JP2017090927A - Environmental sound generating device, environmental sound generating program, and sound environment forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To generate an environmental sound capable of masking conversation of others, noise or the like unnecessary to a listener to create silence, and relieving tension to bring mental calmness, without causing more people to feel any likes and dislikes or pleasure and displeasure.SOLUTION: An environmental sound generating device generates an environmental sound signal for indicating environmental sound, which is emitted to form sound environment, and constitutes chain sound configured so that each individual sound lies in a row and successively shifts sound production start timing, that is one of attributes of the individual sound. The environmental sound generating device comprises attribute setting means (steps S21 to S23) for setting at least one of the attributes of the individual sounds to content selected by chance among contents within a selectable range specified over the entire chain sound or each section of the chain sound.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an environmental sound generation device, an environmental sound generation program, and a sound environment formation method that generate an environmental sound signal indicating an environmental sound that forms a sound environment when sound is emitted.

  Traditionally, in hospital waiting rooms, examination rooms, offices, coffee shops, etc., masking other people's conversations and noises that are not necessary for the listeners themselves to produce quietness, relieving tension and bringing about mental calmness For this purpose, BGM (background music such as healing music and classical music) and reproduced sound that reproduces natural sound with fluctuations (for example, Patent Document 1 below) are emitted as environmental sounds. .

  On the other hand, in the following Patent Document 2, a pitch data memory storing a plurality of types of pitch data as an automatic composer used for composition of a task song for listening training or performance practice in the field of music education, Read control means for randomly reading one of the plurality of pitch data from the pitch data memory each time a predetermined read start signal is supplied, and pitch data read from the pitch data memory Is compared with a predetermined musical condition, and if the condition is met, the pitch data is selected as one of the constituent sounds of the song, and if not, the reading control means reads again. There is disclosed an automatic composer comprising at least music condition determining means for supplying an activation signal.

  In the automatic composer disclosed in Patent Document 2, one of the plurality of types of pitch data is randomly read out from the pitch data memory. Only those that match the musical conditions of the music are adopted as one of the constituent sounds of the song, and randomly reading one of the plurality of types of pitch data from the pitch data memory is a predetermined musical It's just a process for automatically composing songs that meet the conditions. In addition, the automatic composer disclosed in Patent Document 2 is used for composing a task song, and has nothing to do with environmental sound. Therefore, the cited document 2 does not disclose or suggest any use of an arrangement in which a random read of one of the plurality of types of pitch data from the pitch data memory is used as an environmental sound. Is clear.

Japanese Patent No. 3321802 Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-40027

  However, when BGM is used as the environmental sound, since the melody is linked to a specific sensibility, it is difficult to expect a common effect for everyone, and likes and dislikes are caused by people. Therefore, BGM is not suitable as an environmental sound.

  When using the reproduced sound that reproduces the natural sound with fluctuation as the environmental sound, although the fluctuation is added, it is based on the natural sound relatively faithfully. It is difficult to expect a common effect, and likes and dislikes and pleasant discomfort occur by people. For example, for many Japanese, the voices of insects on the evening of the autumn are not unpleasant because they feel the atmosphere, but for Westerners, the sound of insects can only be heard as noise. The sound of the wind over the trees swaying the leaves of the trees can also be a frightening sound for some people. Therefore, a reproduced sound obtained by reproducing a natural sound with fluctuations is not suitable as an environmental sound.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, as compared to the reproduced sound that reproduces the natural sound by adding BGM and fluctuation, without causing likes and discomfort to more people, An environmental sound that can mask the conversations and noises of other people who are not necessary for the listener to produce quietness and relieve tension and bring about mental calmness (strictly speaking, the environmental sound It is an object of the present invention to provide an environmental sound generation apparatus capable of generating an environmental sound signal indicating the environmental sound signal.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide an environmental sound generation program for causing a computer to function as such an environmental sound generation device.

  Furthermore, the present invention masks other people's conversations, noises, etc. that are unnecessary for the listener himself without causing likes and dislikes and pleasant discomfort to a larger number of people. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sound environment forming method capable of forming a sound environment that can bring about mental calmness.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium on which an environmental sound signal indicating the environmental sound as described above is recorded.

Here, the following aspects are presented as technical means for solving the above problems and technical means related thereto.
The environmental sound generation device according to the first aspect is an environmental sound that forms a sound environment by being emitted, and is configured such that each individual sound is sequentially linked while sequentially shifting the sound generation start timing, which is one of its attributes. An environmental sound generation device that generates an environmental sound signal indicating an environmental sound consisting of a continuous sound, wherein at least one attribute of each individual sound is set over the entire continuous sound or for each section of the continuous sound Attribute setting means for setting contents selected by chance from contents within the set selection target range is provided.

  In this first aspect, each individual sound may overlap with an individual sound that is sounded next, may continue without overlapping, or may not overlap or continue. This also applies to the ninth aspect described later.

  According to the first aspect, since at least one attribute of each individual sound is set with chance, it is possible to generate an environmental sound consisting of a sequence of individual sounds away from music. Therefore, according to the first aspect, it is unnecessary for the listener himself / herself without causing dislike or pleasant discomfort to a larger number of people as compared with the reproduced sound obtained by reproducing the natural sound by adding BGM or fluctuation. An environmental sound that can mask the conversations and noises of other strangers to produce quietness or relieve tension and bring about mental calmness (strictly speaking, an environmental sound signal that indicates the environmental sound) ) Can be generated. Also, since at least one attribute of each individual sound is set to the content selected by chance, the generated environmental sound is difficult to draw attention. The sound information stands out from the environmental sound when it is emitted at the same time as the sound, or the sound information becomes easy to hear.

  The environmental sound generation device according to a second aspect is the first aspect, wherein the at least one attribute includes a pitch, and the attribute setting means sets the pitch of each individual sound to the entire chain sound. It is set to a pitch selected with contingency from a plurality of types of pitches set for each section of the chain sound.

  In this second mode, the pitches of the individual sounds may be set to the pitches selected by chance, and the pitches of the subsequent individual sounds are allowed to coincide with each other by chance. May be. However, in the second aspect, the pitch of each individual sound has a chance, under the condition that the pitches of the individual sounds subsequent to a predetermined number (any number of 2 or more) do not become the same pitch. It may be selected. These points are the same for the tenth aspect described later.

  According to this second aspect, since the contingency is given to the pitch that is the attribute of particular attention among the attributes of the individual sound, without causing dislike or pleasant discomfort to more people, It is possible to generate an environmental sound that can mask the conversations and noises of others that are not necessary for the listener himself and produce silence, and can relieve tension and bring about mental calmness.

  The environmental sound generation device according to a third aspect is the second aspect, wherein the plurality of pitches are at least one of two or more pitches having different pitch names and at least one of the two or more pitches. One or more pitches having the same pitch name but different octaves for one pitch.

  According to the third aspect, the pitch name is the same and the octave is different with respect to two or more pitches having different pitch names and at least one of the two or more pitches. Since the pitch of each individual note is selected from a group containing one or more pitches, both pitch name differences and octave differences can be incorporated into the chance of pitch selection, and pitch options Can be spread.

  According to a fourth aspect of the environmental sound generating apparatus, in the third aspect, the probability that the attribute setting means selects each pitch from the plurality of pitches is the pitch of the plurality of pitches. This is the probability that the selection probabilities for each group are the same when grouped by.

  According to this fourth aspect, since the selection probabilities for each group are the same when the plurality of pitches are grouped by pitch name, the same pitch name even if the octave is different. Although the pitch tends to be perceived sensuously, it is possible to suppress the sensation that the selected pitch is biased to a part of the pitch.

  In the environmental sound generation device according to a fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the attribute setting means sets a time interval between the sound generation start timings over the entire chain sound or the In at least one section of the chained sound, it is set to an equal interval or an interval having a certain pattern, or an interval selected by chance within a predetermined range.

  In the fifth aspect, a setting example of the time interval between the sound generation start timings is given.

  In the environmental sound generation device according to a sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the attribute setting unit may include the entire chain sound or at least one section of the chain sound. Candidate timings as candidates for the sound generation start timing of individual sounds are set, and whether or not each set candidate timing is set as the sound generation start timing is determined by chance.

