with one conference room, and the left half is voice
with the other conference room Set to use for the exchange of In this way, when teleconferencing
is performed in three conference rooms, it can be easily determined which speaker in the
conference room is speaking, and the teleconference can be smoothly advanced.
[0093]
In the teleconference system 3, when the use mode as described above is selected by the
operation unit 46 in any sound input / output device 2, the main control unit 44 of the sound
input / output device 2 is in the selected use mode. The arrangement pattern of the microphone
and the speaker is read out from the storage unit 47. Then, the control signal is output to the
switching control unit 41, the output sound processing control unit 42, and the input sound
processing control unit 43, and each planar capacitor type device 11 is a microphone or a
speaker based on the arrangement pattern read from the storage unit 47. Set to work as. Further,
the main control unit 44 notifies the main control unit 44 of the other sound input / output
device 2 constituting the teleconference system 3 of the information of this arrangement pattern.
04-05-2019
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[0094]
Here, as described above, the storage unit 47 of each sound input / output device 2 stores in
advance an arrangement pattern for operating the flat capacitor type device 11 as a microphone
and an arrangement pattern for operating the flat capacitor type device 11 as a speaker It is
done. Further, as in the above-mentioned lecture mode, the arrangement pattern of the planar
capacitor type device 11 is different between the speaker side acoustic input / output device 2
and the listener side acoustic input / output device 2. The correspondence arrangement pattern
corresponding to the notified arrangement pattern is also stored in advance.
[0095]
Therefore, when the notification of the placement pattern information is received, the main
control unit 44 of the other sound input / output device 2 reads the correspondence placement
pattern corresponding to the placement pattern information from the storage unit 47. Then,
control signals are output to the switching control unit 41, the output voice processing control
unit 42, and the input voice processing control unit 43, and each planar capacitor type device 11
is a microphone or based on the correspondence arrangement pattern read from the storage unit
47. Set to operate as a speaker.
[0096]
As described above, in the teleconferencing system 3, the flat condenser type device 11 is set to
operate as a microphone or a speaker so that the microphone or the speaker may be optimally
arranged in accordance with the position of the speaker or the listener. . Further, in the
teleconference system 3, according to the use mode set by the operation unit 46, the
arrangement pattern of microphones and speakers set in advance in each sound input / output
device 2, or the correspondence arrangement pattern corresponding to this arrangement pattern
It is set. Therefore, according to the present invention, the setting operation of the conference
room is very easy, and the number of microphones and speakers can be easily changed according
to the positions of the speakers and listeners who are present at the meeting. Accordingly, it is
possible to provide a teleconferencing system capable of setting sound collection and sound
emission in an appropriate state accordingly.
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[0097]
It is a sectional view showing a schematic structure of a capacitor type device which constitutes
an acoustic device concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram
showing a schematic structure in the case of using a capacitor type device as a speaker, and
using it as a microphone. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of an acoustic
apparatus. It is the block diagram which showed schematic structure of the sound input / output
device. It is an example of the front view of a sound input output device. FIG. 1 is a block diagram
showing a schematic configuration of a teleconference system according to an embodiment of
the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of control of microphone
arrangement ¦ positioning at the time of speaker detection. It is a figure which shows the
example of a speaker arrangement control by a listener's position detection.
Explanation of sign
[0098]
1-Acoustic device 2, 2a, 2b-Acoustic input / output device 3-Teleconferencing system 11, 15-Flat
capacitor type device 12, 13, 16-Fixed electrode 14, 17-Diaphragm 20, 26-Input terminal 21, 27
-Amplifier (power amplifier) 21N-Inverted voltage amplifier 21P, 27P-Non-inverted voltage
amplifier 22, 24, 28, 30-Bias power supply 23, 29-Differential amplifier 25, 31-Output terminal
34-Switch 35-37- Switch 41-switching control unit 42-output voice processing control unit 43input voice processing control unit 44-main control unit 45-human sensor 46-operation unit
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29

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