WO1992022884A1 - Device for inputting the musical structure and visualizing the musical time on a score - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for inputting a musical structure and for visualizing the musical time on any score, comprising, independently from any musical instrument, a microprocessor unit, at least one random access memory, at least one read only memory and at least one input/output interface arranged in a casing (11) presenting a front face (12) on which are arranged a console (27), a control screen (28) and a display screen (35) comprised of a light signal array (38), the displacement of each of said signals being effected as a fonction of the musical time elapsed defined according to the logic fonctions of the musical structure previously inputted by means of the control console, and in correspondence with the notes of the score. The light signals may be, for example, light emitting diodes, visualization of the musical time being effected by transparency or by elementary points (38) of a transparent liquid cristal screen (35), visualization of the musical time being then effected through the latter.

Description

Device for entering the musical structure and viewing the musical tenps on a score

The present invention relates to a device for capturing the musical structure and for displaying the flow of musical time over a score by means of an evolving light signal.

Various devices are already known, in particular the metro¬ nome, intended for signaling musical time. The development of electronics and computer science in the musical field has led to the creation of optical or visual metronomes in which the characteristic swing of the classic, mechanical metronome is replaced by the flashing of a light signal, in general a light emitting diode (LED). But, whether mechanical or visual, such metronomes remain independent of the score of which they give the measure and therefore do not in any way allow a grasp of the musical structure, and do not in any way allow a visualization of the correspondence between the musical time of the score. An object of the invention is to provide a device which allows the visualization of the flow of musical time, note after note, line after line, on a score whose musical structure has been previously entered, this entry and this display should be able to be performed from any partition without any need for rewriting and must also be able to adapt to the multiple possibilities that musical writing allows.

Another object is to provide a simple device for use, both for the beginner and for the experienced professional, which is autonomous and compact and interconnectable with other similar devices or using a standardized communication standard.

These aims are achieved, in accordance with the invention, by a device for entering the logical functions of a musical structure and visualizing the musical time of any partition, characterized in that it comprises, independently of any musical instrument, a microprocessor processing unit, at least a random access memory, at least one read only memory and at least one input / output interface arranged in a housing having a front face on which a music console is arranged command, a control screen and a display screen consisting of a network of light signals, the displacement of each of these signals being effected as a function of the flow of musical time defined according to the logical functions of the musical structure previously entered at control desk and in correspondence with the notes of the score.

Advantageously, the device also includes an autonomous power supply.

According to a particular embodiment, the light signals are light-emitting diodes and, the partition being placed just above the display screen, the visualization of the musical time is carried out by transparency.

According to another particular embodiment, the light signals are elementary points of a transparent liquid crystal screen and, the visualization of the musical time is carried out on this screen, the score placed just below being visible by transparency.

According to yet another particular embodiment, the light signals are points of light obtained by illumination of a transparent liquid crystal screen by a light source and focusing by an optic, the screen being switched off, except in the area defining the point of light and, the score being placed on the front face of the case, the visualization of the musical time is carried out by projection of this area of the screen on the score. The control screen is an alphanumeric character signaling screen.

The control console includes function keys for entering the musical structure and movement keys for moving the light signals on the score. Preferably, the function keys include at least one key for entering the start and end of measurement, a key for entering repeat bars, a key for entering the costing of the measurement, a key for entering measurement jumps, a key for validating inputs, a key for canceling inputs, a key for entering dacapo, a key for entering signs and a key for entering the end of the song.

Likewise, the movement keys further comprise at least one key for moving the cursor of the control screen and at least one key for scrolling the indications appearing on this screen. In addition, the device comprises a pedal intended for the momentary interruption of the display of musical time and for its restarting.

According to one characteristic, the interface generates control signals for the display screen, the control screen and an audio output, and receives status signals from the control console.

The device includes an interface for generating synchronization signals for external devices connected to the device by three link connectors and the audio output is a loudspeaker or headphones for the auditory perception of musical times.

Other characteristics and advantages will emerge more clearly from the following description, given by way of nonlimiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - Figure 1 shows an overview of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram detailing the essential elements of the device of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows the control elements of the display screen,

FIG. 4 represents the MIDI interface,

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the microprocessor processing unit and its associated elements,

FIG. 6 represents the power supply of the device,

FIG. 7 shows the interface of the audio output,

FIG. 8 represents the console interface, FIG. 9 is an overall view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention,

FIG. 9a is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 9, FIG. 10 is an overall view of a third embodiment of the device according to the invention,

FIG. 10a is a cutaway view of part of the device of FIG. 10,

FIG. 11 shows the general functional organization of the software,

FIG. 12 details the program for reading the scores,

FIG. 13 shows subroutines of the program of FIG. 12, FIG. 14 details the program relating to the passage of time,

FIG. 15 is an example of a standard partition,

FIGS. 16 to 19 describe the different steps for entering and reading the partition of FIG. 15, FIG. 20 shows the organization of the data transfers, and

- Figure 21 shows the organization of the erasure of outdated musical structures.

Figures 1 to 8 illustrate a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows an overall view of a device for capturing the musical structure and for viewing the musical time on a score in the context of this first embodiment. The device 10 designed to present a small footprint with in particular a very small thickness which may be of the order of a pocket calculator, is in the form of a tablet, forming a case 11 having a main front face 12 delimited by a ledge 13. The main front face 12 contains a set of keys 14 to 26 constituting a control desk or input keyboard 27 distributed in a first series of function keys 14 to 22 and a second series of keys 23 to 26 displacement. A control screen 28 intended to cooperate with these different keys is arranged as close as possible to these. The main front face 12 also contains, above these keys 14 to 26 and of this control screen 28, a display assembly 29 composed of several light signals 30 arranged at the intersection of each column and each line of a network. whose external dimension is that of a partition in A4 format (210 x 297 mm) and whose very tight meshes are simply limited by the dimensions of the light signals 30. Thus for example, with the use of miniature light-emitting diodes, there it is possible to form an array of approximately 100 x 150, or 15,000 diodes. However, it can be noted, as the example of use described further on will show, that a series of 546 diodes distributed in 14 columns and 39 lines already allows very good use of the device. For clarification of the description, the first embodiment will only have 16 diodes per row distributed in 12 columns. An audio output 31 delivering a sound signal, a set of MIDI connections 32 (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) for synchronization with other devices, a pedal input 39 and an input 118 for external power supply are also available on this tablet 11.

