JPS63265294A - Electronic stringed instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an electronic stringed instrument, and more particularly to an electronic stringed instrument in which frets in contact with the strings are determined by ultrasonic waves propagating through the strings. 5 [Prior Art] This type of electronic stringed instrument was developed by the applicant in 1933.
There is an electronic stringed instrument disclosed in Patent Application No. 240138 of 1985 filed on October 26, 1985.

This electronic stringed instrument measures the time from the generation of ultrasonic waves supplied to the strings from a piezoelectric element to the detection of echoes generated when the ultrasonic waves are reflected from the frets that come into contact with the strings, and based on the measurement results, The fret that is in contact with the string is determined, and based on the determination result, a musical tone with a pitch corresponding to the fret that is in contact with the string is generated.

In addition, the applicant has also filed a patent application dated April 3, 1986 (No.
) proposed a bend sensor for detecting the bend playing style of stringed instruments. This bend sensor expresses the amount of bend by the output voltage value of the photocoupler, considering that the output voltage value of the photocoupler changes depending on the area where the optical path of the photocoupler is blocked by the probe interlocking with the string. Therefore, by combining a pendo sensor with the above electronic stringed instrument, it is possible to provide an electronic stringed instrument that is also capable of bending.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the above-mentioned electronic stringed instrument capable of playing bends, the amount of bend is determined based on the output of the pendo sensor in the non-bend state, so it is difficult to accurately know the output value of the pendo sensor in the non-bend state. is necessary. However, since the position of the string changes slightly due to changes in tension, etc., the output value of the pend sensor that is linked to the string in a non-bent state is also not constant. There was a desire for an electronic stringed instrument that would not be affected by such changes.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic stringed instrument that allows stable bent performance at all times.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The configuration of the present invention according to the above-mentioned object includes strings capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves, and strings that are provided spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the strings and that when the strings are pressed, A string has a plurality of frets that can be contacted at least one of the frets, and a plurality of frets are provided at one end of the string to intermittently emit ultrasonic waves and transmit the ultrasonic waves to the string, and the ultrasonic waves propagating through the string are connected to the string. an ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving means for receiving echoes reflected by frets in contact with the string; and a fret position determining means for determining a fret in contact with the string based on the intermittently transmitted ultrasonic waves and their echoes; In the electronic stringed instrument, the electronic stringed instrument is provided with pitch information forming means for forming pitch information corresponding to the fret determined by the fret position determining means, the electronic stringed instrument functions as a performance mode and an adjustment mode, and the electronic stringed instrument functions as a performance mode and an adjustment mode, a bend sensor that forms displacement information representing the amount of bend when the bend is performed; and a storage means that stores initial information when the bend is not performed.
Bend information forming means for forming bend information based on displacement information and initial information in the performance mode, and initial information forming means for forming initial information based on the output of the pendo sensor in a non-bending state and storing it in the storage means in the adjustment mode. The present invention is characterized in that it further includes means.

[Operations and Effects of the Invention] When the electronic stringed instrument having the above configuration is operated in the adjustment mode prior to performance, the initial information forming means forms initial information based on the output of the pend sensor in the non-bending state. This initial information is stored in the storage means and used to generate musical tones according to the bend playing technique. That is, when a performer displaces a string with the intention of performing a bend during the performance mode, the pendo sensor forms displacement information corresponding to the amount of bend. This displacement information is compared with the initial information stored in the storage means in the bend information forming means to form bend information,
This bend information is used together with pitch information to generate the musical tone intended by the performer. Therefore, even if the output of the pend sensor in the non-bend state changes over a long period of time, it is automatically adjusted in the adjustment mode prior to the performance mode, so that the musical tone intended by the player can always be generated.

[Embodiments] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 to 4 are diagrams showing one embodiment of the present invention,
One embodiment is an example in which the bend information forming means, the initial information forming means, etc. are realized by software.

In FIG. 2, 1 is the main body of an electronic stringed instrument, and a 0 fret 7 is fixed to the neck 3 of the main body 1, and is always in contact with a plurality of strings 5, typically six strings. ing. The string 5 is stretched between the string winding 9 and the tailpiece 11, and a predetermined number of frets 13, 15, . . . , n are arranged on the neck 3 at intervals from the 0 fret 7. . A plurality of piezoelectric elements 19 held by a bridge holder 17 are provided in the main body 1 on the tailpiece 11 side, corresponding to the strings 5, and an electromagnetic pickup 21 for detecting low frequency vibrations of the strings 5 also corresponds to the strings 5. It is provided.

