JP4770539B2 - Electronic musical instruments - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides an electronic device that includes at least a plurality of stages of switches that react according to the degree of continuous operation of the operator, and generates a performance signal corresponding to the processing content of the sound generation according to the operation status of each stage of the switches. Related to musical instruments.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electronic keyboard instrument in which a key switch unit that detects a key operation is provided with a contact that reacts in a plurality of stages is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-43553 (Patent Document 1). In the electronic keyboard instrument disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, a 3-make touch response switch (key switch unit) is provided under the key, and each of the sensors above, below, and below the 3-make touch response switch (switches of a plurality of stages). Based on the signal from the keyboard, it detects the speed of the key press and controls the velocity during sound generation, detects how each key on the keyboard has changed, and controls the musical sound that generates that change in operation. It is reflected in.
JP 2005-43553 A

  As described above, in many electronic musical instruments, the operation of an operator such as a key is detected by an operator switch such as a key switch. However, because of the nature of an instrument, the operator is frequently operated. The response performance of the switch may change or the switch operation may become unstable due to aging of the mechanical mechanism. In particular, when a key switch unit is provided for a large number of keys, such as a keyboard instrument, switch abnormality as a whole instrument is likely to occur as much as the number of key switch units is large. Further, those having a plurality of stages of switches (contacts) are particularly susceptible to such problems.

  In addition, since the number of keys to be pressed (keystroke) depends on the preference of the music performed by the performer and the like, an abnormality may easily occur in a specific key among all keys. However, if an abnormality occurs in one of the key switch sections, in the worst case, only the corresponding key will not be sounded, and even if it can be sounded with another key, it will not function as a musical instrument, and it will be possible to play from that point. It will disappear. Anyway during practice, especially if it occurs during a demonstration, it will be very troublesome. Such a situation is not limited to the keyboard musical instrument, but also applies to other electronic musical instruments.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in an electronic musical instrument having a multi-stage switch that reacts according to the degree of continuous operation of the operation element, the electronic musical instrument malfunctions due to an abnormal switch. It is an issue to prevent the problem beforehand.

The electronic musical instrument according to the first aspect of the present invention indicates the operation status (for example, ON state / OFF state) of each step of a multi-step switch (for example, a multi-step contact) that reacts according to the degree of continuous performance operation of the performance operator. And detecting a failure sign of the performance operating means according to the detection result of the operation state, notifying the failure sign according to the determination result, and transmitting history data corresponding to the operation state to the server. did.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electronic musical instrument according to the first aspect, the operation intervals (for example, velocity and contact time difference) of the switches in the plurality of stages are detected as an operation state, and a failure sign is detected based on the operation intervals. I tried to do it.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electronic musical instrument according to the first or second aspect, a message indicating a failure sign is displayed on the display means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic musical instrument having the configuration of the first and third aspects, a message prompting replacement of the consumable parts is displayed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic musical instrument having the configuration of the first aspect, the number of switch operations (for example, the number of key presses) corresponding to the number of performance operations is detected as an operation state. Based on the above, signs of failure were detected.

  An electronic musical instrument according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the electronic musical instrument according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein a plurality of keys for performing a performance operation are provided as performance operation means, and a key switch unit including a plurality of switches is provided. An electronic keyboard instrument was constructed using a keyboard provided for each key.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the electronic musical instrument according to the sixth aspect, the informing means informs information about a key for which a sign of failure is determined among the plurality of keys.

  An electronic musical instrument according to an eighth aspect of the invention is the electronic musical instrument according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein each step of the multi-stage switch reacts according to the degree of continuous performance operation of the performance operator. A situation (for example, an on state / off state) is detected, and when the operation state is a specific operation pattern, a performance signal is generated by changing (determining) the processing content of the sound generation (for example, velocity or key off). Then, the conditions for determining the sound processing content (for example, “SW-c off event” or “SW-b off event” or “SW-c off event”) can be changed according to the operating state of the switch. I made it.

According to the electronic musical instrument of claim 1,
Since a failure sign is notified according to the operating state of the switch that reacts according to the degree of operation of the performance operator, it is possible to prevent an electronic musical instrument from malfunctioning due to an abnormal switch.

  According to the electronic musical instrument of the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the failure sign is detected based on the operation intervals such as the velocity of the switches and the contact time difference in a plurality of stages. Since no wear is required, no special configuration is required.

  According to the electronic musical instrument of the third aspect, in addition to the effect of the first or second aspect, since the message indicating the failure sign is displayed on the display means, it is possible to notify the user who is playing the electronic musical instrument in real time. .

  According to the electronic musical instrument of the fourth aspect, in addition to the effect of the third aspect, the message prompting the replacement of the consumable parts is displayed, so that the user can easily grasp how to cope.

  According to the electronic musical instrument of the fifth aspect, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the failure sign is detected based on the number of times of operation of the switch (for example, the number of key presses) corresponding to the number of performance operations. It is possible to deal with a dominant factor that makes contacts such as aging.