FIG. 2 represents a functional block diagram of the essential elements constituting the device. This is organized around a microprocessor processing unit 100 and a programmable logic circuit 101 to which are connected a random access memory circuit 102 and a read only memory circuit 103. These four fundamental elements, which will be described in more detail with regard to FIG. 5, ensure the proper functioning and sequencing of the device and manage the addressing of the input / output elements appearing at the level of the tablet 11, that is to say the input keyboard 27, the control screen 28, the display screen 29 and its interface 33, the audio output 31, the MIDI connections 32 and their interface 34. A clock 110 allows the synchronization of the transfer of information between these different elements and a 115 power supply provides energy necessary for the proper functioning of the entire device. Advantageously, this supply is autonomous in order to allow the device to be used in all circumstances. In addition, a pedal 39 advantageously replaces certain keys on the keyboard to allow a momentary interruption of the game then its restart, thus leaving the hands free to the performer.

The control screen 28 is a screen for signaling alphanumeric characters, advantageously a liquid crystal screen whose highly advanced functions will make it possible to simplify its control by the microprocessor 100. This screen 28 displays messages for the user according to the keys 14 to 26 actuated at the desk 27, which messages guide it to define in particular the logical functions of the musical structure of the score that it wishes to perform. The display screen 29, which comprises the network of diodes 30, is the main part of the device, it is indeed these diodes which make it possible to position a light point on the score and thus to visualize the flow of musical time.

FIG. 3 shows in more detail the various control elements of the diodes 30 constituting the interface 33 of the display screen 29.

The wiring of the diodes is matrix. The diodes of the same line 290 have their anode connected together and the cathodes of the diodes of a column 291 are connected together. The lighting of a diode is done by putting a high voltage level on the desired line and a low level on the desired column.

The extinction of the whole of the matrix can be obtained only by request of lighting of a nonexistent diode which will have the effect of extinguishing the diode previously lit. It is possible to adjust the light intensity by controlling the current generator, this control being accessible to the user.

Two address decoders 293 and 294 used to select the row and the column respectively and which cannot let the necessary current pass through require the use of transistors 295a to 2951 and 296a to 296p as switches.

Line addresses 297a to 297d and column addresses 298a to 298d (it was assumed that the screen had 12 rows and 16 columns) will be supplied by the programmable logic circuit 101.

FIG. 4 represents the interface 34 of the MIDI links 32. This has three sockets, one the IN 320 input receives the data from the outside and makes it possible to slave the device to other similar devices, to a computer, to a sequencer or more simply to load its RAM 102. Another outlet is the output OUT 321 which allows synchronization of an external element with the device, it can be an analog device, but also a computer or a sequencer. This output can also be used to save the memory of the device. Finally, a final socket, the THRU 322 output, is a "passage" socket which is a copy of the IN 320 input by the device which it can then direct to an external device.

It should be noted that the MIDI network being a network mounted in a current loop, it is important to galvanically isolate the input IN 320 of the device, an output 323 of the microprocessor processing unit 100, by an optocoupler 324. The outputs OUT and THRU emit a signal 325 taken at the output of the microprocessor and amplified each by two inverters, respectively 326 and 327.

The central element of the device according to the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The inputs / outputs which have been mentioned previously will be referenced in the same way. The keyboard interface 35 and the audio interface 36 which are produced by the programmable logic circuit 101 will be described further with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

The microprocessor processing unit 100 is a microcontroller provided with an operating program which is particularly suitable for such a device by its numerous inputs / outputs, it has four I / O ports, but also by its own internal clock.

In the particular embodiment used, it is an 8-bit microcontroller having an addressable space of 128 kilobytes of memory. At the I / O level, two 8-bit parallel ports 105 and

106 (one for low addresses and the other for high addresses) are used for addressing the random access memory 102 and the read-only memory 103. One of them 105 also serves as a data bus ( Multiplexing). Another parallel port 107 makes it possible to receive or transmit peripheral control bits (high-pitched sound, low-pitched sound, lighting of a diode, sending of information on the liquid crystal screen, indication of the pressing of a key, resetting the stored keyboard states to zero). Finally, a last port will be reconfigured into serial port 108 in order to be able to transmit 325 and receive 323 MIDI messages.

Different service signals RB, WR and PSEN make it possible to carry out writes or readings at the level of the logic circuit 101 or to select the memories 102 or 103. The programmable logic circuit 101 groups together on a same circuit all the logic interface of the device and a therefore several particular roles.

Firstly, because of the specific characteristics of the microcontroller 100, it is up to it to manage the address bus and the data bus made up of ports 105 and 107 of the microcontroller 100. Indeed, port 105 is used during the same microcontroller cycle, as an output from the address bus carrying the least significant of these (A0 to A7), but also as a data bus, the memory circuits distinguishing between addresses and data at the level of the pinout. Then, this logical interface 101 must allow communication between the microcontroller 100 and the various peripherals. These peripheries (diode array 29, control screen 28) not being controlled in the same way, the interface makes their control homogeneous with respect to the microcontroller 100.

In addition to its role of managing the address and data buses, the interface 101 selects the random access memory 102 and read only memory 103 and the selection of the peripherals which will be considered as a single access random access memory (read or write according to address requested).

The distinction between RAM 102 and memory dead 103 is done at the level of the signals RB, WR and PSEN and the distinction between random access memory 102 and the peripheral at the level of the most significant bit of the address bus 106.

The microcontroller 100 uses the logic interface 101 to control the following peripherals: display screen 29; control desk 27; liquid crystal display 28; audio output 31.

Some require data and validation signals to accept this data while others provide data and signals.