  According to the sixth aspect, since whether or not each set candidate timing is set as the sound generation start timing is determined with contingency, the contingency of the time interval between the sound generation start timings of the individual sounds is increased. , Masking other people's conversations and noises that are unnecessary for the listener themselves, and producing quietness without causing discomfort and pleasure for even more people. It is possible to generate an environmental sound that can bring

  According to a seventh aspect of the environmental sound generating device, in the sixth aspect, the attribute setting means sets the time interval between the candidate timings over the entire chain sound or the at least one of the chain sounds. In the section, the interval is set to an equal interval or other fixed pattern, or to an interval selected by chance within a predetermined range.

  In the seventh aspect, a setting example of a time interval between candidate timings is given.

  In the environmental sound generation device according to the eighth aspect, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the length of at least one section of the chain sound is set to a length selected by chance within a predetermined range. It has a means to do.

  According to this eighth aspect, without causing dislike or pleasant discomfort to more people, masking other people's conversations and noises unnecessary for the listener himself to produce quietness, It can generate environmental sounds that can relieve tension and bring about mental calmness.

  The environmental sound generation device according to the ninth aspect is an environmental sound that forms a sound environment by being emitted, and is configured such that each individual sound is sequentially linked while sequentially shifting the sound generation start timing, which is one of its attributes. An environmental sound generation device that generates an environmental sound signal indicating an environmental sound formed by superimposing a plurality of continuous sounds, wherein at least one of the individual sounds is at least one of the multiple continuous sounds. Attribute setting means for setting two attributes to contents selected by chance from the contents within the selection target range set for the entire chain sound or for each section of the chain sound It is.

  The environmental sound generation device according to a tenth aspect is the ninth aspect, wherein the at least one attribute includes a pitch for the at least one chain sound of the plurality of chain sounds, and the attribute setting means includes: , For the at least one chain sound of the plurality of chain sounds, the pitches of the individual sounds are set to a plurality of pitches set over the entire chain sound or for each section of the chain sound. Each pitch is set to a pitch selected by chance.

  The environmental sound generation device according to an eleventh aspect is the tenth aspect, wherein the plurality of pitches are at least one of two or more pitches having different pitch names and the two or more pitches. One or more pitches having the same pitch name but different octaves for one pitch.

  The environmental sound generation device according to a twelfth aspect is the eleventh aspect, wherein the probability that the attribute setting means selects each pitch from the plurality of pitches is the pitch of the plurality of pitches. This is the probability that the selection probabilities for each group are the same when grouped by.

  In the environmental sound generation device according to a thirteenth aspect, in any one of the ninth to twelfth aspects, the attribute setting unit may be configured to generate at least one chain sound among the plurality of chain sounds between the sounding start timings. Is set to an interval that forms an equal interval or other constant pattern over the entire chain sound or in at least one section of the chain sound, or an interval selected by chance within a predetermined range. To do.

  In the environmental sound generation device according to a fourteenth aspect, in any one of the ninth to thirteenth aspects, the attribute setting unit may perform the entire chain sound with respect to at least one of the plurality of chain sounds. Or at least one section of the chain sound, setting candidate timings that are candidates for the sound generation start timing of the individual sounds, and whether or not each set candidate timing is set as the sound generation start timing, It is determined by chance.

  The environmental sound generation device according to a fifteenth aspect is the fourteenth aspect, wherein the attribute setting means sets the time interval between the candidate timings over the entire chain sound or the at least one of the chain sounds. In the section, the interval is set to an equal interval or other fixed pattern, or to an interval selected by chance within a predetermined range.

  The environmental sound generation device according to a sixteenth aspect according to any one of the ninth to fifteenth aspects, wherein the length of at least one section of at least one of the plurality of chain sounds is within a predetermined range. And a means for setting the length selected by chance.

  The ninth to sixteenth aspects respectively correspond to the first to eighth aspects. In the first to eighth aspects, the environmental sound is composed of a chain sound, whereas the ninth to sixth aspects. In the sixteenth aspect, the environmental sound is different in that a plurality of chain sounds are superimposed. Therefore, according to the ninth to sixteenth aspects, as compared with the first to eighth aspects, it is unnecessary for the listener himself / herself without causing discomfort and pleasantness for more people. It is possible to generate environmental sounds that can mask other people's conversations, noises, etc. to produce quietness, or relieve tension and bring about mental calmness.

  The environmental sound generation device according to a seventeenth aspect is the basic information as the basis for generating the environmental sound signal in any one of the first to sixteenth aspects, wherein the content within the selection target range is displayed. An acquisition means for receiving basic information including information to be received from outside is provided, and the environmental sound signal is generated based on the basic information received by the acquisition means.

  In the first to sixteenth aspects, the impression of the environmental sound generated varies depending on the content within the selection target range. Therefore, it is preferable to appropriately change the contents within the selection target range so as not to get tired of listeners of environmental sounds. In the seventeenth aspect, since the environmental sound signal is generated based on the basic information including the information indicating the contents in the selection target range received from the outside by the acquisition unit, the contents in the selection target range are changed. It can be done easily.

  In the environmental sound generation device according to an eighteenth aspect according to the seventeenth aspect, the basic information includes a selection probability of content within the selection target range.

  If the basic information includes the selection probability as in the eighteenth aspect, the selection probability of the content within the selection target range can be changed as appropriate, and more various environmental sounds can be generated.

  The environmental sound generation program according to the nineteenth aspect is a program for causing a computer to function as the environmental sound generation apparatus according to any one of the first to eighteenth aspects.

  In the sound environment forming method according to the twentieth aspect, the sound environment is controlled by emitting an environmental sound composed of a chained sound that is composed of a sequence of each individual sound while sequentially shifting the sound generation start timing. A sound environment forming method to be formed, wherein at least one attribute of each individual sound is respectively selected from contents within a selection target range set for the entire chain sound or for each section of the chain sound. It is set to the content selected with chance.

  The sound environment forming method according to the twenty-first aspect emits an environmental sound in which a plurality of chained sounds composed of consecutive individual sounds are successively connected while sequentially shifting the sound generation start timing, which is one of its attributes. A sound environment forming method for forming a sound environment, wherein at least one attribute of each individual sound is at least one of the plurality of chain sounds, Each of the contents within the selection target range set for each section of the chain sound is set to the contents selected with chance.

  A recording medium according to a twenty-second aspect is the signal indicating the environmental sound signal generated by the environmental sound generating apparatus according to any one of the first to eighteenth aspects or the environmental sound according to the twentieth or twenty-first aspect. Is recorded.

  According to the present invention, the conversation of another person unnecessary for the listener himself / herself is caused without causing discomfort and pleasant discomfort to a larger number of people as compared with the reproduced sound obtained by reproducing the natural sound by adding BGM and fluctuation. To create an environmental sound (strictly speaking, an environmental sound signal that indicates the environmental sound) that can mask silence and noise, etc., and can calm down and bring about mental calmness It is possible to provide an environmental sound generation device capable of

  Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an environmental sound generation program for causing a computer to function as such an environmental sound generation device.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to produce silence by masking other people's conversations and noises unnecessary for the listener himself without causing likes and dislikes and pleasant discomfort to more people. It is possible to provide a sound environment forming method capable of forming a sound environment that can be softened and bring about mental calmness.

  Furthermore, the present invention can provide a recording medium on which an environmental sound signal indicating the environmental sound as described above is recorded.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the environmental sound production | generation apparatus by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart which shows typically the example of the note-on period of each track corresponding to an example of the environmental sound generated by the environmental sound generating device shown in FIG. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of operation | movement of the environmental sound production | generation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a schematic flowchart which shows the operation | movement of step S4 in FIG. It is a schematic block which shows the environmental sound production | generation system using the environmental sound production | generation apparatus by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the basic information provision apparatus in FIG. It is a schematic flowchart which shows an example of the basic information provision operation | movement of the basic information provision apparatus in FIG. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the environmental sound production | generation apparatus in FIG. It is a schematic flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the environmental sound production | generation apparatus in FIG.

