JP2007286532A - Electronic musical instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase time for reading data from a memory. <P>SOLUTION: An electronic musical instrument comprises: a memory 12 for storing the data and a computer program; and an integrated circuit 11 in which a CPU 26, a RAM 23 and a musical sound generation device 27 are integrated in one chip. The integrated circuit 11 reads the computer program from the memory 12 in a program transfer mode and records it in the RAM 23. In an ordinary mode, the CPU 26 executes the computer program which is read from the RAM 23, and the musical sound generation device 27 generates musical sound data indicating musical sound by executing the computer program which is read from the memory 12. The electronic musical instrument 1 increases the time for reading the data from the memory 12, when the musical sound is output, and at the same time, the number of the musical sounds for outputting is increased. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic musical instrument, and more particularly to an electronic musical instrument that generates musical sounds using software recorded in a storage device.

  Electronic musical instruments that generate musical sounds using software are known. In such an electronic musical instrument, for example, waveform data representing the content of a musical sound and a musical sound generation and emission program are stored in separate memories. For this reason, such a sound source device for an electronic musical instrument has a complicated circuit configuration, which increases the cost. By the way, with the advance of semiconductor technology, ASIC technology has been developed in which a large-capacity DRAM (dynamic random access memory) and a CPU are integrated and mixed on one chip. Electronic musical instruments are desired to have a compact internal circuit configuration. Such an electronic musical instrument is desired to increase the number of musical sounds that can be generated simultaneously, and to improve the processing speed for controlling the generation of musical sounds.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 02-126296 discloses a musical tone information storage device having a simple circuit configuration and a simple information reading process. The musical sound information storage device includes data storage means for storing data representing the contents of musical sounds, program storage means provided integrally with the data storage means, for storing a processing program for generating and emitting musical sounds, Data reading means for reading data from the data storage means, program reading means for reading a program from the program storage means, and switching means for switching reading between the data reading means and the program reading means are provided.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-2221066 discloses a control device for an electronic musical instrument that can cope with higher speed and higher functionality of an electronic musical instrument and is suitable for LSI implementation. The electronic musical instrument control apparatus includes a first storage unit that stores at least a part of the control program and waveform data, a processing unit that operates according to the control program read from the first storage unit, and the first storage unit. A musical tone signal generating means for generating a musical tone signal based on the waveform data read out from one storage means, and the processing means includes the first section and the second section in one cycle. In the first section, the musical tone signal generating means alternately accesses the first storage means in the second section, and controls the electronic musical instrument in the electronic musical instrument controller that performs control while repeating the cycle. Second storage means for storing another part is further provided, and the processing means stores another part of the control program from the second storage means in both the first section and the second section. Read It is characterized in that to work.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 02-126296 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-2221066

An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic musical instrument that makes a process for controlling the generation of musical sounds faster and more functional.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic musical instrument that increases the number of musical sounds that can be emitted simultaneously.

  In the following, means for solving the problems will be described using the reference numerals used in the best modes and embodiments for carrying out the invention in parentheses. This reference numeral is added to clarify the correspondence between the description of the claims and the description of the best mode for carrying out the invention / example, and is described in the claims. It should not be used to interpret the technical scope of the invention.

  An electronic musical instrument (1) according to the present invention has an integrated memory (12) for storing data and computer programs, a CPU (26), a RAM (23), and a musical sound generator (27) integrated on a single chip. Circuit (11). The integrated circuit (11) reads the computer program from the memory (12) in the program transfer mode and records it in the RAM (23), and the CPU (26) executes the computer program read from the RAM (23) in the normal mode. A tone generator (27) reads out data from the memory (12) and generates tone data indicating the tone. In such an electronic musical instrument (1), the CPU (26) can read out the computer program faster. Such an electronic musical instrument (1) can increase the time for reading data from the memory (12) when the musical sound is emitted, compared to the electronic musical instrument that reads the computer program from the memory (12) while emitting the musical sound. it can. As a result, the electronic musical instrument (1) can increase the number of musical sounds that can be emitted simultaneously.

  The integrated circuit (11) does not read the computer program from the memory (12) in the normal mode. At this time, the electronic musical instrument (1) can further increase the time for reading data from the memory (12) when the musical sound is emitted, and can increase the number of musical sounds that can be emitted at the same time. it can. The program transfer mode is preferably started when the integrated circuit (11) is powered on.

  The memory (12) further stores parameter data used for controlling the generated musical sound. At this time, the integrated circuit (11) reads the parameter data from the memory (12) in the program transfer mode and records it in the RAM (23). In the normal mode, the CPU (26) executes the computer program to execute the RAM ( It is preferable to read out the parameter data from 23) for information processing. The CPU (26) preferably records information generated by executing the computer program in the RAM (23) and reads the information from the RAM (23) in the normal mode.

