Patent ID: 8223992

Claim:
A speaker array apparatus comprising: a speaker array that emits sounds of a plurality of channels; a beam formation calculating section that performs a calculation for controlling phases of the sounds so that the speaker array emits sound beams in directions set for the respective channels; a sound source localization applying section that performs a calculation for controlling the phases of the sounds emitted from the speaker array so as to form a plurality of virtual point sound sources, and performs a calculation of auditory sensation characteristics at a listening position on a basis of a head-related transfer function; a selecting section that selects one of the beam formation calculating section or the sound source localization applying section; and a phase controlling section that controls the phases of the sounds emitted from the speaker array on a basis of a calculation result of the beam formation calculation section selected by the selecting section or applies the auditory sensation characteristics and controls the phase of a wavefront from the virtual point sound source on a basis of a calculation result of the sound source localization applying section selected by the selecting section; a test sound outputting section that outputs a test sound signal and a signal for controlling the phases to the phase controlling section so that the speaker array emits test sound beams while sweeping the test sound beams; and a microphone that is disposed at the listening position of the listener, and picks up direct and reflected sounds of the test sound beams emitted from the speaker array, wherein the selecting section analyzes sound data of the test sound beams picked up by the microphone, and selects one of the beam formation calculating section or the sound source localization applying section in accordance with a result of the analysis.