JP2007052420A - Luminance variable system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve utility and to expand the applications to various kinds of devices, such as game machines and musical instruments by enabling variable control of a light emission luminance after releasing of the depression of a translucent object according to the form of the depression. <P>SOLUTION: A movable object 39 is light transmittable, has elasticity and is made vertically movable due to the elastic deformation of a skirt part 44. When a head 42 is pushed down to turn on switches SW1, 2, a light emitting unit 46 emits light and the light is visually recognized through a body part 44 and the head 42. Afterglow control is performed according to the form (mode) of the set afterglow control. For example, the luminance level L after the switch SW is turned off is controlled according to a key on time IT etc. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a luminance variable device having a light emitter and capable of changing the luminance.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a light-emitting push button switch or a toy equipped with a light emitter is known as a device that emits light upon being pressed or hit.

  The conventional light emitting pushbutton switch is composed of, for example, a transparent operation unit, a switch unit provided below and a light emitting body such as an LED, etc. When the switch is pressed, the switch unit is turned on and the light emitting body emits light. The light can be visually recognized through a simple operation unit. Moreover, in the toy equipped with the conventional light emitter, a light emitter that senses vibration or the like is provided inside a character made of a translucent material, for example, and the light emitter emits light when the character is tapped. And it can be visually recognized from the outside.

On the other hand, there are devices such as game machines and musical instruments that can be enjoyed by pressing and striking. For example, a muffler game machine or the like may not only compete for scores by simply tapping a mole, but also may be more interesting by performing some kind of performance when tapping. Further, some electronic drums and the like are configured so that the timbre can be changed slightly depending on the position where the pad is struck and how it is struck.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-222859

  However, in the conventional toy equipped with the light emitting push button switch and the light emitter, the light emission mode is usually only a constant light emission or blinking. In addition, the conventional game game machine, electronic drum, and the like as described above are generally not known to emit light in response to an action such as hitting, and the light emission state changes finely.

  Therefore, for example, if a variety of light emission modes can be realized depending on how to beat in a muffler game machine, the performance range of the mora is widened and the fun is also increased. For an electronic drum or the like, for example, if the striking position of the pad surface can be confirmed by light emission, it is useful for practice.

  Thus, if there is a device that can emit light from a light emitter in response to an action such as hitting and change the light emission state, it can be applied to devices in various fields and is useful.

  The present invention has been made from the above viewpoint, and its purpose is to make it possible to variably control the light emission luminance after releasing the pressing of the transparent body according to the pressing mode, to improve usability, An object of the present invention is to provide a brightness variable device capable of expanding the application of various devices.

  In order to achieve the above object, a brightness varying device according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a light transmitting body that is capable of transmitting light and moves while being pressed, a switch portion that is turned on by pressing the light transmitting body, The light emitting means arranged at a position closer to the light transmitting body as the light transmitting body moves in the pressing direction, and when the switch section is turned on, the light emitting section starts to emit light and the switch section Control means for starting extinction of the light emitting means when turned off, and variably controlling the light emission luminance after the start of quenching of the light emitting means according to the on / off mode of the switch unit, The light is configured to be visually recognized through the light transmitting body.

  In this case, a plurality of translucent members may be provided and a common switch unit corresponding to these may be provided. For example, if an optical fiber is used so that light is branched and supplied to each light-transmitting body when one switch unit is turned on, light emission is simultaneously visually recognized through the plurality of light-transmitting bodies (third embodiment). Form). As a result, the impression of the sound can be transmitted even with light, and it can be an assist for a hearing-impaired person to experience the wonderfulness of live performance.

  Preferably, the on / off mode of the switch unit is at least one of on-velocity, gate time, and off-velocity of the switch unit.

  With this configuration, for example, when the afterglow brightness after the release of the press is controlled according to the on-velocity, gate time, or off-velocity of the switch unit, the afterglow time is longer and the press is longer. The longer the time, the longer the afterglow time, or the quicker the separation operation, the longer the afterglow time. Therefore, the light emission state can be changed according to the mode of the pressing operation.

  In addition to the afterglow, the maximum luminance may be changed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to variably control the light emission luminance after releasing the transmission of the translucent body according to the pressing mode, to improve the usefulness, and to expand the application of various devices such as gaming devices and musical instruments. .

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

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a configuration of a game machine main body provided with a brightness varying apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  The game machine main body 1 is a so-called muffled game machine, which is used for enjoying a mole 4 that occasionally appears from a plurality of holes 3 provided on the upper surface plate 2 with a hammer 5. The panel section 6 includes a score display section 6a for displaying scores and an illumination panel 6b for displaying various information and for decoration. A plurality of light emitting portions 7 are provided on the head 4 a of the mole 4. The plurality of light emitting units 7 are all configured in the same manner.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the light emitting unit 7 along the line II-II in FIG.

