Voice output device, voice output method, information recording medium and program

A sound output method that uses a storage unit that stores sound information and volume coefficients respectively associated with two sound producing units moving in a virtual space, the sound output method comprising:

• a distance calculating step of calculating respective distances between a predetermined gazing point and the two sound producing units in the virtual space;
• a change rate calculating step of calculating change rates at which the volumes of the sounds respectively produced by the two sound producing units change as the sound producing units move away the respectively calculated distances;
• an amplitude factor calculating step of calculating, for a sound producing unit associated with the larger of the two volume coefficients, an amplification factor that is larger than its change rate, and of calculating, for a sound producing unit associated with the smaller of the two volume coefficients, an amplification factor that is smaller than its change rate;
• and
• a mixing and outputting step of amplifying sound information respectively associated with the two sound producing units by amplification factors calculated for the sound producing units, and outputting the sound obtained by adding the amplified results.

A computer-readable information recording medium storing a program for controlling a computer to function as:

• a storage unit (202) that stores sound information and volume coefficients respectively associated with two sound producing units moving in a virtual space;
• a distance calculating unit (203) that calculates respective distances between a predetermined gazing point and the two sound producing units in the virtual space;
• a change rate calculating unit (204) that calculates change rates at which the volumes of the sounds respectively produced by the two sound producing units change as the sound producing units move away the respectively calculated distances;
• an amplitude factor calculating unit (205) that calculates, for a sound producing unit associated with the larger of the two volume coefficients, an amplification factor that is larger than its change rate, and calculates, for a sound producing unit associated with the smaller of the two volume coefficients, an amplification factor that is smaller than its change rate;
• and
• a mixing and outputting unit (206) that amplifies sound information respectively associated with the two sound producing units by amplification factors respectively calculated for the sound producing units, and outputs the sound obtained by adding the amplified results.

A program for controlling a computer to function as:

• a storage unit (202) that stores sound information and volume coefficients respectively associated with two sound producing units moving in a virtual space;
• a distance calculating unit (203) that calculates respective distances between a predetermined gazing point and the two sound producing units in the virtual space;
• a change rate calculating unit (204) that calculates change rates at which the volumes of the sounds respectively produced by the two sound producing units change as the sound producing units move away the respectively calculated distances;
• an amplitude factor calculating unit (205) that calculates, for a sound producing unit associated with the larger of the two volume coefficients, an amplification factor that is larger than its change rate, and calculates, for a sound producing unit associated with the smaller of the two volume coefficients, an amplification factor that is smaller than its change rate;
• and
• a mixing and outputting unit (206) that amplifies sound information respectively associated with the two sound producing units by amplification factors respectively calculated for the sound producing units, and outputs the sound obtained by adding the amplified results.