JP3795495B2 - Sound generator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sound source device for generating an incoming call melody and playing music in a mobile information terminal such as a mobile phone or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).

  Advances in information communication technology in recent years have promoted the expansion of functions of portable information terminals such as mobile phones and PDAs. One of the expanded functions is a music playback function. That is, a sound source device using a technology such as a music synthesizer is incorporated in a mobile information terminal such as a mobile phone so that higher quality music can be enjoyed. By the operation of such a sound source device, the user can enjoy music when an incoming call or e-mail is received, and further, the portable information terminal can be used as a karaoke device or a game device.

  FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of a conventional sound source device employed in a portable information terminal. This tone generator SD2 receives sound information (musical scale: pitch, sound start / end time: note on, note off, sound output volume) via an interface IF from a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 100 that controls the entire portable information terminal. : Volume, pronunciation intensity: velocity, timbre information: information about pronunciation such as program number).

  The sound generation information is temporarily stored in a FIFO (First In First Out) memory MM, and the sequencer SQ sequentially reads the sound generation information from the FIFO memory MM while referring to the sound generation start time and the like.

  Then, the sequencer SQ assigns the pronunciation information to the sound sources SS1 to SS8 and reproduces the music by using a series of time-series sequence data of the read pronunciation information. Each of the sound sources SS1 to SS8 stores sampling waveforms of various timbres, and can output sound waveforms under the control of the sequencer SQ.

  At this time, the sequencer SQ appropriately applies sequence data to each of the sound sources SS1 to SS8 so that polyphonic (simultaneous polyphonic) sound generation is possible while taking into consideration restrictions on the number of simultaneously soundable sounds (that is, the number of sound sources) and the timbre used. Assign. In the case of FIG. 4, the number of sound sources that can be controlled by the sequencer SQ is eight sound sources SS1 to SS8. The FIFO memory MM may store sound generation information for each of a plurality of channels (for example, 1 to 8 Ch). Note that the number of channels and the number of sound sources do not correspond to each other, and a large number of sound sources may be occupied by 1 Ch such as a chord.

  In FIG. 4, in addition to the sound sources SS1 to SS8, sound sources SS9 to SS16 are also provided. These sound sources are provided, for example, to immediately sound (interrupt) the operation sound or sound effect of the portable information terminal even when the sequencer SQ is playing music using the sound sources SS1 to SS8. Sound source.

  If information such as operation sounds and sound effects is given to the FIFO memory MM and the operation sound and sound effects are to be played by the sequencer SQ, the FIFO memory MM already contains sequence data for about 5 seconds, for example. Therefore, the operation sound, the sound effect, etc. cannot be sounded until after they are reproduced. It is desirable that operation sounds, sound effects, and the like sound at the same time that the portable information terminal is operated or an event such as an incoming e-mail occurs.

  Therefore, in the sound source device SD2, the operation sound, the sound effect, and the like are sounded not by the control performed by the sequencer SQ but by the direct control (via the interface IF) to the sound sources SS9 to SS16 from the CPU 100 of the portable information terminal. .

  Note that prior art document information relating to the invention of this application includes the following.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-210159

  In the case of the sound source device SD2 in FIG. 4, the CPU 100 outside the sound source device needs to directly control the sound source in order to make an interrupt sound despite the built-in sequencer SQ. Therefore, the burden on the CPU 100 is heavy. This is because when the sound source is directly controlled, the CPU 100 needs to take the timing of sound generation and to synchronize the sound generation of each sound source. The sequencer SQ is introduced so as not to put such a burden on the CPU 100, and the tone generator SD2 of FIG. 4 has room for improvement in that respect.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration obtained by improving the sound source device SD2 from the above viewpoint. As shown in FIG. 5, the tone generator SD3 includes a FIFO memory MM1 and a sequencer SQ1 for playing music such as a ringing melody, and a FIFO memory MM2 and a sequencer SQ2 for playing operation sounds, sound effects, and the like. Yes.

