JP3690276B2 - Electronic stringed instruments - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Field of the Invention]
The present invention relates to an electronic stringed musical instrument in which a musical tone is electrically generated by determining a pitch or the like with a push-type switch provided on a buttock.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an electronic stringed musical instrument in which a plurality of push switches are provided on a buttocks of a musical instrument formed in a guitar shape, and a musical tone is electrically generated by determining a pitch or the like by pressing the press switch. In this electronic stringed instrument, for example, the pitch is determined by a push switch, and the plucking action of a line (string member) provided in the instrument main body (body) is detected, and a musical tone is generated using the detection signal as a trigger. I am doing so.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional electronic stringed instruments, since the push switch is generally intended only for detecting on / off, the push operation is completely different from the operation feeling when the guitar string is pressed. . On the other hand, in the case of imitating the operation feeling like a guitar, a mechanism for that purpose is required separately, and the configuration may be complicated.
[0004]
In the above-described conventional electronic stringed instrument, the push switch only functions as an on / off switch for designating the pitch, and there is room for improvement in further expanding the range of use.
[0005]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and a first object of the present invention is to provide an electronic stringed instrument that can artificially obtain a good stringing feel without complicating the configuration. There is to do. A second object of the present invention is to provide an electronic stringed musical instrument that can broaden the range of use by making the pressed body look shining.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the first object, an electronic stringed instrument according to claim 1 of the present invention has a fixed contact disposed in a collar portion and a movable contact facing the fixed contact, and is disposed outside the fixed contact. An electronic stringed instrument comprising a movable switch body provided and a pushed body (35) disposed outside the movable switch body, wherein the pushed body has a substantially inter-fret length. The movable switch body is configured to extend in the longitudinal direction of the collar part and to be pushed inwardly of the collar part.Are configured to be pressed by the same pressed body.Corresponding to the object to be pushedIn the longitudinal direction of the buttocksThere are several,A plurality of the fixed contacts are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the flange corresponding to the movable switch body pressed by the same pushed body, and the movable contacts correspond to the fixed contacts corresponding to the same pushed body. And arranged in the longitudinal direction of the buttock,Pressed by the pressed bodyMovable switch bodyMovable contactCorrespondingAbutting with the fixed contactThe pressed movable switch body isIt is comprised so that the reaction force according to the depth of the pressing stroke by the said to-be-pressed body may be generate | occur | produced, At least 1 of the several movable switch bodies corresponding to the same to-be-pressed bodyMovable switch bodyDepressing operation of the object to be pushed by separating and moving a movable contact and a fixed contact facing the movable contactButdetectionIsIt was comprised so that it might be comprised.
[0007]
  With this configuration, when the movable switch body is pressed by the pressed body, a reaction force corresponding to the depth of the pressed stroke by the pressed body is generated, so that the operational feeling of the pressed body is improved. Can do. Also,sameAt least one of a plurality of movable switch bodies corresponding to one pressed bodyMovable switch bodySince the pressing operation of the pressed body is detected by separating the movable contact and the fixed contact facing the movable contact, it is possible to detect the stable pressing operation. In addition, since the movable switch body also serves as the reaction force generating means, the configuration is simple and the configuration is simple, so there are few malfunctions. Therefore, a good string feeling (for example, a string feeling of an acoustic guitar) can be obtained in a pseudo manner without complicating the configuration.
[0008]
  In order to achieve the second object, an electronic stringed instrument according to a second aspect of the present invention has a fixed contact disposed on the collar portion and a movable contact facing the fixed contact. An electronic stringed instrument comprising a movable switch body disposed on the movable switch body and a pushed body disposed on the outside of the movable switch body, wherein the pushed body is made of a translucent material and substantially between the frets. The movable switch body is configured to have a length and extend in the longitudinal direction of the collar part and to be pushed inwardly of the collar part.Are configured to be pressed by the same pressed body.Corresponding to the object to be pushedIn the longitudinal direction of the buttocksThere are several,A plurality of the fixed contacts are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the flange corresponding to the movable switch body pressed by the same pushed body, and the movable contacts correspond to the fixed contacts corresponding to the same pushed body. And corresponding to the movable contact of the movable switch body which is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the flange and is pressed down by the pressed bodyThe push-down operation of the pushed body is detected by separating from and coming into contact with the fixed contact, and further, a light emitter (22) is arranged on the inner side of the flange portion of the pushed body. The light is configured to be viewed through the pressed body.
[0009]
  With this configurationYesThe movable contact of the switch bodyCorrespondingBy separating from the fixed contactCoveredA pressing operation of the pushing body is detected. Moreover, the light of the light-emitting body arrange | positioned in the said collar part inner side direction of the said to-be-pressed body permeate | transmits the said to-be-pressed body, and is visually recognized. Thus, for example, if the light emitter is caused to emit light in response to the detection of the pressing operation of the pushed object, the pushed object appears to shine, and the light emitter is caused to emit light based on the music data. Then, it can be used as navigation for light practice. Therefore, the range of utilization can be widened by shining the pressed body.
