Abstract: A sound masking device includes: a sound pick-up unit which picks up a sound, and which produces a picked-up sound signal based on the sound, a masking sound signal producing unit which produces a masking sound signal from the picked-up sound signal a sound emitting unit which emits a masking sound based on the masking sound signal, and an echo cancelling unit which performs an echo cancelling process on the picked-up sound signal by performing an adaptive filtering process on the masking sound signal, and by subtracting the filtered masking sound signal from the picked-up sound signal. The masking sound signal producing unit produces a masking sound signal having a level corresponding to an amplitude level of the picked-up sound signal which has subjected to the echo cancelling process.

Abstract: A masking sound outputting device includes: an inputting unit which receives a picked-up sound signal relating to a picked-up sound; an extracting unit which extracts an acoustic feature amount of the picked-up sound signal; an instruction receiving unit which receives instructions for starting an output of a masking sound; and an outputting unit which, in the case where the instruction receiving unit receives the instructions for starting an output, outputs a masking sound corresponding to the acoustic feature amount extracted by the extracting unit.

Abstract: A sound processing apparatus includes an inputting section that inputs a sound signal, an analyzing section that analyzes the input sound signal, a storing section that stores a general-purpose masking sound, a masking sound producing section that, based on a result of the analysis by the analyzing section, processes the general-purpose masking sound stored in the storing section to produce an output masking sound, and an outputting section that outputs the output masking sound.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus includes a plurality of unidirectional microphones and a plurality of direction indicator switches. The unidirectional microphones are each disposed in the periphery with a predetermined angle interval therebetween, whereas the direction indicator switches are able to indicate other directions other than a plurality of directions corresponding to the unidirectional microphones. In a normal reproducing mode, a plurality of audio signals which are picked up by the unidirectional microphones and subsequently recorded is read and reproduced in parallel. When any one of the direction indicator switches is operated, only the audio signal emitted in the designated direction is selectively read and reproduced. When another direction other than a plurality of directions corresponding to the unidirectional microphones is designated, audio signals picked up by two unidirectional microphones which are disposed to sandwich the designated direction is selectively read and reproduced.

Abstract: A sound processing apparatus includes an inputting section that inputs a sound signal, an analyzing section that analyzes the input sound signal, a storing section that stores a general-purpose masking sound, a masking sound producing section that, based on a result of the analysis by the analyzing section, processes the general-purpose masking sound stored in the storing section to produce an output masking sound, and an outputting section that outputs the output masking sound.

Abstract: A masking sound outputting device includes: an inputting unit which receives a picked-up sound signal relating to a picked-up sound; an extracting unit which extracts an acoustic feature amount of the picked-up sound signal; an instruction receiving unit which receives instructions for starting an output of a masking sound; and an outputting unit which, in the case where the instruction receiving unit receives the instructions for starting an output, outputs a masking sound corresponding to the acoustic feature amount extracted by the extracting unit.

Abstract: A sound masking device includes: a sound pick-up unit which picks up a sound, and which produces a picked-up sound signal based on the sound, a masking sound signal producing unit which produces a masking sound signal from the picked-up sound signal a sound emitting unit which emits a masking sound based on the masking sound signal, and an echo cancelling unit which performs an echo cancelling process on the picked-up sound signal by performing an adaptive filtering process on the masking sound signal, and by subtracting the filtered masking sound signal from the picked-up sound signal. The masking sound signal producing unit produces a masking sound signal having a level corresponding to an amplitude level of the picked-up sound signal which has subjected to the echo cancelling process.

Abstract: An optical material having a high birefringence and a small absolute value of a photoelastic coefficient is provided by use of a resin composition for an optical material comprising a resin (a) having a positive photoelastic coefficient and a negative inherent birefringence and a resin (b) having a negative photoelastic coefficient and a negative inherent birefringence.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus includes a plurality of unidirectional microphones and a plurality of direction indicator switches. The unidirectional microphones are each disposed in the periphery with a predetermined angle interval therebetween, whereas the direction indicator switches are able to indicate other directions other than a plurality of directions corresponding to the unidirectional microphones. In a normal reproducing mode, a plurality of audio signals which are picked up by the unidirectional microphones and subsequently recorded is read and reproduced in parallel. When any one of the direction indicator switches is operated, only the audio signal emitted in the designated direction is selectively read and reproduced. When another direction other than a plurality of directions corresponding to the unidirectional microphones is designated, audio signals picked up by two unidirectional microphones which are disposed to sandwich the designated direction is selectively read and reproduced.