  If two memories and a sequencer are provided in this way, it is not necessary for the external CPU 100 to directly control the sound source, so the burden on the CPU 100 is reduced. The CPU 100 only needs to control so that the pronunciation information of music such as an incoming melody is input to the FIFO memory MM1, and the pronunciation information such as operation sounds and sound effects is input to the FIFO memory MM2. .

  Since the sound generation information such as the operation sound having a shorter sound generation time than the music is input to the FIFO memory MM2, the sound generation process can be performed quickly. Therefore, the sequencer SQ2 can immediately perform the sound generation process when the sound generation information is input to the FIFO memory MM2.

  However, in both of the sound source device SD2 in FIG. 4 and the sound source device SD3 in FIG. 5, the sound source used for the sound generation information of music and the sound source used for the sound generation information such as operation sounds and sound effects are separated. (Sound sources SS1 to SS8 are fixedly assigned to the pronunciation information of music, and sound sources SS9 to SS16 are fixedly assigned to the pronunciation information such as operation sounds and sound effects). Sound generation information such as operation sounds and sound effects generally has a shorter sound generation time than music. Therefore, after sounding once, the sound sources SS9 to SS16 may not be used in some cases, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. Even if there were a large number of built-in sound sources, it could not be said that all of them were used effectively.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a sound source device that can sound an operation sound, a sound effect, and the like while playing music, and can effectively use a built-in sound source.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of memories each capable of recording pronunciation information, a plurality of sound sources each capable of outputting sound waveforms, the sound generation information are sequentially read from the plurality of memories, and the plurality of sound sources Priority information describing which pronunciation information should be preferentially pronounced based on the origin of the pronunciation information is determined, and the pronunciation information is more than the number of the plurality of sound sources. When the number of pronunciation information to be generated is larger, based on the priority information, the sequencer selects the pronunciation information to be sounded and assigns it to each of the plurality of sound sources. The sound source device is a memory from which the pronunciation information is output from among the plurality of memories.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a sound source apparatus according to claim 1,, respectively that of the plurality of sound sources further comprises a port information storing unit for storing information of origin of the sound information, the sequencer Of the pronunciation information stored in the port information storage unit of each of the plurality of sound sources in order to newly assign unassigned pronunciation information among the higher priority pronunciation information to the currently assigned sound sources. the information of origin, is a sound source device that reference.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the sound source device according to the first or second aspect, at least one of the plurality of memories temporarily reads the pronunciation information from the other plurality of memories. The sound source device includes control information for controlling the sequencer related to stopping or temporarily lowering the value of the volume information in the pronunciation information from the other plurality of memories.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the sequencer selects the pronunciation information to be generated based on the priority information and assigns it to each of the plurality of sound sources. Thus, for example, a plurality of memories are divided into a memory that stores pronunciation information of music such as ringtones and a memory that stores pronunciation information such as operation sounds and sound effects, and the priority of the latter memory is assigned to the former. Set higher than the memory priority. In this way, the built-in sound source can be fully used for music playback, while the sound source that can preferentially assign sound information such as operation sounds and sound effects to sound sources when operating sounds and sound effects are played simultaneously. A device is obtained. As a result, it is possible to realize a sound source device that can sound an operation sound, a sound effect, etc. while sounding music, and can effectively use a built-in sound source. The origin of the pronunciation information is from which memory the pronunciation information is output. Therefore, by setting the priority of the memory, it is possible to assign the pronunciation information to the sound source in detail.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, each of the plurality of sound sources is further provided with a port information storage unit that stores the origin information of the pronunciation information. Therefore, when the sequencer selects the pronunciation information to be sounded and assigns it to each of a plurality of sound sources, the sequencer can determine which sound source of the currently occupied sound sources should be assigned high-priority pronunciation information. It's easy to do.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, at least one of the plurality of memories temporarily stops reading of the pronunciation information from the other plurality of memories, or the pronunciation information from the other plurality of memories. Control information for controlling the sequencer related to temporarily lowering the value of the volume information inside is included. Therefore, the sequencer can be controlled to temporarily stop reading of the pronunciation information from another memory or to temporarily lower the volume information value in the pronunciation information.