The piezoelectric element 19 and the information processing section 23 are a transmitting/receiving separation circuit 25
The transmission/reception separation circuit 25 directly transmits the drive pulses output from the information processing section 23 to the piezoelectric element 19.
The echo of the ultrasonic signal is supplied to the information processing unit 2 via the A/D converter 27 and converted into an electric signal by the piezoelectric element 19.
Send to 3.

The information processing section 23 determines the fret 7.1 in contact with the string based on the drive pulse supplied to the piezoelectric element 19 and the echo digitized from the piezoelectric element 19 via the A/D converter 27.
3.15, . . . , n is determined, and the corresponding fret 7.13.1
Pitch information corresponding to positions 5, . . . , n is supplied to the tone generator 29. The tone generator 29 determines the pitch of the musical tone to be produced based on the pitch information supplied from the information processing section 23, and when the electromagnetic pickup 21 detects a plucked string and sends a plucked string signal KON to the tone generator 29, a tone is generated. The generator 29 supplies the sound system 31 with a musical tone signal having a pitch corresponding to the fret in contact with the string 5. Therefore, the sound system 31 generates musical tones with pitches corresponding to the frets that come into contact with the strings 5. The electronic stringed instrument according to this embodiment further includes a plurality of pend sensors 3.
3, and this pend sensor 33 is also received correspondingly to each of the plurality of strings 5. Each pend sensor 3
3, since the probe linked to the string 5 blocks the optical path of the photocoupler in accordance with the amount of bend, the output voltage of the photocoupler is proportional to the amount of bend. The output voltage of this photocoupler is A/
After being converted into a digital signal by the D converter 35, it is selected by the multiplexer 37 and supplied to the information processing section 23.

Next, the configuration of the information processing section 23 and the functions realized by the information processing section 23 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing unit 23 includes a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM) 41 that stores program instructions, and a microcomputer unit (MPU) 43 that executes instructions supplied from the ROM 41. , a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM) 45 that stores the calculation results of the micro-compact calculation device 43, a transmission/reception separation circuit 25, an A/D converter 27, and a tone generator 29.
Alternatively, an output buffer 47 for outputting data between the multiplexer 37 and the ultra-small arithmetic unit 43, and a ROM 4
1 to the micro-compact arithmetic device 43 or data bus 49 for transferring data between the micro-compact arithmetic device 43 and the RAM 45 or the human output buffer 47; The output buffer 47 or multiplexer 37 has an address bus 51 for supplying addresses. A part of the address space provided by the RAM 45 is allocated to an address space 53 for storing initial information calculated by the micro-compact arithmetic unit 43. Additionally, information regarding the threshold value for identifying echoes reflected by frets 7, 13, 15,..., n, and the fret position for determining the fret that generated the echo is stored in the RAM 450 predetermined address space, respectively. remembered.

Next, the functions realized in this embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in the main switch-on event when the main switch of the electronic stringed instrument is turned on, the micro-compact arithmetic unit 43 initializes the system etc. according to instructions stored in the ROM 41, and then executes a self-adjustment routine to be described later. do. Execution of these initialization programs and self-adjustment routines constitutes adjustment mote M1. The self-adjustment routine will be detailed later.

After the self-adjustment routine is completed, the micro-compact arithmetic unit 43 notifies the player that play is possible, for example by lighting a light emitting diode (not shown) (step S1). After this, the electronic stringed instrument shifts to performance mode M2.

In the performance mode M2, the micro-compact arithmetic unit 43 executes instructions sequentially read from the ROM 41, and first realizes a fret position determination routine R1.

In this fret position determination routine R1, the micro-compact arithmetic unit 43 simultaneously supplies drive pulses to the plurality of piezoelectric elements 19 via the human output buffer 47 to generate ultrasonic scanning signals. The ultrasonic scanning signal generated by the piezoelectric element 19 is transmitted from each piezoelectric element 19 to the corresponding string 5 and propagates through the string 5. The micro-compact arithmetic unit 43 instructs the internal counter to start counting at the same time as sending out the drive pulse, and from then on, A
Waiting for the arrival of the echo of the ultrasonic scanning signal supplied from the /D converter 27 via the human output buffer 47.

The piezoelectric element 19 receives the ultrasonic scanning signal from fret 7.13.1.
5, .
An ever-changing digital signal is supplied from the Therefore, the ultra-compact arithmetic unit 43 reads out the threshold value corresponding to each string 5 held in the ram 45, and
The echoes reflected and generated at frets 7, 13, 15, . Eventually frets 7, 13, 15...
, rl, the counting operation of the counter is stopped, and the counted value is compared with information regarding the fret position stored in the RAM 45 to determine the fret that generated the echo.