  Hereinafter, an environmental sound generation apparatus, an environmental sound generation program, a sound environment formation method, and a recording medium according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an environmental sound generating device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The environmental sound generation device 1 according to the present embodiment is configured by using a general personal computer as hardware, and includes a CPU 11, a timer 12, a ROM 13, a RAM 14, a storage device 15 such as a hard disk, and a DVD. Read / write device (device for reading and writing information to / from recording medium 17) 16, operation unit 18 such as a keyboard and mouse, display unit 19 such as a liquid crystal panel, sound source circuit 20, and effects A circuit 21, a sound system 22, a communication interface 23 for connecting to a network 100 such as the Internet, and a bus 24 for connecting them to each other are provided. The timer 12 is connected to the CPU 11 and supplies a basic clock signal, interrupt processing timing, current time, and the like to the CPU 11.

  In addition to the environmental sound generation program, various programs are installed in the storage device 15, and the functions described below are realized by the CPU 11 and the like by reading and executing the environmental sound generation program and the like. It is like that. In addition, the computer which comprises the environmental sound production | generation apparatus by this invention is not limited to a personal computer, A smart phone etc. may be sufficient.

  The tone generator circuit 20 generates a musical sound signal according to the MIDI data sequentially generated in the buffer area of the RAM 14 under the control of the CPU 11, and supplies it to the sound system 22 via the effect circuit 21. The effect circuit 21 gives various acoustic effects (effects) to the musical sound signal supplied from the sound source circuit 20 under the control of the CPU 11. Instead of providing the tone generator circuit 20 and the effect circuit 21, these functions may be realized by the operation of the CPU 11 by software stored in the storage device 15 or the like as a so-called software tone generator or software effect. The sound system 22 includes a D / A converter and a speaker, converts a digital musical tone signal supplied into an analog format, and generates a sound (sound).

  The environmental sound generation device 1 according to the present embodiment generates an environmental sound signal indicating an environmental sound that forms a sound environment when the sound is emitted. This environmental sound may be composed of a chained sound that is formed by sequentially shifting the sound generation start timing, which is one of the attributes of each individual sound. In this case, at least one attribute of the individual sound is used. Are set to contents selected with randomness from the contents within the selection target range set for the entire chain sound or for each section of the chain sound. In this case, the at least one attribute preferably includes a pitch, but does not necessarily include a pitch. In addition, the environmental sound may be formed by superimposing a plurality of chained sounds that are formed by successively shifting the sound generation start timings of each individual sound as one of its attributes. The at least one attribute of each individual sound is at least one of the chain sounds of the chain sounds of the content within the selection target range set for the entire chain sound or for each section of the chain sound. Each of them is set to the content selected by chance. In this case, the at least one attribute preferably includes a pitch, but may not necessarily include a pitch. In this case, for each of the plurality of chain sounds, at least one attribute of each individual sound is within the selection target range set for the entire chain sound or for each section of the chain sound. Although it is preferable to set the content selected by chance from among the content, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this.

  Next, a specific example of the environmental sound will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, since the environmental sound signal is generated using MIDI data (especially, data in the format 1 SMF (Standard Midi File) format), terms (track, note, note number, note on) in MIDI data are generated. , Note Off, Velocity, Tone, Effect, Continuous Control), a specific example of the environmental sound will be described. However, in the present invention, it is not always necessary to use MIDI data.

  FIG. 2 is a timing chart schematically showing an example of the note-on period of each track A and B corresponding to an example of the environmental sound generated by the environmental sound generating device 1 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, each note NA of track A is distinguished by the order of its note-on timing, the first note of track A is NA1, the second note of track A is NA2,. In FIG. 2, when k is an arbitrary integer of 1 or more, tAk indicates the note-on timing of the k-th note NAk of track A, and ΔtAk is the note-on period (note-on period of the k-th note NAk of track A. ΔTAk is from the note-on timing tAk of the k-th note NAk of track A to the note-on timing tAk + 1 of the next k + 1-th note NAk + 1 of track A. Indicates the time interval. In FIG. 2, the sections KA of the track A are distinguished in order, and the first section of the track A is KA1, the second section of the track A is KA2,.

  Similarly, in FIG. 2, each note NB of track B is distinguished in the order of its note-on timing, the first note of track B is NB1, the second note of track B is NB2,. In FIG. 2, when k is an arbitrary integer equal to or greater than 1, tBk indicates the note-on timing of the k-th note NBk on track B, and ΔtBk is the note-on period (note-on) of the k-th note NBk on track B. ΔTBk is a period from a note-on timing tBk of the k-th note NBk of the track B to a note-on timing tBk + 1 of the next k + 1-th note NBk + 1 of the track B. Indicates the time interval. In FIG. 2, each section KB of the track B is distinguished in that order, and the first section of the track B is KB1, the second section of the track B is KB2,.

  In the present embodiment, each of the notes NA and NB has, as its attributes, note-on timings tA and tB, note-off timings (or note-on periods ΔtA and ΔtB), pitch, velocity (sound intensity), timbre And effects (effects). In this embodiment, the pitch is indicated by a note number and is defined by a pitch name and an octave. For example, a note number indicating a pitch defines a pitch name (for example, “C”) and an octave (for example, “3”), thereby defining, for example, a pitch C3. Examples of effects include reverb, chorus, and echo.

  Of the note NA of track A, each note whose velocity is set to a value other than “0” corresponds to an individual sound constituting one chain sound corresponding to track A. Of the note NA of track A, a note whose velocity is set to “0” is silent and does not correspond to an individual sound. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when setting “0” to the velocity of any note NA is not permitted, the note-on timing tA of any note NA is the sounding start timing of each individual sound. . On the other hand, when it is allowed to set the velocity of any note NA to “0”, the note-on timing tA of each note NA is a candidate timing that is a candidate for the start timing of the individual sound, and these Among the candidate timings, note-on timing tA of each note NA whose velocity is set to a value other than “0” is the sound generation start timing of the individual sound, but note NA of note NA whose velocity is set to “0” The on-timing tA does not become the sound generation start timing of the individual sound. The same applies to the note NB of the track B.

  When k is an arbitrary integer greater than or equal to 1, the note-off timing of the note NAk of track A may coincide with the note-on timing tAk + 1 of the next note NAk + 1, or may be before that timing tAk + 1 (see FIG. 2 shows this state) and may be after the timing tAk + 1. That is, ΔtAk = ΔTAk may be used, ΔtAk <ΔTAk may be used (FIG. 2 shows this state), or ΔtAk> ΔTAk may be used. As described above, the note-on period ΔtAk of the note NAk of the track A may overlap with the note-on period of one or more notes after the track A, or the note-on period of the next note NAk + 1 of the track A. It may be continuous without overlapping with ΔtAk1, or may not overlap with or be continuous with the note-on period ΔtAk + 1 of the next note NAk + 1 of track A. The same applies to the note NB of the track B.

  When k is an arbitrary integer equal to or greater than 1, normally, individual sounds are continuously generated over the entire note-on period ΔtAk of the note NAk whose velocity is set to a value other than “0”. Depending on the tone color set for the note NAk, the individual sound that has started sounding at the note-on timing tAk of the note NAk may be muted before the note-off timing of the note NAk is reached. When k is an arbitrary integer equal to or greater than 1, normally, the note NAk is set to the note NAk over the entire note-on period ΔtAk of the note NAk whose value is set to a value other than “0”. Although a certain pitch indicated by the pitch is maintained, depending on the tone color and continuous control set for the note NAk, the pitch of the actually produced tone may change. The same applies to the note NB of the track B.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, the generated environmental sound is obtained by superimposing one chain sound corresponding to the track A and another chain sound corresponding to the track B. The track A is divided into a first section KA1, a second section KA2, a third section KA3,. The track B is divided into a first section KB1, a second section KB2, a third section KB3,. The sections A, KA1, KA2, KA3... Of the track A and the sections KB1, KB2, KB3... Of the track B may have the same length and may coincide with each other (FIG. 2 shows this state). They do not have to match. The length of each section KA, KB may be determined by the number of notes NA, NB, or by time. The length of each section KA, KB may be as long as one or more notes NA, NB, for example, any length from the order of 1 second or less to the order of several hours or more. . One or both of the tracks A and B may not be divided into a plurality of sections. For example, when the track A is not divided into a plurality of sections, the setting described later regarding the section KA of the track A may be applied to the entire track A.

