JP2006195264A - Electronic musical instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the outward appearance of an electronic musical instrument equipped with a pedal from being spoiled by a signal line extending from the pedal to a sound source and to improve the operability for assembling of the electronic musical instrument. <P>SOLUTION: A pedal unit 3 is provided with a light emitting diode 19 which emits infrared rays and an electronic keyboard musical instrument 1 body part is provided with a photodiode 22 which receives the infrared rays. Further, a detection circuit which detects operation or an operation amount of the pedal 14 is provided in a case 16 which constitutes the pedal unit 3. When the detection circuit detects the operation or operation amount of the pedal 14, its detection result is projected by the light emitting diode 19 in the form of infrared rays, which are received by the photodiode 22. Then its photodetection signal is inputted to an electronic sound generating device provided on the electronic keyboard musical instrument 1 and the operation or operation amount of the pedal is reflected on an electronic sound. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic musical instrument in which a sound source is controlled by a pedal operation.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, electronic musical instruments such as electronic pianos having pedals that function in the same way as damper pedals, soft pedals, sostenuto pedals, and the like provided on ordinary pianos have been devised.

In this type of electronic musical instrument, the operation of the pedal or the operation amount is detected by a detection device such as a switch or a variable resistor, and the sound source is controlled on the basis of the detection result by the detection device. The same sound as when various pedals are operated on the piano can be generated (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-5-88672

  However, in the above-described conventional electronic musical instrument, the detection device for detecting the operation and the operation amount of the pedal and the control device for controlling the sound source based on the detection signal from the detection device are signals for transmitting the detection signal. Because the signal line is exposed to the outside, the external appearance of the electronic musical instrument is impaired, and the wiring work of the signal line is required when assembling the electronic musical instrument. There was a problem of lowering.

  In addition, in order to prevent the appearance of the signal line from being damaged, it is conceivable to change the structure of the electronic musical instrument, such as adding parts for hiding the signal line. There is a problem that the workability at the time is further reduced and the cost of the electronic musical instrument is increased.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and in an electronic musical instrument having an operation pedal, the appearance is prevented from being damaged by a signal line extending from the pedal to the sound source, and the workability during assembly of the electronic musical instrument is prevented. The purpose is to improve.

The invention according to claim 1, which has been made to achieve such an object, includes a pedal for operating with a foot, a detecting means for detecting an operation or an operation amount of the pedal, a sound source that emits an electronic sound, and the detection In an electronic musical instrument comprising control means for controlling the sound source based on a detection result by the means,
Transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting a signal representing a detection result by the detecting means, provided near the pedal;
A receiving means provided in the vicinity of the control means for receiving a transmission signal from the transmitting means and inputting it to the control means;
It is provided with.

  In the electronic musical instrument according to claim 1, configured as described above, the detection unit detects an operation of the pedal or an operation amount, and a signal representing the detection result is transmitted from the transmission unit provided in the vicinity of the pedal. It transmits wirelessly to receiving means provided in the vicinity of the control means on the main body side of the electronic musical instrument.

Therefore, according to the electronic musical instrument of the first aspect, since a cable or the like for communication for transmitting and receiving the signal is not necessary, the appearance of the entire electronic musical instrument is not impaired by the cable or the like.
In addition, since there is no need to wire cables or the like during assembly, the electronic musical instrument can be easily assembled and used. Further, when the electronic musical instrument is disassembled and transported at the time of shipment of the electronic musical instrument, it is not necessary to take measures such as disconnection of the cable, so that the work becomes simple and the work cost can be reduced. .

  Next, according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electronic musical instrument according to the first aspect, the transmission unit generates a pulse width modulation signal whose duty ratio changes according to a detection result by the detection unit, The wireless signal is transmitted according to the generated pulse width modulation signal.

  Therefore, according to the electronic musical instrument of the second aspect, since the pulse width modulation code is used for transmitting the radio signal, at the time of transmission, whether or not the radio signal is transmitted according to the pulse width modulation code is determined. It is only necessary to switch, and it is not necessary to modulate the amplitude and frequency of the carrier wave for wireless transmission, so that wireless communication can be easily performed.

