JP2003348683A - State providing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly confirm an input output channel assigned to an integrated channel. <P>SOLUTION: Identification information of an input signal sequence or an output signal sequence newly assigned to the integrated sequence is provided to a display means provided on an adjustment means for adjusting parameters by each integrated sequence displays. When an assignment means properly groups newly the input signal sequence or the output signal sequence to assign the group to the integrated sequence, the identification information of the newly assigned input signal sequence or output signal sequence is provided to the display means configured as the adjustment means for adjusting the parameters by each integrated sequence. Thus, a user can confirm the input signal sequence or output signal sequence being a control object according to the parameter adjustment only on the adjustment means by each integrated sequence. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mixing device capable of arbitrarily assigning a plurality of input or output channels to each group and controlling the level adjustment and the setting of a mute state collectively for each group.
In particular, the present invention relates to a status presentation device in a mixing device that presents to a user input / output channels that are assigned to each group or input / output channels that are collectively set to a mute state in groups.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A plurality of microphones and a plurality of electric / electronic musical instruments output from a plurality of electric / electronic musical instruments are used in a concert hall, a club, or the like, in order to adjust the state of an artist's performance to be considered to be most accurate. As a device for mixing and outputting a musical tone signal, a mixing device (hereinafter simply referred to as a mixer) has been conventionally known.
The mixer is a control unit for each of the input and output channels for controlling the signals of multiple input channels and multiple output channels.
The user can adjust the output signal by appropriately operating the individual controllers. recently,
A plurality of input or output channels are appropriately grouped and assigned to one integrated channel, and level adjustment and mute state setting for all input / output channels assigned to one integrated channel are performed by a dedicated integrated channel controller. It can be controlled collectively using a unit (controller). In such a mixer, the number of LEDs corresponding to the number of integrated channels is previously arranged on each controller for input / output channels, and the input / output channels are assigned to predetermined integrated channels. , The LED corresponding to the integrated channel is constantly lit. With this presentation, the user can confirm the setting state of which integrated channel each input / output channel is assigned to. Also, each integrated channel can be given a unique name, and the name can be presented to the integrated channel controller.

[0003]

By the way, as described above, in the conventional mixer, the assignment to the integrated channel is merely presented by the LED arranged on each controller for the input / output channel. Could not show the assigned input / output channel on the controller. Therefore, the only way for the user to check the input / output channels being assigned to each integrated channel is to check the lighting state of the LEDs arranged on the controller for each input / output channel one by one. However, in this case, it takes time and effort to confirm the setting state, so that there is a problem that the mixing operation cannot be performed quickly and efficiently, which is inconvenient. Also,
When the mute state is set collectively by the integrated channel controller, the user recognizes whether or not the channel is set to the mute state collectively only by looking at each controller for the input / output channel. I couldn't do that. Therefore, although the control according to the operation of each controller for the input / output channel is not performed because the state is set to the mute state, the user may operate each controller for the input / output channel by mistake, which is wasteful. There is also a problem that the number of operations is increased and the efficiency of the mixing operation is reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and presents a setting state by displaying input / output channels being assigned in an integrated channel operation unit.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a state presenting device that allows a user to quickly confirm an input / output channel assigned to each integrated channel. In addition, by presenting a mute state according to the operation of the integrated channel operation unit in the input / output channel operation unit, useless operation by the user may be performed on the input / output channel set in the mute state. It is an object of the present invention to provide a state presenting device that does not need to be provided.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a state presenting apparatus, wherein a plurality of input signal sequences, a plurality of output signal sequences, and the input signal sequence or the output signal sequence are appropriately grouped. In a mixing apparatus including at least an allocating unit assigned to an integrated sequence, an adjusting unit that adjusts a parameter for each of the integrated sequences, and a control unit that simultaneously controls a plurality of input signals or output signals according to the parameter, the adjusting unit is Display means, and when a new input signal sequence or output signal sequence is assigned to the integrated sequence, identification information of the newly assigned input signal sequence or output signal sequence to the display means Is presented.

