Sound collection apparatus

A sound collection apparatus comprising:

• at least one target sound collection means for collecting 10 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 one target sound collection means, the sensitivity suppression signal generated by the sensitivity suppression means, so as to extract a signal of a sound generated in the overlap region in which the plurality of the dead zones overlap each other.

A sound collection method comprising:

• a target sound collection step of collecting, by using first sound collection means, a sound including a target sound generated from a target sound source, so as to output a collected-sound signal;
• a positioning step of positioning a plurality of second sound collection means at positions different from each other such that the plurality of second sound collection means each form a dead zone of a sensitivity in a direction of the target sound source;
• a non-target sound collection step of collecting a sound outside the dead zone by using the plurality of second sound collection means positioned in the positioning step, so as to output collected-sound signals;
• a sensitivity suppression step of 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 signals outputted in the non-target sound collection step;
• and
• extraction step of removing, from the collected-sound signal outputted in the target sound collection step, the sensitivity suppression signal generated in the sensitivity suppression step, so as to extract a signal of a sound generated in the overlap region in which the plurality of the dead zones overlap each other.

An integrated circuit comprising:

• a first input terminal for receiving a collected-sound signal outputted by at least one target sound collection means for collecting a sound including a target sound generated from a target sound source;
• a plurality of second input terminals for receiving collected-sound signals outputted by a plurality of non-target sound collection means, respectively, wherein the plurality of non-target sound collection means are provided at positions different from each other, and each form a dead zone of a sensitivity in a direction of the target sound source so as to collect a sound outside the dead zone;
• 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 signals outputted from the plurality of second input terminals, respectively;
• extraction means for removing, from the collected-sound signal outputted from the first input terminal, the sensitivity suppression signal generated by the sensitivity suppression means, so as to extract a signal of a sound generated in the overlap region in which the plurality of the dead zones overlap each other;
• and
• an output terminal for outputting the signal of the sound which is generated in the overlap region in which the plurality of the dead zones overlap each other, and is extracted by the extraction means.

A program for causing a computer, of a sound collection apparatus including:

• 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;
• and 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, to execute:
• a sensitivity suppression step of 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
• an extraction step of removing, from the collected-sound signal outputted by the at least one target sound collection means, the sensitivity suppression signal generated in the sensitivity suppression step, so as to extract a signal of a sound generated in the overlap region in which the plurality of the dead zones overlap each other.