Thus, for the display screen 29, the microcontroller 100 first sends the coordinates of the diode to be lit then a validation edge. The interface 101 stores the coordinates in flip-flops (not shown). These flip-flops are accessed by two addresses which are decoded by this interface. This puts them at the disposal 297, 298 of the display screen 29 when it receives the validation signal.

For the control console 27, pressing a key will, after coding of the key pressed by the interface 101, cause the emission of a status signal 270 which will be made available to the microcontroller 100 on port 107 of it. When the latter has read the data, it will acknowledge its reading by resetting the flip-flops by the display signal 281. Each key pressed will have its own code, as well as the simultaneous pressing of two precise keys or the action of the pedal external 39 of momentary interruption of the game or restart or continuation of the game (see FIG. 7, the delivery of the status signal 271).

The control screen 28 requires several pieces of information with two signals which are used to determine the operating mode (command or write) and 8 bits of data which carry the information, whether it is a command or a character to be written. It also needs a validation signal which will be supplied directly by the microcontroller 100. The signals and data will be stored in flip-flops (not shown) by the interface 101 so as to be permanently available 280 of the screen. These flip-flops are accessed by two addresses which are decoded by the interface 101.

For the audio output 31, the interface 101 continuously manufactures the two necessary frequencies (LA 440 Hz and LA 880 Hz) for the sound tops and for the tuning fork from the device's clock 110. The emission 318 of one of these frequencies on the amplifier amplifier of the loudspeaker is determined by two level type signals sent by the microcontroller 100, one to transmit the high frequency (LA 880 Hz) and the other to the low frequency (LA 440 Hz).

The circuit 101 is programmable, but the latter having to load its configuration at each power-up, this must be saved in a read-only memory 103 which, being programmable and erasable, will subsequently allow the improvement of the logical structure without radical transformation of the circuits of the device. This memory 103 which is of a standard type, for example an EPR0M 27512 from INTEL, will also contain the device management program. It receives service signals ÔË and CE, the data bus 105 and the address bus broken down into high addresses 106 and low addresses 107, the latter coming from the interface 101 and not from the microcontroller 100 due to data multiplexing. / addresses of this circuit.

Finally, the device also comprises a random access memory 102 connected like the previous one to the data buses 105 and of addresses 106 and 107 and also comprising service signals Cs, OË, WË. This memory 102 which is the working memory of the device contains the musical structure of the different partitions that the performer wishes to play. It is a standard memory, for example a RAM 51256 from INTEL. To allow autonomous use of the device, without recourse to an external energy source, the power supply 115, illustrated in FIG. 6, will include a set of batteries 116 intended to supplement this external energy source. The power supply 115 includes a regulator 117, provided with a radiator, for reducing and regulating the voltage coming from the batteries 116 or from the output of a transformer 118, external to the device, powered by the alternative network. The battery-transformer switching is done automatically by two diodes 119, a bipolar switch 120 making it possible to completely cut off this supply. The device may also include a set of lithium batteries (not shown) to ensure the storage of its memories in the event of this autonomous power supply 115 being cut off.

The interface 36 of the audio output 31 will now be described with reference to FIG. 7. This audio output 31 is used to indicate the sound tops of the tempo from two frequencies 310, 311, LA 440 Hz and LA 880 Hz. The LA 880 Hz will indicate the first beat of the measure, the others will be indicated by the LA 440 Hz which will also be used as a tuning fork for tuning the instruments.

The two frequencies LA 440 Hz and LA 880 Hz are created from the clock 110 of the device which delivers the high frequency signal 312 to the logic interface 101 which will then generate the control signal 318 for a loudspeaker or a headphones.

A first divider 313 makes it possible to obtain the frequency of 880 Hz and a second divider 314 (divider by 2) the frequency of 440 Hz, which frequencies constitute the inputs of a multiplexer 315 controlled by two signals 316 and 317 coming from the microcontroller 100. The duration of the level of these signals controls the duration of the sound signal emitted by the loudspeaker 318. This duration as before the brightness of the display screen can be adjusted by the user.

FIG. 8 specifies the keyboard interface 35. This, like the audio interface 36, is produced at the level of the programmable logic circuit 101 which receives the status signals 270 from the various keys 14 to 26 of the keyboard and the status signal 271 of the pedal-switch 39. The coding of the key or pedal depressed is carried out by the decoder 272 which transmits on port 107 the code corresponding to the destination of the microcontroller 100. The action on a given key is memorized by a series of flip-flops 273a to 273n of the RS type for example, whose reset 274 is carried out from the microcontroller 100 after the latter has read the code of the key pressed. The action of two keys particular which can for example be two of the displacement keys 23 to 26 will cause the emission of a particular code which will allow the illumination of several diodes (at the level for example of the first and the last measurement and of an intermediate measurement ) to allow and facilitate correct positioning of the partition before execution. The fixing of this partition can be carried out for example by means of a magnet.

FIGS. 9 and 9a illustrate a second embodiment of the invention in which the display screen 29 is no longer constituted by an array of diodes 30, but more simply by a liquid crystal screen 35 integrated in a box 36. The other elements remaining identical will not be detailed again. The frame 36 of the liquid crystal screen 35 is mounted on hinges 37, which allows the screen to pivot to place the partition below. By the current definition of liquid crystal screens which can exceed 4000 points per square centimeter, such an embodiment allows a particularly simple adaptation to any type of partition. The light signal, an LED in the first embodiment, will in this case be materialized by the illumination of determined liquid crystals 38 whose movement will display the passage of time. The various electronic elements defined above are identical except for the display interface which, in this embodiment, is internal to the programmable logic circuit 101 which delivers directly, from the musical structure data programmed in the random access memory 102 , the control signals for the liquid crystal display 35.

