Abstract: A sound reproduction apparatus includes a sound source localization estimating unit that performs estimates using input audio signals in an acoustic space when the input audio signals are reproduced by speakers placed in standard positions; and a sound source signal separating unit that calculates a sound source localization signal and separates, from the input audio signals, sound source non-localization signals. Additionally, a sound source position parameter calculating unit calculates parameters indicating a position of the sound source localization signal in the acoustic space; and a reproduction signal generating unit uses the sound source position parameters to distribute the sound source localization signal to front speakers placed in the standard positions in front and headphones placed near the ears of a listener and in positions different from the standard positions, by combining the sound source localization signal and the sound source non-localization signals.

Abstract: An audio reproduction apparatus is provided which is capable of maintaining the sense of dimensions in an acoustic space even when multi-channel input audio signals are reproduced using speakers having different frequency characteristics.

Abstract: An acoustic signal output control section extracts, from an acoustic signal, a low-frequency-component acoustic signal and a high-frequency-component acoustic signal. A sound image localization processing filter section performs a sound image localization process on the low-frequency-component acoustic signal. The low-frequency-component acoustic signal having been subjected to the sound image localization process is outputted from loudspeakers in an AV rack loudspeaker apparatus. A television sound image localization processing filter section performs a sound image localization process on the high-frequency-component acoustic signal. The high-frequency-component acoustic signal having been subjected to the sound image localization process is outputted from loudspeakers in a television via HDMI communication sections.

Abstract: An audio reproduction apparatus is provided which is capable of maintaining the sense of dimensions in an acoustic space even when multi-channel input audio signals are reproduced using speakers having different frequency characteristics.

Abstract: A sound reproduction apparatus includes: a sound source localization estimating unit (1) that estimates whether or not a sound image is localized using input audio signals in an acoustic space when the input audio signals are reproduced by speakers (FL, FR, SL, SR) placed in standard positions; a sound source signal separating unit (2) that calculates a sound source localization signal Z(i) indicating the sound image that is localized and separates, from the input audio signals, sound source non-localization signals (FLa, FRb, SLa, SLb) which are signal components not contributing to localization of the sound image; a sound source position parameter calculating unit (3) that calculates parameters (R, ?) indicating a position of the sound source localization signal in the acoustic space; and a reproduction signal generating unit (4) that uses the sound source position is parameters indicating the position of the sound source localization signal to distribute the sound source localization signal to front speake

Abstract: A particular program detection device detecting a particular program segment even in a program signal contaminated with noise by adaptively modifying a detection sensitivity for a scene change point. A noise level detecting section detects a noise level of a program signal outputted from a signal input section. Based on the detected noise level, a detection sensitivity determining section determines a detection sensitivity which is used when a silent portion of the program signal is determined by a silent portion detecting section. In accordance with the determined detection sensitivity, the silent portion detecting section detects a portion having a low audio level of the program signal as a silent portion. A particular program determining section calculates a time difference between each silent portion and a silent portion following this, and based on the calculated time difference, determines whether or not the silent portion is a particular program.

Abstract: A sound field measuring device uses a measurement signal which has at least one change point and whose frequency spectrum has a shape corresponding to a shape of a frequency spectrum of a background noise. This enables a sound field measurement, which is for measuring an impulse response or transfer function of a sound field space which is a linear time-invariant system to be measured, to be performed with a high S/N ratio over a wide frequency band.

Abstract: A sound field measuring device according to the present invention uses a measurement signal which has at least one change point and whose frequency spectrum has a shape corresponding to a shape of a frequency spectrum of a background noise. This enables a sound field measurement, which is for measuring an impulse response or transfer function of a sound field space which is a linear time-invariant system to be measured, to be performed with a high S/N ratio over a wide frequency band.

Abstract: There is provided an AV content processing device operable to reduce unpleasantness caused to a user when a detection error occurs in detecting a CM section. A CM detection unit (101) detects a CM section based on a power level of a sound signal in a stored AV content or the like, and acquires information indicating boundaries between the CM section and program sections. The user inputs, via a purpose reception unit (102), a view purpose to view the AV content. Boundary A boundary correction unit (103) shifts, in accordance with the view purpose inputted by the user, positions of the boundaries (a start point and an end point) between the CM section detected by the CM detection unit (101) and the program sections such that the detected CM section becomes long or short.

Abstract: A particular program detection device is provided which can detect a particular program segment even in a program signal contaminated with noise by adaptively modifying a detection sensitivity for a scene change point. A noise level detecting section (12) detects a noise level of a program signal outputted from a signal input section (11). Based on the noise level detected by the noise level detecting section (12), a detection sensitivity determining section (13) determines a detection sensitivity which is used when a silent portion of the program signal is determined by a silent portion detecting section (14). In accordance with the detection sensitivity determined by the detection sensitivity determining section (13), the silent portion detecting section (14) detects a portion having a low audio level of the program signal as a silent portion.