[0010]
  The electronic stringed instrument according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of the pressed bodies are arranged in parallel in the same inter-fret region, and the plurality of movable switch bodies arranged in the same inter-fret region are:Extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the pushed body and arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the flange, andIt is desirable that the plurality of pressed bodies arranged in parallel in the same inter-fret region are provided as a common movable switch body and can be pressed by any of the plurality of pressed bodies. ).
[0011]
  With this configuration, the plurality of movable switch bodies are,samePlaced in parallel in the area between one fretDoubleSince it can be pressed by any of a number of pressed bodies and can be involved in detection of these pressing operations, the structure is simpler and the operation feeling is not only better, but also multiple pressed in the region between the same fret The operation feeling between the bodies can be made uniform. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a good and uniform string touch feeling in a pseudo manner while further simplifying the configuration.
  In order to achieve the first object, an electronic stringed instrument according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes a fixed contact disposed in the collar portion and a movable contact facing the fixed contact. An electronic stringed musical instrument composed of a movable switch body disposed on the movable switch body and a pushed body disposed on the outside of the movable switch body, the pushed body extending in a longitudinal direction of the collar portion, A plurality are arranged in parallel in the same inter-fret region, and are configured to be able to be pushed inwardly of the flange,A plurality of the movable switch bodies configured to be pressed by the same pushed body are provided in the longitudinal direction of the flange corresponding to the pushed body, and all of them are substantially orthogonal to the pushed body. Extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the flange, andAs a movable switch body common to the plurality of pressed bodies arranged in parallel in the same inter-fret regionpluralA plurality are provided corresponding to the object to be pushed in,A plurality of the fixed contacts are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the flange corresponding to the movable switch body pressed by the same pushed body, and the movable contacts correspond to the fixed contacts corresponding to the same pushed body. And arranged in the longitudinal direction of the buttock,SaideachBy providing a cut in a portion of the movable switch body corresponding to each of the plurality of pressed bodies arranged in parallel in the region between the same frets,eachMovable switch bodyThe part corresponding to the pressed body inThe movable contact isIn each of the movable switch bodies that are formed, the notch exists between the movable contacts that are adjacent to each other in a direction substantially orthogonal to the pushed body.It was configured as described above.
  According to this configuration, the pressing operation of the pressed body can be individually detected with a simple configuration, and the operation feeling between the plurality of pressed bodies in the same inter-fret region can be made uniform to simplify the configuration. In addition, a good and uniform string feeling can be obtained in a pseudo manner. Therefore, a good string feeling can be obtained in a pseudo manner without complicating the configuration.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electronic stringed musical instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention. This electronic stringed musical instrument is formed in a guitar shape and includes a body portion 1 (musical instrument main body) and a collar portion 2. The heel part 2 is provided with a pitch switch part 3 and a panel operation part 4, and the body part 1 is provided with a string input part 5 and a memory slot 6. As will be described later, this electronic stringed instrument uses the pitch switch section 3 to set the pitch as if holding the gap between the guitar frets with the left hand, and input the string by repelling the guitar string with the right hand. By repelling the string member 51 (described later) of the unit 5, the performance operation and the sound generation of the electric guitar are realized in a pseudo manner.
[0014]
The panel operation unit 4 is used for inputting instrument type and mode settings. A predetermined memory card can be inserted into the memory slot 6. As will be described later, song data stored in the memory card can be played by this apparatus, and the string-pressing operation can be guided by light according to the progress of the song. .
[0015]
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the string input unit 5 taken from the body unit 1 and viewed from the back side. The upper side of FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the sensor body 10. Note that the lower case 25 and the substrate 26 are not shown in FIG. Inside the substrate 26 (on the right side in FIG. 3), the sound source circuit and / or its control circuit components are soldered (not shown).
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 1, six string members 51 (51a to 51f) are provided, and the string member 51a is the thickest, narrowing in the order of 51b. .
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 3, the string member 51 includes a plucked portion 51 </ b> W extending in the longitudinal direction of the collar portion 2, and bent toward the body portion 1 at both ends of the plucked portion 51 </ b> W and then again in the longitudinal direction of the collar portion 2. The shaft portion 51X extends and is bent toward the body portion 1 from both shaft portions 51X to form one end portion 51Y (link portion) and the other end portion 51Z (see FIG. 2). In the string members 51a, 51c, and 51e, the collar part 2 side is the other end part 51Z, and the opposite collar part 2 side (opposite side of the collar part 2) is one end part 51Y, and the string members 51b, 51d, and 51f are collar parts. The second side is the one end 51Y, and the side 2 is the other end 51Z. The string input portion 5 is further provided with a shaft support portion 18, and the string member 51 is supported by the shaft support portion 18 at both shaft portions 51X. As a result, the string member 51 is rotatable in the direction in which the string members 51 are arranged (left and right in FIG. 1) about the shaft portion 51X.
[0018]
The string input unit 5 is provided with six sensor bodies 10 corresponding to the respective string members 51. As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor body 10 is disposed on the one end 51 </ b> Y side of the string member 51. That is, the ones corresponding to the string members 51a, 51c, 51e are disposed on the side of the flange portion (lower side in FIG. 2), and the ones corresponding to the string members 51b, 51d, 51f are on the flange side (upper side in FIG. 2). It is arranged.
