Patent ID: 12262171

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG.1is a side view of an audio spot formation device D according to the present embodiment. The audio spot formation device D includes at least a speaker unit1and a support stand2. The speaker unit1is supported by the support stand2. The audio spot formation device D may further include a movement mechanism3aand a stop mechanism3b.

The speaker unit1includes a plurality of parametric speakers1a,1band1c, and a speaker disposition unit10in which the plurality of speakers1a,1band1care disposed. For ease of description, in the below, the parametric speakers are referred to as “speakers”. The speaker unit1radiates a carrier wave and a sideband wave separately from the plurality of speakers1a,1band1c. InFIG.1, the plurality of speakers1a,1band1care disposed in one speaker unit1but may be disposed in different speaker units1.

FIG.2is a front view when the audio spot formation device D inFIG.1is viewed in a direction D11. As illustrated inFIG.2, the speaker unit1includes a speaker disposition unit10. In the speaker disposition unit10, a plurality of speakers1a,1b,1cand1dare disposed. A speaker unit1of the present embodiment includes four speakers; however, the number of speakers included is not limited to this example. The audio spot formation device D includes at least a total of two speakers that are one speaker that radiates a carrier wave and one speaker that radiates a sideband wave.

The audio spot formation device D may include a processor (not shown) and a memory (not shown). The processor includes, for example, one or more general-purpose processors each including a CPU (central processing unit) or an MPU (micro processing unit). The processor may include one or more dedicated processors specialized for particular processing. Although the memory is, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory or an optical memory, the memory is not limited to these examples. The memory may function as, for example, main storage, auxiliary storage or a cache memory. The memory may store various information pieces relating to operation or control of the audio spot formation device D. The memory may store, e.g., a system program, an application program and embedded software.

The processor of the audio spot formation device D can execute respective adjustment processes, which will be described later, for the speaker unit1, support stand2, the movement mechanism3aand the stop mechanism3baccording to adjustment information received from an external device. Therefore, the audio spot formation device D can be operated via the external device.

Referring back toFIG.1, the audio spot formation device D of the present embodiment includes a movement mechanism3aand a stop mechanism3b. The movement mechanism3ais attached to a ground contact surface of the audio spot formation device D. The movement mechanism3aincludes wheels such as casters. The stop mechanism3bincludes stoppers for stopping driving of the movement mechanism3a. As illustrated inFIG.3, a position of the audio spot formation device D can be fixed by fixing the movement mechanism3avia the stop mechanism3b.

FIGS.4A and4Billustrate control of a height of the audio spot formation device D. As illustrated inFIG.4A, the speaker1aradiates an ultrasonic wave Da, the speaker1bradiates an ultrasonic wave Db and the speaker1cradiates an ultrasonic wave Dc. Which of the speakers radiates a carrier wave and which of the speakers radiates a sideband wave can arbitrarily be determined. Because of characteristics of the plurality of speakers1a,1band1c, sound is reproduced in an area in which the ultrasonic wave Da, the ultrasonic wave Db and the ultrasonic wave Dc intersect.

Where an audio spot is formed on the upper side (for example, in an upper tier) using the audio spot formation device D, as illustrated inFIG.4A, it is necessary to direct the speaker unit1upward. However, since there is an obstacle W such as a building or a wall, it is difficult to form an audio spot.

Therefore, as illustrated inFIG.4B, the support stand2in the audio spot formation device D according to the present embodiment includes a height adjustment mechanism2aand a height adjustment mechanism2b. The height adjustment mechanism2aand the height adjustment mechanism2bare formed of respective columnar members having different diameters. The height adjustment mechanism2ais hollow. The height adjustment mechanism2bis inserted in the height adjustment mechanism2ain a height direction D41of the audio spot formation device D. A position of the height adjustment mechanism2brelative to the height adjustment mechanism2acan be adjusted via fixing the height adjustment mechanism2busing, e.g., screws. A height of the support stand2is adjustable, that is, variable. The audio spot formation device D can form an audio spot S41above the obstacle W by adjusting the height of the support stand2to be higher.

As illustrated inFIG.5, the support stand2includes a support unit P. The speaker disposition unit10is attached to the support stand2via the support unit P. For example, the support unit P may have a structure like a ball head of a tripod for a camera. An angle of attachment of the speaker disposition unit10at the support unit P is adjustable. As illustrated inFIG.5, the speaker unit1can swing spherically around the support unit P. When the speaker unit1is directed relatively upward, the audio spot formation device D forms an audio spot S51. On the other hand, when the speaker disposition unit10is directed relatively downward as a result of the angle of attachment of the speaker disposition unit10being adjusted upward/downward, the audio spot formation device D forms an audio spot S52. In this way, the audio spot formation device D can adjust a position of an audio spot in an up-down direction D51. Additionally, a position of an audio spot can be adjusted rightward/leftward by varying the angle of attachment of the speaker disposition unit10rightward/leftward. A position of an audio spot can be changed spherically.

As illustrated inFIGS.6A and6B, it is possible to change only respective directions of the plurality of speakers1a,1band1cwithout changing the angle of attachment of the speaker disposition unit10. In this case, two points on opposite sides of each speaker are fixed via screws and each speaker can turn around the two points. When the plurality of speakers1a,1band1care directed in such a manner as illustrated inFIG.6A, the audio spot formation device D forms an audio spot S61. On the other hand, as a result of the speakers being turned to face the respective directions illustrated inFIG.6B, the audio spot formation device D forms an audio spot S62with a position of the audio spot changed in a depth direction D61(right-left direction inFIGS.6A and6B).