  According to the electronic musical instrument of the sixth aspect, in addition to the effects of the first to fifth aspects, in the electronic keyboard musical instrument in which the switch abnormality of the entire musical instrument is likely to occur as much as the number of the key switch units is large. The remaining signs of failure can be detected.

  According to the electronic musical instrument of the seventh aspect, in addition to the effect of the sixth aspect, the information about the key for which the failure sign is determined among the plurality of keys is notified, so that the detailed defective portion can be grasped. .

  According to the electronic musical instrument of the eighth aspect, in addition to the effects of the first to seventh aspects, if there is an abnormality in a switch at a plurality of stages of the performance operator, even if a malfunction occurs during the performance, the switch depends on the operating condition of the switch. Since a performance signal corresponding to the sound processing content determined by the changed determination condition is generated, it can function as an electronic musical instrument.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an electronic keyboard instrument to which the present invention is applied. The CPU 1 controls the entire instrument using a working area of the RAM 3 based on a control program stored in the ROM 2. For example, the ROM 2 stores various processing programs related to sound generation control according to a key switch section (to be described later) of the keyboard device 4. The CPU 1 controls manual performance by detecting a key operation event of the keyboard device 4 as a basic function of an ordinary electronic keyboard instrument. Furthermore, an operation event such as a switch of the panel operator 5 is detected, and processing corresponding to the operation of various switches is performed.

  In addition, the CPU 1 controls display on the display device 6 such as a liquid crystal panel, and displays notification contents according to the state of the key switch portion of the keyboard device 4. The RAM 3 is used as a work area for temporarily storing various registers and flags, various data being processed, and the like necessary for processing by the CPU 1. For example, in the RAM 3, a software counter area for counting the contact time difference by the key switch unit of the keyboard device 4 is set.

  The timer 7 is a circuit for generating an interrupt signal for automatic performance processing. The tone generator 8 generates performance signals (musical signals) based on musical performance parameters such as performance data during automatic performance and key-on / key-off signals, key codes, timbre data, velocity data, etc. output by the CPU 1 when the keyboard device 4 is operated. Then, the effect device 9 adds an effect corresponding to the set content set by the CPU 1 to the performance signal and outputs it to the sound system 10. The sound system 10 performs D / A conversion, amplification, etc., and produces sound through a speaker. The sound source 8 corresponds to “performance signal generating means” that generates a performance signal corresponding to the processing content of the sound generation determined by the CPU 1.

  The storage device 11 is a hard disk device (HDD), floppy (trademark) disk device (FDD), CD-ROM device, magneto-optical disk (MO) device, digital multipurpose disk (DVD) device, smart media (trademark), memory stick (trademark). ), Compact flash (registered trademark), etc., which are used for storing various data. For example, the storage device 11 stores (stores) history data such as state data indicating the state of the key switch of each key in the keyboard device 4 and the number of key presses. In addition, a communication control program or the like is stored in the hard disk device of the storage device 11 and is connected to the communication network 13 via the external interface 12 to perform various communications with the server 14. Then, processing such as notifying the server 14 of the state (and product number) of the electronic keyboard instrument is performed.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the main configuration of the key 41 and the key switch unit 42 in the keyboard device 4. The key switch unit 42 in this embodiment is a 3-make type key switch unit. The keyboard device 4 includes a plurality of white keys and a plurality of black keys. In FIG. 1, a key 41 (white key) appearing in front of the drawing will be described as an example. The other keys (white key and black key) have the same configuration. The key 41 can be swung downward by pressing the key from above (pressing down operation). The key 41 is urged in the direction opposite to the key pressing direction by an elastic member (not shown).

  The key switch unit 42 is disposed on a substrate 43 disposed below the key 41. The key switch unit 42 includes first, second, and third make switches 42a, 42b, and 42c that are sequentially provided in the longitudinal direction of the key from the rotation fulcrum side of the key 41 toward the performer side. An actuator portion (not shown) is formed on the lower surface of the key 41. When the key 41 is pushed down (swinged), the first, second and third make switches 42a, 42b and 42c are driven.

  Each make switch 42a, 42b, 42c is composed of contact points A, B facing each other. When each make switch 42a, 42b, 42c is driven (pressed) by the key 41, both contacts A, B come into contact with each other. When the key 41 is released, both contacts A and B are separated (off). The distance between the contacts A and B is such that the second make switch 42b is wider than the first make switch 42a, and the third make switch 42c is wider than the second make switch 42b.

  As a result, when the key 41 is depressed (pressed), the first make switch 42a, the second make switch 42b, and the third make switch 42c are turned on in this order, and the operation of the key 41 is stopped (when the key is released). The third make switch 42c, the second make switch 42b, and the first make switch 42a are turned off in this order. That is, the first, second, and third make switches 42a, 42b, and 42c react (on / off) according to the degree of continuous performance operation (key pressing operation / key release operation). " The keyboard device 4 corresponds to “performance operation means”.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually showing the relationship between the temporal transition of the pressing position of the key 41 by the pressing operation of the key 41 and the on / off of the make switch. In the following description, the first make switch 42a is appropriately expressed as “SW-a”, the second make switch 42b as “SW-b”, and the third make switch 42c as “SW-c”. “position of a (a1 etc. in FIG. 2)”, “position of SW-b (b1 etc. of FIG. 2)”, and “position of SW-c (c1 etc. of FIG. 2)” A position where A and B are on (circle) or off (square mark) is shown. The position of SW-a is also simply referred to as “key position”.