  The embodiment of the present invention describes a sound source device in which a plurality of memories are provided and sound information is read from a plurality of memories by a single sequencer, and which sound information from which memory or channel should be preferentially sounded is described. On the basis of the priority information, the sound generator device selects the sound information to be generated by the sequencer and assigns it to each of a plurality of sound sources. A plurality of memories are divided into a memory for storing pronunciation information of music such as ringtones and a memory for storing pronunciation information such as operation sounds and sound effects, and the priority of the latter memory is assigned to the former memory. Set higher than the priority of. In this way, the built-in sound source can be fully used for music playback, while the sound source that can preferentially assign sound information such as operation sounds and sound effects to sound sources when operating sounds and sound effects are played simultaneously. A device is obtained. As a result, it is possible to realize a sound source device that can sound an operation sound, a sound effect, etc. while sounding music, and can effectively use a built-in sound source.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a sound source device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the sound source device SD1 includes an interface IF that receives pronunciation information from a CPU 100 that controls the entire portable information terminal. As with the sound source device SD3 in FIG. 5, a FIFO memory MM1 for sounding music such as a ringing melody and a FIFO memory MM2 for sounding operation sounds, sound effects, and the like are provided.

  Also in this sound source device SD1, since the external CPU 100 does not need to directly control the sound source, the burden on the CPU 100 is light. The CPU 100 only needs to control so that the pronunciation information of music such as an incoming melody is input to the FIFO memory MM1, and the pronunciation information such as operation sounds and sound effects is input to the FIFO memory MM2. .

  However, unlike the case of the tone generator SD3, only one sequencer is provided. The sequencer SQ sequentially reads out the sound generation information stored in the FIFO memories MM1 and MM2 while referring to the sound generation start time and the like.

  Then, the sequencer SQ uses the sequence data as a series of read sound generation information as time series to assign sound generation information to the sound sources SS1 to SS16 and reproduce music. Each of the sound sources SS1 to SS16 stores sampling waveforms of various timbres, and can output sound waveforms under the control of the sequencer SQ.

  Unlike the cases shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the sequencer SQ receives sound generation signals from a plurality of FIFO memories. This can be easily handled by increasing the number of input ports of the sequencer SQ. The sequencer SQ controls all of the sound sources SS1 to SS16. This can be easily handled by increasing the number of output ports of the sequencer SQ.

  When the number of sounds to be generated is less than or equal to the number of sound sources during music playback, the sequencer SQ assigns sequence data to each of the sound sources SS1 to SS16 as appropriate so that polyphonic sound can be generated. . In the case of FIG. 1, the number of sound sources that can be controlled by the sequencer SQ is 16 sound sources SS1 to SS16. The FIFO memories MM1 and MM2 may store sound generation information for each of a plurality of channels (for example, 1 to 16 Ch). Note that the number of channels and the number of sound sources do not correspond to each other, and a large number of sound sources may be occupied by 1 Ch such as a chord.

  On the other hand, when the number of sounds to be generated is larger than the number of sound sources, the sequencer SQ needs to select which sound generation information should be preferentially generated. In order to perform the process in this case, the sequencer SQ is given FIFO priority information TB describing which sound generation information should be preferentially generated based on the origin of the sound generation information. Each of the sound sources SS1 to SS16 stores the origin information of the pronunciation information, that is, the port information storage for storing which of the FIFO memories MM1 and MM2 is currently assigned the pronunciation information. Parts PM1 to PM16 are provided.

  An operation of the sound source device having the configuration including the FIFO priority information TB and the port information storage units PM1 to PM16 will be described.

  First, FIG. 1 shows the case where the pronunciation information originates from which of a plurality of memories. A priority for each FIFO memory is set as the FIFO priority information TB.

  That is, in the FIFO priority information TB, for example, if the sound generation information is from the FIFO memory MM1 (any channel), the priority is 10, and if it is the sound generation information from the FIFO memory MM2 (any channel), the priority is Is set to 15 or the like.