As illustrated inFIG.7A, the audio spot formation device D further includes a laser pointer4a, a laser pointer4b, a laser pointer4cand a laser pointer4dthat emit visible light. The laser pointer4a, the laser pointer4b, the laser pointer4cand the laser pointer4dare attached to the plurality of speakers1a,1b,1cand1d, respectively. The laser pointer4a, the laser pointer4b, the laser pointer4cand the laser pointer4dradiate lasers D4a, D4b, D4cand D4d, each of which is visible light, in directions that are substantially the same as directions in which the plurality of speakers1a,1b,1cand1demit ultrasonic waves, respectively.

FIG.7Bis a side view of the audio spot formation device D in this case. As illustrated inFIG.7B, the lasers D4a, D4b, D4cand D4dintersect with one another at an audio spot S71.

As illustrated inFIG.8, the audio spot formation device D further includes a velocimeter5. The velocimeter5may be, for example, a laser Doppler velocimeter. The audio spot formation device D is communicably connected to an information terminal6via a wired network or a wireless network. The information terminal6may be a PC (personal computer), a mobile phone, a smartphone or a tablet. The audio spot formation device D successively irradiates a driver of a moving body7with an audio spot while following the moving body7, by repeating the processing in (1) to (6) below in real time. The moving body7may be an arbitrary moving body such as a four-wheeled vehicle, a motorcycle, a bicycle, a motorized bicycle, a construction vehicle, a train or an aircraft.

(1) The audio spot formation device D measures a velocity of the moving body7using the velocimeter5(corresponding to arrow A81).

(2) The audio spot formation device D transmits the measured velocity information to the information terminal6(corresponding to arrow A82).

(3) Upon reception of the velocity information, the information terminal6generates information of adjustment for the audio spot formation device D based on the velocity information. The adjustment information includes information for adjustment of at least one of the height of the support stand2of the audio spot formation device D, the angle of attachment of the speaker disposition unit10at the support unit P and the directions of the respective speakers disposed in the speaker disposition unit10.
(4) The information terminal6transmits the generated adjustment information to the audio spot formation device D (corresponding to arrow A83).
(5) Upon reception of the adjustment information, the audio spot formation device D adjusts the audio spot formation device D according to the adjustment information.
(6) The audio spot formation device D irradiates the driver of the moving body7with an audio spot (corresponding to arrow A84).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, at least one of the height of the support stand2, the angle of attachment of the speaker disposition unit10at the support unit P and at least one of the directions of the plurality of speakers1a,1b,1cand1dis adjustable. The audio spot formation device D is configured to adjust a position at which an audio spot is formed, via the adjustment. This configuration enables adjusting a position, a shape and a form of an audio spot according to a use.

Also, according to the present embodiment, the audio spot formation device D measures the velocity of the moving body7using the velocimeter5, transmits the measured velocity information to the information terminal6and receives adjustment information from the information terminal6. The audio spot formation device D forms an audio spot in such a manner that the audio spot follows the moving body7, by adjusting at least one of the height of the support stand2, the angle of attachment of the speaker disposition unit10at the support unit P and at least one of the directions of the plurality of speakers1a,1b,1cand1dusing the adjustment information. This configuration enables the audio spot formation device D to successively irradiate the moving body7with an audio spot and thus deliver sound to, e.g., the driver of the moving body7.

Also, according to the present embodiment, the height adjustment mechanism2ais inserted in the height adjustment mechanism2bin the height direction of the audio spot formation device and the position of the height adjustment mechanism2arelative to the height adjustment mechanism2bis adjustable. This configuration facilitates adjustment of the height of the audio spot formation device D.

Also, according to the present embodiment, the audio spot formation device D further includes the movement mechanism3aattached to the ground contact surface of the audio spot formation device D and the stop mechanism3bthat stops driving of the movement mechanism3a. This configuration facilitates movement of the audio spot formation device D from a place of storage to a place of use and fixation of the audio spot formation device D at the place of use. Therefore, portability is enhanced.

Also, according to the present embodiment, the audio spot formation device D further includes a plurality of laser pointers (4a,4b,4cand4d), and the plurality of laser pointers are attached to the plurality of speakers1a,1b,1cand1d, respectively, and the plurality of speakers1a,1b,1cand1dradiate respective lasers in respective directions that are the same as directions in which the plurality of speakers1a,1b,1cand1dradiate respective ultrasonic waves. The plurality of lasers radiated from the plurality of laser pointers intersect with one another at an audio spot. This configuration enables visualization of directional ultrasonic waves. Also, this configuration enables visual recognition of a position of an audio spot and thus enables fine adjustment of the audio spot.

The audio spot formation device D of the present embodiment can be implemented by an arbitrary computer and a program. More specifically, a program in which contents of processing for implementing the respective functions of the audio spot formation device D are described is recorded on a recording medium such as a memory and the program is read and executed by the processor. Such program can also be provided through a network.

This program may be recorded on a computer-readable medium. Use of a computer-readable medium enables installing on a computer. Here, the computer-readable medium with the program thereon may be a non-transitory recording medium. The non-transitory recording medium is not specifically limited, but may be, for example, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM.

Although the present invention has been described based on the drawings and embodiment, it should be noted that a person skilled in the art can easily make various alternations and modifications based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should also be noted that these alterations and modifications fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, the functions and the like of the respective component units can be redisposed as long as such redisposition is not logically contradictory, and a plurality of component units can be combined into one or can be divided.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

D Audio spot formation device1Speaker unit1a,1b,1c,1dParametric speaker10Speaker disposition unit2Support stand2a,2bHeight adjustment mechanism3aMovement mechanism3bStop mechanism4a,4b,4c,4dLaser pointer5Velocimeter6Information terminal7Moving body