JPH07281667A - Electronic musical instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform the detailed explanation of operation and function and the instruction of operation without using a large display device by informing of related information by means of a voice according to user's operation. CONSTITUTION:The train of phonetic symbols composed of reading information and accent information is inputted in a speech synthesizing part 12 by the control of a CPU 1 and pitch information that is the fundamental cycle of a voice signal changing with time from the accent information in a pitch generating part. A sound source part generates a signal including many higher harmonics such as an impulse and a sawtooth wave and having a period corresponding to the pitch information, simulates the frequency characteristic of a human throat and mouth and generates various kinds of sound signals from the sound source signal. An adder 13 adds a musical sound signal generated in a musical sound generating part 7 to a voice signal generated in the speech synthesizing part 12. The related information is noticed by means of a voice in accordance with user's operation.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic musical instrument, and more particularly to an electronic musical instrument for explaining a function or an operation using a voice synthesizing means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional electronic musical instruments have been developed by adding various tone colors and effects. However, in order to set various parameters, operations such as calling a parameter setting screen, selecting a parameter, and correcting its value have become complicated as the functions have been improved. Therefore, conventionally, the operation has been described by attaching a manual in which the usage method is described in detail.

[0003]

In the conventional electronic musical instrument as described above, it is very laborious for the user to read the detailed manual and understand the operation method. There is also a problem that the current state and the like cannot be understood unless the characters displayed on the panel are read, and a large display device is required to display a lot of information. It is an object of the present invention to improve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and to provide an electronic musical instrument having a voice help function.

[0004]

According to the present invention, in an electronic musical instrument, an operation detecting means for outputting operation information, an information selecting means for selecting information to be output based on the operation information, and an information selecting means for selecting based on the selected information. It is characterized by comprising a voice synthesizing means for generating a corresponding voice signal and a voice generating means for generating a voice based on the voice signal.

[0005]

According to the present invention, since the related information is audibly notified according to the user's operation by the means as described above, detailed operation explanation, function explanation, operation instruction, etc. can be performed without using a large display device. be able to. Further, by using the display device and the voice synthesis function together, a more detailed help function can be provided. It is also possible to change the level of explanation according to the proficiency level of the user.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an electronic musical instrument to which the present invention is applied. CPU1 is R
It is a central processing unit that controls the entire electronic musical instrument, such as scanning keys and switches, assigning keys, and controlling pronunciation based on a program stored in the OM2. As shown in FIG. 3A, the ROM 2 stores a control program, tone color parameters, various display data, and voice synthesis data. The tone color parameter display data is, for example, data such as tone color number, tone color name, parameter name, graph format (axis display), and the character display data is data such as text data for the help function and character font data. is there. Also, the voice synthesis data is voice data for the help function, and the format depends on the voice generation method adopted.

In the RAM 3, as shown in FIG.
There are a work area, a tone color parameter area, a character display data area, and a voice synthesis data area. The work area is provided with various control tables, MIDI buffer area, and the like. The timbre parameter area is an area for storing timbre parameters related to the timbre to be edited (corrected). In the character display data area and the voice synthesis data area, the character display data and the voice synthesis data for the help function, which the user arbitrarily sets and corrects, are stored. Further, at least a part of the battery is backed up by a battery so that the information can be retained even when the main power is turned off.

The keyboard section 5 comprises, for example, a keyboard consisting of a plurality of keys each having two switches, and a circuit for scanning the state of each switch. The operation panel unit 6 has a display device for displaying characters and figures by various selection switches such as timbre, a volume control, liquid crystal, and LEDs. The musical tone generating section 7 reads the waveform information at an address interval corresponding to the pitch of the performance information, for example, from a waveform memory in which musical tone waveforms for each tone color are stored in advance. Although it is possible to use those which independently generate and mix the digital tone signals of, the other tone generation methods such as the sine synthesizing method can also be adopted.