When the fret that is in contact with the string 5 is determined for each string 5 in this way, the microcompact arithmetic unit 43 executes the pitch information formation routine R2 to determine the musical tone to be generated on each string 5. Form pitch information that indicates pitch.

The microcomputer 43 supplies addresses corresponding to each of the plurality of bend sensors 33 to the multiplexer 37, reads the output of the multiplexer 37, and compares it with the initial information held in the address space 53 to determine the presence or absence of a bend. (Step S2).

If the determination result in step S2 is yes (Y), bend information corresponding to the bend amount represented by the output value of the multiplexer 37 is formed, and in the bend information addition routine R3, the bend information is sent from the human output buffer 47 together with the pitch information. The signal is sent to the tone generator 29. When the tone generator 29 detects the string 5 plucked by the electromagnetic pickup 1 (step S3), it forms a musical tone signal based on the pitch information and sends it to the sound system 31 (step S3).
4). As a result, the sound system 31 detects the frets 7, 13, . . . that are in contact with the plucked string 5 based on the musical tone signal.
A musical tone having a pitch corresponding to 15, . . . , n is generated, and the pitch of the musical tone is further changed based on the bend information.

The above is an overview of the functions of this embodiment. The initial information used in the above-mentioned detection of the presence or absence of a bend (step S2) is determined by the self-adjustment routine. The self-adjustment routine will now be described with reference to FIG. Upon initialization of the system at the main switch-on event, it automatically enters a self-adjustment routine in which a threshold for identifying echoes reflected at frets is determined for each string 5 (step 511). ), and then information about the frets is formed indicating the position of the frets (step 51).
2).

Next, a string selection signal specifying the first string among the plurality of strings is sent to the multiplexer 37 (step S13), and a signal obtained by digitizing the output of the pend sensor 33 during non-bending is read (step 514). . This digitized signal is written to a specified address in the address space 53 of the RAM 45 (step 515), and then the micro-compact arithmetic unit 43 determines whether initial information has been set for all strings. Step 816), while the determination result is no, the designated address is changed (step 517).
), then after changing the string selection signal (step 518), the process continues in step 5 until the determination in step S16 becomes YES.
13 to step 518 are repeated. If the determination in step S16 is YES, it means that the initial information has been set for all the strings 5, so the process moves to step 519 and the self-adjustment of that pond is executed. Therefore, the above step S13
The initial information forming means 61 is configured in steps S18 to S18.

As described above, since the initial information forming means 61 is provided in this embodiment, the initial information is set for each string 5 before starting the performance mode, so that the contact position between the string 5 and the pen sensor 33, etc. Even if the angle changes, there is no misjudgment of the bend shoe.

Although the above initial information forming means is realized by software, it can also be realized by hardware.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a self-adjustment routine in an adjustment mode according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram of an embodiment, FIG. 3 is a block circuit diagram of an information processing section, and FIG. FIG. 3 is an overall flowchart diagram of an embodiment. δ・・・・String, 7, 13. 15,...n...Fret, 19...Piezoelectric element, 23...Information processing unit, 33...Pend sensor, 3δ...A/D Converter, 37... Multiplexer, 41... ROM, 43... Micro-compact arithmetic unit (MPU). 45... Ram, 47... Input/output buffer, 53... Address space for initial information storage (memory section), Ml... Adjustment mode, M2. ... Performance mode, 61 ... Initial information forming means. Agent Patent Attorney Kiyoshi Kuwai - 5] Figure 3 Block circuit diagram of information processing section

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A string capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves, a plurality of frets provided spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the string, and with which the string can come into contact with at least one of the frets when the string is pressed; An ultrasonic device installed at one end of a string that intermittently emits ultrasonic waves, transmits the ultrasonic waves to the string, and receives echoes generated when the ultrasonic waves propagating through the string are reflected by frets that come into contact with the string. a transmitting/receiving means; a fret position determining means for determining a fret in contact with the string based on the intermittently transmitted ultrasonic waves and their echoes; and a pitch determining means corresponding to the fret determined by the fret position determining means. and a pitch information forming means for forming pitch information, the electronic stringed instrument functions in a performance mode and an adjustment mode, and forms displacement information representing a bend amount when the string is bent. a bend sensor; a storage means for storing initial information in a non-bending state; a bend information forming means for forming bend information based on displacement information and initial information in the performance mode; and a bend sensor in a non-bending state in the adjustment mode. 1. An electronic stringed musical instrument, further comprising: initial information forming means for forming initial information based on the output of and storing it in the storage means.