Abstract: A display control apparatus for controlling display of a display device that a user can wear acquires speech collected by a plurality of microphones, estimates a sound-arrival direction of the acquired speech, and generates a text image corresponding to the acquired speech. The display control apparatus determines an adjustment amount of a display position of the text image on the display unit of the display device based on a detection result of at least one of an operation by the user and a state of the display device. Then, the display control apparatus displays the generated text image at a display position in the display unit, the display position being determined in accordance with the estimated sound-arrival direction and the determined adjustment amount.

Abstract: A display control apparatus for controlling display of a display device acquires speech collected by a plurality of microphones and estimates a sound-arrival direction of the acquired speech. Then, the display control apparatus causes a text image corresponding to the acquired speech to be displayed in a predetermined text display area in a display unit of the display device, and causes a symbol image associated with the text image to be displayed at a display position in the display unit, the display position corresponding to the estimated sound-arrival direction.

Abstract: A sound absorber includes cavities mutually different in at least one of shape and size. A wall of a first cavity included in the cavities includes a first region and a second region. Through-holes connecting an interior to an exterior of the first cavity is formed in the first region. No through-holes connecting the interior and the exterior of the first cavity is formed in the second region adjacent to the first region. A wall of a second cavity included in the cavities includes a third region and a fourth region. Through-holes connecting an interior to an exterior of the second cavity is formed in the third region. No through-holes connecting the interior and the exterior of the second cavity is formed in the fourth region adjacent to the third region. Size of through-holes in the first region is different from size of through-holes in the third region.

Abstract: A sound absorbing unit includes: a perforated plate that is a plate member having a plurality of holes; a first cavity extending in a first direction, the first cavity allowing sound waves to enter through a plurality of holes present in a first region of the perforated plate; and a second cavity extending substantially parallel to the first direction, the second cavity allowing sound waves to enter through a plurality of holes present in a second region of the perforated plate. The first cavity and the second cavity are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A surface of the perforated plate is orthogonal to neither the first direction nor the second direction. The first cavity and the second cavity have different lengths in the first direction.

Abstract: A sound absorber includes cavities mutually different in at least one of shape and size. A wall of a first cavity included in the cavities includes a first region and a second region. Through- holes connecting an interior to an exterior of the first cavity is formed in the first region. No through-holes connecting the interior and the exterior of the first cavity is formed in the second region adjacent to the first region. A wall of a second cavity included in the cavities includes a third region and a fourth region. Through-holes connecting an interior to an exterior of the second cavity is formed in the third region. No through-holes connecting the interior and the exterior of the second cavity is formed in the fourth region adjacent to the third region. Size of through-holes in the first region is different from size of through-holes in the third region.

Abstract: The signal processing apparatus receives an input acoustic signal, and amplitude-modulates the received input acoustic signal to generate an output acoustic signal having an amplitude change corresponding to a frequency of a gamma wave, and outputs the generated output acoustic signal.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus receives an input acoustic signal, acquires a first acoustic signal having a periodic variation corresponding to the frequency of gamma waves, and outputs an output acoustic signal based on the acquired first acoustic signal and the second acoustic signal. The second acoustic signal is based on the input acoustic signal.

Abstract: The ultrasonic radiation apparatus includes a first transducer support having a substantially planar first main face. The first transducer support has a plurality of first mounts on the first main face. The apparatus includes a second transducer support having a substantially planar second main face. The second transducer support has a plurality of second mounts on the second main face, and is arranged such that a second normal of the second main face intersects a first normal of the first main face at a common target point. The apparatus includes a plurality of first ultrasonic waves attached to the plurality of first mounts to radiate ultrasonic waves traveling along the first normal. The apparatus includes a plurality of second ultrasonic transducers attached to the plurality of second mounts to radiate ultrasonic waves traveling along the second normal.

Abstract: A sound absorbing structure includes a perforated surface with a plurality of through-holes, a first cavity that has a portion extending non-parallel to a normal direction of the perforated surface, the first cavity being breathable between an interior and exterior of the first cavity via the plurality of through-holes existing in a first region of the perforated surface, and a second cavity that is breathable between an interior and exterior of the second cavity via the plurality of through-holes existing in a second region adjacent to the first region of the perforated surface.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus comprises a memory that stores instructions. The measurement apparatus comprises a processor that executes the instructions stored in the memory to: identify a propagation distance which is a length of a propagation path that a sound wave transmitted from a transmitting apparatus takes before reaching a receiving apparatus; determine, based on the identified propagation distance, a method to be used to identify a propagation time for the sound wave transmitted from the transmitting apparatus to reach the receiving apparatus from among a plurality of methods for identifying a propagation time of a sound wave; identify the propagation time for the sound wave transmitted from the transmitting apparatus to reach the receiving apparatus by the determined method; and measure an air characteristic of a location on the propagation path based on the identified propagation time and the identified propagation distance.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus includes a determining unit configured to determine propagation paths through which acoustic waves propagate. The acoustic waves are transmitted from one or more transmitters, pass through a predetermined region and are received by one or more receivers. The measuring apparatus includes a controlling unit configured to control the transmitters such that acoustic waves are transmitted and propagate through the propagation paths determined by the determining unit. The measuring apparatus includes an identifying unit configured to identify each of propagation times required for each of the acoustic waves transmitted in response to the control by the controlling unit to propagate each of the propagation paths. The measuring apparatus includes a measuring unit configured to measure an air characteristic of the predetermined region based on the propagation times identified by the identifying unit and length of the propagation paths.