The D / A converter 8 converts the digital tone signal into D / A.
A convert. The analog signal processing unit 9 is composed of a filter circuit for removing noise. The amplifier 10 amplifies the musical tone signal to drive the speaker 11. The MIDI interface circuit 14 transmits / receives signals to / from an external MIDI device, and the bus 4 connects each circuit in the electronic musical instrument. In addition to this, a floppy disk interface circuit, a memory card interface circuit, or the like may be provided if necessary.

Under the control of the CPU 1, the voice synthesizing section 12 generates a corresponding voice signal based on the voice synthesizing data. Various types of voice generation methods have been proposed, such as a recording / playback method and a rule synthesis method. An example thereof will be described.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the rule-based speech synthesis unit 12. The voice synthesizer 12 is a CPU
Under the control of 1, the phonetic symbol string consisting of the reading information and the accent information is input, and the pitch generating unit 30 generates the pitch information which is the basic period of the voice signal which changes with time from the accent information. The sound source unit 31 generates a signal containing a large number of harmonic components such as impulses and sawtooth waves having a period corresponding to the pitch information.

The articulatory parameter generation unit 32 displays "A",
An articulation parameter for dynamically controlling the frequency characteristic of the filter of the articulation filter unit 33 is generated based on the reading information such as “ki”. The articulatory filter unit 33 is composed of, for example, a digital filter whose characteristics can be controlled in real time. The frequency characteristic is changed according to the articulatory parameter to simulate the frequency characteristic of the human throat and mouth, and various sound signals are generated from the sound source signal. Generate a signal. The adder 13 is an adder that adds the tone signal generated by the tone generator 7 and the voice signal generated by the voice synthesizer 12.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a part of the panel of the electronic musical instrument of the present invention. The switches T1 to T16 function as switches for directly selecting a tone color in the normal mode (normal playing mode), and functions described below the switch in the edit mode (a mode for changing the tone color of the selected tone). It becomes a switch to execute. Functions A to D use four parameters that make up the timbre.
Each block when divided into two blocks, for example, A to D are “DCO”, “DCF”, and “DC”, respectively.
It may correspond to the blocks of “A” and “effect etc.”. The number and contents of the blocks can be arbitrarily determined depending on what editing method is used. Further, P1 to P12 are functions (switches) included in each block for selecting a plurality of parameters for controlling a tone color and the like.

The +10, -10, +1 and -1 switches are
In normal mode, the tone number currently selected (1-1
6) is used to change the tone number by adding / subtracting the value written on the switch. In the edit mode, add / subtract the value written on the switch to the value of the parameter currently being edited. Used to change the value of. Further, the +1 and −1 switches are used to select execution of writing or stop of writing in the write standby state. The EDIT switch is a switch for switching between the normal mode and the edit mode, and the mode is reversed (switched) each time the button is pressed. The WRITE switch is a switch for writing the modified parameter in the tone color parameter area corresponding to any tone color selection switch (T1 to T16) in the RAM 3 in the edit mode.

When the HELP (help) switch is operated in the normal mode, the HELP (help) switch gives an outline of the selected tone color by a character (image) and voice, and in the edit mode, a description of the designated parameter is displayed by the character (image). Image) and sound. Each time the HELP switch is operated, the help function is turned on / off (reversed). As the display (display), an LCD (liquid crystal) display device capable of displaying arbitrary characters or figures in an area of 320 × 200 dots under the control of the CPU 1 can be used.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the main processing of the CPU 1. When the power of the electronic musical instrument is turned on, the memory and the tone generator circuit are first initialized, and in step S1, the state of the switch of the keyboard is scanned,
In step S2, it is determined whether or not there is a key on / off state change. When a state change is detected in step S2, the process proceeds to step S3, and well-known key assignment and tone generation processing (or key-off processing) is performed based on the currently selected desired tone color parameter.

