JPH01245294A - Light emitting device for keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable the immediate identification of an indicating key by controlling light emission timing and quantity of emitted light in synchronization with the key push and key release to play keys. CONSTITUTION:A control circuit 4 controls a driving circuit 3 according to the timing to push keys and the speed of key push simultaneously with selection of the light source corresponding to the key to be pushed and, therefore, the light sources 2-1, 2-2 emit light. The emitted light rays are projected on the keys 1-1, 1-2 corresponding to the light sources and transmitted through the keys 1-1, 1-2. One key, therefore, glows over the entire part; in addition, the key glows brighter in case of the fast and strong key push and, therefore, the push key is indicated and the various intensities of the push key are distinctly identified. The distinct visual recognition of the key indicating to be pushed is thereby enabled.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a light emitting device that emits light from a key in synchronization with key depression and key release during musical instrument performance, and in response to the speed of key depression.

[Prior Art] Research has been conducted into automatic performance or performance practice devices for electronic musical instruments that have a function of emitting light to indicate which key is to be pressed next. This involves disposing LEDs (light emitting diodes) corresponding to each key inside the instrument body close to the keys, and causing the LEDs to emit light at the same time as the automatic performance device plays.

Or when using an automatic performance device as a performance practice device,
Prior to the sound source in the automatic performance device producing sound, an LED corresponding to a predetermined key is illuminated so that the user can practice key pressing and key release.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] With the above-mentioned electronic musical instrument, there is no particular problem when playing while sitting directly in front of the instrument, but when viewing the keyboard from the side, there is a problem with the main body surface where the LED is arranged. However, since the keys are not on the same plane as the keyboard, it is difficult to determine which key is being indicated by the light emitted by the LED.

Furthermore, since the LED light source is small, when looking at the electronic musical instrument from a distance, it is difficult to immediately determine which LED is emitting light, that is, which key corresponds to the LED. Therefore, it was impossible to imagine a piece of music to be played using actual keys by looking at the performance pattern created by blinking LEDs.

The object of the present invention is to improve the above-mentioned drawbacks, and to synchronize with key presses and key releases, and to emit light with varying degrees of strength corresponding to the strength of the key presses, so that the keys that indicate key presses can be used. To provide a keyboard light emitting device that allows the user to clearly see the keyboard.

[Means for Solving the Problems] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the basic configuration of the present invention. In FIG. 1, keys 1-1, 1-2, . Reference numerals 2-1, 2-2, and - indicate a light source provided corresponding to the key to generate light incident on the key, 3 a drive circuit, and 4 a control circuit.

The configuration of the present invention is as follows. That is, a musical instrument key 1-1, 1-2- made of a material that transmits light, and light sources 2-1 and 2-2- that generate light incident on the key.
It is comprised of a drive circuit 3 that drives the light source, and a control circuit 4 that controls the light emission timing and light emission amount of the key in synchronization with key presses and key releases during musical instrument performance.

[Function] The control circuit 4 shown in FIG. 1 selects the light source corresponding to the key to be pressed, and at the same time controls the drive circuit 3 according to the timing of the key pressing and the speed of the key pressing. 2-1
．． 2-2...- emits light. The light is the key 1-1 corresponding to the light source. It enters L2- and passes through the key. Therefore 1
All of the keys are illuminated, and when the key is pressed quickly and strongly, it becomes even brighter (because it glows, it is possible to indicate which key to press and also clearly see the strength of the key press.

[Embodiment] FIG. 2 is a top view showing one key and a light source as an embodiment of the present invention. The key 1-1 body is made of a material that allows light to pass through, such as synthetic resin. The light source 2-1 is a filament lamp, for example, and is provided at a position at the back when viewed from the player, corresponding to each key. The left and right surfaces 5-1, 5-2 of the key 1-1 are made of a light-impermeable material, which prevents light from leaking from adjacent keys that emit light and causing misunderstandings when keys that transmit light are adjacent to each other. It's for a reason. In addition, it is best to apply a matte finish to the surface of a light-transparent key that touches the finger, because if the light transmission is too good, the light source and its mechanical parts will be transparent. Furthermore, by diffusely reflecting the light, it is possible to distribute the light over the entire key.

Next, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the light source drive circuit 3 and the control circuit 4. In FIG. 3, the control circuit 4 uses a central processing unit CPU, and the light source drive circuit 3 uses lamp drivers 3-1. Drive resistance 3-2. Power inverter 3-3
．． Peak value holding circuit 3-4. D/A converter 3-5. It is composed of a changeover switch 3-6. Light source lamp 2-1
．． 2-2-.- constitutes a matrix of 8 rows and 11 columns in FIG. Since each circle mark indicates one light source lamp and is provided corresponding to one key, the actual arrangement is extremely long in the horizontal direction, as shown in FIG.

