JPH11225400A - Delay time setting device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] The present invention relates to a surround sound system,
An object of the present invention is to provide a delay time setting device that semi-automatically performs settings for enhancing a surround effect. SOLUTION: The delay time setting device of the present invention outputs a test sound from a listening position and measures an arrival time at each speaker position. The arrival time difference between the speakers is calculated, and a delay time is set for the sound output from the speakers according to the time difference. The difference in arrival time between each speaker is calculated based on the sound of clapping the hand. Set the delay time for all connected speakers. The test sound is detected by a speaker.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a surround sound system, and more particularly, to a delay time setting device for semi-automatically setting up a surround sound effect.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Surround sound systems have been used to enhance sound effects with the recent improvement in performance of video, television and audio equipment. FIG.
1 is an example of a surround sound system using two speakers.

[0003] A listener listens to the output of a front center speaker 91, a left speaker 92, and a right speaker 93 as main speakers, and the outputs of a rear left speaker 94 and a rear right speaker 95 as rear speakers at a listening position 96 shown in the figure.

As shown in FIG. 9, there is a subwoofer 97 as a bass speaker in some cases. The center speaker 91 may be built in a so-called amplifier as shown in the figure, or may be a separate housing. All speakers are wired (not shown) or wirelessly connected to the amplifier to form an audio system.

In a surround sound system, the left and right speaker outputs are mixed or a slight delay is caused between a main speaker and a rear speaker in order to give a sense of realism and obtain three-dimensional sound when watching a movie or music program. We often give time.

In a surround sound system such as that shown in FIG. 9, the distance from the listening position to each speaker is different, so that the sound output simultaneously from each speaker reaches the listener and the sound pressure at the listening position. The levels will be different.

Therefore, the listener must set two parameters other than the speaker farthest from the listening position, that is, the delay time between the center speaker and the rear speaker and the gain between the center speaker and the rear speaker in the example of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the distance between the speaker and the listening position and the delay time. The distances of the center speaker 91, the left speaker 92, the right speaker 93, the rear left speaker 94, the rear right speaker 95, and the listening position 96 are C, L, R, RL, and RR, respectively, and the sound speed at room temperature is S.
And

The delay time to be set in the center channel and the rear channel is expressed by the following equation. The delay time Dc of the center speaker is Dc = (LC) / S = (R-
C) / S, and the delay time Dr of the rear speaker is Dr =
(Lr) / S. However, here, assuming that the system is symmetrical for the listener, L = R, r = RL
= RR.

On the other hand, in the case of audio mounted on a vehicle, the listener is often a driver, but the listening position cannot be determined in advance on the left or right. As described above, in a vehicle-mounted audio system in which the listening position is asymmetric, the sound field is automatically corrected (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-5439).
No. 9 listening position automatic correction device) has been devised.

Here, a signal such as an impulse is transmitted as a sound source from the left and right speakers, and is installed at a listening position.
The arrival times of the left and right speakers are measured by delay detection microphones having directivity, and the delay times of the left and right speakers are adjusted.

Also, the sound field is automatically set using the remote control unit so that the arrival time of the sound from each of the left and right speakers is equalized from the listener's listening position, that is, triggered by a signal from the remote control unit. Correction technology (for example,
No. 233397 Acoustic device with automatic sound field correction function)
Has been devised.

Here, an infrared or radio wave signal is transmitted from the remote control unit, two ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the acoustic system main unit side, and the ultrasonic wave is received by the receiving microphone provided in the remote control unit. Information about the reception delay time of each ultrasonic signal is generated, and an infrared or radio wave signal is transmitted to the acoustic system main unit to perform sound field correction.

[0014]

However, in these prior arts, a signal such as a test sound for measuring a time difference from a listening position to each speaker is transmitted from the speaker or an output means provided at the speaker position, and is used for listening. If the output signal is output at the same time, it may not be possible to determine which signal came from which speaker (direction) at the listening position. Etc. must be output.