  In this embodiment, a plurality of software timers are used to detect the key pressing speed (contact time difference), and the timer that measures the time difference from turning on SW-a to turning on SW-b is called “ab timer”. ”, A timer that measures the time difference from turning on SW-a to turning on SW-c is“ ac timer ”, and a timer that measures the time difference from turning on SW-b to turning on SW-c is“ bc timer ”. To do. Among these, the velocity is obtained from the measurement time of the ac timer or the bc timer. As will be described later, which timer measurement time is used is changed according to the reaction state of the “operation status” of the key switch unit 42. The ab timer measurement time is used as data on the state of the key switch 42 together with the ac timer and bc timer measurement times. As is well known, the measurement time for calculating the velocity is for calculating the key pressing strength, and it is determined that the key is pressed strongly if it is short and weak if it is long.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the electronic keyboard instrument, when the key position passes from the upper position to the lower position (a1) in accordance with the key pressing operation by the performer, the damper on (damper The ab timer and the ac timer are started. If the position passes through the SW-b position (b1), the ab timer is stopped and the bc timer starts counting. When the push-in operation is continued and the position reaches the position (c1) of SW-c, the ac timer and the bc timer are stopped and a key-on signal is generated. At this time, as will be described later, the velocity is usually obtained from the measurement time (contact time difference) of the bc timer. On the other hand, when SW-b is not “ON”, the velocity is obtained from the measurement time of the ac timer.

  In the electronic keyboard instrument having a three-make configuration, the position of the key from SW-c to SW-a does not return to the position of SW-a in response to the key being temporarily released by the performer. There are two cases in which it is released until the position of SW-c is pushed again. One is when the key is released between SW-a and SW-b and then pushed again to the position of SW-c, and the other is when the key is between SW-b and SW-c. This is a case where it is released and pushed to the position of SW-c again.

  Each time the key is released between SW-a and SW-b without returning to the SW-a position, the bc timer is recounted at the SW-b position (b3). This makes it possible to determine the velocity value corresponding to the strength and speed of pressing during each operation. Thereafter, when the switch is pushed again to the position (c3) of SW-c, a key-on signal is generated each time. On the other hand, if the key is released between SW-b and SW-c without returning to the SW-a position, and then pressed again to the SW-c position (c5), the bc timer counts. Will not be redone. Also, no key-on signal is generated here. That is, key-on is performed at c1 and c3, and key-on is not performed at c5.

  Then, when the player presses the key down and the key returns to the position (a2) of SW-a and passes through SW-a from below to above, a key-off signal is generated. The operation of key-on at a position (c1) where SW-c is turned on and key-off at a position (a2) where SW-a is turned off is a normal operation.

  As described above, the key switch unit 42 including the first, second, and third make switches 42a, 42b, and 42c reacts (turns on / off) in a plurality of stages, but the velocity is calculated according to the reaction state. The counter to be used (sounding processing content) and the output timing of the key-off signal (sounding processing content) are changed. In the first, second, and third make switches 42a, 42b, and 42c, an event that is turned on or off is an “on event” or “an off event”, and is in an on state or turned off. Is in the “on state” or “off state”. This on-state or off-state reaction state corresponds to a “switch operation pattern”.

  Table 1 below shows an example of the case classification of the reaction state in the key switch unit 42 and the processing content corresponding thereto. In this example, the reaction state has five patterns of case1 to case5, and the processing content is velocity (vel value), key-on signal timing (Keyon), and key-off signal timing (Keyoff). In addition, in order to make it easy to see, it describes with the alphabet suitably. In the table, “on / off” in the right column corresponding to “SW-a, SW-b, SW-c” at the left end indicates “on state / off state”, and “Keyon, Keyoff” at the left end. "On / off" in the right column corresponding to "" indicates "on event / off event".

  Case 1 is a case where the “ON state” can be detected in all of SW-a, SW-b, and SW-c, and the velocity is obtained from the measurement time (contact time difference) (c−b) of the bc timer. The output of the key-on signal is the SW-c “on event” timing, and the output of the key-off signal is the SW-a “off event” timing. Case 1 is a normal operation when the key switch unit 42 is normal, and cases 2 to 5 below are normal operation when the key switch unit 42 is abnormal.

  Case 2 is a case where “ON state” can be detected by SW-a and SW-c, but “ON state” cannot be detected by SW-b, and the velocity is based on the ac timer measurement time (contact time difference) (c−a). Ask. The output of the key-on signal is the SW-c “on event” timing, and the output of the key-off signal is the SW-a “off event” timing.

  Case 3 is a case where “ON state” can be detected by SW-b and SW-c but “ON state” cannot be detected by SW-a, and the velocity is based on the measurement time (contact time difference) (c−b) of the bc timer. Ask. The output of the key-on signal is the SW-c “on event” timing, and the output of the key-off signal is the SW-b “off event” timing.