Next, according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electronic musical instrument according to the first or second aspect, the transmission means includes a light emitting element that emits infrared rays as the wireless signal, and the detection means When the operation of the pedal or the operation amount is detected, the light emitting element is configured to emit infrared rays,
The receiving means includes a light receiving element that receives infrared light emitted from the light emitting element and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the amount of received light to the control means.

  Therefore, according to the electronic musical instrument of the third aspect, since the transmission means transmits the detection result indicating the pedal operation or the operation amount detected by the detection means by infrared rays, the transmission means emits infrared rays. Compared with the case where the detection result can be transmitted and received by radio waves, the configuration of the transmission means and the reception means can be simplified. Therefore, the transmission unit and the reception unit can be configured at low cost, and the power consumption thereof can be suppressed, and a more economical electronic musical instrument can be provided.

Also, according to the present electronic musical instrument, unlike radio waves, wireless signals are transmitted and received by space division. Therefore, even if a plurality of the present electronic musical instruments are used in close proximity, radio signals are less likely to interfere.
Next, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic musical instrument according to any one of the first to third aspects, the electronic musical instrument supports a keyboard unit for operation with a finger and the keyboard unit. A keyboard instrument that controls the sound source in accordance with the operation state of the keyboard unit in addition to the operation state of the pedal.
The pedal is fixed to a predetermined position of a bottom plate installed on the leg portion.

  Therefore, according to the electronic musical instrument of the fourth aspect, since the pedal is fixed to the electronic musical instrument main body, the pedal can be operated like a pedal provided in a general piano. . Therefore, it is possible to provide an electronic musical instrument that is closer to the operational feeling of an acoustic piano.

Next, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic musical instrument according to any one of the first to third aspects, the electronic musical instrument supports a keyboard unit for operation with a finger and the keyboard unit. A keyboard instrument that controls the sound source in accordance with the operation state of the keyboard unit in addition to the operation state of the pedal.
The pedal, the detection unit, and the transmission unit are provided in a pedal unit configured separately from the instrument body.

  Therefore, according to the electronic musical instrument of the fifth aspect, since the pedal unit including the pedal, the detection unit, and the transmission unit is configured separately from the electronic musical instrument main body, the operator of the pedal is predetermined. Since the pedal unit can be arranged at any place within the range, it is possible to provide a more convenient electronic musical instrument.

Next, the invention according to claim 6 is the electronic musical instrument according to claim 5, wherein the transmission means is configured to be capable of adjusting a transmission direction of the radio signal according to an installation position of the pedal unit.
The receiving means is configured to receive a transmission signal from a pedal unit installed below the electronic musical instrument.

  Therefore, according to the electronic musical instrument of the sixth aspect, it is possible to reliably transmit and receive a radio signal no matter where the pedal unit is installed within a predetermined range. Therefore, the pedal operation is surely reflected in the control of the sound source, and an electronic musical instrument that does not give an uncomfortable feeling to the operator of the pedal can be provided.

Embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an electronic keyboard instrument 1 according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
The electronic keyboard instrument 1 of the present embodiment includes a keyboard unit 10 for operating with fingers, legs 12R and 12L for supporting the keyboard unit 10, and reception as reception means provided below the keyboard unit 10. The holder 20 is composed of a pedal unit 3 provided separately from the main body, and the pedal unit 3 can be disposed at any location between the leg portions 12R and 12L.

The pedal unit 3 includes a pedal 14 for operating with a foot, and a case 16 that supports one end of the pedal 14 so as to be displaceable in accordance with the operation with the foot.
Inside the case 16 is provided a detection circuit as detection means for detecting the operation amount of the pedal 14. The configuration of this detection circuit will be described later. In addition, the upper surface of the case 16 is provided with a transmission holder 15 that incorporates a light emitting diode 19 as a light emitting element that emits infrared rays as a transmission means. The transmission holder 15 is provided with a lens 18 for condensing infrared light from the light emitting diode 19 and emitting it in one direction. In addition, it is comprised so that the emitting direction of infrared rays can be adjusted by adjusting the attachment position or angle of this transmission holder 15. FIG.