Also, an infrared or radio wave signal is transmitted from the listening position to transmit ultrasonic waves from the speaker position,
The reason why the arrival time of the ultrasonic wave is measured by transmitting an ultrasonic wave simultaneously with the infrared or radio wave signal from the listening position is considered to be because the infrared or radio wave signal arrives instantaneously. If an infrared or radio wave signal is used, the system configuration becomes large and complicated.

If a single sound source can be used as a sound source for setting different delay times between speakers in a surround sound system, it is not necessary to switch for each speaker for arrival time measurement, and the operation becomes easy, and the circuit scale is reduced. Cost reduction can be expected as well as space saving in the acoustic device.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention relates to a surround sound system, and in particular, to provide a delay time setting device that semi-automatically sets different delay times between speakers in order to enhance a surround sound effect. Aim.

[0018]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A delay time setting device according to the present invention comprises a test sound output means for outputting a test sound from a position where sounds output from a plurality of speakers are heard, and a test sound detected at each speaker position. Test sound detecting means, an arrival time measuring means for measuring an arrival time at which a test sound is detected, a time difference calculating means for calculating a difference in arrival time between the speakers, and a speaker according to the difference in the arrival time. And delay time setting means for setting a delay time for the sound output from the device.

Further, the delay time setting device of the present invention comprises a test sound detecting means for detecting at each speaker position a test sound emitted from a position for listening to sounds output from a plurality of speakers, and the test sound is detected. Arrival time measuring means for measuring time, time difference calculating means for calculating a difference in arrival time between speakers, and delay time setting for setting a delay time for sound output from the speaker according to the difference in arrival time Means.

FIG. 1 is a principle diagram of the present invention, and is a configuration diagram of a delay time setting device of the present invention. The delay time setting device 1 of the present invention includes a test sound output unit 2 that outputs a test sound,
Test sound detecting means 3 and 4 for detecting the test sound, arrival time measuring means 5 for measuring the arrival time of the test sound, time difference calculating means 7 for calculating the difference between the arrival times, and a delay time for the output sound of the speaker. And delay time setting means 9 for setting the delay time.

In the device configuration diagram (1) of FIG. 1, the test sound output means 2 is at a position for listening to output sounds from a plurality of speakers, and the test sound detection means 3 and 4 are at each speaker position. In the device configuration diagram (2) of FIG. 1, P indicates the listening position of the listener, and the test sound output unit 2 does not exist as compared with (1) of FIG. Other configurations are the same as those of the device configuration diagram (1) in FIG.

The difference between the arrival time and the delay time in FIG. 2A is a diagram for explaining that the delay time is set according to the difference between the arrival times. The time when the test sound is transmitted is t ₀
Assuming that the test sound arrives at the speakers A and B at times t _a and t _b , respectively, the difference (t _b −t _a ) between the arrival times of the speakers A and B is given to the speaker A with respect to the speaker B. to be added the delay time becomes _{d (d = t b -t a} ). Therefore, the test sound transmission time t ₀ is not necessary for calculating the delay time.

The listening position in FIG. 2 (2) is a diagram for explaining that the listener sets the delay time for all speakers from an arbitrary listening position. P in FIG. 2 (2)
Is the listening position where the listener is.

The distances from the listening position P to the center speaker 91, the left speaker 92, the right speaker 93, the rear left speaker 94, and the rear right speaker 95 are C, L, R, and R, respectively.
L and RR. Here, for convenience of explanation, for example, RR <R
Let L = C = R <L.

The arrival time of the test sound transmitted at the listening position P at each speaker is determined by the rear right speaker 95 (RR) at t ₁ ,
Center speaker 91, right speaker 93, rear left speaker 94 (C, R, RL) t 2 , if the t ₃ the left speaker 92 (L), a _{t 1 <t 2 <t 3} .

Therefore, the delay time d ₁ = t ₃ −t ₂ is set for the center speaker 91, the right speaker 93, and the rear left speaker 94 based on the left speaker 92 farthest from the listening position P, and the rear speaker 95 is set for the rear speaker 95. Delay time d ₂ = t ₃ −t ₁
Should be set.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to measure the time from when the test sound is transmitted to when it is detected. If the test sound can be detected and the time when the test sound reaches the speaker can be measured, It is possible to calculate the time difference and set the delay time according to the difference between the arrival times.