In step S4, the state of the switch on the panel is scanned, and in step S5, it is determined whether or not the state of the switch has changed. When a change is detected in step S5, step S6
Then, the tone color selection process, tone color parameter change process, etc. are performed corresponding to the operated switch. Step S
In step 7, the MIDI buffer is checked, and if there is received data in step S8, the process proceeds to step S9, and processing (sound generation processing) relating to MIDI data is performed. An example of the processing in steps S1 to S9 is shown, but an arbitrary processing method of a general electronic musical instrument can be adopted.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing MIDI reception interrupt processing. MIDI interface circuit 1
4 receives an MIDI signal and interrupts the CPU 1. When an interrupt occurs, the CPU 1 proceeds to step S10
At, the received data is read from the MIDI interface circuit 14 and stored in the MIDI buffer in the RAM 3.

FIG. 6 shows the tone color selection in step S6 of FIG.
6 is a flowchart showing a tone color parameter changing process.
In step S20, it is determined whether or not the switches T1 to T16 are pressed. If the switches are pressed, the process proceeds to step S21, and the T1 to T16 switch processing is performed. In step S22, +10, -1
It is determined whether or not the 0, +1 and -1 switches have been pressed, and if so, the process proceeds to step S23,
+10, -10, +1, -1 switch processing is performed.
In step S24, it is determined whether or not the HELP switch has been pressed. If the HELP switch has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S25 and HELP switch processing is performed.
In step S26, it is determined whether or not the EDIT switch is pressed, and if it is pressed, the process proceeds to step S27, and the EDIT switch process is performed.
In step S28, it is determined whether or not the WRITE switch is pressed, and if it is pressed, the process proceeds to step S29, and the WRITE switch process is performed.

FIG. 7 shows steps T1 to T of step S21 of FIG.
It is a flow chart which shows 16 switch processing. In step S31, for example, by checking a flag in the RAM 3 not shown, it is determined whether or not the edit mode is currently in progress. If the determination result is negative, the process proceeds to step S32, and in step S32, the tone color parameter of the tone color number corresponding to the pressed switch is set in the predetermined area as the tone color parameter to be sounded. In step S33, RA (not shown) is also used.
By checking the flag in M3, it is determined whether or not the HELP function is being performed. If the determination result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S34, and the outline of the selected tone color is performed by characters (graphics) and voice.

The process of step S34 is performed by using a table storing the corresponding character display data storage address and voice synthesis data storage address in the ROM 2 corresponding to each tone color number (1 to 16), for example. The character display data for HELP function and the data for voice synthesis corresponding to the number are read out, and the explanation characters or figures are displayed on the display device of the operation panel unit 6 using the data for character display and the character font data, and the voice synthesis is also performed. The data for use is transferred to the voice synthesizer 12 to generate a voice signal.

If it is in the edit mode in step S31, the process proceeds to step S35, and it is determined by the flag whether or not it is in the write standby state. If it is in the writing standby state, the process proceeds to step S36, and in step S36, the parameter writing destination is set in the tone color parameter area of the RAM 3 corresponding to the tone color number corresponding to the pressed switch.

When the determination is negative in step S35, the process proceeds to step S37, and the pressed switch is T
1, T2, T9, T10, that is, blocks A to D
Is selected. If the determination result of step S37 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S38, and the tone color parameter block (A
~ D) are designated, and the parameters in the block are displayed. In step S39, it is determined by checking the flag whether the HELP function is being performed. Then, if the determination result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S40, and the description regarding the designated block is given by characters (graphics) and voice.

If the result of the determination in step S37 is negative, the process proceeds to step S41, and the parameters (P1 to P1) corresponding to the pressed switch in the currently designated block are set.
P12) is designated, and the state becomes editable (changeable). The designated parameter may be displayed in reverse video or blinking. In step S42, the flag is checked to determine whether the HELP function is being performed. Then, if the determination result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S43, and the explanation about the designated parameter is given by characters (graphics) and voice.