[0019]
The string input unit 5 is further provided with a rubber material 19 for stopper. The rubber material 19 for stopper is provided corresponding to each string member 51, and is disposed on the other end 51Z side of the string member 51. The other end 51Z of each string member 51 is inserted through a gap formed by the pair of stopper rubber members 19 (FIG. 2). When the string member 51 rotates about the shaft 51 </ b> X, the stopper rubber material 19 serves to regulate the rotation angle of the string member 51. The sensor body 10 and the rubber material 19 for stopper are alternately arranged in the arrangement direction of the string members 51 on both the flange portion 2 side and the rebuttal portion 2 side, which is a so-called staggered arrangement. Thereby, the space | interval between the adjacent sensor bodies 10 in the alignment direction of the string member 51 is large. A substrate 26 is fixed to the string input unit 5 with screws, and the string input unit 5 is fixed to the lower case 25 with screws (FIG. 3).
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 4, the sensor body 10 includes a leaf spring 14, a rubber body 16, a holding member 11, a piezo sensor 15, a block material 17, and the like. The leaf spring 14 is made of metal or the like and has elasticity, and its base end portion 14a is attached to the holding member 11 with a screw 12 (FIG. 2) and is like a cantilever. The block member 17 is fixed to a pedestal 27 (FIGS. 2 and 3) of the string input unit 5, and the holding member 11 is attached to the block member 17 with screws 13 (FIG. 2). A rubber body 16 is attached to the distal end (free end) 14 b of the leaf spring 14. A hole 16a is formed in the rubber body 16, and one end 51Y of the string member 51 passes through the hole 16a (FIG. 3). Thereby, the front-end | tip part 14b of the leaf | plate spring 14 links with the one end part 51Y of the string member 51 through the rubber body 16. FIG.
[0021]
The leaf spring 14 is provided with a piezo sensor 15. The piezo sensor 15 is a piezo element, is attached to the approximate center in the longitudinal direction of the leaf spring 14, and detects the plucking action of the string member 51 through a phenomenon in which the leaf spring 14 bends. That is, the leaf spring 14 bends and causes the piezo sensor 15 to generate an output signal when the chord member 51 rotates about the shaft portion 51X. In addition, by giving an appropriate change to the thickness of the leaf spring 14, the vicinity of the piezo sensor 15 in the leaf spring 14 may be easily bent, and the detection sensitivity may be improved.
[0022]
The leaf spring 14 also has the role of returning the string member 51 to the initial position when the string spring 51 is not plucked (the position of the string member 51 in a state where the leaf spring 14 is not deflected) due to its elasticity after releasing the plucking operation. Fulfill. The amount of movement of the string member 51 in the direction in which the strings are arranged when the string member 51 is rotated is set to 4 to 6 mm to ensure a comfortable operation.
[0023]
In such a configuration, the player usually has only to pluck the string member 51 with a finger or a pick in the same manner as picking. For example, when a force in the string arrangement direction is applied to the string member 51 for plucking, the string member 51 rotates about the shaft portion 51X, and the one end 51Y and the other end 51Z are connected to the plucked portion 51W. Moves in the opposite direction when viewed in a plane. The leaf spring 14 bends because the one end 51Y and the rubber body 16 are linked. When a strong force is applied, the other end 51Z contacts the stopper rubber member 19 and the rotation of the string member 51 stops. When the chord member 51 is repelled, that is, when the urging force is released from the urged state of the chord member 51, the chord member 51 is suddenly returned to the initial position by the elasticity of the leaf spring 14. At that time, a large acceleration is given to the string member 51, and the piezo sensor 15 outputs a detection signal. The piezo sensor 15 generates an output signal only when a predetermined threshold value is exceeded.
[0024]
Since the piezo sensor 15 outputs a signal corresponding to the moving acceleration, the piezo sensor 15 generates an output even during a performance in which a sudden force is applied to the string members 51 in the string arrangement direction. Note that the piezo sensor 15 can generally detect the movement acceleration of the string member 51 as a movement factor of the string member 51 and output a signal corresponding to the detected movement acceleration. It can also be caught by outputting a signal according to the above. Normally, from the viewpoint of the player, an output corresponding to the strength with which the string member 51 is plucked is obtained.
[0025]
Conventionally, in a general plucking motion detection mechanism using a piezo element, since the string and the diaphragm are an integral structure, the piezo element is structurally designed to output both vibration and displacement. It was. For this reason, even if there is no movement of the strings, output is generated only by transmission of vibration, so that the output becomes unstable and there is a case where the output according to the player's intention cannot be obtained. In addition, depending on the position of the plucked string, the way the string is displaced and the way the vibration is transmitted to the piezo element are different, that is, the movable point and the movable reference position are not determined. Furthermore, since the amount of movement of the string is small, it is difficult to input with a comfortable plucked string, and the degree of structural freedom to match the human sensibility by improving the plucked feel is small.
[0026]
However, in the present embodiment, due to the cantilever structure of the leaf spring 14, an acceleration corresponding to the displacement amount of the leaf spring 14 occurs when the chord member 51 is repelled. Output is obtained. In particular, since the displacement amount of the leaf spring 14 corresponds to the input (biasing force) by the player, it is easy to obtain an output suitable for the player's feeling from weak to strong repellent. Further, since it is easy to freely set the mechanical characteristics as a cantilever by setting the size, shape, thickness, etc. of the leaf spring 14, it is necessary to rotate (move) the chord member 51. There is a degree of freedom that the power can be set according to the player's feeling. Furthermore, since only the vibration is not output, the output is generated only when the string member 51 is actually rotated, which is convenient.