  The sequencer SQ compares the priorities of the read pronunciation information and selects the pronunciation information to be pronounced. Then, pronunciation information to be pronounced is assigned to each of the sound sources SS1 to SS16.

  For example, when the sound generation information in the FIFO memory MM1 and the sound generation information in the FIFO memory MM2 are compared, the latter priority is higher. Therefore, if the assignment to the sound source competes, the latter sound generation information has priority.

  That is, for example, even if all of the sound sources SS1 to SS16 are currently occupied by the pronunciation information (for 16 chords) from the FIFO memory MM1 that stores the pronunciation information of the music, When the pronunciation information is input from the FIFO memory MM2, the sequencer SQ assigns the pronunciation information of the FIFO memory MM2 to any one of the sound sources SS1 to SS16.

  Therefore, a plurality of memories such as the FIFO memories MM1 and MM2 are divided into a memory for storing pronunciation information of music such as ringing melody and a memory for storing pronunciation information such as operation sounds and sound effects. The memory priority is set higher than the former memory priority. In this way, the built-in sound source can be fully used for music playback, while the sound source that can preferentially assign sound information such as operation sounds and sound effects to sound sources when operating sounds and sound effects are played simultaneously. A device is obtained. As a result, it is possible to realize a sound source device that can sound an operation sound, a sound effect, etc. while sounding music, and can effectively use a built-in sound source.

  Next, the port information storage units PM1 to PM16 in FIG. 1 will be described. In order to newly assign unassigned pronunciation information among the higher-priority pronunciation information to the currently assigned sound source, the sequencer SQ needs to know which FIFO memory data is currently occupied by the sound source. .

  The port information storage units PM1 to PM16 are provided for this purpose, and store information about the origin of the pronunciation information that occupies each sound source.

  As described above, if the port information storage units PM1 to PM16 are provided, when the sequencer SQ selects sounding information to be generated and assigns it to each of a plurality of sound sources, which sound source is currently occupied. It is easy to determine whether or not pronunciation information with high priority should be assigned to.

  Further, as the origin information of the pronunciation information, which channel of which memory is output may be adopted.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, the FIFO priority information TB is table information describing, for example, which memory of which memory of the FIFO memories MM1 and MM2 is to be preferentially sounded. In FIG. 2, the priorities are represented by numbers.

  For example, when comparing the pronunciation information of Ch1 among the pronunciation information of the FIFO memory MM1 and the pronunciation information of Ch1 among the pronunciation information of the FIFO memory MM2, the former is set to 128 and the latter is set to 192. . In other words, since the latter priority is higher, when the assignment to the sound source competes, the latter pronunciation information is given priority.

  In the sequencer SQ, the sound generation information of the respective channels of the FIFO memories MM1 and MM2 may be mixed and input. For example, it is conceivable that the pronunciation information of Ch1-13 is input from the FIFO memory MM1, and the pronunciation information of Ch12-15 is input from the FIFO memory MM2. At this time, since a total of 17 pronunciation information is input, one of the pronunciation information is not selected.

  In such a case, the sound generation information in the FIFO memory MM2 does not necessarily mean that the sound should be generated. In that case, it is determined which pronunciation information should be deleted and which pronunciation information should be output by comparing the priorities of the respective pronunciation information. This is explained in the flowchart of FIG.

  That is, the sequencer SQ periodically captures the sound generation information in each of the FIFO memories MM1 and MM2 based on the control clock cycle from the outside (step S01). At this time, it is determined whether or not the number to be sounded exceeds the number of sound sources (step S02). If not, the sound source has a vacancy or a vacancy is generated, so that additional sound generation information is assigned to a vacant sound source other than the currently assigned sound source (step S03). Then, each sound source is caused to sound (step S04). And it returns to step S01 again.