  Case 4 is a case where “ON” can be detected by SW-c, but “ON” cannot be detected by SW-a and SW-b, and the velocity is set to a predetermined value “60” (MIDI data). The output of the key-on signal is the SW-c “on event” timing, and the output of the key-off signal is the SW-c “off event” timing. In this case, the velocity is set to the predetermined value “60”, but it may be an arbitrary value determined in advance or the user can set the predetermined value.

  Case 5 is a case where the “ON state” cannot be detected by SW-c regardless of the states of SW-a and SW-b, and the velocity is a predetermined value “0” (MIDI data). It is assumed that no key-on signal (key-off signal) is output and no sound is produced.

  In this way, the processing contents of sound generation such as velocity and key-off signal are changed according to the case 1 normal operation and the case 2 case 5 abnormal operation. Note that a mode in which an abnormal operation is performed, such as case 2 to case 4, is also referred to as a “fail proof mode”.

  In this embodiment, the output of the velocity and the key-off signal is “sound generation processing content”, and the “determination conditions” of the processing content are different in cases 1 to 4 as follows. In case 1, the measurement time of the bc timer is used and the “off event” of SW-a is the “determination condition”. In case 2, the measurement time of the ac timer is used and the “off event” of SW-a is the “determination condition”. In case 3, the measurement time of the bc timer is used and the “off event” of SW-b is the “determination condition”. In case 4, the predetermined value “60” is used and the “off event” of SW-c is the “decision condition”. And this decision condition is changed.

  Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described based on a flowchart. 3 is a flowchart of the key scan process, FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the performance signal generation process, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the notification process. In the following description and flowchart, the names of registers, flags, timers, etc. used for control and the meanings of their contents are as follows, and their stored contents (values) are represented by the same label unless otherwise specified. .

  “N” is a register for storing a key number for identifying (selecting) each key. When the keyboard device 4 is 88 keys, n = 1 to 88. “Kn” is a register for storing a pitch (key code) assigned to the nth key. “ASW” is a register for storing the number of pitches that are sounding at the same time, that is, the number of sounds, and increases by 1 when a new key is pressed and decreases by 1 when the key is released. The initial setting value of “ASW” is “0”. “KJ” is a register indicating a key position and an operation state. KJ = B when the SW-c is turned off, and JK = A when the SW-b is turned off after the SW-c is turned off. The state in which the SW-a is turned off after the SW-b is turned off is JK = 0.

  “FR” is a register relating to performance signal generation, and performs processing of generating a pseudo resonance sound (damper-on effect) by FR = A. Further, the sound generation process corresponding to the key-on is performed by FR = B, and the performance signal corresponding to the key-off is rapidly attenuated by FR = C. “Kn-case” is a register that stores the reaction state numbers of cases 1 to 4, where Kn-case = 1 is case 1, Kn-case = 2 is case 2, Kn-case = 3 is case 3, and Kn-case = 4. Indicates the state of case4. Other than “ASW”, each pitch (each key) corresponding to “Kn” is uniquely provided.

  As will be understood from the following description and flowcharts, the programs shown in the flowcharts and the functions obtained by causing the CPU 1 to execute the programs are the “operation status detection means”, “defective sign determination means” and “notification” in the claims. Corresponds to “means”.

  In the key scan process of FIG. 3, n (key) is selected in step S1, and preparation for scanning SW-a, SW-b, SW-c of the key switch unit 42 of n is made in step S2, and step S3. In step S8, the presence / absence of an on event and an off event of each SW-a, SW-b, and SW-c is determined. This process is performed for each key, and the number n is changed in step S1 every time this flow is passed. In the flowchart, n switches currently selected are expressed as “Kn (SW-a), Kn (SW-b), Kn (SW-c)”.

  If there is an SW-a on event in step S3, counting (measurement) is started with the ab timer and ac timer in steps S11 to S13, and the number of pronunciations “ASW” is increased. Step S14 determines whether or not the resonance sound of the damper on should be generated. If “ASW = 2 and KJ ≠ 0”, two keys are simultaneously pressed (ASW = 2). Since there is a middle key, FR = A is set in step S15, and the performance signal generation process (FIG. 4) in step S100 is performed. Note that KJ ≠ 0 indicates that there is a keyboard that is sounding and that there is a keyboard that has been sounded once and not note-off. Since FR = A in FIG. 4, the process proceeds from step S71 to step S73 to add a pseudo resonance sound. When ASW = 1, no resonance can be generated. When ASW ≧ 3, the resonance is already generated when ASW = 2, and no sound is generated again.

  Next, if there is an SW-b on-event in step S4 in FIG. 3, in step S21 and S22, the counting of the bc timer is started and the counting of the ab timer already in operation is stopped. Thereby, the measurement of the contact time difference from turning on SW-a to turning on SW-b is completed.

  Next, if there is an SW-c on event in step S5, the ac timer and bc timer are stopped in steps S31 and S32, and FR = B is set in step S33, and the performance signal generation in step S100 is performed. Processing (FIG. 4) is performed. This completes the measurement of the contact time difference from turning on SW-a to turning on SW-c and the contact time difference from turning on SW-b to turning on SW-c. Further, when FR = B, the sound generation process is performed in the performance signal generation process as described later.