[0027]
As described above, the thickness of the string is the same as that of the acoustic guitar. The string member 51a is the thickest, and the string member 51a is thinned in the order of 51f. Key scaling of force or plucking force may be added. For this purpose, for example, the leaf spring 14 is made thicker, the width is widened, and the notch is made smaller (or eliminated) as the thicker one of the string members 51 corresponds to the thicker string. What is necessary is just to set a mechanical characteristic in six steps (or 2-3 steps) for every string. Thereby, it can be brought closer to the performance feeling of a real acoustic guitar.
[0028]
Next, the detail of the pitch switch part 3 in the collar part 2 is demonstrated.
[0029]
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG.
[0030]
The flange part 2 is composed of a lower case 40, an upper case 30, a substrate 20, and the like, and the flange part 2 is provided with a plurality of frets 34 and fret members 35 (pressed bodies). The frets 34 are provided at positions corresponding to the frets on the guitar. The fret 34 in the present embodiment does not fulfill the function of a guitar fret that defines the length of the vibrating string, but is easy to determine the position when the string is pressed. The fret 34 also performs a guide function when the fret member 35 is pressed, as will be described later. The interval between the frets 34 becomes narrower as the high frequency range follows the guitar.
[0031]
FIG. 7 is a partial back view of the upper case 30 of the flange 2. In the drawing, for the sake of explanation, a state in which only one movable switch body 31 is set is shown, and the actual assembly order is not followed. Further, detailed illustration is omitted after the fourth fret from the bass side. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a part (near the tip) of the flange 2 as seen obliquely from below. In the figure, the movable switch body 31, the fret member 35, and the upper case 30 are shown, and the lower case 40 and the substrate 20 are omitted.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 1, six fret members 35 are provided between the respective frets 34, and six fret members 35 are arranged in parallel in the same inter-fret region corresponding to the chord member 51. The length in the longitudinal direction of the flange portion 2 of each fret member 35 is substantially the same as the interval between the frets 34 at both ends, that is, the length between the frets. The entire fret member 35 is formed of a translucent material.
[0033]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the fret member 35 includes a pressed portion 35 </ b> B extending in a plate shape. The pressed portion 35B is a portion pressed by the player like a string pressing operation. The pressed part 35B of the fret member 35 follows the thickness of the string of the guitar, and the leftmost fret member 35 (pressed part 35aB) in FIG. 1 is the thickest, such as the fret members 35bB... 35fB. The thickness of the lower fret member 35 gradually decreases.
[0034]
Note that the key scaling of the pressed portion may be performed by changing the thickness of the fret member 35 corresponding to the 6th string, and the key scaling may be performed for the pressing reaction force of each fret member 35. In that case, the thickness of the skirt part of the movable switch body 31 is changed for each string. For example, the thicker the fret member 35 is, the thicker the one corresponding to the pressed part 35aB is. (Restoring force) Key scaling can be performed. Of course, in the acoustic guitar, the pressing reaction force of all strings is slightly different, but key scaling may be performed by correcting the reaction force according to the difference. As a result, the performance sensation can be made closer to a real guitar.
[0035]
The bottom surface 35 </ b> A of the fret member 35 is a portion for pressing the movable switch body 31. Stopper portions 35C extend from both ends of the bottom surface 35A in the longitudinal direction.
[0036]
The pressed part 35B of the fret member 35 is processed into an R shape at both ends on the front end side in the extending direction to form an R part (35R) (FIGS. 5 and 8). Thereby, for example, when the finger is slid on the string member 51 in the longitudinal direction of the collar portion 2 like choking, the operation can be smoothed.
[0037]
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the upper case 30 is provided with a fret member recess 37. The fret member recesses 37 correspond to the fret member 35, and six are formed in the same inter-fret region. Here, for example, “FR” shown in FIG. 1 is one inter-fret region. There are twelve inter-fret regions so that twelve scales can be set to a minimum, and therefore there are 72 fret member recesses 37 in total. In addition, since the fret on the high frequency side from the 12th scale is not often used by a non-advanced person even in a normal guitar, in this electronic stringed instrument, instead of providing the inter-fret region in the high frequency range, the panel operation unit 4 is provided. By using it as an area to be arranged, space saving and operability are improved.
[0038]
Each fret member recess 37 is provided with a pressed portion through groove 37A corresponding to the pressed portion 35B of the fret member 35. The widths of the pressed-portion through grooves 37aA to 37fA correspond to the thicknesses of the pressed portions 35aB to 35fB, respectively. Yes.
[0039]
The upper case 30 is further provided with a movable switch recess 36. Two movable switch recesses 36 are cut in the same inter-fret region, corresponding to the movable switch body 31 described later, approximately perpendicular to the fret member recess 37.