  The length of each section KA of the track A is the same or other fixed pattern (for example, when L1 to L3 are different from each other, a pattern in which L1 to L3 are cyclically repeated, or L1 and L2 are alternately arranged. It may be a repeating pattern or the like, or may be set to a length selected with chance within a predetermined range. When the length of each section KA of the track A is set to a length selected with contingency within a predetermined range, for example, when L1 to L3 are different from each other, the contingency is determined from the set of L1, L2, and L3. The length selected with the above is set to the length of each section KA of the track A. At this time, the selection probabilities of L1 to L3 may be the same probability or other arbitrary probabilities. For example, using a pseudo-random number such that a natural number from 1 to 100 appears with the same probability, the number from 1 to 15 that has appeared is converted to L1, and the number from 16 to 50 that has appeared is converted to L2. By converting the numbers 51 to 100 into L3, L1 is selected from the set of L1, L2, and L3 with a probability of 15%, L2 is selected with a probability of 35%, and L3 is 50%. Can be selected with chance. For example, when the selection probabilities of L1 to L3 are set such that the ratio of the selection probabilities of L1 to L3 is 2: 3: 4, natural numbers from 1 to 9 (= 2 + 3 + 4) appear with the same probability. Using such pseudo-random numbers, the number from 1 to 2 appearing is converted to L1, the number from 3 to 5 appearing is converted to L2, and the number appearing from 6 to 9 is converted to L3 . The lengths of the plurality of subsequent sections KA may be allowed to be the same length by chance, and the lengths of the subsequent sections KA that are equal to or greater than a predetermined number (any number of two or more) are not the same length. Under such a condition, the length of each section KA may be selected with chance. The same applies to the track B.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, the number of tracks is two, but the number of tracks may be only one or three or more. That is, the environmental sound generated by the environmental sound generating device 1 according to the present embodiment may be composed of only one chained sound corresponding to one track, or three or more corresponding to three or more tracks, respectively. It is also possible to superimpose a chain sound.

  The time intervals ΔTA1 to ΔTAm between the note-on timings tA1 to tAm of the notes NA1 to NAm of the section KA1 of the track A are equal intervals (ΔTA1 = ΔTA2 =... = ΔTAm) or other fixed patterns (for example, ΔT1 When ΔT4 is set to a different interval, a pattern in which ΔT1 to ΔT4 are cyclically repeated or a pattern in which ΔT1 and ΔT2 are alternately repeated may be used, or each may be set to an interval selected by chance within a predetermined range. Also good. When each time interval ΔTA1 to ΔTAm is set to an interval selected with contingency within a predetermined range, for example, when ΔT1 to ΔT3 are different from each other, they are selected with contingency from the set of ΔT1, ΔT2, and ΔT3. The interval may be set to each time interval ΔTA1 to ΔTAm. At this time, the selection probabilities of ΔT1 to ΔT3 may be the same probability or other arbitrary probabilities. It should be noted that a plurality of time intervals ΔTA that continue in the section KA1 may be allowed to coincide with each other by chance, or a time interval ΔTA that is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (any number of two or more) continues in the section KA1. Each time interval ΔTA of the section KA1 may be selected with chance, under the condition that the intervals are not the same. The same applies to each section KA other than the section KA1 of the track A and each section KB of the track B.

  The note-on periods ΔtA1 to ΔtAm of the notes NA1 to NAm in the section KA1 of the track A are equal time (ΔtA1 = ΔtA2 =... ΔΔAm) or other constant patterns (for example, Δt1 to Δt5 are different from each other). In such a case, a pattern in which Δt1 to Δt5 are cyclically repeated, a pattern in which Δt1 and Δt2 are alternately repeated, or the like may be set within a predetermined range and each may be set to a time selected by chance. When each note-on period ΔtA1 to ΔTAm is set to a time selected within the predetermined range with a chance, for example, when Δt1 to Δt3 are set to different times, each is selected from a set of Δt1, Δt2, and Δt3 with a chance. The time may be set to each note-on period ΔtA1 to ΔtAm. At this time, the selection probabilities of Δt1 to Δt3 may be the same probability or other arbitrary probabilities. Note that a plurality of note-on periods ΔtA subsequent to the section KA1 may be allowed to coincide with each other by chance, or a note-on period equal to or greater than a predetermined number (any number of two or more) subsequent to the section KA1. Under the condition that ΔtA is not the same time, the time of each note-on period ΔtA in the section KA1 may be selected by chance. The same applies to each section KA other than the section KA1 of the track A and each section KB of the track B.

  The velocities of the notes NA1 to NAm in the section KA1 of the track A may be set to values other than “0”. In this case, all the notes NA1 to NAm in the section KA1 are sounded and correspond to individual sounds, and all the note-on timings tA1 to tAm in the section KA1 are the sound generation start timings of the individual sounds. Further, whether the velocity of each of the notes NA1 to NAm in the section KA1 of the track A is set to “0” or a value other than “0” may be determined by chance. It should be noted that the velocities of a plurality of notes NA that continue in the section KA1 may be allowed to be “0” by chance, or notes that are equal to or greater than a predetermined number (any number of two or more) that continues in the section KA1. Whether the velocity of each note NA in the section KA1 is set to “0” or a value other than “0” may be determined by chance under the condition that the velocity of the NA does not become “0”. The same applies to each section KA other than the section KA1 of the track A and each section KB of the track B.

  Among the velocities of the notes NA1 to NAm in the track KA1, the velocity value set to a value other than “0” may be the same value or other constant pattern (for example, V1 to V4 may be different from each other except “0”). When different values are used, a pattern in which V1 to V4 are cyclically repeated, a pattern in which V1 and V2 are alternately repeated, or the like may be set, and each value may be set to a value other than “0” selected by chance within a predetermined range. May be. When setting the velocity value set to a value other than “0” among the velocities of the notes NA1 to NAm to a value other than “0” selected by chance within a predetermined range, for example, V1 to V3 are set to “ When the values are different from each other other than “0”, a value selected by chance from V1, V2, and V3 may be set as the velocity of each note. At this time, the selection probabilities of V1 to V3 may be the same probability or other arbitrary probabilities. It should be noted that the velocities of a plurality of notes that continue in the section KA1 may be allowed to accidentally become the same value, or “0” of notes that are equal to or greater than a predetermined number (any number of two or more) that continues in the section KA1. Under the condition that the velocities other than “” are not the same value, the velocities other than “0” of each note in the section KA1 may be selected by chance. The same applies to each section KA other than the section KA1 of the track A and each section KB of the track B.

  The pitches of the notes NA1 to NAm in the section KA1 of the track A are set to the pitches selected by chance from the plural types of pitches (pitches in the selection target range) set for the section KA1. May be. However, among the notes NA1 to NAm, a note whose velocity is set to “0” is silent. Therefore, it is not always necessary to set the pitch of the note, and the pitch of the note is set to an arbitrary fixed pitch. May be set. The plurality of types of pitches can be arbitrarily determined, and the number and type are not particularly limited. The plurality of pitches may be two or more pitches having different pitch names, for example, C3, E3, G3, or C3, C4, C5, C6. The plurality of pitches have the same pitch name and octave with respect to two or more pitches having different pitch names and at least one of the two or more pitches. It may be one or more different pitches, for example, C3, C4, C5, E3, E4, E5, G3, G4, G5, or C3, C4, C5, E3, E4, G3. The probability of selecting each pitch from the plurality of pitches may be the same probability or any other probability. For example, when the plurality of pitches are C3, E3, and G3, using a pseudo-random number such that natural numbers from 1 to 100 appear with the same probability, the numbers from 1 to 10 appearing are converted to C3, By converting the appearing numbers 11 to 45 to E3 and converting the appearing numbers 46 to 100 to G3, C3 is selected from the set of C3, E3, and G3 with a probability of 10%, E3 can be selected with contingency with a probability of 35% and G3 can be selected with contingency with a probability of 55%. For example, when the selection probability of C3, E3, and G3 is set such that the ratio of the selection probability of C3, E3, and G3 is 3: 2: 1, a natural number from 1 to 6 (= 3 + 2 + 1) is set. Using pseudo-random numbers that appear with the same probability, the appearing numbers 1 to 3 are converted to C3, the appearing numbers 4 to 5 are converted to E3, and the appearing 6 is converted to G3. The same applies to each section KA other than the section KA1 of the track A and each section KB of the track B.