Abstract: Performance interface system includes a motion detector provided for movement with a performer, and a control system for receiving detection data transmitted from the motion detector and controlling a performance of a tone in response to the received detection data. State of a performer's motion is detected via a sensor of the motion detector, and detection data representative of the detected motion state is transmitted to the control system. The control system receives the detection data from the motion detector, analyzes the performer's motion on the basis of the detection data, and then controls a tone performance in accordance with the analyzed data. With this arrangement, the performer can readily take part in the tone performance in the control system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a molded article obtained from an aliphatic polyester resin composition comprising 60 to 99.9 parts by weight of at least one aliphatic polyester (A) and 0.1 to 40 parts by weight of at least one elastic polymer (B), provided that the total amount of the components (A) and (B) is 100 parts by weight, wherein the aliphatic polyester component in the molded article has an enthalpy of crystal fusion ?H determined using a differential scanning calorimeter of 5 J/g or more, the molded article has a continuous phase composed of the aliphatic polyester (A) and dispersed phases composed of the elastic polymer (B), and the distance T between the walls of the dispersed phases is less than 5.0 ?m.

Abstract: An optical material having a high birefringence and a small absolute value of a photoelastic coefficient is provided by use of a resin composition for an optical material comprising a resin (a) having a positive photoelastic coefficient and a negative inherent birefringence and a resin (b) having a negative photoelastic coefficient and a negative inherent birefringence.

Abstract: A performance processing apparatus is operable by user with aide of control and sound devices for providing sample music data to data management apparatus. A storage section stores original music data representing a music piece composed of tones. An acquisition section acquires input information from control device which has a detector for detecting either physical action or physiological state of user and operated by user to provide input information indicating detection result by detector. A processing section controls a performance parameter according to input information for enabling sound device to generate tones of the music piece represented by original music data and altered by user. A transmitting section transmits sample music data representing music piece composed of tones controlled by the performance parameter to the data management apparatus which has a storage device for storing sample music data for use as a material of evaluating mental or physical function of user.

Abstract: Performance interface system includes a motion detector provided for movement with a performer, and a control system for receiving detection data transmitted from the motion detector and controlling a performance of a tone in response to the received detection data. State of a performer's motion is detected via a sensor of the motion detector, and detection data representative of the detected motion state is transmitted to the control system. The control system receives the detection data from the motion detector, analyzes the performer's motion on the basis of the detection data, and then controls a tone performance in accordance with the analyzed data. With this arrangement, the performer can readily take part in the tone performance in the control system.

Abstract: There is provided a musical tone control system capable of controlling the generation of musical tones in a manner reflecting only motion or physical posture suitable for the musical tone generation control when controlling the generation of musical tones reflecting motions of a plurality of users or a plurality of body parts thereof or physical posture thereof. A plurality of motion detecting devices capable of being carried by operators detect motions of the users or operators carrying the devices, and transmit detected motion signals indicative of the detected motions. A receiver device receives the detected motion signals transmitted from the plurality of motion detecting devices. A CPU control extracts at least one detected motion signal satisfying a predetermined condition from the detected motion signals received by the receiver device and controls musical tones to be generated, based on the extracted at least one detected motion signal.

Abstract: Performance interface system includes a motion detector provided for movement with a performer, and a control system for receiving detection data transmitted from the motion detector and controlling a performance of a tone in response to the received detection data. State of a performer's motion is detected via a sensor of the motion detector, and detection data representative of the detected motion state is transmitted to the control system. The control system receives the detection data from the motion detector, analyzes the performer's motion on the basis of the detection data, and then controls a tone performance in accordance with the analyzed data. With this arrangement, the performer can readily take part in the tone performance in the control system.

Abstract: An audio signal generating apparatus is provided which makes it possible to supply a new music entertainment that enables users to actively participate in performance of musical compositions based on audio data that is coded in a predetermined format from audio signals, and a program for implementing the method, and a storage medium storing the program. Motion information corresponding to a motion of a user is acquired. An audio signal is acquired from audio data coded from the audio signal according to the predetermined format, and processing is performed on the acquired audio signal according to acquired motion information.

Abstract: Performance interface system includes a motion detector provided for movement with a performer, and a control system for receiving detection data transmitted from the motion detector and controlling a performance of a tone in response to the received detection data. State of a performer's motion is detected via a sensor of the motion detector, and detection data representative of the detected motion state is transmitted to the control system. The control system receives the detection data from the motion detector, analyzes the performer's motion on the basis of the detection data, and then controls a tone performance in accordance with the analyzed data. With this arrangement, the performer can readily take part in the tone performance in the control system.

Abstract: Performance interface system includes a motion detector provided for movement with a performer, and a control system for receiving detection data transmitted from the motion detector and controlling a performance of a tone in response to the received detection data. State of a performer's motion is detected via a sensor of the motion detector, and detection data representative of the detected motion state is transmitted to the control system. The control system receives the detection data from the motion detector, analyzes the performer's motion on the basis of the detection data, and then controls a tone performance in accordance with the analyzed data. With this arrangement, the performer can readily take part in the tone performance in the control system.

Abstract: There is provided a musical tone generation control system which enables the user to obtain a feeling of operation as well as to obtain a feeling of satisfaction as if he or she were aggressively participating in performance or playback of a musical composition or the like. The musical tone generation control system has at least one operating terminal that can be carried by an operator. Each operating terminal detects a motion of the operating terminal caused by an operation of the operator, generates motion information based on the detected motion, and transmits the generated motion information to the musical tone generation control apparatus.