  The head 4a of the mole 4 is covered with an exterior portion 10 made of a sturdy material. A through hole 10 a is formed in the exterior part 10. The sheet portion 11 is made of a flexible transparent material such as vinyl and covers the outside of the exterior portion 10.

  On the upper surface of the switch substrate 8 (fixed portion), there is provided a light emitter 16 (light emitting means) that is composed of a fixed contact 17 and LEDs and emits light with a certain luminance. A resistor (not shown) is connected to the light emitter 16 in series, and the light emitter 16 and the resistor can be handled as a voltage controlled element. That is, due to the characteristics of the LED, the light emitter 16 emits light when a voltage of a predetermined voltage value (for example, 2 volts) or more is applied to a series circuit element formed in combination with a resistor, and does not emit light below that.

  A movable body 9 is further provided on the switch substrate 8. The movable body 9 is made of a material such as rubber that is transparent and elastic enough to transmit the light emitted from the light emitting body 16, and has a head 12 (a part of the light transmitting body) and a body 13 (the light transmitting body). A leg portion 14 (elastic support portion) and a fixed end portion 15 are integrally formed. In addition, the leg part 14 does not need to be transparent, and the leg part 14 may be provided separately from the fixed end part 15 and the trunk part 13. In the movable body 9, the fixed end 15 is fixed to the upper surface of the switch substrate 8, the head 12 passes through the through hole 10 a of the exterior portion 10, and the top portion is exposed from the exterior portion 10. It is in contact. The amount of protrusion of the movable body 9 from the exterior portion 10 of the head 12 is appropriately set, and the exterior portion 10 serves as a stopper that abuts against the hammer 5 when the hammer 5 is pressed and hit to restrict the lower limit position of the movable body 9. Function.

  The leg portion 14 of the movable body 9 includes a first skirt portion 14a and a second skirt portion 14b. The movable body 9 is movable in the striking direction (vertical direction) by pressing the head portion 12 and the trunk portion 13 by elastically deforming the skirt portions 14a and 14b. Thereby, the distance between the head 12 of the movable body 9 and the light emitter 16 can be changed. Further, the head 12, the trunk 13 and the legs 14 of the movable body 9 are formed in a cylindrical shape when viewed from above. An annular protrusion 9 b that hangs downward is formed integrally with the body 13 on the body 13.

  The lower surface 9 a of the movable body 9 is formed in a concave shape, and a hollow portion 18 is formed between the lower surface 9 a and the light emitter 16. A white paint 19 is applied to the lower part of the lower surface 9a (near the tip of the protrusion 9b). When the movable body 9 is pressed and struck, the light emitter 16 is almost completely surrounded by the hollow portion 18, and coupled with the reflection effect of the white paint 19, the light emitted from the light emitter 16 does not escape in all directions, increasing the light collection efficiency. It is done. This is because the luminous flux per unit area on the spherical surface having a certain radius from the light emitting body 16 as the light source increases by pressing. As a result, the difference in apparent luminance can be made larger between when pressed and when not pressed.

  A movable contact 9 c is provided between the first skirt portion 14 a and the second skirt portion 14 b of the leg portion 14 of the movable body 9 so as to face the fixed contact 17. The movable contact 9c and the fixed contact 17 constitute a switch SW. The movable contact 9c abuts against the fixed contact 17 when the second skirt portion 14b is elastically deformed when the movable body 9 is pressed or hit, and the switch SW is turned on (make-up), whereby the light emitter 16 emits light.

  The hammer 5 is made of a transparent material, which increases the effect of visually recognizing the light emitted from the light emitting portion 7. However, the hammer 5 may be made of an opaque material.

  In such a configuration, when the player taps the mole 4 with the hammer 5, the movable body 9 is pressed through the seat portion 11, the light emitter 16 emits light, and the light emission is visually recognized through the head 12 and the seat portion 11. . In addition, the light emission part 7 which light-emits is not one, but some light emission parts 7 which the hammer 5 hits light.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a time chart showing the light emission state of the light emitting unit 7 and the apparent luminance change. 2A shows the light emission state of the light emitter 16, that is, the actual light emission luminance of the light emitter 16. FIG. 2B shows the luminance visually recognized by the player through the head 12 of the movable body 9, that is, apparently. Represents the brightness.