  The plurality of pitches have the same pitch name and different octaves for two or more pitches having different pitch names and at least one pitch of the two or more pitches 1 When the pitch is more than one kind, the probability of selecting each pitch from the plurality of kinds of pitches is the same as the selection probability for each group when the plurality of kinds of pitches are grouped by pitch name. It may be a probability that In this case, if the pitch names are the same, even if the octaves are different, the selected pitches are biased to some pitches, even though they tend to be perceived as the same pitches. Such a feeling can be suppressed. For example, if the plurality of pitches are C3, C4, C5, E3, E4, E5, G3, G4, G5, the pitch names C, E, G are C3, C4, C5 groups and E3, E4. , E5 and G3, G4, and G5 groups, the selection probabilities of C3, C4, and C5 groups (the sum of C3 selection probability, C4 selection probability, and C5 selection probability) and E3 E4, E5 group selection probability (E3 selection probability, E4 selection probability and E5 selection probability) and G3, G4, G5 group selection probability (G3 selection probability, G4 selection probability and G5 The sum of the selection probabilities) may be the same. At this time, the probability of each pitch within the same group (for example, the selection probability of C3, the selection probability of C4, and the selection probability of C5) may be the same probability or other arbitrary probabilities. For example, when the plurality of pitches are C3, C4, C5, E3, E4, and G3, the C3, C4, and C4 groups, and the E3, E4 group, and G3 are the pitch names C, E, and G. Group selection probability (the sum of C3 selection probability, C4 selection probability and C5 selection probability) and E3, E4 group selection probability (E3 selection) The sum of the probability and the selection probability of E4) and the selection probability of the group of G3 (selection probability of G3) may be the same. It should be noted that the pitches of a plurality of subsequent note NAs whose velocities are set to values other than “0” in the section KA1 may be allowed to coincide with each other by chance, and in the section KA1, the velocity is “ The pitch of each note NA in the section KA1 is set under the condition that the pitches of the subsequent predetermined number (any number of 2 or more) of notes NA set to a value other than “0” do not become the same pitch. Each may be selected with chance. The same applies to each section KA other than the section KA1 of the track A and each section KB of the track B.

  The timbres of the notes NA1 to NAm in the section KA1 of the track A are the same or other fixed patterns (for example, when Q1 to Q3 are different from each other, Q1 and Q3 are cyclically repeated patterns Q1 and Q2 Or a pattern in which the tone colors are alternately repeated, or may be set to a timbre selected by chance from among a plurality of timbres. In the latter case, the selection probability of each timbre among the plurality of timbres may be the same probability or any other probability. The same applies to each section KA other than the section KA1 of the track A and each section KB of the track B.

  An effect may or may not be applied to each of the notes NA1 to NAm in the section KA1 of the track A. When an effect is applied to each of the notes NA1 to NAm in the section KA1 of the track A, the effect types of the notes NA1 to NAm are the same as each other or other fixed patterns (for example, U1 to U3 are different from each other) , A pattern in which U1 to U3 are cyclically repeated, a pattern in which U1 and U2 are alternately repeated, or the like may be set to an effect selected by chance from among a plurality of types of effects. In the latter case, the selection probability of each effect of the plurality of types of effects may be the same probability or any other probability. Also, when applying effects to the notes NA1 to NAm in the section KA1 of the track A, the effects of the notes NA1 to NAm are the same as each other or other constant patterns (for example, W1 to W3 are different from each other). In such a case, a pattern in which W1 to W3 are cyclically repeated, a pattern in which W1 and W2 are alternately repeated, or the like may be set within a predetermined range. The same applies to each section KA other than the section KA1 of the track A and each section KB of the track B.

  Continuous control may or may not be given to each of the notes NA1 to NAm in the section KA1 of the track A. Continuous control may be applied to each sound unit, or may be applied to a plurality of sound units so as to gradually change over the entire sound. Continuous controls include changing expression (expression), pitch bend (modulation depth), modulation depth (modulation depth), panpot (panpot), filter (filter), etc. When it is desired, the pitch, velocity, timbre, etc. are continuously changed. The same applies to each section KA other than the section KA1 of the track A and each section KB of the track B.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the environmental sound generation device 1 according to the present embodiment.

  When the environmental sound generation device 1 according to the present embodiment starts operation, the CPU 11 firstly issues a command (basic information input command) to input basic information as a basis for generating the environmental sound from the operation unit 18. ) Is determined (step S1). If it is determined that the basic information input command has been received, the process proceeds to step S2. On the other hand, if it is determined that the basic information input command has not been received, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S <b> 2, the CPU 11 performs the basic information input process. That is, the CPU 11 sequentially displays guidance for prompting the user to input the basic information on the display unit 19, and the basic information input from the operation unit 18 according to the user's operation according to the guidance as a file. The data is stored in the storage device 15. Here, the entire individual information for generating one kind of environmental sound is defined as one basic information. In the present embodiment, one file is created for each piece of basic information.

  Specifically, the basic information includes, for example, (i) the number of tracks, (ii) information for determining a section in each track, and (iii) determining each note-on timing in each section of each track. (Iv) information for determining the note-on period of each note in each section of each track, (v) whether or not the velocity of each note in each section of each track is set to “0” (ie, (Vi) Determine the velocity value to be set to a value other than “0” among the velocities of each note in each section of each track. (Vii) information for determining the pitch of each note in each section of each track, (viii) information for determining the tone of each note in each section of each track, (ix) Effect of each note in each section of the track Information for determining, and includes information for determining the (x) Continuous control of each section of each track.

  The number of tracks of the information (i) may be 1 or 2 or more.

  The information (ii) is information for each track, for example, information indicating whether or not the track is divided into a plurality of sections, and the length of each section when the track is divided into a plurality of sections. (The length may be the number of notes or time.) Information indicating whether to set the length of each section of the other track to be equal to the length of each section or to be set independently of the section of the other track, the track Is divided into a plurality of sections and the length of each section of the track is set independently of the sections of other tracks, the length of each section is set to a constant pattern or within a predetermined range. Information indicating whether the length is selected, information for specifying the pattern when the length of each section of the track is a constant pattern (the length of each section is the same as each other) Specified in the case where the length of each section of the track is set to a length selected by chance within a predetermined range. Information indicating a plurality of lengths constituting the range and their respective selection probabilities (may be a ratio of selection probabilities, etc.) (this information includes a predetermined number (an arbitrary number of 2 or more) as necessary) Information indicating whether or not to impose a condition that the lengths of the above sections are not the same length may be included).

  The information (iii) is information for each track and for each section (however, when the track is not divided into a plurality of sections, it is not information for each section but information for the entire track. .), For example, information indicating whether the time interval between the note-on timings of the respective notes in the corresponding section of the track is set to a constant pattern or the selected intervals with contingency within a predetermined range, Information specifying the pattern when the time interval between the note-on timings of each note of the track in the track is a constant pattern (the time interval between the note-on timings of each note is equal or plural Between the note-on timing of each note in the corresponding section of the track In the case where the time interval is an interval selected with contingency within a predetermined range, information indicating a plurality of intervals constituting the predetermined range and their respective selection probabilities (such as a ratio of selection probabilities) (in this information) If necessary, information indicating whether or not to impose a condition that a time interval equal to or greater than a predetermined number (an arbitrary number of 2 or more) subsequent to the section of the track is not the same interval may be added. Good).

  The information (iv) is information for each track and for each section. For example, the note-on period of each note in the section of the track is set to a fixed pattern or selected within a predetermined range with contingency. Information indicating whether or not to set the note-on time, information specifying the pattern when the note-on period of each note in the corresponding section of the track is set to a certain pattern (the note-on period of each note being equal time or A predetermined number of times when the note-on period of each note in the corresponding section of the track is selected within the predetermined range as a time selected by chance. Information indicating a plurality of times constituting the range and their respective selection probabilities (the ratio of selection probabilities may be used). Information indicating whether or not a condition that a predetermined number of note-on periods (an arbitrary number greater than or equal to two or more) following the section of the track are not the same time may be imposed may be included. including.