  The electronic musical instrument (1) according to the present invention further comprises an interface (5). The integrated circuit (11) records the software stored in the storage device connected via the interface (5) in the memory (12). At this time, when the data or computer program is upgraded, the electronic musical instrument (1) can be easily upgraded by recording the upgraded data or computer program in the storage device.

  The memory (12) is removable. At this time, the electronic musical instrument (1) can be easily upgraded by taking out the memory (12) and attaching another memory in which updated data or a computer program is recorded.

  The electronic musical instrument according to the present invention can increase the time for reading data from the memory, and can increase the number of musical sounds that can be emitted simultaneously.

  An embodiment of an electronic musical instrument according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic musical instrument 1 is connected to a plurality of hardware via a bus 2 so that information can be transmitted bidirectionally. The bus 2 is formed of an address bus, a data bus, and a signal bus. The plurality of hardware includes an interface 5, a keyboard section 7, an operation panel section 8, an integrated circuit 11, a program / waveform memory 12, a D / A converter 14, an analog signal processing section 15, an amplifier 16, and a speaker 17. It is out.

  The interface 5 connects the electronic musical instrument 1 with a storage device provided separately from the electronic musical instrument 1. The storage device stores information and can transmit the information to the plurality of hardware via the bus 2 when connected to the electronic musical instrument 1 via the interface 5.

  The keyboard unit 7 is a keyboard having a plurality of keys for playing. That is, the plurality of keys are formed of a plurality of white keys and a plurality of black keys, and each correspond to a plurality of different pitches. In addition, the keyboard unit 7 outputs an electrical signal indicating the key that has been pressed and the key strength. The operation panel unit 8 includes a display, a plurality of switches, a volume knob, and a power switch. For example, the display is a display surface of a liquid crystal display, and the liquid crystal display displays a screen generated by the integrated circuit 11 and displays, for example, the selection and setting state of volume and tone color. The operation panel unit 8 outputs an electrical signal indicating the operated switch among the plurality of switches to the integrated circuit 11 and outputs an electrical signal indicating the angle of the volume knob to the integrated circuit 11. For example, the user operates the operation panel unit 8 to generate information, and for example, selects and sets a timbre. The power switch is turned on and off by being operated by the user. The power switch supplies power to the electronic musical instrument 1 when turned on, and stops supplying power to the electronic musical instrument 1 when turned off. The power switch further outputs a reset signal RSTX when switching from OFF to ON.

  The program / waveform memory 12 is a readable / writable nonvolatile memory (for example, a flash memory), and records a computer program, parameter data, and a plurality of waveforms. The parameter data is data necessary for generating a musical sound, and is used when the computer program is executed and a control parameter related to the musical sound is calculated. The plurality of waveforms correspond to a plurality of timbres and tone ranges (pitches) that the electronic musical instrument 1 can emit. Each of the waveforms indicates a waveform of a musical sound generated from the electronic musical instrument 1 (that is, an amount that changes with time), and an address is associated with waveform data. The address corresponds to the time of the waveform and indicates an address for identifying a position in the program / waveform memory 12. The waveform data indicates an instantaneous value of the waveform displacement at the time corresponding to the address. The plurality of timbres are associated with a head address, a loop top address, and a loop end address. The head address, the loop top address, and the loop end address indicate addresses of the program / waveform memory 12, respectively. The head address indicates an address at which the top of the waveform in the program / waveform memory 12 is recorded. The loop top address indicates an address after the head address. The loop end address indicates an address that is later in sequence than the loop top address. The waveform is formed of a rising portion and a repeating portion. The rising portion corresponds to the portion of the waveform recorded from the head address of the program / waveform memory 12 to the loop top address. The repetitive portion corresponds to the portion of the waveform recorded from the loop top address to the loop end address. The waveform of the musical sound generated from the electronic musical instrument 1 is formed by repeating the rising portion and the repeating portion after the rising portion. The program / waveform memory 12 outputs waveform data corresponding to an address input from the outside.

  The integrated circuit 11 executes a computer program recorded in the program / waveform memory 12 to control the keyboard unit 7, the operation panel unit 8, and the D / A converter 14. That is, the integrated circuit 11 scans the keyboard unit 7 and the operation panel unit 8 to generate key information and timbre volume information. The key information indicates key ON / OFF and touch information in association with a plurality of key numbers for identifying the keys of the keyboard unit 7. The key ON / OFF indicates whether the key identified by the key number is pressed or released. The touch information indicates the key pressing strength when the key identified by the key number is pressed. The timbre volume information indicates a plurality of timbres set in a plurality of (musical tone generator) generators by operating a switch of the operation panel unit 8 and an angle of a volume knob of the operation panel unit 8.