  Further, the side surface of the case 16 is provided with a battery box 17 that houses a detection circuit and a storage battery for supplying power to the light emitting diode 19. Then, power is supplied to the detection circuit and the light emitting diode 19 from a storage battery (not shown).

  Next, the receiving holder 20 includes a photodiode 22 as a light receiving element for receiving infrared light, and a lens 21 for condensing the infrared light emitted from the light emitting diode 19 and guiding it to the photodiode 22. . The lens 21 is a fish-eye lens so that infrared rays emitted from the light emitting diode 19 of the pedal unit 3 can be condensed and guided to the photodiode 22 even if the installation position of the pedal unit 3 is changed. Has been.

Here, the configuration of the detection circuit in the pedal unit 3 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the detection circuit in the pedal unit 3 includes a potentiometer 30 whose resistance value changes according to the amount of pedal depression, a waveform generation circuit 32 that generates a triangular wave or a toothed wave, and a potentiometer 30. The power supply voltage (+ V _D1 ) is applied, and the comparator 34 is configured to compare the detection voltage corresponding to the depression amount of the pedal 14 output from the potentiometer 30 and the voltage input from the waveform generation circuit 32. 34 sends a voltage according to the comparison result to a series circuit including the light emitting diode 19 and a current control resistor.

  That is, the comparator 34 generates a pulse width modulation code corresponding to the depression amount of the pedal 14 based on the detection voltage from the potentiometer 30 and the input voltage from the waveform generation circuit 32, and the light emitting diode 19 Energization and non-energization are switched in accordance with the sign, and infrared rays are emitted when energized.

Next, the configuration of the electronic sound generator built in the main body side of the electronic keyboard instrument 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.
First, a light reception signal from the photodiode 22 included in the reception holder 20 is input to a pulse / voltage conversion circuit 42 (hereinafter referred to as a P / V conversion circuit). Then, the P / V conversion circuit 42 converts the received light signal (that is, the pulse width modulation code) into a voltage signal (hereinafter referred to as a pedal operation signal) corresponding to the pulse width of the received light signal, and the A / D conversion circuit. The A / D conversion circuit 44 converts the voltage signal into digital data and inputs it to the CPU 46.

  The CPU 46 controls the electronic keyboard instrument 1 in an integrated manner, and is accessible via the system bus 62 to a ROM 48 that stores various programs executed by the CPU 46 and a RAM 50 that temporarily stores various data. Has been.

  The CPU 46 also has an interface 54 (hereinafter referred to as I / F) for inputting a signal from a sensor for detecting a key operation or an operation panel via a system bus 62, and a tone generator circuit for generating an electronic sound signal. 52 (hereinafter referred to as TG), and a D / A conversion circuit 56 is connected to the TG 52. The D / A conversion circuit 56 is connected to a speaker output circuit 58 as an amplifier circuit. The speaker output circuit 58 receives an electronic sound signal from the TG 52 and outputs an electronic sound. A speaker 60 is connected.

  The CPU 46 controls the TG 52 based on a pedal operation signal input via the A / D conversion circuit 44 or a key operation signal or panel operation signal input via the I / F 54. An electronic sound based on this signal is emitted from the speaker 60.

In addition, since the other structure with which the electronic sound generator incorporated in the main body of the electronic keyboard instrument 1 is based on a well-known technique, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted here.
Next, in the electronic sound generating apparatus, processing of a main routine that is repeatedly executed by the CPU 46 as control means will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In this main routine process, when the power of the electronic keyboard instrument 1 is turned on, first, various initialization processes are performed in S100.
Next, the process proceeds to S110, where the keyboard operation or panel operation based on the key operation signal or panel operation signal input from the I / F 54, or the pedal operation based on the pedal operation signal input from the A / D conversion circuit 44 is performed. It is determined whether there is an event such as.