  The information (v) is information for each track and for each section. For example, the velocity of all the notes in the section of the track is set to a value other than “0”, or Information indicating whether the velocity of each note in the section is set to “0” or a value other than “0” is determined by chance, and the velocity of each note in the section of the track is “0”. Information indicating a selection probability of “0” (instead of a selection probability of a value other than “0”) when determining whether to set to a value other than “0” or a value other than “0” by chance. Whether or not to impose a condition that the velocity of notes equal to or more than a predetermined number (an arbitrary number of 2 or more) in the section of the track does not become “0” is set in this information as necessary. Or the like may be attached.).

  The information (vi) is information for each track and for each section. For example, the velocity value set to a value other than “0” among the velocities of each note in the section of the track is a fixed pattern. Or a value other than “0” among the velocities of each note in the corresponding section of the track. Information that identifies the pattern when the value is set to a certain pattern (specification of the value of the velocity of each note being the same value or the fact that multiple different values are repeated cyclically, etc.), The velocity value set to a value other than “0” among the velocities of each note in the section of the track is “0” selected by chance within the predetermined range. Information indicating a plurality of values that constitute the predetermined range in the case of an outside value and their respective selection probabilities (may be a ratio of selection probabilities, etc.) (Information indicating whether or not to impose a condition that the velocities other than “0” of a predetermined number (two or more arbitrary numbers) subsequent to the section are not the same value may be attached.) Etc.

  The information (vii) is information for each track and for each section. For example, the pitch of each note in the section of the track is set to a constant pattern or within a predetermined range (that is, a selection target) Information indicating whether or not the pitches are selected by chance (from multiple types of pitches in the range), and information specifying the pattern when the pitch of each note in the section of the track is set to a certain pattern (The pitch of each note is cyclically repeated with multiple pitches including two or more pitches, and the pitches are specified), and the pitch of each note in the corresponding section of the track is within a predetermined range. Information indicating a plurality of pitches constituting the predetermined range and their respective selection probabilities (may be a ratio of selection probabilities, etc.) Necessary Accordingly, the pitch of the predetermined number of notes NA (any number greater than or equal to 2) whose velocity is set to a value other than “0” in the section of the track does not have the same pitch. Information indicating whether or not to impose it may be attached). Note that the setting contents of the plurality of types of pitches and the setting contents of the selection probability can be arbitrarily determined without being limited to the example described above.

  The information (viii) is information for each track and for each section. For example, the timbre of each note in the section of the track is set to a constant pattern or selected within the predetermined range with contingency. Information indicating whether to be a timbre, information for specifying a pattern when the timbre of each note in the section of the track is set to a certain pattern (the timbre of each note is the same or a plurality of different timbres are circular And the timbres of the notes in the section of the track to be selected by chance within the predetermined range, and the timbres constituting the predetermined range and those Information indicating the selection probabilities (the ratio of the selection probabilities may be used).

  The information (ix) is information for each track and for each section, for example, information indicating whether or not to apply an effect to all notes in the section of the track, each section of the section of the track In the case of applying an effect to a note, information indicating whether the effect type of each note in the corresponding section of the track is a fixed pattern or a type selected by chance within a predetermined range, Information that specifies the pattern when the effect type of each note in the section is set to a certain pattern (such as making the effect type of each note the same or repeating different types of effects cyclically, etc. Specify the type), and adjust the effect type of each note in the section of the track within the specified range. Information indicating a plurality of types of effects constituting the predetermined range and the selection probabilities thereof (may be a ratio of selection probabilities, etc.), and effects on each note in the corresponding section of the track Information indicating whether the effect level of each note in the corresponding section of the track is set to a certain pattern or selected by chance within each predetermined range, each of the corresponding section of the track Information that identifies the pattern when the effect level of a note is set to a certain pattern (designating the degree of effect, such as making the effect level of each note the same or cyclically repeating different levels of effect) ), And the degree of effect of each note in the section of the track within the specified range Information indicating a plurality of degrees constituting the predetermined range and their respective selection probabilities (selection probability ratios or the like may be used).

  The information (x) is information for each track and for each section, for example, information indicating whether or not to give continuous control to all notes in the section of the track, When continuous control is given to each note of the section, information indicating how many sound units the continuous control is given, information indicating the type of the continuous control, and the like are included.

  When the process of step S2 in FIG. 3 (one basic information input process) is completed, the process proceeds to step S3. If there is existing basic information, in step S2, by editing the existing basic information, for example, by displaying the contents of the existing basic information on the display unit 19, and appropriately correcting a part thereof. Another basic information may be input.

  In step S <b> 3, the CPU 11 selects one basic information from the basic information stored in the storage device 15 from the operation unit 18 and generates an environmental sound in accordance with the basic information (environmental sound). It is determined whether or not a pronunciation command has been received. If it is determined that the environmental sound generation command has been received, the process proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, if it is determined that the environmental sound generation command has not been received, the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S4, the CPU 11 performs an environmental sound generation / sound generation process according to the basic information selected in step S3. FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart showing the operation of step S4 in FIG.

  When the CPU 11 starts the generation / sound generation process of the environmental sound in step S4, first, according to the basic information selected in step S3, the note-on timing is determined for a predetermined number of notes for each track (step S21). .

  Next, the CPU 11 determines the note-off timing for each note for which the note-on timing has been determined in step S21 according to the basic information selected in step S3 (step S22).

  Subsequently, for each note for which the note-on timing has been determined in step S21, the CPU 11 determines the pitch and velocity (sound / silence = “0” or “0” according to the basic information selected in step S3). ), Tone color, effect, and in some cases, continuous control is determined (step S23).

  In steps S21 to S23, when the selection target is selected by chance according to the basic information selected in step S3, the CPU 11 may perform the calculation using the pseudo random numbers as described above, for example.

  In the present embodiment, steps S21 to S23 correspond to attribute setting means for setting the content of the attribute of each individual sound of the environmental sound.

  After step S23, the CPU 11 determines the note-on timing of the predetermined number of notes determined in step S21, the note-off timing of the predetermined number of notes determined in step S22, and the predetermined number of notes determined in step S23. Based on the pitch, velocity, tone color, effect, and continuous control, MIDI data reflecting them is generated, and the MIDI data is stored in the buffer area of the RAM 14 (step S24).

  Subsequently, the CPU 11 sequentially performs performance processing on the MIDI data stored in the buffer area of the RAM 14 in step S24 (step S25). At this time, the CPU 11 controls the tone generator circuit 20 and the effect circuit 21 in accordance with the MIDI data, and supplies the sound system 22 with a digital tone signal indicated by the MIDI data. After converting the musical sound signal into an analog format, the sound system 22 generates (sounds) the environmental sound generated according to the basic information selected in step S3.

  After step S25, step S4 is ended, and the process proceeds to step S5 in FIG.

  In step S <b> 5, the CPU 11 determines whether or not an instruction to end the sound generation of the environmental sound is received from the operation unit 18. If it is determined that the command to end the sound generation of the environmental sound has not been received, the process returns to step S4 (ie, returns to step S21). On the other hand, if it is determined that the instruction to end the sound generation of the environmental sound has been received, the process proceeds to step S6.

  For convenience of drawing, step S25 in FIG. 4 is always performed after step S24, but in practice, the performance processing of the MIDI data is performed for the MIDI data in the first step S24. After the generation process, the interruption process is sequentially performed at appropriate times during the processes of steps S5, S21 to S24, so that the performance of the MIDI data is not interrupted. In addition, the amount of MIDI data stored in the RAM buffer area in step S24 is set to be equal to or larger than the amount of MIDI data to be processed, so that the performance of the MIDI data is interrupted. There is no such thing.

  In step S <b> 6 in FIG. 3, the CPU 11 determines whether or not an instruction to end the operation of the entire apparatus has been received from the operation unit 18. If it is determined that an instruction to end the operation of the entire apparatus has not been received, the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, when it is determined that an instruction to end the operation of the entire apparatus has been received, the operation of the entire apparatus is ended.