  The above is the process in the case of an on event of SW-a, SW-b, and SW-c. In response to a normal key pressing operation, in most cases, a predetermined signal is generated in the performance signal generation process triggered by this on event. Pronunciation is performed. Then, in response to the key release operation, processing in the case of an off event of SW-a, SW-b, and SW-c is performed in steps S6 to S8. In addition, it demonstrates from the process of step S8 corresponding to the order of the off event at the time of normal key release operation.

  If there is an SW-c off event in step S8, it is detected that the sound has been started and the key has been returned a little, and that state (c2, in FIG. 2) is detected in step S42 after step S41. c4 etc.) is stored by setting KJ = B. Since the key return operation at this time is small, the key-off process is not usually performed at this stage. However, if the switch determination in step S41 recognizes that the switch is malfunctioning (in this case, case 4). ), It is determined that a key-off process is to be performed, and in step S43, KJ = A is set, and the process proceeds to a process in step S61 (a process similar to a key-off process when SW-a described later is off).

  Next, if there is an SW-b off event in step S7, it is determined in step S51 whether KJ = B has passed through the SW-c off event, otherwise KJ is not updated. In step S52, the bc timer (the one whose measurement is started by the SW-b on event) is cleared. That is, it is a case where it is determined that the switch is once turned on by SW-b and returned to the position of SW-c without being pushed. On the other hand, when an SW-c off-event has passed (KJ = B), KJ = A is set and updated in step S53, and the case corresponding to the failure is determined by judging the case in step S54 (in this case) In case 3), the process proceeds to step S61 (similar to key-off when SW-a described later is off).

  Next, if there is an SW-a off event in step S6, the count of the number of key presses of “ASW” is decreased in step S61, and it is determined in step S62 whether KJ = A. If KJ = A, KJ is cleared in step S63, FR = C is set in step S64, and the performance signal generation process (FIG. 4) in step S100 is performed. As a result, FR = C, so that the performance signal is rapidly attenuated (key-off process). If KJ = A is not satisfied, in steps S65 to S67, the KJ, ab timer, and ac timer (each started when SW-a is turned on) are cleared.

  Here, in step S62, KJ = A corresponds to three cases corresponding to cases 1 to 4 of “Key off” in Table 1 above. That is, the first loop of S8 → S41 → S42 → S7 → S51 → S53 → S54 → S6 → S61, the second loop of S8 → S41 → S42 → S7 → S51 → S53 → S54 → S61, S8 → S41 → S43 → There is a third loop of S61.

  The first loop is when Kn-case is not 4 or 3, but SW-c, SW-b, and SW-a are sequentially turned off events (S8, S7, S6), and in the case of case1 or case2, The turn-off event of the 1-make switch (SW-a) 42a is the key-off signal output timing. The second loop is when Kn-case = 3 and SW-c and SW-b are sequentially turned off events (S8 and S7). In case 3, the second make switch (SW-b) 42b is turned off. The event becomes the key-off signal output timing. The third loop is a case where Kn-case = 4 and SW-c becomes an off event (S8). In case 4, the off event of the third make switch (SW-c) 42c is a key-off signal output timing. It becomes. The key-on signal output timing is the on-event timing of the third make switch (SW-c) 42c.

  In the performance signal generation process of FIG. 4, FR is determined in steps S71 and S72. If FR = A, a pseudo resonance is added in step S73. If FR = B, a process of generating a performance signal is performed in step S75 and subsequent steps. If FR is neither A nor B, that is, if FR = C is set in step S64 (FIG. 3), in step S74, a key-off signal is output to the sound source 8 to attenuate the performance signal.

  Here, FR = B and the processing after step S75 is performed when there is an SW-c on-event at step S5 in FIG. 3 and the processing proceeds to steps S31, S32, and S33. That is, when the key is operated to the maximum depth and the sounding starts. At present, if the key is already sounding (YES in step S75), the tone being sounded is stopped in step S76. In this case, the sound is re-sound, but this occurs when the key is not returned completely after key-on and the key is depressed again halfway. Then, the states of SW-a and SW-b are determined in steps S77, S78, and S79.

  As described above, steps S3 to S8 in FIG. 3 determine whether or not each switch has an on event or an off event. Whether these steps S77, S78, and S79 are in an on state or an off state (switch state). Reaction state). Since the flow of steps S77, S78, and S79 is the flow when the key is operated to the maximum depth (FR = B), both SW-a and SW-b are turned on if there is no abnormality in the key switch unit 42. It should be in a state, and otherwise the key switch unit 42 is not normal.