  If it is determined that there is an event as described above, the process proceeds to S120, and event processing corresponding to the input signal is performed. This event process will be described later. And after performing an event process in S120, it transfers to S130.

Conversely, when it is determined in S110 that there is no event, the process proceeds to S130.
In S130, the CPU 46 performs a constant process, which is a process that is normally executed when the electronic keyboard instrument 1 is controlled, and proceeds to S110 again.

  Specific examples of the constant process executed in S130 include a vibrato process for changing the pitch and a volume process for changing the volume. Note that vibrato processing and volume processing are well known, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted here.

Next, the event processing executed in S120 will be described using the flowchart of FIG.
In this event process, first, in S200, it is determined whether or not the process to be executed this time is a keyboard process based on a key operation signal input from the I / F 54. If it is determined that the process is a keyboard process, the process proceeds to S210, and a sound generation process for generating a sound in response to a key operation signal or a mute process for canceling the generated sound is performed. Note that since the sound generation or mute processing is a known one, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S200 that the process to be executed this time is not a keyboard process, the process proceeds to S220, and the process to be executed this time is a panel process based on the panel operation signal input from the I / F 54. Determine whether or not. If an affirmative determination is made in S220, then the process proceeds to S230, and panel processing such as timbre setting processing or automatic performance processing based on the panel operation signal is executed. Since panel processing such as timbre setting processing and automatic performance processing is well known, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  If it is determined in S220 that the process to be executed this time is not a panel process, the process proceeds to S240, and there is an event related to the pedal operation based on the pedal operation signal input from the A / D conversion circuit 44. Determine whether or not. If it is determined that there is an event related to pedal operation, the process proceeds to S250, and pedal processing such as volume and tone adjustment processing based on the pedal operation signal is performed.

  Conversely, if it is determined in S240 that there is no event related to pedal operation, the process proceeds to S260 and other processing is performed. The other process represents a process that the CPU 46 normally executes as a control device that controls the information processing apparatus.

  As described above, the electronic keyboard instrument 1 of the present embodiment includes the pedal unit including the pedal 14, the potentiometer 30 for detecting the operation amount of the pedal 14, and the light emitting diode 19 that transmits the detection result by the potentiometer 30 by infrared rays. 3 and a receiving holder 20 made up of a photodiode 22 and the like for receiving infrared light from the light emitting diode 19 and inputting the received light signal to the electronic sound generator.

  Therefore, according to the present electronic keyboard instrument 1, since it is not necessary to use a cable or the like to transmit / receive the detection result, the cable or the like is not exposed to a conspicuous place, and the appearance of the entire electronic keyboard instrument 1 is impaired. This can be prevented.

  In addition, the electronic keyboard instrument 1 of the present embodiment can be easily assembled because it is not necessary to wire a cable for guiding the detection signal from the pedal 14 to the electronic sound generator during assembly.

  Further, when the electronic keyboard instrument 1 is disassembled and transported at the time of shipment or the like, it is not necessary to take measures such as disconnection of the cable, so that disassembly and transport operations are simplified, and the work cost can be reduced. .

  In the present embodiment, the pedal unit 3 is configured separately from the main body of the electronic keyboard instrument 1 so that the pedal unit 3 can be installed at an arbitrary position between the legs 12R and 12L of the electronic keyboard instrument 1. Infrared emission direction can be adjusted. In addition, the receiving holder 20 is provided with a fisheye lens as the lens 18 so as to easily receive infrared rays.

  Therefore, according to the electronic keyboard instrument 1, the pedal unit 3 can be arranged at a position that is easy for the operator of the pedal 14 to use, and an electronic keyboard instrument that is easy to use for the operator of the pedal can be provided.

  In addition, since it is possible to reliably project and receive infrared light between the pedal unit 3 and the receiving holder 20, an electronic keyboard instrument that reliably reflects the pedal operation in the control of the sound source and does not give the pedal 14 an uncomfortable feeling. Can be provided.