[0040]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, two movable switch bodies 31 are provided in the same inter-fret region. The movable switch body 31 extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the fret member 35 and has a length close to the width of the flange portion 2. The movable switch body 31 is formed in a cross-sectional mountain shape by extrusion molding with a transparent elastic resin. An escape portion 31b and a conductive movable contact 31a are provided on the inner side (concave side) of the movable switch body 31 (FIGS. 6, 7, and 8). The escape portions 31b are formed as cuts at equal intervals at five locations on the inner lower part of the top of the mountain of the movable switch body 31. And all the six places of each escape part 31b part (4 places) and each outer part (2 places) of the escape part 31b of both ends become the movable contact 31a.
[0041]
In addition, you may make it perform a nonelectroconductive process instead of providing the escape part 31b. For example, the conductive ink may not be applied between the strings (the part corresponding to the escape portion 31b).
[0042]
The fret member 35 and the movable switch body 31 are assembled as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 8, the fret member 35 is attached from the back side of the upper case 30. The fret member 35 is fitted to the corresponding fret member recess 37 so that the pressed portion 35B penetrates the pressed portion through groove 37A. This is done six in each inter-fret area. When the fret member 35 is fitted into the fret member recess 37, the pressed portion 35 </ b> B penetrates the pressed portion through groove 37 </ b> A and protrudes from the upper surface of the upper case 30 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0043]
Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the movable switch body 31 is mounted from the back side of the upper case 30. After the fret member 35 is mounted, the movable switch body 31 is fitted into the corresponding movable switch recess 36 with the mountain-shaped peak (convex side) facing the movable switch recess 36. This is done twice in each inter-fret region. Next, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the substrate 20 is mounted from the back side of the upper case 30, and the lower case 40 is further placed, and the upper case 30 and the lower case 40 are coupled with screws 41.
[0044]
A fixed contact 21 is provided on the substrate 20. The fixed contact 21 is formed in a comb-like pattern in plan view, and is laid on the upper surface of the substrate 20 corresponding to the movable contact 31a of the movable switch body 31 facing the fixed contact 21. Accordingly, six fixed contacts 21 are provided for one movable switch body 31, and there are 12 string members 51 (6) × number of movable switch bodies 31 (2) = 12 in the same inter-fret region. . The string switch is composed of a set of the fixed contact 21 and the corresponding movable contact 31a. In the string switch, as will be described later, the pressing contact of the fret member 35 is detected by the fixed contact 21 and the movable contact 31a being separated from each other by the pressing and releasing operations of the fret member 35.
[0045]
An LED 22 (light emitter) is further provided on the substrate 20 (FIG. 5). The LED 22 is attached directly below each fret member 35 corresponding to each fret member 35 at a substantially center in the longitudinal direction of the inter-fret region.
[0046]
The fret member 35 can be pushed downward by pressing the pressed portion 35B protruding from the upper case 30 with a finger. In the pushing process, the entire inner wall of the fret member recess 37 serves as a guide for the fret member 35. As described above, the fret 34 is also in sliding contact with both longitudinal ends of the pressed portion 35B. Perform the guide function. When the fret member 35 is pushed in, the stopper portion 35 </ b> C comes into contact with the substrate 20. Accordingly, the stopper portion 35C plays a role of defining a lower limit position or a pressing stroke of the fret member 35 at the time of pressing.
[0047]
When the fret member 35 is pushed in, the portion immediately below the fret member 35 of the movable switch body 31 is gradually crushed, and before the fret member 35 reaches the lower limit position, The movable contact 31 a located immediately below contacts the fixed contact 21. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, two string switches (two pairs of fixed contacts 21 and movable contacts 31 a) are configured for one fret member 35, but at least one of the two string switches is turned on. Thus, the pressing operation of the fret member 35 is detected. This enables stable detection. For example, when the fret member 35 is pressed, the center in the longitudinal direction of the pressed portion 35B is not necessarily pressed, and may be pressed at a position near one of the end portions. In that case, normally, the string switch on the side close to the pressed position is turned on first, but the on state of the pressing operation is detected by the string switch that is turned on first. Note that processing after detection of the pressing operation will be described later.
[0048]
The movable switch body 31 generates a reaction force against pressing by the fret member 35 due to its elasticity. The movable contact 31a is configured to generate a reaction force that increases substantially in proportion to the depth of the pressing stroke of the fret member 35. As a result, it is possible to simulate a good operation feeling as if the guitar is being pressed with a simple configuration. When the pressing of the fret member 35 is released by the reaction force of the movable switch body 31, the fret member 35 returns to the original non-pressed position.
[0049]
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an outline of a functional configuration for realizing musical sound generation and light emission control in the electronic stringed instrument of the present embodiment. The pitch switch unit 3, the string input unit 5 and the memory slot 6 are connected to a CPU 60. A light emitting unit 7 and a musical tone signal generating unit 8 are connected to the CPU 60, and the musical tone signal generating unit 8 is further connected to a sound system (SS) 9. Is connected.
[0050]
The pitch switch unit 3 includes a pitch detection unit 3a. The function of the pitch detection unit 3a is realized by the string switch group including the movable switch body 31 and the fixed contact 21 described above. In other words, a detection signal is output from the string switch corresponding to the pressed fret member 35, and the output of the pitch detection unit 3a indicates which one of the plurality of fret members 35 corresponding to each string member 51 is pressed. Signal. This output signal is supplied to the CPU 60. If two or more fret members 35 corresponding to the same string member 51 are pressed, only the fret member 35 on the higher sound side is turned on. If nothing is output, the string is treated as an open string.