  When both SW-a and SW-b are on, Kn-case = 1 is set in step S81, the current pitch (Kn) is set as pitch data KC, and the velocity vel is the value of TimeKn (bc). And KC, vel, and key-on signals are output to the sound source 8, respectively. When SW-a is on and SW-b is off, Kn-case = 2 is set in step S82, the current pitch (Kn) is set as pitch data KC, and the velocity vel is TimeKn (ac). Calculated from the value of / 2, and outputs KC, vel, and key-on signals to the sound source 8, respectively. When SW-a is off and SW-b is on, Kn-case = 3 is set in step S83, the current pitch (Kn) is set as pitch data KC, and the velocity vel is TimeKn (bc). And KC, vel, and key-on signals are output to the sound source 8, respectively. When both SW-a and SW-b are in the OFF state, Kn-case = 4 is set in step S84, the current pitch (Kn) is set as pitch data KC, and the velocity vel is set to a predetermined value “60”. The KC, vel, and key-on signals are output to the sound source 8 respectively.

  Next, in step S85, it is determined whether Kn-case = 1. If Kn-case = 1 is not satisfied, it is determined that the reaction state of the key switch unit 42 is not normal, and notification processing is performed in step S86 (FIG. 5). To go to step S87. In step S87, TimeKn (ac), TimeKn (ab), and TimeKn (bc) are all cleared. This timer detects the speed of the key in order to determine the velocity, but at this stage, since it has been used for signal generation and fault diagnosis notification, it is cleared here. When the same key is operated, the timer counts time again.

  Note that when TimeKn (bc) is used to calculate the velocity vel in steps S81 and S83, for example, the value of TimeKn (bc) is multiplied by the conversion coefficient P to obtain vel. Correspondingly, when TimeKn (ac) is used to calculate the velocity vel in step S82, the value of TimeKn (ac) / 2 is multiplied by the conversion coefficient P to obtain vel. This is because it can be considered that the value of TimeKn (ac) is approximately twice the value of TimeKn (bc).

  In the notification process of FIG. 5, in step S91, data on the state of the key switch unit 42 is accumulated for each key Kn. The data in this state includes a number Kn-case indicating the reaction state of the key switch unit 42, timer values TimeKn (ac), TimeKn (ab), and TimeKn (bc). The timer value may be overwritten with new data when the key is operated again. Further, the number of times of key depression, which is the number of times of turning on (or the number of times of turning off) of SW-c (contact point) which is turned on by operating deepest for each key Kn, is counted and accumulated as history data.

  Next, in step S92, the situation for each key Kn is analyzed. In this case, the contact time difference (timer value) between the switches monitored and recorded is analyzed by calculating and comparing to infer the situation. Note that this process is based only on keys that are not Kn-case = 1, but if it is recognized that there is a possibility that the surrounding keys will fall into the same situation, an analysis result to that effect is output.

  Next, in step S93, a message to be notified to the user and the server 14 is created according to the analysis results in steps S91 and S92.

  In step S94, the created message is notified to the user and the server 14 as appropriate. The notification means is displayed on the display screen of the display device 6 of the electronic keyboard instrument or read out by voice, and transmits information to the server 14 via the communication network 13 such as via the Internet.

  When an abnormality is detected in the first make switch 42a (SW-a) or the second make switch 42b (SW-b) of the key switch unit 42 by the operation of the flowchart described above, the timing at which a key-off signal is output, that is, key-off. Change the make switch that triggers the time, and change the make switch that triggers the time measurement that determines the velocity. Therefore, even if a contact failure or the like occurs in the key switch unit, a key-off signal can be output and a process for giving velocity can be performed. Further, as described later, the state of the electronic keyboard instrument can be notified to the user and the server 14.

  As shown in Table 1 above, in the embodiment, the key-on signal is output at the timing of the on event of the third make switch 42c in both the normal operation and the abnormal operation (fail proof mode). The timing for outputting the key-on signal and the timing for outputting the key-off signal are not limited to those in the embodiment. For example, if any of the first to third make switches 42a, 42b, and 42c can detect an on event / off event (or an on state) in at least one make switch, a key-on signal is generated when the make switch is turned on. And a key-off signal may be output at an off event. In this case, when a plurality of switches are normal, it is preferable to output a key-on signal with a deeper switch and output a key-off signal with a shallower switch.

  Further, in the embodiment, only the key switch unit having an abnormality in the contact is changed to the key-off signal and the make switch that is the source of velocity, but even if there is an abnormality in one key switch unit, the abnormality For the key switch unit corresponding to a key within a range of, for example, one octave including the key switch unit, the key off signal and the make switch that becomes the source of velocity may be changed under the same conditions. In this way, it is possible to prevent the player from feeling uncomfortable because the state in which the mute timing and velocity are different from those of the adjacent keys is not conspicuous only for abnormal keys. In addition, the user may be able to select whether to apply to a key within a predetermined range or only to an abnormal key switch unit. Further, the user may be able to select whether to enable or disable such a fail proof mode. In this case, it is automatically set to valid at first, and once the fail-proof mode is entered, the user can grasp the situation, and thereafter, it may be possible to select valid / invalid as desired.

  Next, an example of processing such as analysis of the situation in step S92 and display by notification means in steps S93 and S94 will be described.