According to the present invention, the identification information of the input signal sequence or the output signal sequence newly assigned to the integrated sequence is presented to the display means provided in the adjusting means for adjusting the parameter for each integrated sequence. The user can quickly check the input signal sequence or the output signal sequence assigned to the integrated sequence. The allocating means appropriately groups the input signal sequence or the output signal sequence and allocates the integrated signal sequence. The adjusting means adjusts parameters for each of the integrated sequences, and the control means simultaneously controls a plurality of input signals or output signals according to the parameters. When a new input signal sequence or output signal sequence is allocated to the integrated sequence by the allocation unit, the identification information of the newly allocated input signal sequence or output signal sequence is presented to the display unit configured as the adjustment unit. In this way, the user can confirm the input signal sequence or the output signal sequence to be controlled according to the parameter adjustment only on the adjustment means for each integrated sequence.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a status presentation device.
A plurality of input signal sequences, a plurality of output signal sequences, an assigning means for appropriately grouping the input signal sequence or the output signal sequence and assigning them to an integrated sequence, and a setting device for setting a mute state for each of the integrated sequences, A mute control unit that sets at least a plurality of input signal sequences or output signal sequences to a mute state in accordance with the setting, when the mute state is set by the setting unit, the mute state is set. It indicates that the mute state has been set for each input signal sequence or output signal sequence assigned to the integrated sequence. With this configuration, even when the mute state is set by the integrated sequence setting unit to which the assignment is made, the mute state can be easily confirmed for each input signal sequence or output signal sequence.

The invention can be constructed and implemented not only as a device invention, but also as a method invention. Further, the present invention can be implemented in the form of a program of a processor such as a computer or a DSP, or can be implemented in the form of a storage medium storing such a program.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a hardware block diagram showing an embodiment of a mixing device (simply called a mixer) incorporating a state presentation device according to the present invention. The hardware configuration example of the mixer shown here is configured using a computer, in which the setting state is presented by the input / output channel display being assigned in the integrated channel controller, or in the input / output channel controller. The presentation of various setting states such as the presentation of a mute state according to the operation of the integrated channel controller is performed by the computer executing software including a predetermined control program for realizing the state presentation processing according to the present invention. Of course, this state presentation processing (for details, refer to “control processing of integrated channel controller” and “control processing of input / output controller” described later) is not limited to the form of computer software, but is performed by a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). It can be implemented in the form of a microprogram to be processed,
The present invention is not limited to this type of program, and may be implemented in the form of a dedicated hardware device including a discrete circuit or an integrated circuit or a large-scale integrated circuit.

The mixer shown in this embodiment has a microprocessor unit (CPU) 1 and a read-only memory (R).
OM) 2 and a random access memory (RAM) 3. In this embodiment, the entire mixer is controlled by a single CPU 1 so that a plurality of input audio data are mixed, and actual signal processing such as mixing is performed by a signal processing circuit 7. explain. The CPU 1 controls the operation of the entire mixer. A ROM is connected to the CPU 1 via a communication bus (for example, a data and address bus) 1D.
2, a RAM 3, a communication interface (I / F) 4, a detection circuit 5, a display circuit 6, a signal processing circuit 7, and an input / output interface (I / F) 8 are connected to each other. ROM2
Stores various programs and various data executed or referred to by the CPU 1. RAM3
Is used as a working memory for temporarily storing various data generated when the CPU 1 executes a predetermined program, or as a memory for storing a program currently being executed and data related thereto. RA
A predetermined address area of M3 is assigned to each function and used as a register, a flag, a table, a memory, and the like.

The communication interface (I / F) 4 is connected to a wired or wireless communication network such as a LAN, the Internet, or a telephone line, and is connected to the external control device 4A via the communication network. This is an interface for taking control data generated by the control device 4A into the mixer body. The external control device 4A is a personal computer terminal or the like,
Is a device that can generate control data equivalent to that generated in response to the operation. The communication interface 4 is also used to download various programs, various data, and the like from a server computer connected via a communication network to the mixer main body. Note that the communication interface 4 may have both of the wired and wireless interfaces instead of the wired or wireless interface. The operation unit 5A includes a slider (also referred to as a fader) used for level adjustment and the like, a mute switch for performing mute setting, and an integrated channel for each input / output channel, which are arranged in an input / output channel controller or an integrated channel controller. And various switches such as an allocation switch for allocating the data. Of course, besides these, the pitch,
Various keys such as a numeric keypad for inputting numerical data, a keyboard for inputting character data, and a mouse used for operating a predetermined pointing device displayed on the display unit 6A used for selecting, setting, and controlling a tone, an effect, and the like. An operator may be included. The detection circuit 5 detects the operation state of the operation element 5A, generates control data corresponding to the operation state, and sends the generated control data to the display circuit 6, the signal processing circuit 7, and the like via the communication bus 1D.