FIG. 8 shows +10 in step S23 of FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows -10, +1, -1 switch processing. In step S50, it is determined whether or not the edit mode is currently in progress. If the result is negative, the process proceeds to step S51, and in step S51, the numerical value (+10, +10, corresponding to the switch pressed to the current tone color number).
Any one of −10, +1 and −1) is added to obtain a new tone color number. In step S52, it is determined whether or not the new timbre number exceeds the timbre number range (1 to 16). If the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S53, and if the number is below the range, it is the minimum. Number (1)
If it exceeds, the maximum number (16) is set. Then, the process proceeds to step S61.

If it is in the edit mode in step S50, the process proceeds to step S54, and it is determined whether or not the writing standby state is established. If the determination result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S55. In step S55, it is determined whether or not the pressed switch is +1, that is, "YES", and if affirmative, the process proceeds to step S56. In step S56, the corrected parameters are written in the tone color parameter area of the tone color number designated in step S36 of FIG. 7 (original tone color number if not designated). Then, the process proceeds to step S57, and the write standby state is exited. When the determination result of step S55 is negative, the process proceeds to step S56, and it is determined whether or not the pressed switch is -1, that is, "NO". If the determination result is affirmative, step S
The process moves to 57, and the write standby state is exited.

If it is not in the write standby state in step S54, the process proceeds to step S58, and step S58 is executed.
In 58, the numerical value (+10, −10,
Either +1 or -1) is added to change the value. In step S59, it is determined whether or not the new value exceeds the parameter value range, and if the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S60, and if the number is below the range, it is above the minimum value. If the maximum value. In step S61, it is determined whether or not there is a sounding channel that is currently sounding. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S62, and the tone color of the sounding tone that is being sounded is changed to the latest one.

FIG. 9 shows the HELP of step S25 of FIG.
It is a flow chart which shows switch processing. Step S
At 70, it is determined by checking the flag whether the help function is currently being performed. If the help function is in progress, the process proceeds to step S71, the flag indicating the help function is inverted, and the help function is stopped. If the help function is not currently in progress, the process proceeds to step S72,
Invert the flag to turn on the help function. In step S73, it is determined whether or not the edit mode is currently in progress. If the edit mode is currently in effect, the process proceeds to step S74, and the explanation regarding the currently designated parameter is written in a character (graphics) like the process of step S40 in FIG. ) And voice. If the switch operated immediately before in the edit mode is to specify a block, the block may be described. If the determination result in step S73 is negative, the process proceeds to step S75,
Similar to step S34 in FIG. 7, the currently selected tone color is outlined by letters and voice.

FIG. 10 shows the EDI of step S27 of FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows a T switch process. In step S80, it is determined by checking the flag whether or not the edit mode is currently in progress. If the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S81, and the flag is inverted to return to the normal mode. If the mode is not the edit mode in step S80, the process proceeds to step S82 and the flag is inverted to enter the edit mode. That is, each time the EDIT switch is pressed, the normal mode and the edit mode are alternately switched, and the display is also switched correspondingly.

FIG. 11 shows the WRI of step S29 of FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows a TE switch process. In step S85, it is determined by checking the flag whether or not the edit mode is currently in progress. If the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S86, and in step S86, it is determined whether or not the writing is currently on standby. Be examined. Then, if the determination result is negative, the process proceeds to step S87, and the flag is set to the write standby state.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a display example on the display device of the operation panel section 6. FIG. 12A is an example in which the state of a block being edited (for example, a DCA block) is displayed using a graph and parameter values. The user selects one of the parameters (P1 to P4) with the switch and corrects its value (##) with the +10, -10, +1 and -1 switches. The shape of the graph also changes with this modification. Then, by pressing a key, the tone color can be checked. When the correction is completed, by pressing the WRITE switch, (if necessary, a tone color selection switch), and the +1 (YES) switch,
It is stored in RAM.

FIG. 12B shows an example of the contents displayed when the help switch is pressed or when the block or parameter is selected when the help function is turned on. The voice of the detailed description is generated from the voice synthesizer 12. Figure 1
2 (c) is a display example in which a normal display area of a tone or block and a description area for the help function are divided when the help function is on. In this case, the display position and the size of the area may be dynamically changed according to the size of the area required for normal display. Further, the explanation display may be switched or scrolled according to the voice output. As described above, the electronic musical instrument of the present invention can provide an appropriate explanation by voice and display according to each operation mode.

