JP4725551B2 - Electronic music apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic music apparatus and program for executing a predetermined process that requires time based on the time of an internal clock of the apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to an electronic music apparatus and program capable of correctly executing various processes that require time even without having a backup power source for an internal clock.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an electronic music apparatus that has a clock inside and executes various processes that require time using the time of the internal clock, for example, music content processing. As an example of such an electronic music apparatus, there is an apparatus described in Patent Document 1 shown below. In Patent Document 1, as a music content process, a predetermined time is compared with the time of the internal clock of the device, and a predetermined rhythm sound is automatically generated when both times match. A so-called automatic rhythm performance control device is disclosed. On the other hand, recently, with the development of a wired or wireless communication network such as the Internet, a reference time is received from the outside of the device via the communication network, and the time of the internal clock possessed by the device is corrected to the received reference time. Thus, a terminal is known in which an internal clock can always keep the correct time.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 56-007989

By the way, in the above-described electronic music apparatus or terminal, in order to always keep the time of the internal clock included therein at the correct time, for example, a backup power source for the internal clock including a battery, a capacitor, or the like is required. . That is, when the electronic music device or terminal is connected to an external power source such as an outlet, electricity is supplied from the external power source, and the internal clock can drive for timing (time keeping operation). The correct time is maintained while connected to the external power source. On the other hand, when the electronic music device or the terminal is disconnected from the external power source, electricity is not supplied from the external power source, so that the internal clock cannot be driven for clocking (that is, the clocking operation) as it is. . Therefore, a backup power supply is provided inside the apparatus as a power supply source, and the internal clock performs driving for time measurement (timekeeping operation) by electricity supplied from the backup application, so that the apparatus The correct time can be maintained even when disconnected from the external power supply. However, if you run a predetermined process that requires time, and is generally an electronic musical apparatus or terminal since that is used connected to an external power source, the internal clock during which is not connected to an external power supply time It does not make much sense to have a backup power supply for the clock just for holding. On the other hand, it is more serious that problems such as an increase in the size and weight of the apparatus or an increase in the cost of the apparatus due to the provision of the backup power source occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and when executing a process that requires time in the electronic music apparatus, a correct time as a reference is acquired from a predetermined time server, and the acquired reference time is acquired. By setting the time of the internal clock based on the time and starting driving for timekeeping (timekeeping operation), even if the electronic music device does not have a backup power source for the internal clock, it is based on the time of the internal clock. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic music apparatus and a program that can always correctly execute various processes that require time.

The electronic music apparatus according to the present invention obtains time information by wired or wireless communication from an internal clock that is not backed up when the power of the apparatus is turned off and an external time server that transmits a correct reference time. And a control means for controlling the internal clock to operate correctly based on the acquired time information, a file storage means for saving a file using the time information timed by the internal clock as a time stamp, When determining that the time information is correctly acquired from the outside, and when the file storage means saves the file, when the determination means determines that the time information is not correctly acquired Instead of the time information timed by the internal clock, a default time value indicating a predetermined date and time is specified as a time stamp. Characterized by comprising an execution control means for saving the file using a.
According to this, when saving the file using the time information timed by the internal clock as the time stamp, even if the time information from the outside is not correctly acquired, it is replaced with the time information timed by the internal clock. Since the file saving process can be performed using a default time value indicating a predetermined date and time defined in advance as a time stamp, a process without inconvenience suitable for the nature of the process can be performed. In other words, rather than using somewhat inaccurate time information timed by the internal clock as a time stamp, if a default time value indicating a predetermined date and time is used as a time stamp, the time of the time stamp is clearly wrong. It becomes clear that it is clear and very easy to understand. Also, even if the time stamp is different, the file saving process will not be seriously affected.Therefore, the file saving process is executed rather than not performing the file saving process because the time stamp is not accurate. Is more advantageous.

  The present invention can be constructed and implemented not only as a device invention but also as a method invention. Further, the present invention can be implemented in the form of a program of a processor such as a computer or a DSP, or can be implemented in the form of a storage medium storing such a program.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration block diagram showing the overall configuration of an electronic music apparatus according to the present invention. This electronic music device is a dedicated electronic device that can handle music electronically, such as an electronic musical instrument, a sound source device, a sequencer, an effector, and a mixer. However, the present invention is an apparatus that does not have a backup power source (battery, capacitor, etc.) for holding “time” information. There are many reasons why the electronic music apparatus does not have a backup power source, but the main reason is to reduce the cost of the apparatus.
In this specification, the “time” information may include not only information related to time (hour minute second) but also information related to date (year / month / day).