  On the other hand, if the number to be sounded exceeds the number of sound sources, the assignment of sounding information to the sound sources competes, so the sequencer SQ selects sounding information to be assigned with reference to the FIFO priority information TB. In this selection, for example, the priority of each sounding information is read from the FIFO priority information TB, and sounding information corresponding to the number of sound sources is selected from the highest priority (step S05), and unassigned sounding is selected among them. Information may be newly assigned to a currently assigned sound source (step S03). Then, each sound source may be sounded (step S04).

  In this way, if the FIFO priority information TB also describes which of the plurality of channels should be sounded preferentially, not only the priority of the FIFO memory but also the channel priority. By setting the frequency, it is possible to assign more detailed pronunciation information to the sound source.

  Note that the FIFO priority information TB does not have to be in the table format as shown in FIG. For example, priority is set only for each channel of the FIFO memory MM1, and each channel of the FIFO memory MM2 is obtained by performing a calculation such as adopting a value multiplied by 1.5. Good.

  In the case of FIG. 2, in each of the FIFO memories MM1 and MM2, the priority is set so as to decrease as the number of channels increases (except for the channel 10). This is in accordance with the concept that is often adopted in standard MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) files. In other words, low-numbered channels are assigned elements such as melodies and rhythm sections that are not likely to be music if they are missing, and high-numbered channels are assigned parts such as decorative stringed instrument sounds. Since the drum section is often assigned to the channel 10, the priority is set high despite the high number of channels).

  When the priority information as shown in FIG. 2 is adopted, the port information storage units PM1 to PM16 store which of the FIFO memories MM1 and MM2 is assigned the sound generation information from which channel. Then, as above, when the sequencer SQ selects the sound information to be sounded and assigns it to each of the plurality of sound sources, it assigns the sound information with high priority to which sound source among the currently occupied sound sources. It is easy to judge whether it should be done.

  The FIFO memories MM1 and MM2 may include control information for controlling the sequencer SQ related to sound generation information from other memories in addition to the sound generation information.

  For example, when pronunciation information as an operation sound or a sound effect is input from the FIFO memory MM2 to the sequencer SQ, it may be possible to temporarily mute the pronunciation of music input from the FIFO memory MM1. In such a case, if control information for controlling the sequencer SQ related to the sound generation information from the FIFO memory MM1 is output from the FIFO memory MM2 in addition to the sound generation information, the music from the FIFO memory MM1 is output to the sequencer SQ. It is possible to perform control such as temporarily stopping reading of the pronunciation information or temporarily lowering the value of the volume information in the pronunciation information.

It is a figure which shows the sound source device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the priority information of the sound source device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the sound source device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the conventional sound source device. It is a figure which shows the conventional sound source device.

Explanation of symbols

100 CPU
IF interface MM, MM1, MM2 FIFO memory SQ, SQ1, SQ2 Sequencer SS1-SS16 Sound source TB FIFO priority information PM1-PM16 Port information storage unit

Claims (3)

Multiple memories that can record pronunciation information,
Multiple sound sources that can output sound waveforms,
A sequencer that sequentially reads out the pronunciation information from the plurality of memories and assigns the sound sources to generate sound,
Based on the origin of the pronunciation information, priority information describing which pronunciation information should be preferentially pronounced is defined,
When the number of pronunciation information to be pronounced is larger than the number of the plurality of sound sources, the sequencer selects the pronunciation information to be generated based on the priority information and assigns it to each of the plurality of sound sources. ,
The origin of the pronunciation information is a sound source device from which the pronunciation information is output from among the plurality of memories. The sound source device according to claim 1,
Wherein their respective of the plurality of sound sources further comprises a port information storing unit for storing information of origin of the sound information,
The sequencer stores the pronunciation information stored in the port information storage unit of each of the plurality of sound sources in order to newly assign unassigned pronunciation information among the higher-priority pronunciation information to a currently assigned sound source. the origin of information of information, reference to that tone generator. The sound source device according to claim 1 or 2,
At least one of the plurality of memories temporarily stops reading the pronunciation information from the other plurality of memories, or temporarily stores the value of the volume information in the pronunciation information from the other plurality of memories. A sound source device including control information for controlling the sequencer related to lowering.

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