The lamp connection is made by diagonally connecting the intersections of the vertical and horizontal wiring, as shown by the circular broken line on the right side of Figure 3. A lamp matrix of 8 rows and 11 columns can drive 88 lamps, thus supporting electronic musical instruments with up to 88 keys. AO to A7 of the central processing unit CPU are ports that output one of the selection data for lamp lighting, DO-D3 is a port that outputs 11 types of sequential selection data of the other lamp for lighting, C is a port that outputs a strobe signal, BO~
B7 indicates a port that outputs data for controlling the amount of light emission in digital quantity. The port outputs of AO to A7 are selective, and one of the rows is selected and "H" is output to that row. If you are currently selecting the AOO row, from AO “
"L" level is output from H rubel, A1 to A7. The output of the power inverter 3-3 goes to "L" level, and the 11 lamps in the top row of the matrix are ready to be lit. The 11 types of data by DO-D3 are sequentially scanned and selected for 11 lamps in the same row.0For example, at the timing when "0000" is output, the leftmost zero column is specified, so selector switch 3
A selection signal is output from the output terminal Q0 of -6. Therefore, one lamp in the upper left will shine, and the amount of light emitted is BO
-87. That is, the data of BO to B7 are converted into analog quantities by the D/A converter 3-5, and guided to the AN terminal of the changeover switch 3-6. Changeover switch 3
-6, the strobe signal C is the changeover switch 3-6.
When the column specified by DO-D3 is determined, the analog amount at the AN terminal is output as the signal amplitude of that "column". Therefore, in one row consisting of AO-A7, at the timing specified by DO-D3, the lamps in that column are lit in accordance with the data of BO-B7. The operation time chart is shown in FIG. Fourth
In the figure, the D/A output indicates the output signal of the D/A converter 3-5. In this case, since the central processing unit CPU knows the row of lamps to be sequentially selected, each column existing in that row Serial output of lamp strength signals in selected order.

For example, output is performed sequentially from left to right. and the fourth
The C signal in the figure shows the strobe signal, and the D/A output and D
The timing for operating the changeover switch 3-6 at the signal center position for the O to D3 outputs is determined. When the column lamp sequential selection signal DO-D3 is input with the waveform and timing shown in FIG. 4, the changeover switch 3-6 shown in FIG. 3 sequentially switches the output terminals Q0 to Qto. Then, the corresponding D/A output signals are 00 to Q. Output sequentially to one of the following.

“Now, when performing an automatic performance, the configuration shown in Fig. 5 is used. In Fig. 5, the central processing unit CPU has a storage device 6.
is connected, and the storage device 6 stores data for automatic performance, that is, data on key depression positions and key depression strengths (key depression speed). The central processing unit CPU of the control section reads out the storage device 6, processes the content data, and performs sound generation/muting operations.At the same time, it selects boat AO-A7 and presses the button at the time corresponding to the timing of Do-D3. A key strength signal is output for D/A conversion. Therefore, the lamp lights up in conjunction with the sound production and at the same time, depending on the strength of the key press.

At this time, if the data is for an unmanned performance, the keyboard lights up and goes off, just as if a professional player were playing.

Note that the performance sound data is processed in the central processing unit CPU to drive the sound source 7. The output of the sound source 7 is amplified by an amplifier 8 and emitted from a speaker 9.

When a player plays a musical instrument, the configuration shown in FIG. 6 is used. In FIG. 6, a known key press sensor 10 for detecting the position and speed of key press/release is attached to each key.
The central processing unit CPU scans the sensor 10. The scan data is further processed by the central processing unit CPU and output to each of the boats AO-A7, BO to B7, etc. to select a lamp matrix. In this case, after a key is pressed, there is a slight time delay before the corresponding key lights up, but it is not at a level that humans can perceive. The intensity of the light varies depending on the strength of the key presses, so even for listeners who are a little distance away from the performer,
Since the light emitted from the keyboard changes as the keyboard is played, the effect on the performance is greatly improved.

[Effects of the Invention] In this way, according to the present invention, the timing and amount of light emission are controlled in synchronization with the pressing and releasing of keys when playing keys, so even when viewed from an oblique direction without facing the keyboard. ,
You can immediately identify the key that is emitting light. During automatic performance or when a master musician performs, one can fully understand so-called keyboard handling by observing the lighting conditions of the keys and changes in their strength. Also, since it is an electronic musical instrument, the acoustic
It is possible to add functions such as these that are not available on Steink instruments, increasing expressiveness and making it possible to perform impressively, especially during live performances.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the principle configuration of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a top view showing a key and a light source as an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control circuit 4 and light source drive circuit 3. , FIG. 4 is an operation timing chart of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the connection configuration when automatic performance is performed, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration when a player performs. 1-1.1-2--Key 2-2, 2-2--Light source 3--Light source drive circuit 4--Control circuit Patent applicant Kawai Musical Instruments Co., Ltd. Agent
Patent Attorney Eisuke Lead Proceedings (Hoshosho Seal) April 18, 1986

Claims (1)

[Claims] I. A musical instrument key made of a material through which light can pass, a light source for emitting light from the key, a drive circuit for driving the light source, and key pressing and key release for playing a musical instrument. A keyboard light emitting device comprising a control circuit that synchronizes the light emission timing and light emission amount of the keys. II. The keyboard light emitting device according to claim I, wherein automatic performance data is input to the control circuit. III. The keyboard light-emitting device according to claim I, comprising a device for detecting key depression/release and the speed thereof, and the detection device is scanned by the control circuit to correspond to the key depression and the speed thereof. A keyboard light emitting device characterized by emitting light.