  The integrated circuit 11 refers to the program / waveform memory 12 and generates a digital tone signal indicating a tone emitted from the electronic musical instrument 1 based on the key information and tone color volume information generated by the integrated circuit 11. . The D / A converter 14 is a digital-analog converter that converts the digital musical tone signal generated by the integrated circuit 11 into an analog musical tone signal. The analog signal processing unit 15 performs simple filter processing (for example, noise removal) and amplification processing on the analog musical tone signal generated by the D / A converter 14. The amplifier 16 is a power amplifier that amplifies the analog musical sound signal analog-processed by the analog signal processing unit 15 so as to be generated by the speaker 11. The speaker 17 is formed of one or more speakers, and converts the analog tone signal amplified by the amplifier 16 into an audible signal and emits the sound.

  FIG. 2 shows the integrated circuit 11. In the integrated circuit 11, a plurality of circuits are integrated on one chip. The plurality of circuits includes a counting device 21, a flip-flop 22, a memory 23 (RAM: volatile memory that can be read and written), a selector 24, a selector 25, a CPU 26, and a plurality of musical sound generators 27.

  After the reset signal RSTX is output from the power switch of the operation panel unit 8, the count device 21 changes the count state by a clock (not shown) at a predetermined clock speed, and receives the address signal CNTAB indicating the output of the counter. The data is output to the selector 24 and the selector 25. The address signal CNTAB indicates the address of an area where the computer program and parameter data in the memory 23 are stored. The count device 21 further outputs an end signal TE to the flip-flop 22 after a predetermined period has elapsed since the reset signal RSTX was output from the power switch of the operation panel unit 8. The predetermined period indicates the time of the program transfer mode in which the entire program recorded in the program / waveform memory 12 is transferred to the memory 23.

  The flip-flop 22 outputs the SRST signal to the selector 24 based on the output signal of the power switch of the operation panel unit 8 and the output signal of the counting device 21. The SRST signal indicates “H” during the period of the program transfer mode from when the reset signal RSTX is output from the power switch of the operation panel unit 8 to when the end signal TE is output from the counting device 21. "L" is indicated in the normal mode period after the end signal TE is output from.

  The selector 24 outputs the address signal WAB, the write signal WWRX, and the read signal WOEX based on the SRST signal output from the flip-flop 22. When the SRST signal indicates “L”, that is, in the normal mode, the read signal WOEX indicates a value indicated by the TOEX signal output from the tone generator 27, and the write signal WWRX indicates the tone generator 27. The address signal WAB indicates the address indicated by the TAB signal, which is the waveform read address signal output from the tone generator 27. When the SRST signal indicates “H”, that is, in the program transfer mode, the write signal WWRX indicates “L”, the write signal WWRX indicates “H”, and the address signal WAB indicates an address indicated by the address signal CNTAB output from the counting device 21.

  That is, the program / waveform memory 12 records input information or outputs recorded information based on the address signal WAB, the write signal WWRX, and the read signal WOEX output from the selector 24. That is, the program / waveform memory 12 records input information at the address indicated by the address signal WAB when the write signal WWRX indicates “L” and the read signal WOEX indicates “H”. The program / waveform memory 12 outputs information recorded at the address indicated by the address signal WAB when the write signal WWRX indicates “H” and the read signal WOEX indicates “L”.

  The selector 25 outputs the address signal IAB, the write signal IWRX, and the read signal IOEX based on the SRST signal output from the flip-flop 22. When the SRST signal indicates "L", that is, in the normal mode, the read signal IOEX indicates a value indicated by the COEX signal output from the CPU 26, and the write signal IWRX is a CWRX signal output from the CPU 26. The address signal IAB indicates the value indicated by the CAB signal that is an address signal output from the CPU 26. When the SRST signal indicates “H”, that is, in the program transfer mode, the write signal IWRX indicates “H”, the write signal IWRX indicates “L”, and the address signal IAB indicates a value indicated by the address signal CNTAB output from the counting device 21.

  The memory 23 is a readable / writable volatile memory. An example of such a memory is a DRAM. The memory 23 includes a program area in which computer programs and parameter data are recorded, and a temporary storage area in which information generated by the CPU 26 is temporarily recorded. That is, the address signal CNTAB output from the counting device 21 indicates the address of the program area of the memory 23. The memory 23 records input information or outputs recorded information based on the address signal IAB, the write signal IWRX, and the read signal IOEX output from the selector 25. That is, when the write signal IWRX indicates “L” and the read signal IOEX indicates “H”, the memory 23 records the input information at the address indicated by the address signal IAB. The memory 23 outputs information recorded at the address indicated by the address signal IAB when the write signal IWRX indicates “H” and the read signal IOEX indicates “L”.