FIG. 9a shows more specifically a dirty cross-section of the device of FIG. 9. All of the electronic circuits, interfaces, memories and microcontroller are arranged on a printed circuit plate 50 which is secured to the bottom 51 of the housing 11 by two sets of screw-nuts 52. A connector, for example the audio connector 31, is advantageously disposed on one of the sides of this case 11. Connections 53 and 54 allow the connections between the connector shown and the display screen respectively. liquid crystals 35 (of course, there are identical connections for the other connectors not shown). The pivoting of the screen 35 reveals the installation plane of the partition 55, the latter being held by the edges 36 of this screen when the latter is closed. The location of the connector shown is obviously not limiting and it may be advantageous to place it, for example on top of the case 11.

FIGS. 10 and 10a illustrate a third embodiment of the invention in which the display of the passage of time is obtained by projection, on the main front face 12 of the device on which the partition held for example rests by means of magnets, the developed light signal 40, through a manually adjustable focal lens 41, from a light source 42 illuminating a transparent liquid crystal screen 43. This screen 43 will be controlled as in the operating mode. previous realization directly by the programmable logic interface 101 which will control the blackening of the screen, except in the zone corresponding to the light signal to be projected on the partition. The liquid crystal screen 43, the light source 42 and the adjustable focal length optics 41 are contained in an optical assembly 44, the constituent elements of which have been detailed with reference to FIG. 10a which is a schematic exploded view of this assembly optic ce, connected to the tablet-shaped box 11 by an arm 45. The articulated arm allows the optical assembly 44 to be placed at a variable height from the tablet 11 and therefore from the partition placed on its main face 12.

If we again consider Figure 1, we see that the device has 9 function keys and 4 displacement keys. The function keys 14 to 22 are used to define the musical structure of the song to be performed. The deciphering of a partition supposes the preliminary knowledge of its musical structure which rests on a certain number of logical functions, rules and parameters, that are the measure, the resumption or the return, the capo, the signs, the jump of measure and the rhythm indicator figures: - measure:

The measure organizes musical notation into cells comprising a number of rhythmic units preset by means of an indicator figure. It has a beginning and an end materialized by the bars which limit on the staff a space corresponding to a certain duration. These bars divide the staff into equal parts of time, not space. As a result, the measurements can be of different dimensions. Thus, a measure can be of the same duration as the previous or the next, but occupies much more space because it will contain more notes. The measure is also characterized by its physical location in the score.

- Resumption or return:

It is a musical code which makes it possible to create unconditional loopings. It is made up of a beginning mark and an end mark. It plays out like this: when we meet for the first time a mark of the start of recovery, we know that we will come back to this measurement later. When an end of recovery mark is encountered for the first time, you must go back to the loop point. To find this, we read the score backwards until we find a start of recovery mark on which we have never returned. When we found it we resume the game at this place.

- The capo:

It is, associated with the dacapo, a conditional loop functioning in the same way as the recovery but with differences. So the loop point is unique, it is the capo, while the places where we start the loop, the dacapo, are multiple but can only be executed once. In addition, additional information is given by the dacapo, it is the sign associated with it, branch to take in the continuation of the game or the end of the song.

- The sign :

It is a special sign which is found twice on the score. It signals a fork. The sign placed at the end of the measure is the starting point, and therefore, the one placed at the beginning of the measure, is the end point, the execution is done as follows: if we have encountered a dacapo signaling this sign as being the branched- ment to be taken later, the meeting with the sign marking the end of the measurement will cause the search towards the end of the partition of the corresponding sign placed, him, at the beginning of the measurement. This is where we will resume play. If there is no capo and dacapo, the signs are ignored.

- The end :

It is a mark that signals the end of a song. If there is no capo or dacapo, meeting it stops the reading, otherwise, we play until a dacapo signals that we must now take it into account.

- The measurement jump:

It is a number that allows you to play, in association with a recovery structure, different sequences of measures. This is played by increasing number. So, if we played the number n-1 and if we find an end of recovery, we execute it and, when we meet a number, we search near the end of the score for the number n and we play it so on.

A measurement jump is generally associated with a resumption sign, and even with a dacapo. - The rhythm indicator or signature:

It gives information on how a measurement is organized in time. That is to say the number of beats or beats it comprises, as well as the note which corresponds to a beat (black, white, eighth note or other). Time being the basic unit given by the tempo which is the number of time units per minute. Thus, a tempo of 120 will give a beat every 0.5 s.

Each of these classical notions corresponds to a function key. Key 14 corresponds to the measurement and allows the determination of the start of the first beat and the start of the last beat of the measurement. Key 15 corresponds to the restart, key 16 to the rhythm indicator digit and key 17 to the measurement jump. The key 18 is a validation key which makes it possible to validate a previously performed function and the key 19 a correction / cancellation key. The key 20 corresponding to the dacapo, the key 21 to the sign and the key 22 to the particular sign link from END. It can be noted that the pedal 39 plays both the validation button and the cancel button.

Besides these classical notions, the exercise of different types of music requires the knowledge of more advanced notions notably used in jazz music. It is about the duplication which consists in indicating only one time out of two or three beats according to the type of measure (very useful in the event of fast play) or even afterbeat which consists in the accentuation of times weak, the second beat or the second and fourth beat depending here again on the type of measurement (3 or 4 beats).

The action of the function keys 14 to 22 combined with those of the movement keys 23 to 26 will therefore make it possible to define the musical structure corresponding to the score to be played. This definition of the musical structure will be facilitated by the four movement keys 23 to 26. The keys 24 and 26 allow the movement of the light point and the keys 23 and 25 the unwinding of information on the control screen (28) , which information will facilitate the definition of this structure and provide information on a possible inconsistency in the entry (such as: endless start of measurement, jump or repeat at a nonexistent number, jump or sign already used, end of game not present , decapo without capo or without sign, non continuous measurement jumps etc.). It can be noted that this entry supposes a prior decryption of the partition, which is particularly profitable for the beginner performer who will thus practice the instrument better.

The musical structure thus known of the device, it will be able to visualize the flow of musical time by illuminating a precise point of the score corresponding to the note or notes to be played. This luminous point which will be materialized by an LED or an elementary point of a liquid crystal screen will move at the rhythm of the musical time by following the musical structure previously entered at the control console. Thus, he can go back or skip measures. Ultimately, this device will allow the performer to acquire a total mastery of his instrument whether he plays it alone or with others, the synchronization of many devices between them (via MIDI connections), for example making it possible to define a time convention between different musicians and at the same time to simplify the coordination work of the conductor.