Next, an electronic keyboard instrument 2 according to a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG.
The electronic keyboard instrument 2 of the present embodiment includes a keyboard unit 10 for operating with fingers, legs 12R and 12L for supporting the keyboard unit 10, and reception as reception means provided below the keyboard unit 10. Provided on the holder 20a, 20b, 20c, the bottom plate 24 provided so as to span the legs 12R, 12L, the pedal units 3a, 3b, 3c fixed below the bottom plate 24, and the upper surface of the bottom plate 24. Transmission holders 15a, 15b and 15c as transmission means.

  The pedal units 3a, 3b, and 3c are respectively pedals 14a, 14b, and 14c for operation with feet, and cases 16a and 16b that support one end of the pedals 14a, 14b, and 14c in a displaceable manner according to the operation with the feet. 16c. The pedals 14a, 14b, and 14c correspond to so-called damper pedals, soft pedals, and sostenuto pedals that are provided in a normal piano.

  Each case 16a, 16b, 16c is provided with a detection circuit as detection means for detecting the operation amount of the pedals 14a, 14b, 14c. This detection circuit is configured similarly to the detection circuit of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  Each of the transmission holders 15a, 15b, and 15c incorporates light emitting diodes 19a, 19b, and 19c as light emitting elements that emit infrared rays, and further collects infrared rays from the light emitting diodes 19a, 19b, and 19c. Lens 18a, 18b, 18c for forming a beam.

In addition, the electric power to the detection circuit with which the case 16a, 16b, 16c was equipped, and light emitting diode 19a, 19b, 19c is supplied from the storage battery which is not shown in figure.
Next, the receiving holders 20a, 20b, and 20c are similar to the receiving holder 20 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and are photo detectors that receive infrared rays emitted from the light emitting diodes 19a, 19b, and 19c. Diodes 22a, 22b, and 22c are incorporated, and lenses 21a, 21b, and 21c for condensing infrared rays and guiding them to the photodiodes 22a, 22b, and 22c are provided.

  In the electronic keyboard instrument 2 of the present embodiment, the transmission holders 15a, 15b, and 15c are fixedly installed on the upper surface of the bottom plate 24, and the reception holders 20a, 20b, and 20c are each of the transmission holders 15a, 15b. , 15c are positioned at positions facing the transmission holders 15a, 15b, 15c on the main body side of the electronic keyboard instrument 2 so that each of the beam-like infrared rays emitted from 15c can be received.

  The received signals from the receiving holders 20a, 20b, and 20c are input to the CPU 46 via the P / V conversion circuit 42 and the A / D conversion circuit 44, as in the first embodiment, and the CPU 46 is used in the first embodiment. 4 and 5 are executed for each detection signal (that is, light reception signal) from each pedal unit 3a, 3b, 3c.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the pedal units 3a, 3b, 3c, the transmission holders 15a, 15b, 15c, and the reception holders 20a, 20b, 20c are fixedly installed on the electronic keyboard instrument 2. Yes.

  Therefore, the pedals 14a, 14b, and 14c can be operated like three pedals provided in a general piano, and an electronic keyboard instrument closer to the operation feeling of an acoustic piano can be provided.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the transmission holders 15a, 15b, 15c and the reception holders 20a, 20b, 20c are fixed at a position where wireless communication by infrared rays is not hindered by the movement of the operator of the electronic keyboard instrument. Therefore, the pedal operation is reliably reflected in the control of the sound source. Therefore, it is possible to provide an electronic keyboard instrument that does not give the pedal operator a sense of incongruity.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various form can be taken within the technical scope of this invention.
For example, in each of the above embodiments, a keyboard instrument having a keyboard unit has been described. However, the same effect can be obtained by applying the present invention to an electronic musical instrument in which a sound source is controlled by operating a pedal.