The display circuit 6 displays the display contents in accordance with the control data received from the detection circuit 5 and the communication interface 4, for example, an assignment display section disposed on the input / output channel controller and a name display section disposed on the integrated channel controller. (For details of the input / output channel controller and the integrated channel controller, see FIGS. 3 and 4 described later). Also, CP
A display unit 6A composed of a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), a CRT, or the like disposed at a predetermined position of the mixer main body (see FIG. 2 described later) displays the control state of U1 and the collective display of the setting states of various switches in the mixer. ). The signal processing circuit 7 is a DSP or the like that performs signal processing such as mixing audio data received from the input / output interface 8 based on control data received from the detection circuit 5 or the like. The audio data resulting from the mixing by the signal processing circuit 7 is sent to the input / output interface 8 for sending to the external input / output device 8A connected to the outside of the mixer. The input / output interface 8 inputs audio data for a plurality of channels from the external input / output device 8A and sends it to the signal processing circuit 7, or sends the mixed audio data received from the signal processing circuit 7 to the external input / output device 8A. Interface.

The mixer as described above is a
A, the display unit 6A, the signal processing circuit 7, and the like are not limited to those built in one mixer body, but each is separately configured, and configured to connect each device using an input / output interface, a communication network, or the like. May be used. Furthermore, the device to which the state presentation device according to the present invention is applied is not limited to a dedicated mixing device (mixer), but may be a personal computer, a portable communication terminal, an automatic performance device such as a karaoke or an automatic performance piano, or a game device. The present invention may be applied to any form of apparatus / apparatus.

The details of the input / output controller and the integrated channel controller will now be described.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of the arrangement of each controller in the entire mixer. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing one embodiment of the input / output controller. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of the integration controller.

As can be understood from FIG. 2, the input channel controller I is provided at the left and right sides of the mixer body.
C, a display unit 6A, an output channel controller unit OC, and an integrated channel controller unit TC are sequentially arranged at the center position from the top. Of course, it is not limited to this. In each controller unit, a controller for a plurality of channels is configured to correspond to each channel. The display unit 6A shown here is for displaying a control state of the CPU 1, a collective display of setting states of various switches in the mixer, and the like. For example, on the display unit 6A, a pseudo controller having the same arrangement as each controller in each controller unit can be displayed on the screen, and the user can view the screen displayed on the display unit 6A and see the actual controller in each controller. Not only can the user confirm the setting state, but also can operate the pseudo controller displayed on the display section 6A to perform the same level adjustment and mute setting as when the respective controllers were directly operated. Has become.

Next, as can be understood from FIG. 3, an input / output channel controller (IC or OC) includes an assignment display section WH as a display section 6A and a slider SL as an operation element 5A. You. The assignment destination display section WH is composed of LEDs of the number corresponding to the number of integrated channels. When the input / output channel is being assigned to the integrated channel, the LED corresponding to the integrated channel number of the assignment destination is displayed. Is always on. In the case of mute setting according to the operation of the integrated channel controller, the corresponding LED blinks while the mute state is being set. The slider SL is for controlling an input level and an output level relating to, for example, the volume of each input / output channel in accordance with the operation amount. The name (input / output channel name) assigned to each input / output channel, which can be appropriately set by the user, may be displayed on the input / output channel controller (IC or OC).

On the other hand, as can be understood from FIG.
The controller TC for the integrated channel includes a name display section NH as a display section 6A, and a mute switch MSW and a slider SL as operation elements 5A. The name display section NH displays a name (integrated channel name) assigned to each integrated channel, which can be appropriately set by the user. The name display section NH displays the assigned input / output channel number (or input / output channel name). The set integrated channel name, assigned input / output channel numbers, and the like are stored in buffers prepared in advance for each integrated channel. Name display section NH
In this example, if there is no input / output channel assigned to the integrated channel, only the integrated channel name is displayed, and if there is an input / output channel assigned, the assigned input / output channel number is displayed. FIG. 4B shows an example of such a display. However, here, the name display part NH of the two-stage display is shown as an example. If no input / output channel is allocated to the integrated channel (no allocation), only the integrated channel name “DCA1” is displayed on the upper side of the name display section NH. When the input / output channels are sequentially assigned to the integrated channel (INCH2 assignment, INCH3 assignment, INCH5 assignment), the newly assigned input / output channel numbers are displayed on the lower side, and each Is displayed as follows.
Here, when three or more input / output channels are allocated (INCH5 allocation), the newly allocated input / output channel numbers are displayed in the upper part of the name display part NH, and the lower part is displayed as “*”. *** ". This indicates that three or more input / output channels are allocated to the user. When the input / output channel is released (INCH3 release), the numbers of the remaining input / output channels are displayed in order from the top without displaying the number of the released input / output channel.