FIG. 11 shows the general functional organization of the software used in the various previous devices. After an initialization phase 500, at least one of the following programs, each corresponding to a different operating mode, is implemented:

- the reading program 501 which allows the execution of a piece begins with the choice of a piece 502 then continues with the choice of the playing of the set 503 or simply of a part 504 of this piece, then defined by its first 505 and its last measure 506. Finally, the different parameters of the game can be modified: the time 507, the repetition of the song 508, the taking into account of information from the MIDI network 509, the afterbeat 510, the duplication 511, the definition of the chord note (LA 440 Hz for example) 512, the launching 513 or the stopping of the reading 514.

- The input program 515 which allows the programming of the musical structure requires, as previously, the choice of a song 502 and then the input of this structure as the light point 516 moves. After entering the start of a measurement 517 and indicating the parameters corresponding to this start of measurement such as an indicator number 518, an indication of resumption 519, a jump 520, a sign 521 or a dacapo 522, the displacement is again carried out from the light point 516 to come and place it at the end of this measurement 523 and at the same time indicate the parameters which correspond to it such as a repeat 524, a sign 521, an end of the piece 525 or a dacapo with the specific sign FIN 526.

At any time, or when an error is signaled on the control screen 28, it is possible to make corrections 527 of the preceding parameters: indicator number, sign, repeat, jump, dacapo for the measurement then entered or another measure 528. - the modification program 529 which requires the choice of the piece 502 which one wishes to correct, then for each measure 528 to be modified, the indication of the parameters to be removed, or added: indicator number, resumption, jump, sign or dacapo. the data transfer program 530 which makes it possible either to save the musical structures of the partitions entered 531 or to load from external organs 532 structures defined for example at the level of other devices.

- The erasing program 533 which allows the deletion of a song after having indicated the reference 502.

The flow diagram of FIGS. 12 and 13 shows in more detail the program for reading the score in which the search for the next measure is made, which is a significant difficulty given the large number of possible musical structures.

First of all, it is necessary to come to place on the first measure to play 540 and then to play the introduction 541. uThis consists of two measures, on which the musician will be able to judge the time of the score, which at the start of the score or, if it is a partial performance, two measures before the first measure chosen for the part of the song to be executed. Then, as long as the end of the piece to be played is not identified 542 and therefore the reading finished 543, the process of the analyzed measure 544 is played, then the search for the next measure 545 and then the reading of this new measure 546. The search for the next measure 545 consists in analyzing the codes associated with a given measure and in executing them.

Thus, after reading a first code 547, as long as a measurement start code is not detected 548, this detection triggering the reading of measurement 546, the following operations are carried out depending on the nature of the code encountered: - the code is a recovery not already made 549, it is counted down (see Figure 13), the number of passages associated with this recovery 550 then sought the start associated with it 551 and, if all the jumps have been made 552, the resets located in the resumption during 553 are reset. - the code is a dacapo not already made 554, this dacapo 555 is marked to indicate that it is running then it is returned to capo 556. The entire partition is then reset 557 (especially the jumps and repeats are renumbered in ascending order) from the dacapo at the end of the score. The sign associated with the dacapo to be played later is also memorized 558.

- the code is an expected sign 559, then this sign 560 is skipped. - the code is an end of a piece or an end of a previously defined part of a piece 561, then the procedure for stopping the reading 543.

After the execution of each of these operations, it is returned to the natural continuation of the search program which ends with the reading of the following code 562 which, if it turns out to be the start code, will complete this phase of search for the following measurement 545.

FIG. 14 gives a particular flow diagram relating to the display of the passage of time. Here again, this is a very important element since the device can be used with any partitions on paper. Also, in particular in the case of the first embodiment, it may be necessary to flash an LED (beat) to indicate the times when, the measurement being small, the number of diodes is insufficient to indicate all the times. It should be noted that this problem no longer arises if the number of diodes is high (see for example the example of entering a partition given earlier) or if it is used in the second and third embodiments of the invention in which these LEDs are replaced by the elementary points of a liquid crystal screen. Conversely, it is possible that it is the number of diodes which is greater than the times required.

The first step is to check the afterbeat and the 570 split then, if the number of diodes is greater than the number of beats to be displayed 571, the number of diodes used per beat 572 is calculated and for all beats 573 an acute beep is delivered at the first beat 574 and a severe beep at other times 575. Then, if the afterbeat or the doubling is activated 576, the diode is lit 577 (lighting of the weak times for the afterbeat and the times strong for duplication) then the new position to be lit is calculated 578. On the contrary, if the number of beats to be displayed is greater than the number of diodes to be lit 571, the number of beats per diode 579 is calculated and for all the diodes 580 before the calculation of the new position to light 581 and that for all the beats 582 an acute beep is delivered for the first time 583 and a serious beep for the other times 584 and, then, if the after¬ beat or the doubling is activated 585, the diode concerned is then lit 586. A step 587 ends the process at the end of the calculation. A description will now be given, with reference to FIGS. 16 to 19, of an example of the use of the device according to the invention for capturing the musical structure of a model score written on preprinted music paper, given by way of example, and illustrated in Figure 15. This partition 600 is written on 3 staves 601 and has 12 measures 602 to 613 of variable length. For explanatory purposes, this model 600 partition has all the parameters mentioned above and the values entered there are very variable: round, white, black, eighth note, sixteenth note, etc. The sharp and flat changes are also shown.