The electronic music apparatus shown in this embodiment is controlled by a microcomputer comprising a microprocessor unit (CPU) 1, a read only memory (ROM) 2, and a random access memory (RAM) 3. The CPU 1 controls the operation of the entire electronic music apparatus. The CPU 1 is connected to the ROM 1, RAM 3, detection circuits 4 and 5, display circuit 6, tone generator circuit 7, effect circuit 8, external storage device 10, MIDI interface (I / F) 11 and the like via the data and address bus 1D. Communication interfaces (I / F) 12 are connected to each other. Further, the CPU 1 is connected to a timer 1A for measuring the interrupt time and various times in the timer interrupt process (interrupt process). For example, the timer 1A generates a clock pulse, and gives the generated clock pulse to the CPU 1 as a processing timing command or to the CPU 1 as an interrupt command. The CPU 1 executes various processes according to these instructions. In addition to the function of controlling the CPU 1, the timer 1A has a function of measuring time according to the generated clock pulse. Hereinafter, the timer 1A operating as such an internal clock is referred to as a timer unit (TMU).
Note that the timer unit (TMU) may be hardware (built-in or dedicated to the CPU or the like) such as the timer 1A described above, or may be configured by software using hardware resources such as a CPU or RAM. May be.

  The ROM 2 stores various programs executed by the CPU 1 and various data. The RAM 3 is used as a working memory that temporarily stores various data generated when the CPU 1 executes a predetermined program, or as a memory that stores a currently executed program and related data. A predetermined address area of the RAM 3 is assigned to each function and used as a register, flag, table, memory, or the like. The performance operator 4A is, for example, a keyboard provided with a plurality of keys for selecting the pitch of a musical tone, and has a key switch corresponding to each key. The keyboard etc. can be used not only for manual (hand-playing) performance by the user, but also as input means for setting the performance environment in the device. The detection circuit 4 generates a detection output by detecting the pressing and release of each key of the performance operator 4A.

  The setting operation element (switch or the like) 5A is an operation element such as a switch for inputting various information related to the performance. For example, there are switches (operators) for selecting performance data used for performance and setting performance environment such as performance tempo. Of course, in addition to these, a numeric data input numeric keypad and a character data input keyboard used for selecting, setting and controlling the pitch, tone, effect, etc., or a predetermined pointer displayed on the display 6A are operated. Various operators such as a mouse used for the purpose may be included. The detection circuit 5 detects the operation state of each switch, and outputs switch information corresponding to the operation state to the CPU 1 via the data and address bus 1D. The display circuit 6 displays various information related to the performance or the control state of the CPU 1 on a display 6A constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) or a CRT. The user can select, input, and set the performance environment while referring to these various types of information displayed on the display 6A.

  The tone generator circuit 7 can simultaneously generate musical sound signals in a plurality of channels, and is generated in accordance with the operation of the performance operator 4A by the user, which is given via the data and address bus 1D, or based on the performance data. Various performance information is input, and a musical sound signal is generated based on the performance information. The musical sound signal generated from the sound source circuit 7 is given an effect via the effect circuit 8 and is generated from the sound system 9 including an amplifier and a speaker. The effect circuit 8 includes a plurality of effect units, and each effect unit can impart different effects to the musical sound signal from the tone generator circuit 7 in accordance with the set effect parameters.

  The external storage device 10 stores various data such as performance data and waveform data, or data related to control such as various control programs executed by the CPU 1. When no control program is stored in the ROM 2, the control program is stored in the ROM 2 by storing the control program in the external storage device 10 (for example, a hard disk) and reading it into the RAM 3. The CPU 1 can be operated in the same manner as in the case. In this way, control programs can be easily added and upgraded. The external storage device 10 is not limited to a hard disk (HD), but is a flexible disk (FD), a compact disk (CD -...), a magneto-optical disk (MO), or a DVD (Digital Versatile). Any storage device that uses an external storage medium in various forms such as a disk) may be used. Alternatively, a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory may be used.

  The MIDI interface (I / F) 11 inputs MIDI performance data (MIDI data) from another externally connected MIDI device 11A or the like to the electronic music device or performs MIDI performance from the electronic music device. This is an interface for outputting data (MIDI data) to another MIDI device 11A or the like.

  The communication interface (I / F) 12 is connected to a wired or wireless communication network X such as a LAN, the Internet, or a telephone line, and is connected to the server computer 12A via the communication network X, and the server computer 12A. This is an interface for taking in a control program or various data from the electronic music apparatus side. That is, when the control program and various data are not stored in the ROM 2 or the external storage device 10 (for example, hard disk), it is used to download the control program and various data from the server computer 12A. Such a communication interface 12 may include both of a wired interface and a wireless interface.