  First, it is possible to analyze the reaction state of the key switch unit 42 only by the value of Kn-case, and when the cases 2 to 4 are informed, the failure proof mode is informed. That is, in the case 2 to 4, the sound is not muted if it is a conventional electronic musical instrument, but in the case 2 to 4 as in the embodiment, it is muted for the time being. Therefore, in order to show that the case 2 to 4 are in the fail-proof mode, “the keyboard switch is at the end of its life. Please replace parts as soon as possible” or “XX service, TEL: XXX-XXX. “--XXX” is displayed. Further, as a more detailed display, information of a key (key switch unit) operating in the fail-proof mode may be displayed as “XX key is abnormal”. Of course, in case 1, it is not displayed. In case 5, the determination is not possible and is not displayed.

  As described above, since the player (user) is informed (informed) of the abnormal state at the time of cases 2 to 4, the player has the current key-on / key-off timing and normal velocity. Can be easily recognized. For example, without this display, it may not be possible to recognize the fail-proof mode. For example, when three kinds of vel values are detected by three switches as in the embodiment, and the best emergency processing is performed as this vel, there is a possibility that a failure cannot be detected by the ear. However, it can be easily recognized from the above display that the mode is the fail-proof mode.

  Further, when there is no abnormality in the key switch unit, there is a certain rule in the order of the on event / off event in SW-a, SW-b, and SW-c, regardless of how the keys are pressed. For example, “SW-b is turned on → SW-b is turned off → SW-c is turned on”, and “SW-b is turned on” between “SW-b turned off” and “SW-c turned on”. It should be “on”. Therefore, an abnormality of the key switch unit may be detected from the order of the on event / off event.

  Here, since the key switch unit 42 is designed with high durability, it is not the case 2 to the case 5 and is usually the case 1. Before the case 2 to the case 5 is changed, the reaction state of the key switch unit 42 is changed. Various notifications can be made by analysis. For example, the count values of timers TimeKn (ac), TimeKn (ab), and TimeKn (bc), which are contact time differences, are obtained by the three switches (contacts) SW-a, SW-b, and SW-c in the embodiment. Velocity vel (c−a), vel (b−a), vel (c−b), and the constants α, β, γ, δ, ε, and ζ set in advance with the following conditions: Determine the situation (aging, etc.). If the condition of the following equation is satisfied, it is assumed to be normal. If the user is not satisfied, it is determined that the product is slightly aging. In this case, a message such as “It is time to maintain the switch. Replace it sooner” may be displayed.

  Thus, since the key switch section 42 of each key includes a plurality of switches 42a, 42b, 42c, a plurality of contact time differences can be obtained for one key, and the ratio of these contact time differences (the above-mentioned) In this example, it is possible to detect or grasp the progress of fatigue of the switch (contact point) by vel (ba) / vel (c-b), etc., and to prevent malfunction. If this contact time difference ratio is used, the existing hardware called the contact of the key switch unit provided in the keyboard can be used, and there is an advantage that the fatigue state of the keyboard device can be detected without requiring a special configuration.

  In step S91, the number of key presses is counted. The number of key presses is counted from the time of shipment from the factory, and this count value is backed up and stored even when the power is off. Depending on the case where the accumulated count value (accumulated data) is a specific number of times determined in advance, a display indicating that component replacement is recommended may be performed.

For example, as shown in Table 2 below, counters “C _A-1 , C _A # ₋₁ ” corresponding to the pitch names “A-1, A # -1, B-1, C0,. , C _B−1 , C _C0 ,..., C _C7 ”are stored. Each count value is a specific set value “K1 _A−1 , K1 _A # ₋₁ ,..., K1 _C7 ”, “K2 _A-1 ” corresponding to each counter and the degree of frequency “K1, K2,. _{, K2 a ♯ -1, ...,} K2 C7 ", according to ..." _{KN a-1, KN a ♯} -1, ..., when it reaches the KN _C7 ", the degree of the number of" K1, K2, ... KN " Display. For example, when any one of the keys reaches the set value of K1, “Slightly worn out” is displayed. When the set value of K2 is reached, “It is almost time to replace”. Do.

  The dominant factor that makes the key switch contact aging is the number of key presses. By counting the number of key presses of the switch as described above, the progress of fatigue of the key switch unit can be detected or grasped, and the operation It can be prevented that it becomes defective. In this case, the count value may be simply displayed instead of being used for recommending replacement of parts as described above.

  Here, when it becomes the fail proof mode as described above, or when fatigue of the key switch part is detected by the number of key presses, it is not recommended to replace parts or display the count value. For example, it may be used in such a way that it can be confirmed at the time of maintenance, for example, without revealing to the user the status of the specific key or count that has become. Thus, there are the following merits by not showing to a user.

  For example, if contact failure or aging can be confirmed even with one key, it is considered that the aging of other key contacts is also progressing. However, when the user is informed that there is an abnormality in the key switch part of one key, it appears as if only a specific key is fatigued, and in fact there are others that are also fatigued (i.e. fatigue There are many reserves). Thereby, even if only the part (key switch part) is replaced, there is a high possibility that the part must be replaced for a similar reason immediately after the replacement. Such parts replacement for similar reasons should be avoided. Therefore, there are cases where it is better not to disclose to users.

  In addition, the timer TimeKn (ac), TimeKn (ab), TimeKn (bc) count value or velocity vel (ca), vel (ba), vel (cb), or the number of key presses History data such as a count value may be transmitted to the server 14 via the communication network 13.