After switching on the device, the control screen 28 displays the following indication 1000 on two lines: MUSIC POINTER (first line), PLAY (second line). After power-up, the device will therefore be positioned by default in the partition reading mode. Switching to the other four modes will be done by pressing the up 23 or down 25 movement key, the messages being completed. A first action validates the data transfer mode and a second action the program mode (a third action would have validated the erasing mode, a fourth the modification mode and a fifth again the reading mode), the screen then displays the following indication 1001: MUSIC POINTER (1st line), PROGRAM (2nd line). Pressing the validation key 18 gives access to this particular mode and displays the indication 1002: PROGRAM (first line), NAME: (2nd line). At this time, the program is waiting for the entry of a name which will reference the song which will then be entered. The control screen 28 is chosen with 2 lines of 16 characters and it is possible to give names comprising at most 7 characters, each character being able to be taken from the letters of the alphabet and the numbers from 0 to 9. First of all inscription, a first cursor 1003 is positioned on the first location to be registered. The action of the down 25 or up 23 movement keys makes it possible to scroll through the multiple possible characters and therefore to be able to indicate the desired name. In this demonstrative example, the name chosen is DEMO. After writing the first letter, pressing the right arrow key 24 positions the cursor under the second letter, or number to be written. Successively, the indications 1004, 1005, 1006 and 1007 will show the letters D, DE, DEM and finally DEMO after the second line of the control screen 28. A new action on the validation key will give the indication 1007 following: PR0G: DEMO (1st line), DEBUT MORCEAU (2nd line).

The partition 600 having been previously correctly positioned on the main front face 12, the various LEDs 30 are found arranged below each staff and in the example cited, there are 39 per line.

Only the LEDs immediately below the written staves 601 of the score will be affected by the definition of the musical structure of the model song. At the start, only the first LED is lit indicating the position of the cursor on the display screen 29. In order to start defining the structure, the cursor is moved 5 steps to the right by the button 24 to move to the below and to the right of the first measurement bar 615. Pressing the measurement button 14 then validates the start of the measurement, and the indication 1008 appears: OPEN MEASUREMENT (1st line), IND: (second line) requesting the encryption of the measurement. It is both the quantity (from 1 to 9) and the nature of the value taken as a reference, the ten reference values being as follows: round dotted, round, white dotted, white, black dotted, black, eighth note dotted , eighth note, pointed eighth note, sixteenth note. The action on the indicator digit key 16 followed by that of the downward displacement keys 25, a first time to display the digit

4, a second time, after having previously moved the cursor to the right by the key 24, to bring up the characters BLACK among the ten reference values, makes it possible to enter, for the example cited, four quarter notes, indication 616 corresponding to the 4/4 symbol, worn on the score in front of the first measure. The control screen 28 successively displays 1009 IND: 4 and 1010 IND: 4 BLACK on its second line.

The other symbols present at this start of measurement 615 are then entered into the device: resumption 617 by pressing key 15, movement of the cursor by key 24 and indication of the resumption number, here 1, by sequence of numbers with key 25, it is then displayed 1011: OPEN MEASUREMENT (1st line) RESUME START 1, then dacapo 618 by pressing key 20, the indication 1012 being: OPEN MEASUREMENT (1st line) dacapo ).

These symbols at the start of the measurement being validated, the cursor of the display screen 29 will be moved to the end of the measurement.

619 by moving 9 steps to the right by the key 24 to come to place in front of this end of measurement the last note 620 of this first measurement 602. Pressing the measurement key 14 will validate this end of measurement and it will appear as 1013: MEASURE CLOSED. The cursor is again moved 7 steps to the right to fix itself to the right and below this end of measurement 619 which also constitutes the start of the second measurement

603. Pressing the measurement key 14 again displays 1014:

MEASUREMENT OPEN, then since there is no particular symbol attached to this start of measurement, the cursor is moved to the end of measurement 621, action on key 14 showing 1015: MEASURE CLOSED. A second action on the designated key 21 makes it possible to validate the sign symbol 622 which will be referenced as 1 by action on the key 25 which then allows the digits 0 to 9 to run, the display on the second line of the screen of control 28 then being: SIGN N 1.

To define the next measurement 604, a movement of 2 steps makes it possible to come to the right of the end of measurement 621, the action on key 14 indicating 1016: MEASURE OPEN and, after a new movement of 9 steps, to come at the level of the last note 623 of this measurement before the end of measurement 624, will result in the indication 1017: MEASUREMENT CLOSED, after a new action on key 14. Thus the validation of this measurement 604 and that of the first staff of the model score. It has been observed the simple and repetitive handling of the keyboard 27, the messages appearing on the control screen making it possible to perfectly follow the progress of the validation process. The action of a function key causes the display of the corresponding message and, when a letter or a number must be displayed, the action on the movement keys gives access to a scrolling alphabet which then makes it possible to register the desired characters. It has also been noted that the opening of a measurement is done by positioning the cursor at the location of the start of the first measurement time and the closing by positioning it at the location of the start of the last measurement time. Thus, the process validation of a measurement can be described as follows: positioning of the cursor under the first note to the right of the start of measurement, validation of this start of measurement, display of the indication OPEN MEASUREMENT, possible entry of a first symbol taken from the various possible symbols, display of the OPEN MEASUREMENT indication with a second line containing the selected symbol, possible entry of another symbol followed by the corresponding display, movement of the cursor to the left of the end of measurement under the last note, validation of this end of measurement, display of the indication: MEASURE CLOSED, possible entry of a symbol taken from the different possible symbols and corresponding display on the second line of the control screen, then another possible entry of another symbol with corresponding display.

In the description of the entry of the other two scopes

601 of the model partition 600, the display of the two lines of the control screen 27 will be represented on a single line, separating the inscriptions with a diagonal bar. Likewise, the placement of the cursor to the right or left of a start or end of a measurement will not be repeated. Similarly, when the device waits for the entry of a character, it will not be further specified that the action on a vertical displacement key 23 or 25 causes the digits to run from 1 to 9 unless this action does not allows greater or different handling.