  In the electronic music apparatus described above, the performance operator 4A is not limited to the form of a keyboard instrument, but may be any form such as a stringed instrument, a wind instrument, or a percussion instrument. Further, the electronic music apparatus is not limited to one in which the performance operator 4A, the display 6A, the tone generator circuit 7 and the like are built in one apparatus main body, but each is configured separately and using communication means such as a MIDI interface or various networks. Needless to say, each device may be configured to be connected. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the form of dedicated equipment that handles music such as electronic musical instruments, sound generators, sequencers, effectors, mixers, etc., and does not have a backup power source for internal clocks such as karaoke devices and game devices, The present invention may be applied to any device that can handle music electronically.

  Next, an outline of the communication network X to which the electronic music apparatus is connected in order to acquire a correct reference time (reference time) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a system block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a communication network system to which the electronic music apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is connected in order to acquire a reference time. Although the communication network system may have devices other than those shown in the figure, a case where the minimum necessary resources are used will be described here.

  The communication network system shown here includes a time server TS, a WEB server WS, a client terminal PC, etc., in addition to the electronic music apparatus MS described above, in addition to various communication networks X such as a LAN (local area network), the Internet, or a telephone line. Is a system that can be connected appropriately. Each device (time server TS, WEB server WS, client terminal PC) connectable to the communication network X is an independent computer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a communication interface, etc., like the electronic music device MS described above. Thus, various types of information can be transmitted and received between the devices connected to the communication network X.

The time server TS is a server computer that provides time information to the electronic music apparatus MS and the client terminal PC according to a protocol such as NTP (Network Time Protocol) or SNTP (Simple Network Time Protocol). The time server TS is connected to hardware devices such as a GPS clock using a satellite, an ATOM clock using an atom, a radio radio clock using a radio wave, and an ISDN clock. A correct reference time (reference time) can always be secured. When the time inquiry TS is accessed from the electronic music apparatus MS or the client terminal PC, the time server TS transmits the reference time to the accessing apparatus.
The WEB server WS is a server computer that provides various display information (text, images, etc.) to the electronic music apparatus MS and the client terminal PC, and provides music content. That is, a lot of various information and music contents to be distributed are stored in the WEB server WS, and depending on access from the electronic music apparatus MS or the client terminal PC (for example, designation of URL (Uniform Resource Locator), etc.) The corresponding display information and music content are transmitted to the accessing device.

  The electronic music apparatus MS can access a desired time server TS or WEB server WS via the communication network X, and can acquire time information from the time server TS and various display information, music content, and the like from the WEB server WS. it can. On the other hand, the client terminal PC is a general-purpose personal computer, and can have a music function similar to that of the electronic music apparatus MS by installing music software. However, in general, the client terminal PC has a backup power source, and from that point, does not correspond to the electronic music apparatus according to the present invention. However, since the client terminal PC can also access the desired time server TS or WEB server WS via the communication network X, the time information from the time server TS and various display information and music content from the WEB server WS. And so on.

In the communication network system, the time server TS is not limited to a device connected on the wired communication network X. For example, a device such as a radio wave clock TS ′ that transmits time information on radio waves may be used. In this case, the electronic music apparatus MS includes a radio wave receiver for receiving the radio waves as the communication interface 12, and can receive time information transmitted from the radio radio timepiece TS as necessary. Needless to say.

  Since the electronic music apparatus according to the present invention does not have a backup power supply for the internal clock, the timekeeping operation of the internal clock stops when it is cut off from the external power supply, and the time can be kept correctly. Can not. Even if the electronic music apparatus is connected to the external power supply again and started up, the time of the internal clock is in an unstable state (reset), and various processes that require the time are executed in this state. Then, correct processing is not performed and it is inconvenient. Therefore, when the electronic music apparatus is connected again to the external power source and started up, it acquires time information serving as a reference from the predetermined time server TS connected on the communication network X, and the acquired time information The time of the internal clock is set based on the control and the internal clock is controlled so as to start the operation for time counting. As a result, the time deviation of the internal clock due to being cut off from the external power supply is corrected, and even various electronic music devices that do not have a backup power supply for the internal clock always correctly execute various processes that require time. Will be able to. A “time information acquisition process” for performing such a process will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of “time information acquisition processing”. This process is a process that starts when the electronic music device is turned on and ends when the electronic music device is turned off. In the “time information acquisition process” shown in this embodiment, the operations that trigger the acquisition of time information from the time server TS include the time when the electronic music device is activated (that is, when the power is turned on), the use of timed content, When using a browser or when saving a file. That is, every time the above operation is performed, a corresponding process is executed in the “time information acquisition process” shown in FIG. Of course, the processes that require time among the operations that trigger the acquisition of time information from the time server TS include processes other than the timed content use process, the cookie process in the browser, and the file save process as shown here. Needless to say. Here, for convenience of illustration, one “time information acquisition process” is illustrated separately for the first half process (FIG. 3A) and the second half process (FIG. 3B). That is, the process shown in FIG. 3B is continued from the process shown in FIG.