Although the embodiment has been described above, the following modifications are also possible. The block diagram of FIG. 1 discloses a configuration in which the output from the voice synthesizer 12 and the output from the tone generator 7 are added by the adder 13 and then D / A converted. Various configurations are also possible.
13A shows a selection unit 21 instead of the adder 13 of FIG.
Is provided. In this case, the voice and the musical sound cannot be generated at the same time, but the configuration is simple.
In (b), the voice synthesizer 12 and the output of the tone generator 7 are individually D / A converted and then mixed by the mixer 22. In this case, set the D / A converters 8-1 and 8-2 to 1
If one D / A converter is used by time division, the structure is also simple.

FIG. 15 shows an example in which a function for explaining the present electronic musical instrument by characters and voice is added when the power of the electronic musical instrument is turned on. In step S90, the features and functions of the electronic musical instrument may be described in text and voice, and the function may be turned on / off. Then, it can be used as a demonstration function at the store in combination with a function explanation for beginners or an automatic performance function.

The help function may be capable of controlling on / off of voice output, output signal level, output (reading) speed, sound quality (male or female), and the like. In addition, we have prepared multiple stages of voice output contents from polite ones to simple ones that simply utter the operation contents according to the learning level,
The level may be designated. Further, the voice output may be used to give a lesson on how to use an electronic musical instrument or on a musical piece. Further, since a large amount of voice data is required for this purpose, there may be a function capable of inputting voice data from the outside, such as a memory card interface.

[0035]

As described above, according to the electronic musical instrument of the present invention, since the related information is notified by voice according to the operation of the user, detailed operation explanations and functions can be made without using a large display device. Instructions and operation instructions can be given. Further, by using the display device and the voice synthesis function together, a more detailed help function can be provided. It is also possible to change the level of explanation according to the proficiency level of the user. Therefore, even a beginner to an experienced user can operate without paying attention to the manual or the panel, and there is an effect that the operability is remarkably improved especially for a person with weak eyesight.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an electronic musical instrument of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a part of the panel of the electronic musical instrument of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing each data area in a memory.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a main process of CPU 1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing MIDI reception interrupt processing.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing tone color selection and parameter change processing.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing T1-T16 switch processing.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a + 10-10 + 1-1 switch process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing HELP switch processing.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing EDIT switch processing.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a WRITE switch process.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example on the display device of the operation panel 6.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of an internal configuration of the voice synthesizing unit 12.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing another example of the main processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... CPU, 2 ... ROM, 3 ... RAM, 4 ... Bus, 5 ...
Keyboard part, 6 ... Operation panel part, 7 ... Musical sound generating part, 8
... D / A converter, 9 ... Analog signal processing unit, 10 ... Amplifier, 11 ... Speaker, 12 ... Speech synthesizer, 13 ... Adder, 14 ... MIDI interface

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An operation detecting means for outputting operation information, an information selecting means for selecting information to be output based on the operation information, and a voice synthesizing means for generating a corresponding audio signal based on the selected information. An electronic musical instrument, comprising: a sound generating means for generating a sound based on a sound signal. 2. The electronic musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the information is at least one of operation explanation information, function explanation information, and operation instruction information. 3. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying based on the selected information.
The electronic musical instrument according to any one of 1. 4. The electronic musical instrument according to claim 3, wherein the information selecting means outputs different information to the voice synthesizing means and the display means, respectively. 5. The operation of at least one of the voice synthesizing unit and the display unit based on operation information,
The electronic musical instrument according to any one of claims 3 and 4, further comprising control means for controlling stop. 6. The electronic musical instrument according to claim 3, further comprising an explanation level designating unit, wherein the information selecting unit selects different information according to an output of the explanation level designating unit. .