  In each of the above embodiments, the pedal depression amount is detected by the potentiometer 30, and the sound source is controlled based on the detection result. However, the position of the pedal or the pedal using an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, or the like is used. It is good also as a structure which detects the amount of stepping on.

A switch may be provided so that the switch is turned on and off by operating the pedal, and the sound source is controlled based on the detected on and off of the switch.
Moreover, in each said embodiment, although infrared rays are utilized for radio | wireless communication, it is good also as a structure which performs radio | wireless communication using an electromagnetic wave.

  In each of the above embodiments, power is supplied to the pedal unit using a storage battery, but power may be supplied from an electronic keyboard instrument body via an adapter or the like.

It is explanatory drawing showing the external appearance of the electronic keyboard musical instrument of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram showing the structure of the detection circuit incorporated in the pedal unit of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram showing the structure of the electronic sound generator of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart showing the process of the main routine performed with CPU of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart showing the event process performed by CPU of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing showing the external appearance of the electronic keyboard musical instrument of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2 ... Electronic keyboard instrument 3, 3a, 3b, 3c ... Pedal unit, 10 ... Keyboard part, 12R, 12L ... Leg part, 14, 14a, 14b, 14c ... Pedal, 15, 15a, 15b, 15c ... Transmission Holder, 16, 16a, 16b, 16c ... Case, 17 ... Battery box, 18, 18a, 18b, 18c ... Lens, 19, 19a, 19b, 19c ... Light emitting diode, 20, 20a, 20b, 20c ... Reception holder, 21 , 21a, 21b, 21c ... lens, 22, 22a, 22b, 22c ... photodiode, 24 ... bottom plate, 30 ... potentiometer, 32 ... waveform generation circuit, 34 ... comparator, 42 ... P / V conversion circuit, 44 ... A / D conversion circuit, 46 ... CPU, 48 ... ROM, 50 ... RAM, 52 ... tone generator (TG), 54 ... interface (I F), 56 ... D / A conversion circuit, 58 ... speaker output circuit, 60 ... speaker, 62 ... system bus

Claims (6)

An electronic device comprising a pedal for operating with a foot, detection means for detecting the operation or operation amount of the pedal, a sound source that emits an electronic sound, and a control means for controlling the sound source based on a detection result by the detection means In musical instruments,
Transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting a signal representing a detection result by the detecting means, provided near the pedal;
A receiving means provided in the vicinity of the control means for receiving a transmission signal from the transmitting means and inputting it to the control means;
An electronic musical instrument characterized by comprising   The transmission means generates a pulse width modulation signal whose duty ratio changes according to a detection result by the detection means, and transmits the radio signal according to the generated pulse width modulation signal. The electronic musical instrument according to claim 1. The transmission means includes a light emitting element that emits infrared light as the wireless signal, and is configured to emit infrared light from the light emitting element when an operation or an operation amount of the pedal is detected by the detection means,
3. The light receiving element according to claim 1, wherein the receiving means includes a light receiving element that receives an infrared ray emitted from the light emitting element and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the amount of received light to the control means. The electronic musical instrument described. The electronic musical instrument includes a keyboard part for operating with a finger and a leg part for supporting the keyboard part, and the control means is in an operation state of the keyboard part in addition to an operation state of the pedal. A keyboard instrument that controls the sound source according to
The electronic musical instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pedal is fixed at a predetermined position of a bottom plate installed on the leg portion. The electronic musical instrument includes a keyboard part for operating with a finger and a leg part for supporting the keyboard part, and the control device is in an operation state of the keyboard part in addition to an operation state of the pedal. A keyboard instrument that controls the sound source according to
The said pedal, the said detection means, and the said transmission means are provided in the pedal unit comprised separately from the said instrument main body, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Electronic musical instrument. The transmission means is configured to be capable of adjusting the transmission direction of the radio signal according to the installation position of the pedal unit,
The electronic musical instrument according to claim 5, wherein the receiving unit is configured to be able to receive a transmission signal from a pedal unit installed below the electronic musical instrument.

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