[0051]
The string input unit 5 includes a key-on detection unit 5a and a touch detection unit 5b. Each function of the key-on detection unit 5a and the touch detection unit 5b is realized by the sensor body 10 described above. That is, as described above, the piezo sensor 15 of the sensor body 10 provides an output corresponding to the strength of plucking the string member 51, so that the presence / absence of plucking of the string member 51 and the plucking strength of the string member 51 are determined by this output. It is prescribed. The key-on detection unit 5a outputs a signal indicating the presence / absence of a plucked string, and the touch detection unit 5b outputs a signal indicating the plucking strength. These output signals are supplied to the CPU 60 for each string member 51.
[0052]
The memory slot 6 supplies, for example, MIDI data to the CPU 60 as music data stored in the attached memory card.
[0053]
The CPU 60 controls the light emission unit 7 and the musical tone signal generation unit 8 based on signals from the pitch detection unit 3a, the key-on detection unit 5a, the touch detection unit 5b, and the memory slot 6.
[0054]
The function of the light emitting unit 7 is realized by the LED 22, the fret member 35, and the like. That is, when the LED 22 emits light under the control of the CPU 60, the light enters from the bottom surface 35A (FIGS. 5, 6, and 8) of the fret member 35 made of a transparent material, passes through the fret member 35, and is pressed by the pressed portion 35B. The light is emitted to the outside mainly from the tip. Thereby, when it sees from the exterior, the to-be-pressed part 35B of the fret member 35 appears to shine.
[0055]
Note that the distance between the movable switch bodies 31 becomes narrower toward the high frequency range, and the light of the LED 22 is less likely to reach the bottom surface 35A of the fret member 35 directly (FIG. 5). However, since the movable switch body 31 is transparent except for the movable contact 31a as described above, a part of the light of the LED 22 passes through the flesh (particularly the skirt portion) of the movable switch body 31 and reaches the bottom surface 35A of the fret member 35. Incident. Thereby, the light emission luminance of the fret member 35 can be maintained from the low sound range to the high sound range. Preferably, the movable contact 31a is also made of a transparent body.
[0056]
The tone signal generator 8 and the sound system 9 are connected to the electronic stringed instrument, but are not shown in FIG. The tone signal generator 8 includes a sound source, and the sound system 9 includes an amplifier and a speaker (both not shown). The musical sound signal generator 8 generates musical sounds in the sound system 9 based on the control of the CPU 60. For example, a musical tone is generated as follows.
[0057]
In normal performance, the player first sets the normal performance mode in the panel operation unit 4 and sets the instrument type to, for example, electric guitar. Then, the fret member 35 is pushed in with the left hand like a string pushing operation in the pitch switch unit 3. There may be a case where a plurality of fret members 35 are pressed at the same time, or a case where all the fret members 35 are not pressed (all strings are open strings). The pitch is specified for each chord member 51 corresponding to the pressed fret member 35. Further, the player plucks a desired string member 51 at the string input unit 5. The plucked string may be the same as a normal guitar, and there is a key-on event for the plucked string member 51. Further, as described above, since the output corresponding to the pluck strength is obtained by the characteristics of the leaf spring 14, the velocity (touch) is specified according to the pluck strength.
[0058]
When there is a key-on event in the string input unit 5, the CPU 60 outputs a sound source instruction signal to the musical tone signal generation unit 8 based on the pitch specified by the pitch switch unit 3 and the velocity specified by the string input unit 5. To do. At the same time, the CPU 60 outputs to the light emitting unit 7 a lighting instruction signal for causing the LED 22 corresponding to the fret member 35 pressed by the pitch switch unit 3 to emit light.
[0059]
The tone signal generator 8 that has received the sound source instruction signal generates a tone by the sound system 9. The tone level at that time is controlled based on the velocity specified by the string input unit 5. At the same time, the light emitting unit 7 that has received the lighting instruction signal causes the corresponding LED 22 to emit light. Note that the light emission time of the LED 22 is preferably adjusted to the sound length, for example, based on the instrument type set in the panel operation unit 4 (in particular, the attenuation characteristic of the instrument sound here) and the velocity specified in the string input unit 5. The light emission time may be set.
[0060]
In this way, in a normal performance, a guitar sound or the like is generated by performing with the same feeling as that of a normal guitar, and the pressed fret member 35 is illuminated and visually recognized corresponding to the string pressing operation.
[0061]
Next, in the performance using the memory slot 6, the automatic performance mode and the navigation mode can be set. The player attaches a memory card to the memory slot 6 and sets one of the modes in the panel operation unit 4. The song data stored in the memory card specifies at least the pitch, tone length, and velocity. In this embodiment, in addition to this, the light emission time of the LED 22 is also specified.
[0062]
In the automatic performance mode, the CPU 60 outputs a sound source instruction signal to the musical tone signal generator 8 based on the music data. Then, a musical sound is generated according to the music data, and the music progresses automatically.