Further, according to the present invention, not only the balance adjustment of the delay time of the left and right speakers but also the reference of the speaker located farthest from the listening position (or any speaker such as the speaker located closest). May be set.), And the delay time of all speakers to which the delay time setting device is connected can be set.

The delay time adjusted between the main speaker and the rear speaker when the system is installed can be added to the delay time at the listener's favorite listening position according to the present invention.

[0030]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a delay time setting device showing an embodiment (1) of the present invention. The delay time setting device includes a test sound output unit, a reference speaker microphone, a test sound microphone, a target speaker microphone, respective detection time recording units, a reference speaker arrival time calculation unit, a target speaker arrival time calculation unit, and an arrival time difference. It comprises a calculating means and a target speaker delay time setting means.

Here, the test sound output means is a buzzer or the like at a listening position P where a listener is present and provided with a push button. Each microphone is connected to the test sound detecting means 3 of FIG.
And sound detection means corresponding to the respective speakers. That is, the reference speakers are the left and right main speakers, and the test sound microphone is located at the center speaker.

Each detection time recording means records the time when the test sound reaches each speaker. Therefore, the entire delay time setting device has one clock, and the detection time recording means is a timer that counts the same time in the device.

The reference speaker arrival time calculation means calculates the difference between the arrival times of the center speaker and the reference speaker, and the target speaker arrival time calculation means calculates the difference between the arrival times of the center speaker and the target speaker. The arrival time difference calculation means calculates a difference between the calculation results of the reference speaker arrival time calculation means and the target speaker arrival time calculation means.

The target speaker delay time setting means sets a delay time for each speaker according to the calculation result of the arrival time difference calculation means. At this time, the largest delay time is set for the nearest speaker with reference to the farthest speaker.

In FIG. 3, the farthest speaker is the right speaker 93 and the closest speaker is the rear right speaker 95. Therefore, the delay time (t _r -t _c ) is added to the center speaker 91. After that, the largest delay time (t _r −t _rr ) is set to the rear right speaker 95.
However t _r, t _c, t _rr right speaker 93, respectively, center speaker 91, the arrival time of the rear right speaker 95.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a delay time setting device showing an embodiment (2) of the present invention. The delay time setting device includes a reference speaker microphone, a test sound microphone, a target speaker microphone, respective detection time recording means, an arrival time difference calculation means, and a target speaker delay time setting means.

The difference between the embodiment (2) and the embodiment (1) is as follows.
The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the test sound output unit is not shown and that the configuration of the detection time recording unit is different. In the embodiment (2), instead of the buzzer, the listener sends a test sound by clapping or uttering a hand from the listening position. This eliminates the need for a device such as a buzzer.

Another difference is that in the embodiment (1), the time when the test sound actually reaches each speaker is recorded using a timer as the detection time recording means, whereas in the embodiment (2), That is, a counter is used as the detection time recording means.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the counter is reset in advance, and the counting of each counter is started at the time when the test sound reaches each speaker. Then, at an appropriate time after all the counters have started counting, all the counters are stopped at the same time, their counter values are read, and the difference between the arrival times is obtained from the mutual difference.

It is also possible to reset the counter to one and start the counter in advance, read each counter value at the time when the test sound reaches each speaker, and obtain the difference between the arrival times based on the difference between them. .

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a delay time setting device showing an embodiment (3) of the present invention. The delay time setting device includes a reference speaker, a center speaker, a target speaker, sound detection means connected to each speaker, respective detection time recording means, reference speaker arrival time calculation means, target speaker arrival time calculation means, and arrival time difference. It comprises a calculating means and a target speaker delay time setting means.