  The CPU 26 reads out the computer program recorded in the memory 23, executes the computer program, operates the keyboard unit 7 and the operation panel unit 8, controls the musical tone generator, and controls the D / A converter 14 Control to output more musical sounds. The CPU 26 temporarily records the information generated at this time in the temporary storage area of the memory 23. That is, the CPU 26 scans the keyboard unit 7 and the operation panel unit 8 to generate key information and timbre volume information. The key information indicates key ON / OFF and touch information in association with a plurality of key numbers for identifying the keys of the keyboard unit 7. The key ON / OFF indicates whether the key identified by the key number is pressed or released. The touch information indicates the key pressing strength when the key identified by the key number is pressed. The timbre volume information indicates a plurality of timbres set in a plurality of (musical tone generator) generators by operating a switch of the operation panel unit 8 and an angle of a volume knob of the operation panel unit 8.

  The CPU 26 reads the parameter data from the memory 23, generates a plurality of control parameters based on the parameter data, key information, and timbre volume information, and outputs the plurality of control parameters to the musical tone generator 27. The number of the plurality of control parameters corresponds to the number of the plurality of musical sounds that the electronic musical instrument 1 can emit simultaneously, and is, for example, 64 or 96. The control parameters have a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of musical sounds, and bank bank, start address ST, loop top address LT, loop end address LE, frequency number FNo, filter selection, resonance Q, bias, and target value, respectively. And speed data, loudness, etc. The bank “bank” indicates a bank that is an area of the program / waveform memory 12 in which the target musical sound waveform is stored. The start address ST indicates the address of the program / waveform memory 12 at which the top waveform data of the rising portion of the musical sound is recorded. The loop top address LT indicates the address of the program / waveform memory 12 where the top waveform data of the repetitive portion of the musical sound is recorded. The loop end address LE indicates the address of the program / waveform memory 12 where the waveform data at the end of the repetitive portion of the musical sound is recorded. The frequency number FNo indicates the frequency number of the musical sound. The filter selection indicates the type of filter performed on the musical sound, and indicates one of high pass, low pass, band pass, and band reject. Resonance Q indicates the resonance of the musical sound. The bias indicates a reference for the cutoff frequency of the musical sound. The target value indicates the target value of the envelope of the musical sound. The speed data indicates the speed data of the envelope of the musical sound. The loudness indicates a value used when controlling the amplitude envelope of the musical sound.

  The CPU 26 further outputs a COEX signal, a CWRX signal, and a CAB signal to the selector 25 when executing the computer program to control the memory 23. That is, when information generated by the CPU 26 is temporarily recorded in the memory 23, the COEX signal indicates “H”, the CWRX signal indicates “L”, and the CAB signal indicates an address for recording the information. Is shown. When the CPU 26 reads information (including the computer program, parameter data, and temporarily recorded information) from the memory 23, the COEX signal indicates “L”, the CWRX signal indicates “H”, and the CAB The signal indicates the address where the information is recorded.

  The musical tone generator 27 generates digital musical tone signals indicating a plurality of musical tones based on a plurality of control parameters output from the CPU 26, respectively. That is, the number of musical sound generators 27 is equal to the number of musical sounds that the electronic musical instrument 1 can emit simultaneously. Each of the tone generators 27 calculates an address based on each of a plurality of control parameters, and a digital tone signal indicating a tone based on waveform data output from the program / waveform memory 12 in response to the output of the address. And the digital musical tone signal is supplied to the D / A converter 14.

  The operation of the electronic musical instrument 1 includes a program transfer mode operation, a normal mode operation, and a version upgrade operation.

  The operation in the program transfer mode starts when the power source of the operation panel unit 8 is operated and the electronic musical instrument 1 is turned on. The integrated circuit 11 first integrates all of the computer program and parameter data recorded in the program / waveform memory 12 in response to a reset signal RSTX output when the power switch is switched from OFF to ON. The data is transferred and recorded in a predetermined area of the memory 23 mounted on the circuit 11. When the transfer is completed, the integrated circuit 11 shifts to the normal mode.