To enter the following measurements, the following steps are followed: For measurement 605, move the cursor by two lines (1 staff being unused and we will assume a number of LED lines equal to the number of staffs) down and return to the left of the partition (keys 25 and 26) to the right of the start of measurement 625 (identical to the end of measurement 624) press key 14 to confirm the start of measurement 605 display 1018 MEASURE OPEN press key 17 to validate a measurement jump 626 (first jump) then press the displacement key 25 display 1018 MEASURE OPEN / JUMP or move 1 step, press key 14 to confirm the end of measurement 605 display 1019 MEASURE CLOSED action on key 22 to validate the end of the song 627 display 1019 MEASURE CLOSED / END OF SONG action on key 15 to validate the end of recovery 628 then press the displacement key 25 display 1020 MESU RE CLOSE / RESUME NI For measurement 606, movement of 2 steps action on key 14 to validate the start of measurement 628 display 1021 MEASUREMENT OPEN action on key 17 to validate a measurement jump 629 (second jump) then action on the displacement key 25, the numbers scrolling from to 99 display 1021 MEASURE OPEN / JUMP N2 movement of 8 steps, action on key 14 to validate the end of the measurement 630 display 1022 MEASURE CLOSED

For measurement 607, movement of 5 steps action on key 14 to validate the start of measurement 630 display 1023 OPEN MEASUREMENT action on key 15 to validate start of recovery 631 and action on displacement key 25 display 1023 MEASURE OPEN / RESUME BEGINNING 1 action on the encryption key 16 for validation of the number 632 corresponding to a reference of 3 BLACK, successive action on the movement keys 24, 25, 24, 25, the action of the last key leaving the choice between the ten previously defined reference values successive display 1024 MEASURE OPEN: IND, 1025 MEASURE

OPEN: IND 3, 1026 MEASURE OPEN: BLACK IND 3 movement of 2 steps, press key 14 to validate the end of measurement 633 display 1027: MEASURE CLOSED

For measurement 608, movement of 2 steps action on key 14 to validate the start of measurement 633 display 1028 OPEN MEASUREMENT movement of 2 steps action on key 14 to validate the end of measurement 634 display 1029 MEASURE CLOSED

For measurement 609, movement of 2 steps action on key 14 to validate the start of measurement 634 display 1030 MEASURE OPEN movement of 7 steps action on key 14 to validate end of measurement 635 display 1031 MEASURE CLOSED For measurement 610 , movement of 3 steps action on key 14 to validate start of measurement 635 display 1032 OPEN MEASUREMENT action on the key 17 for validation of a jump 636 then action on the movement key 25, the numbers taking place from 1 to 99 (we find the first jump encountered) display 1032 MEASURE OPEN / JUMP or movement of 2 no action on key 14 for validation of end of measurement 637 display 1033 MEASURE CLOSED action on key 15 for validation of end of recovery 638 and action on movement key 25 display 1033 MEASURE CLOSED / REPEAT END NI

For measurement 611, displacement of two lines by key 25 and return to the left under the first note by key 24 action on key 14 to validate the start of measurement 639 (which is the same measurement as 637) display 1034 MEASUREMENT OPEN action on the key 17 to validate a jump 640 then action on the movement key 25, the numbers taking place from 1 to 99 (this is the second jump) display 1034 MEASURE OPEN / JUMP N2 action on the key of encryption 16 for validation of the digit 641 which again assigns a reference of 4 black to the measurements to be followed display 1035 MEASURE 0OPEN / IND action of the movement key 24, choice of the digit 4 by the key 25 display 1036 MEASURE 0OPEN / IND 4 action of the cursor displacement key 24, choice of the BLACK value among the ten possible by the action of the 25 key display 1037 MEASURE 0 OPEN / IND 4 BLACK displacement of 11 steps action on the key 14 for validation of end of measurement 642 aff ichage 1038 MEASUREMENT CLOSED action on the key 20 for validation of a symbol 643 of dacapo accompanied by its sign which will be validated by the action of the key

24 then the key 25 which allows the choice between the two branches- elements END and SIGN, the choice of the second authorizing after a new press on the key a number of signs from 1 to 9 display 1038 MEASURE CLOSED / DC AL SIGN NI

For measurement 612, displacement of 13 steps action on the key 14 for validation of the start of the measurement 644 display 1039 MEASUREMENT OPEN action on the key 21 for validation of a sign 645 identical to that referenced 622, the first constituting the start sign , the second the sign arrived, then action on the displacement key 25 to indicate the number of the sign from 1 to 9 display 1039 MEASURE OPEN / SIGN OR displacement of 4 steps action on the key 14 for validation of the end of measurement 646 display 1040 MEASURE CLOSED For measurement 613, movement of 3 steps action on key 14 to validate the start of measurement 646 display 1041 MEASURE OPEN movement of 2 steps action on key 14 to validate end of measurement 647 display 1042 MEASURE CLOSED action on the validation key 20 of a dacapo 648, the reference to the sign FIN appearing after a second action, on the movement key 25, which then gives the choice between END and SIGN display 1 042 CLOSED MEASUREMENT / DC AT END All of the previous steps made it possible to capture the musical structure of the score in Figure 15 which can now be played.

An action on the validation key 18 closes the entry and, by giving access to the general program, displays the following indication 1043: MUSIC POINTER / PROGRAM, a new action on the movement key 25 allows the five operating modes to be scrolled down. choose the reading mode, it will be displayed

1044: MUSIC POINTER / LECTURE.

A new action on the validation key 18 will ensure validation, the display then being 1045: MUSIC

POINTER / READ: DEMO, the name displayed being the last entered and memorized by the device or the one previously used (in our example, only one partition having been entered, its name will reappear automatically on every reading). Another validation action and you are asked to choose between a total or partial execution of the partition: display 1046 READING: DEM0 /> T0UT or PARTIE.