The difference between the embodiment (3) and the embodiment (1) is that, in the embodiment (3), the reference speaker, the test sound microphone, and the target speaker are replaced by a reference speaker and a center speaker. That is, sound detection means is connected to the target speakers and the respective speakers.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the speaker is used in common for the speaker output and the test sound detection.
Logical AND (AN
D) Connect to the circuit.

The "setting mode" can be set at any time by the listener remotely operating from the listening position or directly by operating the operation button of the amplifier (the delay time setting device of the present invention is incorporated). The "setting mode", once set, remains valid until the delay time setting is executed or canceled.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a delay time setting device showing an embodiment (4) of the present invention. The delay time setting device includes a reference speaker microphone, a target speaker microphone, respective detection time recording means, an arrival time difference calculating means, and a target speaker delay time setting means.

The difference between the embodiment (4) and the embodiment (2) is that the embodiment (4) does not include the test sound microphone and the test sound detection time recording means. Is simply set to set the delay time.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a delay time setting device showing an embodiment (5) of the present invention. The delay time setting device includes a reference speaker, a target speaker, sound detection means connected to each speaker, respective detection time recording means, arrival time calculation means, and target speaker delay time setting means.

The difference between the embodiment (5) and the embodiment (4) is that, in the embodiment (5), instead of the reference speaker microphone and the target speaker microphone, the reference speaker, the target speaker, and the respective speakers are used. That is, the sound detecting means is connected.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a delay time setting device showing an embodiment (6) of the present invention. The delay time setting device includes all of the speakers 1 to N, sound detection means connected to each speaker, respective detection time recording means, detection time sorting means, and target speaker delay time setting means.

The difference between the embodiment (6) and the embodiment (5) is that the sound detection means is connected to all the speakers in the embodiment (6), and that the arrival time calculating means of the embodiment (5) is different. Instead, detection time sorting means is used.

The detection time sorting means is a well-known sorting means, and rearranges the test sound detection time at each speaker position in the order of generation time (or in reverse order). This allows
The delay time of the speaker output sound can be set for all speakers from the speaker located farthest from the listening position where the listener is located to the speaker located closest to the listening position.

Needless to say, microphones may be used for the sound detecting means of the embodiment (6).

[0053]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, different delay times between speakers in a surround sound system are set semi-automatically, so that it is necessary for the listener to perform complicated calculations related to parameter setting. Since there is no test sound, the operation is easy, and since a single sound source is used, it is not necessary to switch for each speaker for the arrival time measurement. There is an effect that the delay time can be set for all speakers based on the speaker located farthest from the position.

By using a single sound source to set different delay times between speakers and using the speakers as microphones for test sound detection, the circuit scale can be reduced, and the There is an effect that cost reduction can be expected while saving space in the acoustic device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 Difference between arrival time and delay time, listening position, test sound detecting means

FIG. 3 Example (1)

FIG. 4 Example (2)

FIG. 5 Example (3)

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment (4).

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment (5).

FIG. 8 Example (6)

FIG. 9 Surround sound system

FIG. 10 shows a distance between a speaker and a listening position and a delay time.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 delay time setting device 2 test sound output means 3, 4 test sound detection means 5 arrival time measuring means 7 time difference calculating means 9 delay time setting means 91 center speaker 92 left speaker 93 right speaker 94 rear left speaker 95 rear right speaker 96 Listening position 97 subwoofer

Claims (2)

[Claims] Test sound output means for outputting a test sound from a position at which sounds output from a plurality of speakers are listened;
Test sound detection means for detecting a test sound at each speaker position, arrival time measurement means for measuring an arrival time at which the test sound is detected, time difference calculation means for calculating a difference between arrival times occurring between the speakers, A delay time setting device comprising: a delay time setting unit configured to set a delay time for a sound output from a speaker according to a difference between arrival times. 2. A test sound detecting means for detecting at each speaker position a test sound emitted from a position for listening to sounds output from a plurality of speakers, and an arrival time measuring means for measuring a time at which the test sound is detected. A time difference calculating means for calculating a difference in arrival time between the speakers, and a delay time setting means for setting a delay time for a sound output from the speaker according to the difference in arrival time. Delay time setting device.