  In step S <b> 7 in FIG. 3, the CPU 11 selects one basic information from the basic information stored in the storage device 15 from the operation unit 18, and sends an environmental sound according to the basic information to the recording medium 17. It is determined whether or not a command for recording (environmental sound recording command) has been received. If it is determined that the environmental sound recording command has been received, the process proceeds to step S8. On the other hand, if it is determined that the environmental sound recording command has not been received, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S8, the CPU 11 performs an environmental sound generation / recording process according to the basic information selected in step S7. The environmental sound generation / recording process in step S8 is a modification of the environmental sound generation / sound generation process (ie, steps S21 to S25) in step S4 as follows.

  Also in this step S8, processing similar to that in steps S21 to S24 is performed according to the basic information selected in step S7. In step S8, after step S24, the CPU 11 controls the read / write device 16 instead of step S25 to store the MIDI data stored in the buffer area of the RAM 14 in step S24 in the recording medium 17. The writing process is performed, and then the process of step S8 is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S9 in FIG. Thus, in the present embodiment, MIDI data is recorded on the recording medium 17 as an environmental sound signal indicating the environmental sound. However, after step S24, the CPU 11 performs the MIDI data performance process of step S25 (this process does not have to be an interrupt process), and a digital musical tone signal (MP3 format or CD) obtained from the effect circuit 21. A digital signal such as a format) may be recorded on the recording medium 17 as an environmental sound signal indicating the environmental sound.

  The recording medium 17 on which the MIDI data is recorded as the environmental sound can play the MIDI data using a personal computer, various electronic musical instruments, etc., and emit the environmental sound indicated by the MIDI data. The recording medium 17 on which the digital musical tone signal is recorded as the environmental sound can reproduce the musical tone signal using a personal computer or a corresponding music player, and emit the environmental sound indicated by the musical tone signal.

  After step S8, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the recording amount of the data or signal recorded on the recording medium 17 in step S8 has reached a predetermined recording amount (step S9). If it is determined that the predetermined recording amount has not been reached, the process returns to step S8. On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined recording amount has been reached, the process proceeds to step S6.

  According to the present embodiment, the user can input various basic information as described above in step S2, and the environmental sound indicated by the environmental sound signal generated according to the basic information is generated in step S4. (Sound emission). The environmental sound emitted in this way can be used not only for trial listening when generating basic information, but also, for example, the sound system 22 or another sound system such as an amplifier or speaker connected thereto can be used as a sound source. A sound environment can be formed by placing the environment sound in any place where the environment is to be formed (for example, a hospital waiting room / examination room, office, library, coffee shop, etc.). .

  According to the present embodiment, since at least one attribute of each individual sound is set with chance, it is possible to generate an environmental sound composed of a sequence of individual sounds away from music. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is unnecessary for the listener himself / herself without causing discomfort and pleasant discomfort to a larger number of people as compared to the reproduced sound obtained by reproducing the natural sound by adding BGM and fluctuation. It is possible to generate environmental sounds that can mask other people's conversations, noises, etc. to produce quietness, or relieve tension and bring about mental calmness. Also, since at least one attribute of each individual sound is set to the content selected by chance, the generated environmental sound is difficult to draw attention. The sound information stands out from the environmental sound when it is emitted at the same time as the sound, or the sound information becomes easy to hear.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the pitch of at least one track is set to a pitch selected by chance from each of a plurality of types of pitches, the attribute of particular sound among the attributes of individual sounds is set. Since a certain pitch is given a chance, masking other people's conversations and noises that are unnecessary for the listener themselves without causing dislikes and pleasures to an even greater number of people. Or create environmental sounds that can relieve tension and bring about mental calmness.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing an environmental sound generation system 201 using the environmental sound generation device 61 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The environmental sound generation system 201 is installed in each of the basic information setting device 31, the basic information providing device 41, and places (hospitals, libraries, coffee shops, etc.) where sound environments should be emitted to form a sound environment. An environmental sound generation device 61 and an in-house broadcasting system 91 or a sound system 92 provided at each place are provided. The basic information setting device 31, the basic information providing device 41, and each environmental sound generating device 61 are connected to a network 100 such as the Internet.

  Since the basic information setting device 31 is basically configured in the same manner as the environmental sound generation device 1 according to the first embodiment, the overlapping description is omitted. The basic information setting device 31 is different from the environmental sound generating device 1 in that it has a function of supplying various basic information generated as described above to the basic information providing device 41 via the network 100. It is.

  The basic information providing device 41 holds various basic information supplied from the basic information providing device 41, and responds to a transmission request from each environmental sound generating device 61 in accordance with predetermined predetermined pieces of basic information held. Basic information is provided to the environmental sound generator 61.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing the basic information providing apparatus 41 in FIG. The basic information providing apparatus 41 is configured as a server, and includes a CPU 51, a timer 52, a ROM 53, a RAM 54, a storage device 55 such as a hard disk, an operation unit 56 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display unit 57 such as a liquid crystal panel. And a communication interface 58 for connecting to the network 100 and a bus 59 for connecting them to each other. The timer 52 is connected to the CPU 51 and supplies a basic clock signal, interrupt processing timing, current time, and the like to the CPU 51.

  Various programs are installed in the storage device 55 in advance, and the functions and the like described below are realized by the CPU 51 and the like by reading and executing the programs and the like. In addition to the various basic information supplied from the basic information setting device 31, the storage device 55 stores the information on the environmental sound generation device 61 according to identification information given to each environmental sound generation device 61. Management information such as contract status and authentication password is stored.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart showing an example of the basic information providing operation of the basic information providing apparatus 41 in FIG.

  When the basic information providing device 41 starts the basic information providing operation, the CPU 51 first receives a basic information request (request for receiving provision of basic information) from the environmental sound generating device 61 via the network 100. It is determined whether or not (step S31). The basic information request is accompanied by identification information and a password given to the environmental sound generation device 61. If the basic information request is not received, the CPU 51 waits until basic information is provided. When receiving the basic information request, the CPU 51 proceeds to step S32.

  In step S <b> 32, the CPU 51 collates the identification information and password attached to the basic information request with the management information stored in the storage device 55 corresponding to the identification information, and performs the basic for the environmental sound generation device 61. It is determined whether or not transmission (provision) of information is permitted. If it is determined not to permit, the process returns to step S31. On the other hand, if it determines with permitting, it will transfer to step S33.

  In step S <b> 33, the CPU 51 controls the communication interface 58 to correspond to the identification information from the basic information stored in the storage device 55 with respect to the environmental sound generation device 61 via the network 100. The basic information selected according to the management information stored in the storage device 55 is transmitted (provided) together with the expiration date information indicating the expiration date.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram showing the environmental sound generation device 61 in FIG. The environmental sound generation device 61 according to the present embodiment is configured using a computer, but is configured as a dedicated environmental sound generation device.

  The environmental sound generation device 61 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU 71, a timer 72, a ROM 73, a RAM 74, a storage device 75 such as a hard disk, and a read / write device such as a DVD drive (reading information from the recording medium 77). And an operation unit 78 such as operation switches, a display unit 79 such as a liquid crystal panel, a sound source circuit 80, an effect circuit 81, a D / A converter 82, and the network 100. A communication interface 83 and a bus 84 for connecting them to each other. The timer 72 is connected to the CPU 71 and supplies a basic clock signal, interrupt processing timing, current time, and the like to the CPU 71.

  In addition to the environmental sound generation program, various programs are installed in the storage device 75, and the functions described below are realized by the CPU 71 and the like by reading and executing the environmental sound generation program and the like. It is like that. Further, the storage device 75 stores identification information and a password assigned to the environmental sound generation device 61.