The action of key 24 would cause the> sign to move before PARTIE validating this second possibility and would then require the designation of a measurement start as a start and a measurement end as the end. The cursor will move from the start of measure or start of measure until validation, using key 18 and from the end of measure at the end of measure until a new validation, thus defining the desired song. Then, the successive actions of the movement key 25 will bring up the playing conditions and the game parameters, each time pressing the movement keys 24 and 26 will allow you to choose between the different choices offered, but you can decide to launch execution at any time by pressing the validation key 18 or by pressing the pedal 39. First action of the display displacement key 1037 DEMO ALL / PLAY TEMPO 120 pressing the key 24 makes it possible to choose the tempo between 30 and 285 (here for example 120) second display movement action 1048 DEMO ALL / PLAY REP ON> 0FF pressing button 25 would cause the sign to move to ON allowing the song to be repeated third display action 1049 DEMO ALL / PLAY MIDI IN> OUT the action of key 25 would cause the sign to move in front of IN allowing synchronization with other devices fourth action display 1050 DEMO TOUT / PLAY AFTERBEAT fifth action display 1051 DEMO TOUT / PLAY DEDOUBLE the action of key 24 would cause the appearance of the sign> in front of AFTERBEAT or DEDOUBLE confirming one of the other of these game techniques last action of the movement key 25 display 1052 DEMO ALL / PLAY LA = 440 Hz the choice of this function causes the emission by the loudspeaker d 'A note LA 440 Hz to allow the tuning of the instruments.

The following action on key 18 causes the device to be launched, which begins by playing two measures to count the length of the first indicator digit, in our example, two measures defined when four times are entered, then it is the start of the DEMO program proper, the device alone deciding on the choice of light signals to display (other of course other than those at the start or end of measurement). For some, it can choose, as shown in Figure 15, to cause two 649 or three 650 beats of the same diode to better visualize the passage of time.

This example of use showed us the main functions of the device. Figure 20 will further show the data transfer function and Figure 21 the data erase function.

Returning to FIG. 20, we know that after switching on the action on the displacement keys 23 and 25 makes it possible to choose the desired operating mode. It is also possible by pressing the cancel button 19 to return at any time to the first indication 1000 from which the desired mode can be chosen. Thus, after an action on the key 25, the indication 1060 MUSIC POINTER / DATA TRANSFERT appears, an action on the validation key 18 will give access to the saving of the data of the device. The display will then give the indication 1061 DATA TRANSFER / MIDI SAVE, a new validation action 18 launching this backup. When this is completed, the message 1062 DATA TRANSFER / END SAVE is temporarily displayed. If, instead of the action on the key 18, the displacement key 23 is actuated, on the contrary, data from external organs is loaded and the message displayed 1063 is then DATA MIDI TRANSFER / LOADING. As before, the loading is performed on the action of the validation key 18 and a temporary message 1064 then appears at the end of the DATA TRANSFERT / FINCHARGEMENT loading. Before any validation, the action on the cancellation key 19 stops the transfer with the indication 1065 DATA TRANSFER / CANCEL.

FIG. 21 describes the erasing process which starts on the indication 1070 MUSIC POINTER / ERASING then, after pressing the validation key 18, requests the name of the musical structure to be erased. As for typing or reading, a choice is possible between thirty different names, the scroll keys 23 and 25 allowing the selection of the desired name, it is then displayed 1071 DELETE / NAME 1. An action on the validation key 18 prompts executing to validate this deletion, the indication 1072 then appearing ERASING 0 / N </ N0M 1.

The action on a displacement key 26 will move and reverse the sign <before the 0 validating this deletion and indicating 1073 DELETION> 0 / N / N0M 1. A cancellation remains possible whether the deletion has been requested by the action or not either of the validation key 18 (deletion not requested), or of the cancellation key 19 (deletion requested).

The device as described above and illustrated by an example of use is particularly effective both by the use of any type of partition authorized by its material organization, and by its ability to define the logical functions of the musical structures that allows its software organization.

Claims

1. Device for entering the logical functions of a musical structure and viewing the musical time of any partition, characterized in that it comprises, independently of any musical instrument, a processing unit with microprocessor ( 100), at least one random access memory (102), at least one read-only memory (103) and at least one input / output interface (101) arranged in a housing (11) having a front face (12) on which are arranged a control desk (27), a control screen (28) and a display screen (29, 35, 43) consisting of a network of light signals (30, 38, 40), the movement of each of these signals being made as a function of the flow of musical time defined according to the logical functions of the musical structure previously entered at the control desk and in correspondence with the notes of the score.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises an autonomous power supply (115).

3. Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the light signals are light-emitting diodes (30) and in that, the partition being placed just above the display screen (29) , the visualization of the muscle time is done by transparency.

4. Device according to claim 1 or claims 2, characterized in that the light signals are elementary points (38) of a transparent liquid crystal screen (35) and in that the visualization of musical time is carried out on this screen (35), the partition placed just below is visible by transparency.

5. Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the light signals are points of light (40) obtained by illumination of a transparent liquid crystal screen (43) by a light source (42) and focalization by an optical system (41), the screen (43) being switched off, except in the zone defining the point of light (40) and in that, the partition being placed on the front face (12) of the housing (11), the visualization of the musical time is carried out by projection of this area of the screen (43) on the score.

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the control screen (28) is a screen for signaling alphanumeric characters.

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the control console (27) comprises function keys (14 to 22) for the analysis of the musical structure and movement keys (23 â 26) for moving the light signals (30, 38, 40) on the partition.

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it further comprises a pedal (39) intended for the momentary interruption of the display of musical time and for its restarting.

9. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the function keys (14 to 22) comprise at least one key (14) for entering the start and end of measurement, a key (15) for entering the response bars, a key (16) for entering the measurement encryption, a key (17) for entering measurement jumps, a key (18) for validating inputs, a key (19) for canceling inputs, a key (20 ) for entering DA CAPO, a key (21) for entering signs and a key (22) for entering the end of the song.

10. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the movement keys (23 to 26) further comprise at least one key (24, 26) for moving the cursor of the control screen (28) and at least one key (23, 25) for scrolling the indications appearing on this screen (28).

11. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the interface (101) generates control signals for the display screen (29, 35, 43), the control screen (28) and an audio output (31), and receives status signals from the control console (27).

12. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises an interface (34) for the development of synchronization signals for external devices connected to the device by three connection connectors (32) to MIDI standards.

13. Device according to any one of the claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the audio output (31) is a loudspeaker or a headset for the auditory perception of musical times.