  The normal mode operation starts immediately after the program transfer mode operation ends. First, the CPU 26 of the integrated circuit 11 reads out a computer program recorded in the memory 23 from the memory 23 and executes the computer program, whereby the keyboard unit 7, the operation panel unit 8, the program / waveform memory 12, and the D / The A converter 14, the memory 23, and the musical tone generator 27 are controlled. The information generated at this time is temporarily recorded in the temporary storage area of the memory 23 by the CPU 26 and read from the memory 23 by the CPU 26. That is, the CPU 26 scans the keyboard unit 7 and the operation panel unit 8, reads out a computer program corresponding to the operation content from the memory 23, and executes it. For example, when the user operates the keyboard unit 7 and the operation panel unit 8 so that the electronic musical instrument 1 generates a musical sound, the CPU 26 generates key information and tone color volume information based on the operation content. The CPU 26 reads the parameter data from the memory 23, and calculates a plurality of control parameters based on the parameter data, key information, and timbre volume information. At this time, the musical sound generator 27 calculates a plurality of addresses based on the plurality of control parameters. The tone generator 27 outputs the plurality of addresses to the program / waveform memory 12 and reads the plurality of waveform data. The musical tone generator 27 generates a digital musical tone signal indicating a plurality of musical tones based on the plurality of waveform data, and the electronic musical instrument 1 emits a plurality of musical tones generated based on the digital musical tone signal.

  Generally, the transmission speed at which information is transmitted between a plurality of circuits integrated on one chip is designed to be larger than the transmission speed at which information is transmitted between the chip and circuits outside the chip. can do. According to such an operation, the electronic musical instrument 1 generates a waveform from the program / waveform memory 12 when the musical sound is emitted from the electronic musical instrument that reads the computer program from the external memory of the integrated circuit including the CPU while emitting the musical sound. The time for reading data can be increased. As a result, the electronic musical instrument 1 can further read the waveform data from the program / waveform memory 12 for the increased time, and can increase the number of musical sounds that can be emitted simultaneously.

  The version upgrade operation is executed when the software (computer program and parameter data) recorded in the program / waveform memory 12 is updated. When the software is updated, the user prepares an external memory in which the updated software is recorded. The user attaches the external memory to the electronic musical instrument 1 via the interface 5. The integrated circuit 11 of the electronic musical instrument 1 reads the software from the external memory and records the software in the program / waveform memory 12. According to such an operation, when the software is updated, the electronic musical instrument 1 can easily upgrade the updated software.

  In another embodiment of the electronic musical instrument according to the present invention, the program / waveform memory 12 of the electronic musical instrument 1 in the above-described embodiment is replaced with another program / waveform memory. The program / waveform memory is formed by a read-only ROM and is detachable from the electronic musical instrument. In the operation of the electronic musical instrument, the upgrade operation in the above-described embodiment is replaced with another operation. In that operation, when the software is updated, the user prepares a program / waveform memory in which the updated software is recorded. When the electronic musical instrument 1 is not powered on, the user takes out the program / waveform memory 12 from the electronic musical instrument 1 and attaches the prepared program / waveform memory. According to such an operation, when the software is updated, the electronic musical instrument 1 can easily upgrade the updated software.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic musical instrument according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the integrated circuit.

Explanation of symbols

1: Electronic musical instrument 2: Bus 5: Interface 7: Keyboard section 8: Operation panel section 11: Integrated circuit 12: Program / waveform memory 14: D / A converter 15: Analog signal processing section 16: Amplifier 17: Speaker 21: Counting device 22: flip-flop 23: memory 24: selector 25: selector 26: CPU
27: Musical sound generator

Claims (7)

Memory for storing data and computer programs;
An integrated circuit in which a CPU, a RAM, and a tone generator are integrated on a single chip;
The integrated circuit comprises:
Reading the computer program from the memory in program transfer mode and recording it in the RAM;
An electronic musical instrument in which the CPU executes a computer program read from the RAM in a normal mode, and the tone generator reads the data from the memory to generate tone data indicating a tone. In claim 1,
The integrated musical instrument is an electronic musical instrument that does not read the computer program from the memory in the normal mode. In claim 2,
The program transfer mode is an electronic musical instrument that starts when the integrated circuit is powered on. In any one of Claims 1-3,
The memory further stores parameter data;
The integrated circuit comprises:
Read the parameter data from the memory in the program transfer mode and record it in the RAM,
An electronic musical instrument in which the CPU reads out the parameter data from the RAM and processes information in the normal mode. In any one of Claims 1-4,
The electronic musical instrument, wherein the CPU records information generated by executing the computer program in the normal mode in the RAM, and reads the information from the RAM. In any one of Claims 1-5,
An interface,
The integrated circuit is an electronic musical instrument that records software stored in a storage device connected via the interface in the memory. In any one of Claims 1-5,
The memory is detachable electronic musical instrument.

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