[0063]
On the other hand, in the navigation mode, the CPU 60 outputs a sound source instruction signal to the musical sound signal generator 8 and outputs a lighting instruction signal to the light emitter 7 based on the music data. Then, a musical tone is generated according to the music data, and the LED 22 sequentially emits light, so that the fret member 35 to be pressed is lit and visually recognized. That is, it functions like a light guide for practice. It should be noted that the configuration may be changed as appropriate according to the application, such as enabling only the light guide function without generating a musical sound, or stopping the progress of the music until a correct string is pressed.
[0064]
The music data is not limited to the one supplied from the memory slot 6, but the body 1 has a built-in memory such as a RAM, and is read from an external storage medium and stored in the RAM. A mode or a navigation mode may be realized. Alternatively, a non-volatile memory such as a ROM may be built in the body unit 1, and song data may be stored in this memory in advance. Further, instead of the memory slot 6, other types of portable storage media (floppy disk, CD-ROM, etc.) may be used.
[0065]
According to the present embodiment, the fret member 35 is arranged in accordance with the thickness and arrangement of the strings of the guitar, and when the fret member 35 is pressed down in the manner of the string pressing operation, the pitch can be designated, and the movable switch Since the reaction force according to the depth of the pressing stroke is generated by the body 31, the operation feel of the fret member 35 can be improved. In addition, since one fret member 35 receives reaction force from two movable switch bodies 31 orthogonal to the fret member 35, a uniform operation feeling can be obtained regardless of the pressed position of the fret member 35. Further, since at least one movable contact 31a of the two movable switch bodies 31 is in contact with the fixed contact 21, it is detected that the string-pressing operation is on, so that a stable pressing operation can be detected. Further, since the movable switch body 31 also serves as a reaction force generating means for the fret member 35, the configuration is simple and the configuration is simple, so there are few malfunctions. Therefore, a good string feeling can be obtained in a pseudo manner without complicating the configuration.
[0066]
A plurality (two) of movable switch bodies 31 are provided as a movable switch body common to a plurality of (six) fret members 35 arranged in parallel in the same inter-fret region, and six fret members in the same inter-fret region. Since any of the buttons 35 can be pressed and can be involved in detection of these pressing operations, the number of parts is small and assembly is easy, and the configuration can be further simplified. Moreover, not only the operation feeling becomes good, but also the operation feeling between the fret members 35 in the same inter-fret region can be made uniform. Furthermore, since the movable switch body 31 is formed by extrusion molding, the cross-sectional shape becomes uniform. Therefore, since a uniform reaction force is generated against the same pressing between the fret members 35 in the same inter-fret region, a more uniform response to the pressing operation can be ensured. Therefore, it is possible to make the feel of the string to be even better and uniform while further simplifying the configuration.
[0067]
Further, in a normal performance, a guitar sound or the like is generated just by playing with the same feeling as a normal guitar, and the pressed fret member 35 is lit and viewed in response to the pressing operation, and the memory slot 6 is used. In the performance, a musical tone is automatically generated according to the song data. In particular, in the navigation mode, the fret member 35 to be pressed is shined and recognized, but can also be used as a navigation for practice. In this way, the use of the electronic stringed instrument can be expanded by shining the fret member.
[0068]
According to the present embodiment, the leaf spring 14 is further cantilevered and linked to the string member 51 to obtain an output corresponding to the string repellent strength, and the tone level of the tone is controlled according to this output signal. Because of this, it is possible to generate an optimal level of musical tone according to the player's intention with a simple configuration and a playing technique close to the plucked string of a guitar string. In addition, since the string member 51 after pushing the string is automatically returned to the initial position when the string is not plucked by the elasticity of the leaf spring 14, a good plucking feeling can be secured with a simple configuration. Furthermore, since the sensor body 10 is composed of a piezo element, a good touch response can be obtained with a simple structure.
[0069]
Further, by arranging the sensor bodies 10 corresponding to the respective string members 51 and the rubber material 19 for stoppers in a staggered manner, a large interval between adjacent sensor bodies 10 (or an interval between link portions) can be secured. . As a result, the moving distance of the link part can be increased, the degree of design freedom is increased, and the detection accuracy is also improved. Therefore, it is possible to secure the degree of freedom in designing the string input unit 5 and improve the detection accuracy of the plucking action.
[0070]
The movable switch body 31 is provided with five relief portions 31b so that the pressing operations by the six fret members 35 can be individually detected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and time-division processing (for example, If disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 58-29514, individual detection is possible without providing the escape portion 31b. For example, all the string switches (a set of the movable contact 31a and the fixed contact 21) are sequentially and periodically scanned by a fret counter for 12 frets and a string counter for 6 strings. What is necessary is just to detect ON of the pressing operation of each fret member 35 based on the output.
[0071]
In the present embodiment, the same effect can be obtained by reading a storage medium storing a control program represented by software for achieving the present invention into an electronic stringed instrument. As a storage medium in these cases, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, and the like can be used in addition to the ROM.
[0072]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the electronic stringed instrument of the first aspect of the present invention, a good string feel can be obtained in a pseudo manner without complicating the configuration.
[0073]
According to the electronic stringed instrument of claim 2 of the present invention, therefore, the range of use can be widened by shining the pressed body.
