Abstract: A sound collection apparatus includes a target sound collection unit that collects a sound including a target sound and outputs a collected-sound signal, a non-target sound collection unit, provided at positions different from each other, forms dead zones of sensitivity in a direction of the target sound source so as to collect a sound outside the dead zones and outputs a collected-sound signal. A sensitivity suppression unit generates a sensitivity suppression signal for suppressing a sound collection sensitivity in an overlap region in which dead zones overlap, as compared to a region surrounding the overlap region, by subjecting, to a predetermined signal processing, the collected-sound signal outputted by the non-target sound collection unit. An extraction unit removes, from the collected-sound signal, the sensitivity suppression signal generated, so as to extract a signal of a sound generated in the overlap region in which the dead zones overlap.

Abstract: A sound collection apparatus according to the present invention comprises: at least one target sound collection means for collecting a sound including a target sound generated from a target sound source, so as to output a collected-sound signal; a plurality of non-target sound collection means, provided at positions different from each other, each forming a dead zone of a sensitivity in a direction of the target sound source so as to collect a sound outside the dead zone and output a collected-sound signal; sensitivity suppression means for generating a sensitivity suppression signal for suppressing a sound collection sensitivity in an overlap region in which a plurality of the dead zones overlap each other, as compared to in a region surrounding the overlap region, by subjecting, to a predetermined signal processing, the collected-sound signal outputted by each of the plurality of non-target sound collection means; and extraction means for removing, from the collected-sound signal outputted by the at least o