  The tone generator circuit 80 generates a musical sound signal in accordance with the MIDI data sequentially generated in the buffer area of the RAM 74 under the control of the CPU 71, and supplies it to the D / A converter 82 via the effect circuit 81. The effect circuit 81 imparts various acoustic effects (effects) to the musical sound signal supplied from the sound source circuit 80 under the control of the CPU 71. Instead of providing the tone generator circuit 80 and the effect circuit 81, these functions may be realized by the operation of the CPU 71 by software stored in the storage device 75 or the like as a so-called software tone generator or software effect. The D / A converter 82 converts the supplied digital musical tone signal into an analog format, and supplies the analog signal to the in-house broadcasting system 91 or the sound system 92 as an environmental sound signal indicating the environmental sound.

  The in-house broadcasting system 91 has an amplifier, a mixer, a switch, a speaker, and the like. The analog environmental sound signal supplied from the D / A converter 82 is amplified by the amplifier and supplied to the speaker at a predetermined location by the switch. The ambient sound is emitted from the speaker. The mixer mixes the sound from the microphone, the chime such as a time signal, and the environmental sound according to the operation or automatically when necessary. When mixing environmental sound with sound, etc., the environmental sound may be set to be lower than when environmental sound is not mixed with sound, etc. Good. . Without such mixing, the environmental sound may be switched from the environmental sound to the sound from the microphone by a switch when necessary according to the operation so that the environmental sound cannot be heard when broadcasting the sound or the like.

  The sound system 92 includes an amplifier and a speaker, and an analog environmental sound signal supplied from the D / A converter 82 is amplified by the amplifier and supplied to the speaker, and the environmental sound is emitted from the speaker.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the operation of the environmental sound generation device 61 according to the present embodiment.

  The environmental sound generation device 61 according to the present embodiment starts to operate when a power switch (not shown) is turned on, and the CPU 71 first controls the communication interface 83 and requests basic information via the network 100. Is sent to the basic information providing apparatus 41 together with its own identification information and password stored in the storage device 75 (step S41).

  Next, the CPU 71 determines whether or not basic information is received from the basic information providing apparatus 41 via the network 100 (step S42). This basic information is accompanied by expiration date information indicating the expiration date. When the basic information is not received, the CPU 71 determines whether or not a predetermined timeout time has elapsed (step S43). If it is determined that the predetermined timeout period has not elapsed, the process returns to step S42. If it is determined that the predetermined timeout time has elapsed, the environmental sound generation device 61 ends the operation. When receiving the basic information from the basic information providing device 41, the CPU 71 stores the basic information in the storage device 75.

  If it is determined in step S42 that the basic information has been received, the CPU 71 performs an environmental sound generation / sound generation process according to the basic information received from the basic information providing apparatus 41 (step S44). Since the process of step S44 is the same as the environmental sound generation / sound generation process of step S4 in FIG. 3 (that is, steps S21 to S25 in FIG. 4), the description thereof is omitted.

  After step S44, the CPU 71 determines whether or not the present time is within the expiration date indicated by the expiration date information received together with the basic information from the basic information providing device 41 (step S45). If it is within the expiration date, the process proceeds to step S46, whereas if it is not within the expiration date, the process proceeds to step S47.

  In step S <b> 46, the CPU 71 determines whether or not an end command for terminating the sound generation of the environmental sound is received from the operation unit 78. If it is determined that the end command has not been received, the process returns to step S44. On the other hand, if it is determined that an end command has been received, the process proceeds to step S47.

  In step S47, the CPU 71 deletes the basic information received from the basic information providing apparatus 41. Thereafter, the environmental sound generation device 61 ends the operation.

  According to the environmental sound generation device 61 according to the present embodiment, the environmental sound similar to the environmental sound generation device 1 according to the first embodiment can be emitted, and the same advantages as the environmental sound generation device 1 can be obtained. It is done.

  If the basic information is different, the impression and expression of the environmental sound obtained according to it will also be different. Therefore, according to the environmental sound generation system 201, various basic information (and thus various environmental sounds) can be provided according to the needs of the location of the sound environment to be formed.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

  For example, in the environmental sound generation system 201, the basic information providing device 41 provides two or more basic information to the environmental sound generating device 61 of one hospital, and the environmental sound based on one basic information is released to the waiting room of the hospital. Simultaneously with the sound, an environmental sound based on another basic information may be emitted to the examination room of the hospital.

  In addition, the basic information providing device 41 may provide the environmental sound generating device 61 with the basic sound and the software sound source and the soft effect necessary for generating the environmental sound based on the basic information.

  Further, in the environmental sound generation device 61, the recording medium 17 on which the environmental sound signal is recorded by the environmental sound generation device 1 is used as the recording medium 77, and the environmental sound signal is read by the reading / writing device 76, The environmental sound indicated by the environmental sound signal may be emitted by the in-house broadcasting system 91 or the sound system 92.

  Further, the present invention includes an environmental sound generation program for causing a computer to function as the environmental sound generation device according to each of the above embodiments.

1,61 Environmental sound generation device 31, Basic information setting device 41 Basic information provision device 100 Network

Claims (10)

An environmental sound that forms a sound environment by being emitted, and is an environment in which a plurality of chain sounds composed of consecutive sounds are sequentially superimposed with the sound generation start timing, which is one of its attributes, being superimposed An environmental sound generation device that generates an environmental sound signal indicating sound,
For at least one chain tone of the plurality of chain tones, at least one attribute of each individual tone is within a selection target range set for the entire chain tone or for each section of the chain tone. Attribute setting means for setting the content selected by chance from each content is provided,
The attribute setting means sets each time interval between the sound generation start timings over the entire chain sound or in at least one section of the chain sound for the at least one chain sound of the plurality of chain sounds. , Individually set the intervals selected by chance within a predetermined range,
An environmental sound generator characterized by the above. The attribute setting means includes, for each of the at least one chain sound of the plurality of chain sounds, each time interval between the sounding start timings over the entire chain sound or in the at least one section of the chain sound. With a contingency within a predetermined range, respectively, under the condition that a predetermined number of time intervals of two or more subsequent to the entire chain tone or in the at least one section of the chain tone are not the same interval. Set to the selected interval,
The environmental sound generation device according to claim 1, wherein For the at least one chain sound of the plurality of chain sounds, the at least one attribute includes a pitch;
The attribute setting means, for the at least one chain sound of the plurality of chain sounds, the pitch of each individual sound is set over the entire chain sound or for each section of the chain sound Set to the pitch selected by chance from each of several types of pitches,
The plurality of pitches are one or more pitches having the same pitch name and different octaves with respect to two or more pitches having different pitch names and at least one pitch among the two or more pitches. Including the above pitches,
The probability that the attribute setting means selects each pitch from the plurality of pitches is the probability that the selection probability for each group is the same when the pitches are grouped by pitch name. is there,
The environmental sound generation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that   Means for setting the length of one or more sections of the chain sound to a length selected by chance within each predetermined range for at least one chain sound of the plurality of chain sounds The environmental sound generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The setting means includes the one of the chain sounds under a condition that the length of a predetermined number of two or more consecutive sections is not the same for the at least one chain sound of the plurality of chain sounds. 5. The environmental sound generation device according to claim 4, wherein the length of each of the sections is set to a length selected by chance within each predetermined range.   6. The at least one chain tone of the plurality of chain tones, wherein the at least one attribute includes one or more of velocity, tone color, and effect. The environmental sound generator described. The basic information that is the basis for generating the environmental sound signal, the basic information including information indicating the content in the selection target range, the acquisition means for receiving from the outside,
The environmental sound generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the environmental sound signal is generated based on the basic information received by the acquisition unit.   The environmental sound generation device according to claim 7, wherein the basic information includes a selection probability of contents within the selection target range.   An environmental sound generation program for causing a computer to function as the environmental sound generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A sound environment forming method for forming a sound environment by emitting an environmental sound in which a plurality of chain sounds composed of consecutive individual sounds are successively shifted while sequentially shifting the sound generation start timing which is one of its attributes Because
For at least one chain sound of the plurality of chain sounds, at least one attribute of each individual sound is within a selection target range set for the entire chain sound or for each section of the chain sound. Each of the content is set to the content selected by chance,
With respect to the at least one chain sound of the plurality of chain sounds, each time interval between the sound generation start timings over the entire chain sound or in at least one section of the chain sound is individually a predetermined range. Set to the interval selected by chance within
The sound environment formation method characterized by the above-mentioned.

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