First, using the flowchart shown in FIG. 3A, processing (step S1 to step S4) executed when the electronic music device is activated (that is, when the power is turned on) and processing executed when the time-limited content is used (step) Each of S5 to step S10) will be described.
As a process executed when the electronic music apparatus is activated, first, a time inquiry is made to a predetermined time server TS accessed via the communication network X (step S1). If the predetermined time server is on the communication network, the URL of the time server is specified in advance by storing or setting by the user. In the case of a wireless radio system time server, radio waves of a frequency transmitted by the time server are received. Then, it is determined whether or not the time information has been successfully acquired from the predetermined time server TS inquiring about the time (step S2). If it is determined that time information acquisition from the time server TS has failed (NO in step S2), the process jumps to step S5. As a cause of failure in obtaining time information from the time server TS, for example, when the communication interface 12 which is hardware is not connected to the main body of the electronic music device, information is transmitted / received via the communication network X in the device. When various settings are not made or wrong settings are made for the software related to the communication connection for performing the communication, when the time server TS to be accessed via the communication network X is not activated, It is conceivable that there is some trouble in the communication network X itself, the radio wave condition is unstable, and the like. On the other hand, if it is determined that the time information has been successfully acquired from the time server TS (YES in step S2), the time is set for the timer unit (TMU) that is an internal clock based on the acquired time information. Then, the timer unit is controlled to start an operation for measuring time (step S3 and step S4). In this way, when the electronic music apparatus is activated, the correct time is set as the time of the internal clock based on the time information acquired from the time server TS.

  As processing to be executed when the timed content is used, it is first determined whether or not use of the timed content is designated in the device (step S5). In this specification, the term timed content describes the time (usage period) during which the content can be used for each content, the time of the internal clock of the electronic music apparatus that intends to use the content, and the content The use period of the content can be restricted by comparing with the use period described in the above. If the use of such timed content is not specified (NO in step S5), the process jumps to the process in step S11 shown in FIG. If the use of timed content is specified (YES in step S5), it is determined whether or not the timer unit is operating (step S6). When the timer unit is not in operation (NO in step S6), that is, when acquisition of time information has failed and the timer unit cannot be operated, the predetermined time server TS receives the same as in step S1. A “time acquisition process” for acquiring time information is executed (step S9). If it is determined that the acquisition of time information from the time server TS has failed (“failure” in step S9), a message indicating that the content cannot be used is displayed on the display 6A, or a sound is emitted from the sound system 9. Then, the user is notified that the content cannot be used (step S10).

  When the timer unit is operating in step S6 (YES in step S6), or when it is determined in step S9 that acquisition of time information from the time server TS is successful (“success” in step S9). Then, it is determined whether or not the content is within the available time (step S7). If it is within the available time (YES in step S7), various types of control necessary for using the content such as playing and displaying the content is performed and the content is used (step S8).

Next, using the flowchart shown in FIG. 3B, the processing executed when the browser is used (steps S11 to S19) and the processing executed when the file is saved (steps S20 to S24 shown below), respectively. explain.
As processing executed when the browser is used, it is first determined whether or not a browser (browsing program) that displays information according to various display information is used (step S11). If the browser is used (YES in step S11), the desired WEB server WS connected to the communication network X is accessed to acquire various display information (text, images, etc.) (step S12). At this time, the cookie stored in the WEB server WS is acquired from the WEB server WS and stored on the electronic music apparatus side (step S13). The cookie is data in a file format, and information such as an expiration date of the cookie is described in the cookie file. In step S14, it is determined whether or not a cookie request instructing to transmit a cookie stored on the device side to the WEB server WS is received from the WEB server WS. If a cookie request is received from the WEB server WS (YES in step S14), it is determined whether or not the timer unit (TMU) is operating (step S15). When the timer unit is not operating (NO in step S15), a “time acquisition process” for acquiring time information from a predetermined time server TS connected to the communication network X is executed (step S18). If it is determined that the acquisition of time information from the time server TS by the “time acquisition process” has failed (“failure” in step S18), the process jumps to the process in step S20, and the browser cookie as shown below Do not process.