  In the figure, a time point ta1 indicates a time point when the movable body 9 is sunk by the hammer 5 and the switch SW is turned on, and a time point ta2 indicates a time point when the movable body 9 reaches the lower limit position. The time ta3 indicates the time when the movable body 9 starts to move upward from the lower limit position after the hammer 5 is separated upward. The time ta4 is the time when the movable contact 9c and the fixed contact 17 are separated and the switch SW is turned off. Indicates the time when

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the light emitter 16 emits light with a constant luminance over the gate time of the switch SW, that is, from the time point ta1 to the time point ta4. However, in the forward stroke of the hammer 5, as a result of the movable body 9 gradually approaching the light emitter 16 over the period from the time point ta1 to the time point ta2, as shown in FIG. The upper brightness gradually increases. Since the movable body 9 does not move between the time point ta2 and the time point ta3, the apparent luminance remains substantially constant. In the return stroke of the hammer 5, the movable body 9 moves from the time point ta3 to the time point ta4 after the hammer 5 is separated. As a result of the body 9 gradually moving away from the light emitter 16, the apparent brightness gradually decreases.

  In addition, when the impact force by the hammer 5 is weak and the switch SW is turned on but the movable body 9 does not reach the lower limit position, the apparent luminance at the gate time (time point ta2 to time point ta3) of the switch SW is as shown in FIG. Naturally, it is smaller than that shown in b). Therefore, the apparent maximum luminance can also change depending on the impact strength.

  According to the first embodiment, when the hammer 5 is hit with the hammer 4, the light emitting portion 7 hit by the hammer 5 emits light and the emitted light is visually recognized through the head 12 of the movable body 9. The breadth of the game can be expanded, and the fun of the game can be increased. In addition, at that time, the distance between the movable body 9 and the light-emitting body 16 is changed by the striking operation, so that the apparent brightness changes, and the player can enjoy various modes of changes in brightness depending on how the mottle 4 is beaten. Can be more interesting. In addition, since a plurality of light emitting units 7 are provided, the hit position can be easily recognized, and the progress of the game is accelerated.

  In the present embodiment, the light emitter 16 is configured to emit light when the switch SW is turned on. However, the light emitter 16 is configured to emit light without depending on the striking operation, or to constantly emit light. May be. Even in these configurations, the apparent luminance changes depending on the movement of the movable body 9 in the pressing direction.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing a configuration of an electronic drum device provided with a brightness varying device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

  This electronic drum device (drum device 20) is a device of a type that converts vibrations at the time of pad-on into an electric signal and generates a drum sound by an electronic sound source, and has an electronic drum unit 21 and a panel switch 22 to be played. . A plurality of light emitting units 37 corresponding to the light emitting unit 7 of the first embodiment are provided on the pad surface 21 b of the pad 21 a of the electronic drum unit 21.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the drum device 20.

  In the drum device 20, a percussion detection circuit 23, a switch detection circuit 24, a ROM 26, a RAM 27, a timer 28, a MIDI interface (MIDII / F) 29 and a sound source circuit 30 are connected to a CPU 25 (control means) via a bus 33. Configured. Further, the electronic drum unit 21 is connected to the percussion detection circuit 23, and the panel switch 22 is connected to the switch detection circuit 24. The timer 28 is also connected to the CPU 25. An effect circuit 31 and a sound system 32 such as a speaker are connected to the sound source circuit 30 in series.

  The electronic drum unit 21 includes a plurality of pads 21a for reproducing various percussion sounds such as cymbals and snare drums. A plurality of strain sensors such as piezo elements are attached to the lower surface of each pad 21a (not shown). The percussion detection circuit 23 converts the amount of distortion of the pad 21a when the pad is on into an electric signal and sends it to the sound source circuit 30. The panel switch 22 includes a mode switch 22a for setting the afterglow control mode of the light emitting unit 37, which will be described later (FIG. 4), and a plurality of switches for inputting various information. The mode switch 22a includes switches SWm1, SWm2, and SWm3 (all not shown). The switch detection circuit 24 detects the pressed state of each switch of the panel switch 22.

  The CPU 25 controls the entire apparatus. The ROM 26 stores a control program executed by the CPU 25, table data, and the like. The RAM 27 temporarily stores various input information such as automatic performance data and calculation results. The timer 28 has a register (not shown), measures the interrupt time and various times in the timer interrupt process, and stores the counter value in the register. The MID II / F 29 inputs a MIDI signal from an external device such as another MIDI device or outputs a MIDI signal to the external device.