Abstract: Directory file structure information in units of recording media before consolidation is converted into reproduction control information in a data format of a management information file after consolidation and is recorded in the management information file after consolidation, enabling view and edit of the video materials, and further enabling to rewrite them to other media according to the management information before consolidation.

Abstract: An audio information provision system for providing a target with an audio information stream suitable to the target includes a database for storing a plurality of audio information streams; an inherent condition input section for receiving an inherent condition of the target; a variable condition input section for receiving a variable condition varying in accordance with time; a selection section for selecting at least one audio information stream from the plurality of audio information streams based on at least the inherent condition and the variable condition; and an output section for outputting the at least one audio information stream.

Abstract: The characteristic value detection section detects a characteristic value concerning input musical data. The detected characteristic value is converted by a genre information determination section to genre information representing a genre of the contents of the input musical data. Based on the genre information, a parameter determination section determines an acoustic processing parameter which is used for adjusting the tone of the output from a acoustic processing section. In accordance with the acoustic processing parameter as determined, the acoustic processing section applies predetermined acoustic processing to the input musical data. The musical data having been subjected to the predetermined acoustic processing is reproduced by a reproduction section. Thus, the musical signal processing device makes it possible to obtain a tone which is adapted to the contents of the input musical data.

Abstract: Upon receipt of a music signal from a music-signal input section, a sound-source separating section in a preprocessing section separates the music signal into a plurality of signals in units of the type of audio source. A physical-property converting section changes a physical property of each of the signals on the basis of control information received from a control-information input section. A signal-synthesizing section synthesizes a plurality of output signals outputted from the physical-property converting section, and supplies the resultant signal to a data-compressing section. For example, in compressed data, a high data rate is allocated to a vocal, whereas low data rates are allocated to other parts. As a result, quality improvement can be implemented in auditory perceptibility of a musically important part.

Abstract: An audio information provision system for providing a target with an audio information stream suitable to the target includes a database for storing a plurality of audio information streams; an inherent condition input section for receiving an inherent condition of the target; a variable condition input section for receiving a variable condition varying in accordance with time; a selection section for selecting at least one audio information stream from the plurality of audio information streams based on at least the inherent condition and the variable condition; and an output section for outputting the at least one audio information stream.

Abstract: Upon receipt of a music signal from a music-signal input section, a sound-source separating section in a preprocessing section separates the music signal into a plurality of signals in units of the type of audio source. A physical-property converting section changes a physical property of each of the signals on the basis of control information received from a control-information input section. A signal-synthesizing section synthesizes a plurality of output signals outputted from the physical-property converting section, and supplies the resultant signal to a data-compressing section. For example, in compressed data, a high data rate is allocated to a vocal, whereas low data rates are allocated to other parts. As a result, quality improvement can be implemented in auditory perceptibility of a musically important part.

Abstract: The characteristic value detection section 311 detects a characteristic value concerning input musical data. The detected characteristic value is converted by a genre information determination section 312 to genre information representing a genre of the contents of the input musical data. Based on the genre information, the parameter determination section 313 determines an acoustic processing parameter which is used for adjusting the tone of the output from the acoustic processing section 314. In accordance with the acoustic processing parameter as determined, the acoustic processing section 314 applies predetermined acoustic processing to the input musical data. The musical data having been subjected to the predetermined acoustic processing is reproduced by a reproduction section 315. Thus, the musical signal processing device makes it possible to obtain a tone which is adapted to the contents of the input musical data.

Abstract: A sound field controller of the invention reproduces a sound field which provides a distance perspective depending on a position of a sound image for a listener. The sound field controller includes: an A/D converter; a signal processing section for processing the digital signal using predetermined parameters, and generating a sound signal; an input device for inputting conditions which include a position of a sound image to be localized and a distance from a listener; a parameter controller for setting the parameters in the signal processing section so that the sound signal has characteristics in accordance with the input conditions; a D/A converter; and a reproducing unit for amplifying and reproducing the signal output from the D/A converter.

Abstract: An audio data file analyzer apparatus includes: analyzers for analyzing at least one of physical characteristics of an audio signal to produce an analyzed resultant data the at least one physical characteristic possibly including a continuous time duration of the audio signal, a control data input for providing a control data for an audio data file; a reference code generator for producing a reference code from the analyzed resultant data and the control data; a reference code storage for storing the reference code; a reference code input for providing a specific reference code requested by an operator, and a reference code comparator for comparing the specific reference code, a newly introduced reference code which are produced by the reference code generator from other audio signal, or combination of the specific reference code and the newly introduced reference code with the reference code.

Abstract: A sound field offset device having two channels, each of which includes a frequency selection filter for dividing a stereophonic input signal into two frequency bands by a given frequency falling within an audio frequency, at least one digital filter for performing sound field offsetting within a lower frequency band, and at least one loudspeaker assembly for a higher frequency band having a sharp directivity pattern and capable of defining an area to which acoustic power is emitted. This device allows a sound field to be offset in a cost effective and simple manner, by improving the frequency characteristic of a sound field space and by clarifying the sense of locality of acoustic images.