The mute switch MSW is a switch for collectively setting mute for input / output channels assigned to the integrated channel. An LED is arranged in the mute switch MSW,
Turning on the LED indicates that mute is being set. The slider SL is for collectively controlling the input level and output level of the assigned input / output channel according to the operation amount.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 described above, the integrated channel controller TC and the input / output channel controller (IC or OC) are integrally formed in the mixer body. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, the integrated channel controller unit TC and the input / output channel controller unit (IC or OC) may be configured as separate devices, and may be used by connecting them to the mixer body with a cable or the like. Note that an assignment destination display section WH arranged in each input / output channel controller is provided.
Is not limited to the LED configuration. In short, the integrated channel to which the input / output channel is assigned and the mute state according to the integrated channel operation may be any type as long as it can be confirmed on the input / output channel controller side. For example, the assignment destination display section WH is constituted by a liquid crystal display, and the number or name of the assignment destination integrated channel is displayed on the liquid crystal display, and whether or not the channel is muted is indicated by words or colors. You may.
The name display section NH arranged in the integrated channel controller may be any type as long as the input / output channel being assigned can be confirmed. For example, if all input / output channel names and channel numbers being assigned are displayed, or if only a part of the assigned input / output channels can be displayed at one time, the assigned input / output channels will be displayed in order using other controls. May be displayed, or the integrated channel name may include the assigned input / output channel name, and the integrated channel name may be updated to a new name and displayed.

In the mixer shown in FIG. 1, the user can confirm the input / output channels assigned to the integrated channel only by looking at the integrated channel controller. Further, the user can check the mute setting by operating the integrated channel controller to which the input / output channel is assigned, simply by looking at the input / output channel controller. The control process of the integrated channel controller and the control process of the input / output channel controller that perform such control will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of the “control process of the integrated channel controller” executed by the CPU 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of the "control process of the input / output channel controller" executed by the CPU 1 shown in FIG. These control processes are processes that operate in parallel for each channel.

First, the operation of the control process of the integrated channel controller will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. However, only the operation of one integrated channel controller will be described here. Step S1
Then, it is determined whether an input / output channel is newly assigned to the integrated channel. If a new input / output channel is assigned (YES in step S1), the newly assigned input / output channel number is recorded in the buffer in the order of assignment (step S1).
2) The new input / output channel name is reflected on the name display section (step S3). If the integrated channel has already been set to the mute state by operating the mute switch, the mute state setting information is sent to the input / output channel controller for controlling the newly assigned input / output channel. (Step S
4). On the other hand, when a new input / output channel is not allocated (NO in step S1), it is determined whether the input / output channel is released (step S1).
5). When the input / output channel assignment is released (YES in step S5), the released input / output channel number is deleted from the buffer recorded in the allocation order (step S6), and the allocation order after the deletion is referred to. Then, the input / output channel name displayed on the name display section is changed (step S7). If the integrated channel has already been set to the mute state, the mute state release information is sent to the input / output channel controller for controlling the input / output channel whose allocation has been released (step S8). .

In step S9, it is determined whether or not the mute state has been set by operating the mute switch. When the mute state is set (YE in step S9)
S), the setting information of the mute state is sent to all the input / output controllers corresponding to the input / output channels assigned to the integrated channel (step S10). On the other hand, if the mute state has not been set (step S9
NO), it is determined whether or not the mute state has been released by operating the mute switch (step S11). When the mute state is released (YE in step S11)
S), the mute release information is sent to all the input / output controllers corresponding to the input / output channels assigned to the integrated channel (step S12). In step S13, the operation of the slider is detected, and the operation amount is sent to the signal processing circuit as control data. Step S14
Then, "other processing" is performed according to various switch operations. For example, there is a process of changing the name of the integrated channel. In step S15, it is determined whether or not the stop of the mixing device main body is instructed. If the stop of the apparatus has been instructed (YES in step S15), the process is terminated. If the stop of the apparatus has not been instructed (NO in step S15), the process returns to step S1 to execute the process. Execute repeatedly.