  If the timer unit is operating in step S14 (YES in step S14), or if it is determined in step S18 that time information has been successfully acquired from the time server TS by “time acquisition processing” (step S14) [Success] in S18), it is determined whether or not the cookie stored on the device side is within the expiration date (step S16). That is, the time based on the time information acquired from the time server TS is compared with the expiration date described in the cookie to determine whether the cookie is within the expiration date. If the cookie is within the expiration date (YES in step S16), the stored cookie is transmitted to the WEB server WS (step S17). If the cookie is not within the expiration date (NO in step S16), the stored cookie is deleted from the device (step S19).

  As a process to be executed when saving a file, it is first determined whether or not a process for saving a file has been designated (step S20). That is, in general, when saving a file, the time is required to time stamp the file and store it in a hard disk or the like. Therefore, when processing for saving a file is designated (YES in step S20), it is determined whether or not the timer unit (TMU) is operating (step S21). When the timer unit is not operating (NO in step S21), a “time acquisition process” for acquiring time information from the time server TS is executed (step S23). If it is determined that acquisition of time information by the “time acquisition process” has failed (“failure” in step S23), a default time stamp is assigned and the file is saved (step S24). As this default time stamp, for example, a time sufficiently before the current time such as “1900/01/01” may be given.

  If the timer unit is operating in step S21 (YES in step S21), or if it is determined in step S23 that the time information has been successfully acquired by the “time acquisition process” (“success” in step S23). The time based on the time information acquired from the timer unit is given as a time stamp and the file is saved (step S22). Then, the above processing is finished in response to power-off (not shown), and the timer unit (TMU) finishes measuring time, and time information is lost.

  As described above, the time information is acquired from the time server TS when the electronic music apparatus is activated, and the time of the internal clock is corrected to the correct time based on the acquired time information. Also, when executing a process that requires time, such as when using timed content, when using a browser, or when saving a file, the time information may be acquired from the time server TS when the device is started for some reason. Even if the time of the internal clock cannot be set to the correct time without being obtained, the time information is obtained from the time server TS each time each process is executed, and the internal time is obtained based on the obtained time information. Set the clock time to the correct time. In this way, even if the electronic music apparatus does not have a backup power source for the internal clock, each process that requires time can always be executed correctly.

  If time information cannot be acquired from the time server TS, the user may be able to set the time appropriately. When executing processing that does not require strict time management, such as date management during file storage processing, the time set by the user may be used. However, when executing processing that requires strict time management, such as timed content processing or browser cookie processing as described above, it is not preferable to use the time set by the user as appropriate. In this case, it is desirable that the user cannot set the time, or even if it can be set, the set time is not used (that is, the corresponding process is not performed).

1 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration showing an overall configuration of an electronic music apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a system block diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of a communication network system to which the electronic music apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 is connected in order to acquire a reference time. The flowchart which shows the process of the first half of one Example of the acquisition process of time information. The flowchart which shows the process of the second half of one Example of the acquisition process of time information.

Explanation of symbols

1 CPU
2 ROM
3 RAM
4, 5 Detection circuit 4A Performance operator 5A Setting operator 6 Display circuit 6A Display 7 Sound source circuit 8 Effect circuit 9 Sound system 10 External storage device 11 MIDI interface 11A MIDI device 12 Communication interface 12A Server computer X Communication network 1D Communication bus ( Data and address bus)
MS Electronic music apparatus PC Client terminal TS Time server WS WEB server

Claims (2)

An internal clock that is not backed up when the device is powered off,
An acquisition means for acquiring time information by wired or wireless communication from an external time server that transmits a correct reference time;
Control means for controlling the internal clock to operate correctly based on the acquired time information;
File storage means for storing a file using time information measured by the internal clock as a time stamp;
Determination means for determining whether or not the time information has been correctly acquired from the outside;
When the file storage means saves the file, if it is determined by the determination means that the time information is not correctly acquired, a predetermined date and time specified in advance instead of the time information timed by the internal clock And an execution control means for storing the file using a default time value indicating the time stamp as a time stamp. A program used for an electronic music device that does not have a backup power source for the internal clock despite having an internal clock for timekeeping,
On the computer,
A procedure for acquiring time information by wired or wireless communication from an external time server that transmits a correct reference time;
A procedure for controlling the internal clock to operate correctly based on the acquired time information;
A procedure for saving a file using time information measured by the internal clock as a time stamp;
A procedure for determining whether or not the time information has been correctly acquired from the outside;
When performing storage of the file according to the procedure for saving the file, the judges if it is determined not to be properly obtained the time information by the procedure defined in advance instead of the time information which the internal clock counts A program for executing a procedure for saving the file using a default time value indicating a predetermined date and time as a time stamp.

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