[0074]
According to the electronic stringed instrument of the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a good and uniform string feeling in a pseudo manner while further simplifying the configuration.
According to the electronic stringed instrument of the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to individually detect the pressing operation of the pressed body without complicating the configuration, and it is possible to obtain a good pressing feeling in a pseudo manner.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electronic stringed musical instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a back view of the string input unit as seen from the back side with the string input unit removed from the body unit.
FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a sensor body.
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a partial rear view of the upper case of the buttock.
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the collar (near the tip) viewed obliquely from below.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an outline of a functional configuration for realizing musical tone generation and light emission control in the electronic stringed musical instrument of the same form.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Body part, 2 Hips part, 3 Pitch switch part, 3a Pitch detection part, 4 Panel operation part, 5 String input part, 5a Key-on detection part, 5b Touch detection part, 6 Memory slot, 7 Light emission part, 8 Musical sound Signal generating section, 10 sensor body, 14 leaf spring, 15 piezo sensor, 20 substrate, 21 fixed contact, 22 LED (light emitting body), 31 movable switch body, 31a movable contact, 34 fret, 35 fret member (pressed object), 35B pressed part, 51 string member, 60 CPU

Claims (4)

A fixed contact disposed on the collar, a movable switch body having a movable contact facing the fixed contact, disposed on the outside of the fixed contact, and a pushed-in disposed on the outside of the movable switch body An electronic stringed instrument composed of a body (35),
The pushed-in body has a substantially inter-fret length, extends in the longitudinal direction of the flange, and is configured to be able to be pushed inwardly of the flange.
Said movable switch member, a plurality provided in the longitudinal direction of the rod part that is configured to be pressed by the same object pushing body in correspondence with said object impactor,
A plurality of the fixed contacts are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the collar portion corresponding to the movable switch body pressed by the same pressed body,
The movable contact is aligned in the longitudinal direction of the flange portion corresponding to the fixed contact corresponding to the same pressed body,
The movable contact of the movable switch body pressed by the pressed body abuts the corresponding fixed contact, and the pressed movable switch body generates a reaction force according to the depth of the pressed stroke by the pressed body. Configured to
So that the detected depressing action of the object pushing member by disjunction of the at least one stationary contact facing the movable contact and the movable contact of the movable switch member of the plurality of movable switch member corresponding to the same object impactor An electronic stringed instrument characterized in that it is configured. A fixed contact disposed on the collar, a movable switch body having a movable contact facing the fixed contact, disposed on the outside of the fixed contact, and a pushed-in disposed on the outside of the movable switch body An electronic string instrument composed of a body,
The pressed body is made of a translucent material, has a substantially inter-fret length, extends in the longitudinal direction of the flange, and is configured to be able to be pressed inward of the flange.
Said movable switch member, a plurality provided in the longitudinal direction of the rod part that is configured to be pressed by the same object pushing body in correspondence with said object impactor,
A plurality of the fixed contacts are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the collar portion corresponding to the movable switch body pressed by the same pressed body,
The movable contact is aligned in the longitudinal direction of the flange portion corresponding to the fixed contact corresponding to the same pressed body,
The pressing operation of the pressed body is detected by the separation of the movable contact of the movable switch body pressed by the pressed body and the corresponding fixed contact,
Furthermore, a light emitting body (22) is disposed in the flange inner side direction of the pushed body, and the light of the light emitting body is configured to be viewed through the pushed body. Electronic stringed instrument. A plurality of the pushed bodies are arranged in parallel in the same inter-fret region, and the plurality of movable switch bodies arranged in the same inter-fret region extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to the pushed body, Provided as a movable switch body that is arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction and is common to the plurality of pushed bodies arranged in parallel in the region between the same fret , and can be pushed by any of the plurality of pushed bodies. The electronic stringed instrument according to claim 1, wherein the electronic stringed instrument is configured. A fixed contact disposed on the collar, a movable switch body having a movable contact facing the fixed contact, disposed on the outside of the fixed contact, and a pushed-in disposed on the outside of the movable switch body An electronic string instrument composed of a body,
The pressed body extends in the longitudinal direction of the flange portion, and a plurality of the pressed bodies are arranged in parallel in the same inter-fret region, and are configured to be able to be pressed inwardly of the flange portion,
A plurality of the movable switch bodies configured to be pressed by the same pushed body are provided in the longitudinal direction of the flange corresponding to the pushed body, and all of them are substantially orthogonal to the pushed body. to arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the rod part extending in the direction, and correspond to the plurality of the impactor as a common movable switch member to said plurality of the pushing bodies arranged in parallel to the same fret between regions Multiple,
A plurality of the fixed contacts are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the collar portion corresponding to the movable switch body pressed by the same pressed body,
The movable contact is aligned in the longitudinal direction of the flange portion corresponding to the fixed contact corresponding to the same pressed body,
Of each movable switch member, the portion corresponding to between the parallel arranged the plurality of each of the impactor on the same fret between areas, by providing the slit, corresponding to the object impactor in each movable switch body Each of the movable contacts is formed in a portion, and each of the movable switch bodies is configured such that the cut is present between the movable contacts adjacent to each other in a direction substantially orthogonal to the pushed body. Electronic stringed instrument.

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