  In this case, the manufacturer of the electronic musical instrument or the like can grasp the market usage status from the information obtained via the server 14 and can prevent failure. This is particularly effective when the component abnormality is not disclosed to the user. Conventionally, it has been impossible to deal with a problem until a problem actually occurs and the service center is contacted. Thus, according to the embodiment, failure prevention can be realized as a new added value of an electronic musical instrument (net musical instrument) that can be connected to a network.

  Also, when counting the number of key presses, for example, to the user (the electronic musical instrument) with the largest count value (total), “You are the most frequently used by customers who use this electronic musical instrument. It may be used as award data, for example, or as an opportunity to display the count value as “Congratulations on one million keystrokes”. When this type of display is performed, it may be distributed over a network, or may be displayed with an electronic musical instrument alone.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the key switch unit is a three-stage make switch has been described, but it may be two stages, four stages or more. In the embodiment, the case where each switch is a make switch has been described, but a break switch may be used. Further, a switch that takes a predetermined binary reaction state instead of the on / off reaction state may be used.

  In the embodiment, the function obtained by the program and the CPU 1 constitutes “operation status detection means”, “defective sign determination means”, and “notification means”, and the switch status detection means and “defective sign determination means” coexist. However, each of these means may be individually configured by separate subroutines. The “defective sign determination means” is not determined every time, but may be detected periodically. Needless to say, the program and the CPU need not be configured.

  In the embodiments, the electronic keyboard musical instrument has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to other types of electronic musical instruments as long as they have a switch that reacts in a plurality of stages as a key switch portion of an operator. .

It is the block diagram which expanded and showed partially the structure of the key and key switch part of the keyboard apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed notionally the time transition of the key pressing position in embodiment, and the relationship of ON / OFF of a make switch. It is a flowchart of the key scan process in an embodiment. It is a flowchart of the performance signal production | generation process in embodiment. It is a flowchart of the alerting | reporting process in embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the electronic keyboard musical instrument to which this invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CPU, 2 ... ROM, 3 ... RAM, 4 ... Keyboard apparatus, 6 ... Display apparatus, 8 ... Sound source, 12 ... External interface, 13 ... Communication network, 14 ... Server, 41 ... Key (performance operator), 42 ... key switch part, 42a ... first make switch (switch), 42b ... second make switch (switch), 42c ... third make switch (switch)

Claims (8)

Performance operation means having a switch of a plurality of stages that reacts according to the degree of continuous performance operation,
In an electronic musical instrument that performs musical tone control according to the operation of the switch of the performance operating means,
An operation status detection means for detecting an operation status of the switch in the plurality of stages in the performance operation means;
When the detection result of said operating condition detecting means is a particular result, and bad signs determining means for determining that the failure indications are the performance operation means,
Informing means for informing a defect sign according to the determination result of the defect sign determining means,
Equipped with a,
An electronic musical instrument characterized by transmitting history data corresponding to the operation status detected by the operation status detection means to a server .   2. The operation status detection unit detects an operation interval of the plurality of stages of switches as an operation status, and the failure sign determination unit detects the failure sign based on the operation interval. Electronic musical instruments.   The electronic musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit displays a message indicating a failure sign on the display unit. Performance operation means having a switch of a plurality of stages that reacts according to the degree of continuous performance operation,
In an electronic musical instrument that performs musical tone control according to the operation of the switch of the performance operating means,
An operation status detection means for detecting an operation status of the switch in the plurality of stages in the performance operation means;
A failure sign judging means for judging that the performance operating means is a failure sign when the detection result of the operation state detecting means is a specific result;
Informing means for informing a defect sign according to the determination result of the defect sign determining means,
With
The notification means is a thing,
The notification means and displays on the display unit a message indicating bad signs, features and to that electronic instrument to display a message prompting the replacement of consumable parts. Performance operation means having a switch of a plurality of stages that reacts according to the degree of continuous performance operation,
In an electronic musical instrument that performs musical tone control according to the operation of the switch of the performance operating means,
An operation status detection means for detecting an operation status of the switch in the plurality of stages in the performance operation means;
A failure sign judging means for judging that the performance operating means is a failure sign when the detection result of the operation state detecting means is a specific result;
Informing means for informing a defect sign according to the determination result of the defect sign determining means,
With
The operation state detection means detects the number of times of operation of the switch corresponding to the number of operations of the performance operation as an operation state, and the failure sign determination means detects the failure sign based on the number of actions. It shall be the electronic musical instrument.   6. The keyboard according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the performance operating means is a keyboard provided with a plurality of keys for performing the performance operation and each key having a key switch unit composed of the switches of the plurality of stages. The electronic musical instrument according to one item.   The electronic musical instrument according to claim 6, wherein the notifying unit notifies information about a key whose failure sign is determined by the failure sign determining unit among a plurality of keys on the keyboard. 2. The processing content of the musical tone control is changed when the operation status detected by the operation status detection means is a specific operation pattern that is an operation pattern different from a normal operation. The electronic musical instrument as described in any one of thru | or 7.

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