Next, the operation of the control processing of the input / output channel controller will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In step S21, it is determined whether the input / output channel has been assigned to any of the integrated channels. When the channel is assigned to any one of the integrated channels (YES in step S21), a display indicating the integrated channel to which the channel is assigned is started (step S2).
2). For example, an LED corresponding to the integrated channel arranged on the input / output channel controller is turned on.
If it is not assigned to any of the integrated channels (NO in step S21), it is determined whether the assignment to any of the integrated channels has been released (step S23). If the assignment to any of the integrated channels has been released (YES in step S23), the display indicating the assigned integrated channel is ended (step S2).
4). For example, the LED corresponding to the lit integrated channel is turned off.

In step S25, it is determined whether or not the mute state setting information transmitted from the integrated channel controller has been received. When the setting information of the mute state is received (YES in step S25), a display indicating that the mute state is set in the integrated channel of the assignment destination is started (step S26). For example, the LED corresponding to the lit integrated channel blinks. On the other hand, if the mute state setting information has not been received (NO in step S25), it is determined whether mute state release information has been received (step S2).
7). When the mute state release information is received (YES in step S27), the display indicating that the mute state is set in the integrated channel of the assignment destination ends (step S28). For example, the LED corresponding to the blinking integrated channel is always turned on. In step S29, the operation of the slider is detected, and the operation amount is sent to the signal processing circuit as control data. Step S30
Then, "other processing" is performed according to various switch operations. For example, there is a process of changing an input / output channel name. In step S31, it is determined whether or not the stop of the mixing device main body is instructed. When the stop of the device is instructed (YES in step S31), the process is terminated, and when the stop of the device is not instructed (NO in step S31), the process returns to step S21 to repeat the process. Execute.

[0026]

According to the present invention, the input / output channels assigned to the integrated channel operation section are displayed, so that the user can quickly check the input / output channels assigned to each integrated channel. The effect is that it becomes possible to do. In addition, since the mute state by the mute setting operation on the operation part of the assigned integrated channel is displayed on the operation part of the input / output channel, the user can operate the operation of the input / output channel regardless of the mute state. There is an effect that an erroneous operation such as level adjustment is not performed by operating the unit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a hardware block diagram showing an embodiment of a mixing device (mixer) incorporating a state presentation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of the arrangement of each controller in the entire mixer.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing one embodiment of an input / output controller.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of an integration controller.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of “control processing of integrated channel controller”;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of “control processing of an input / output channel controller”;

[Description of Signs] 1 CPU, 2 ROM, 3 RAM, 4 communication interface, 4A external control device, 5 detection circuit, 5A
Operators, 6: display circuit, 6A: display unit, 7: signal processing circuit, 8: input / output interface, 8A: external input / output device, 1D: communication bus, IC: input channel controller unit, OC: output channel controller unit , TC: Integrated channel controller

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of input signal sequences, a plurality of output signal sequences, an assigning means for appropriately grouping the input signal sequences or the output signal sequences and assigning them to an integrated sequence, and adjusting parameters for each of the integrated sequences. A mixing device comprising at least adjusting means and control means for simultaneously controlling a plurality of input signals or output signals in accordance with the parameters, wherein the adjusting means has a display means; A state presentation device that, when a signal sequence or an output signal sequence is assigned, presents identification information of the newly assigned input signal sequence or output signal sequence to the display unit. 2. An assigning means for appropriately grouping a plurality of input signal sequences, a plurality of output signal sequences, said input signal sequence or output signal sequence and assigning them to an integrated sequence, and setting a mute state for each of said integrated sequences. Setting means to perform, and a mixing device comprising at least a mute control means for collectively setting a plurality of input signal sequences or output signal sequences to a mute state according to the setting, when the mute state is set by the setting means,
A state presentation device for presenting, for each input signal sequence or output signal sequence assigned to an integrated sequence set to a mute state, that the mute state has been set.