Abstract: The present invention reduces noise generated by a phase change in an ultrasonic wave focusing apparatus that changes an ultrasonic wave focal point within a space by changing the phase of vibration of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers. When inputted position coordinates within a three-dimensional space are changed, the ultrasonic wave focusing apparatus calculates a target time lag Tnew that allows ultrasonic waves outputted from the ultrasonic transducers to form a focal point at the changed position coordinates X1, Y1, Z1. The ultrasonic wave focusing apparatus then examines the ultrasonic transducers to locate a particular ultrasonic transducer that outputs an ultrasonic wave whose time lag Ttmp differs from the target time lag Tnew, and changes the phase of the outputted ultrasonic wave to a target phase in multiple steps (steps 140 and 150).

Abstract: A plasma generator including: a femtosecond light source that generates a laser pulse beam; a processor that computes a computer generated hologram; a spatial light modulator that modifies the laser pulse beam in accordance with the computer generated hologram; a three dimensional scanner optically coupled to the spatial light modulator to direct the modified laser pulse beam to one or more focal points in air; and a lens that focuses the modified laser pulse beam. The modified laser pulse beam induces a light emission effect at a one or more focal points that can be visible, audible, and palpable.

Abstract: A novel system and method based on three-dimensional acoustic-manipulation technology is disclosed. By changing the distribution of an acoustic-potential field generated by ultrasonic phased arrays, objects can be levitated and animated. Various distributions of acoustic-potential fields can be generated in accordance with the present invention, including acoustic-potential fields having arbitrary shapes, including any three-dimensional shapes. One or more ultrasonic phased arrays surrounding a workspace can be used to generate standing waves of various shapes to provide the acoustic-potential fields. Objects can be suspended at the nodes of the acoustic-potential field so that the ultrasound distribution (i.e., the desired arbitrary shape) is visualized. The system and method can be used to realize floating screen or mid-air raster graphics, mid-air vector graphics, and interaction with levitated objects. The system and method can also be used in other applications, including cleaning applications.

Abstract: A novel system and method for spatial sound generation is disclosed. A system and method for generating bodiless mid-air speakers includes the steps of: generating a modulated signal by modulating an ultrasonic carrier signal with an audio signal, determining a phase delay value for each ultrasonic transducer of an array of ultrasonic transducers with respect to one or more focal points, and driving each such ultrasonic transducer with the modulated signal in accordance with the phase delay value determined for each ultrasonic transducer to generate audible sound at the one or more focal points.

Abstract: A novel system and method for spatial sound generation is disclosed. A system and method for generating bodiless mid-air speakers includes the steps of: generating a modulated signal by modulating an ultrasonic carrier signal with an audio signal, determining a phase delay value for each ultrasonic transducer of an array of ultrasonic transducers with respect to one or more focal points, and driving each such ultrasonic transducer with the modulated signal in accordance with the phase delay value determined for each ultrasonic transducer to generate audible sound at the one or more focal points.

Abstract: A plasma generator including: a femtosecond light source that generates a laser pulse beam; a processor that computes a computer generated hologram; a spatial light modulator that modifies the laser pulse beam in accordance with the computer generated hologram; a three dimensional scanner optically coupled to the spatial light modulator to direct the modified laser pulse beam to one or more focal points in air; and a lens that focuses the modified laser pulse beam. The modified laser pulse beam induces a light emission effect at a one or more focal points that can be visible, audible, and palpable.

Abstract: A novel system and method for spatial sound generation is disclosed. A system and method for generating bodiless mid-air speakers includes the steps of: generating a modulated signal by modulating an ultrasonic carrier signal with an audio signal, determining a phase delay value for each ultrasonic transducer of an array of ultrasonic transducers with respect to one or more focal points, and driving each such ultrasonic transducer with the modulated signal in accordance with the phase delay value determined for each ultrasonic transducer to generate audible sound at the one or more focal points.

Abstract: The present invention reduces noise generated by a phase change in an ultrasonic wave focusing apparatus that changes an ultrasonic wave focal point within a space by changing the phase of vibration of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers. When inputted position coordinates within a three-dimensional space are changed, the ultrasonic wave focusing apparatus calculates a target time lag Tnew that allows ultrasonic waves outputted from the ultrasonic transducers to form a focal point at the changed position coordinates X1, Y1, Z1. The ultrasonic wave focusing apparatus then examines the ultrasonic transducers to locate a particular ultrasonic transducer that outputs an ultrasonic wave whose time lag Ttmp differs from the target time lag Tnew, and changes the phase of the outputted ultrasonic wave to a target phase in multiple steps (steps 140 and 150).