  The tone generator circuit 30 uses the percussion detection signal input from the percussion detection circuit 23 as a trigger signal to generate a musical sound signal of the percussion sound, and also uses the automatic performance data input from the MIDII / F 29 or the like as a musical sound signal. Convert to The effect circuit 31 gives various effects to the musical sound signal input from the sound source circuit 30, and the sound system 32 converts the musical sound signal and the like input from the effect circuit 31 into sound.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the light emitting unit 37 taken along line VI-VI in FIG.

  The light emitting unit 37 is basically the same in configuration as the light emitting unit 7 in the first embodiment. The pad surface 21b of the pad 21a of the electronic drum part 21 is covered with an exterior part 40 made of rubber or the like, and a through hole 40a is formed in the exterior part 40. The sheet portion 41 is made of a flexible transparent material such as vinyl and covers the surface of the exterior portion 40.

  First and second fixed contacts 49 and 47 and a light emitter 46 are provided on the upper surface of the switch substrate 38. The light emitting body 46 is controlled by the CPU 25 to emit light, and emits light at a luminance level L described later.

  A movable body 39 is further provided on the switch substrate 38. The movable body 39 has a head portion 42, a trunk portion 43, and a fixed end portion 45 configured similarly to the head portion 12, the trunk portion 13 and the fixed end portion 15 of the movable body 9 in the first embodiment.

  The leg portion 44 of the movable body 39 includes first, second, and third skirt portions 44a, 44b, and 44c. The movable body 39 is movable in the striking direction (vertical direction) when the head portion 42 and the trunk portion 43 are pressed by elastic deformation of the skirt portions 44a, 44b, 44c. As a result, the distance between the head 42 of the movable body 39 and the light emitter 46 can change. The lower surface 39a, the protrusion 39b, and the hollow portion 48 of the movable body 39 are configured similarly to the lower surface 9a, the protrusion 9b, and the hollow portion 18 of the movable body 9 in the first embodiment.

  A first movable contact 39d is provided between the second and third skirt portions 44b, 44c of the leg portion 44 of the movable body 39 so as to face the first fixed contact 49, and the first, A second movable contact 39 c is provided between the second skirt portions 44 a and 44 b so as to face the second fixed contact 47. The first movable contact 39d and the first fixed contact 49 constitute a switch SW1 (switch part), and the second movable contact 39c and the second fixed contact 47 constitute a switch SW2 (switch part).

  The first movable contact 39d is brought into contact with the first fixed contact 49 by the elastic deformation of the third skirt portion 44c when the movable body 39 is pressed and hit, and the switch SW1 is turned on (makes), thereby emitting light. The body 46 emits light. The second movable contact 39c is brought into contact with the second fixed contact 47 by elastic deformation of the second skirt portion 44b when the movable body 39 is pressed, and the switch SW2 is turned on (make). On-velocity and off-velocity are measured by the time difference between on and off.

  The stick 35 is preferably made of a transparent material as long as it is suitable for playing, but may be made of an opaque material.

  In such a configuration, when the player strikes the pad 21a with the stick 35, a musical sound is generated and several light emitting sections 37 hit by the stick 35 emit light as in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a time chart when the drum device 20 is played.

  FIGS. 9A and 9B show the on / off states of the switches SW1 and SW2, respectively. FIGS. 9C to 10F are stored in the above-described registers in the timer 28 and RAM 27 (not shown). Represents various values. FIG. 6G shows the actual light emission luminance of the light emitter 46, and FIG. 5H shows the apparent luminance visually recognized by the player through the head 42 of the movable body 39.

  In the figure, a time point tb1 indicates a time point when the movable body 39 is sunk by hitting with the stick 35 and the switch SW1 is turned on, a time point tb2 indicates a time point when the switch SW2 is turned on, and a time point tb3 indicates a lower limit of the movable body 39. Indicates the position arrival time. The time point tb4 indicates the time point when the movable body 39 starts to move upward from the lower limit position after the stick 35 is separated upward, the time point tb5 indicates the time point when the switch SW2 is turned off, and the time point tb6 indicates the time point of the switch SW1. Indicates the point when is turned off. A time point tb7 indicates a time point when the afterglow control of the light emitter 46 is finished.

  The first counter value T and the second counter value t shown in FIG. 5C are both counter values by the timer 28, and represent the elapsed time from the time point tb1 and the elapsed time from the time point tb6, respectively. The first counter value T is counted at a timing finer than the second counter value t (FIGS. 10 and 11).

  The key-on time IT shown in FIG. 4D represents the time from the time point tb1 to the time point tb2, and is the reciprocal number of on-velocity (initial touch strength data). The subtraction value FT1 represents the time from time tb1 to time tb5. The key-off time FT represents the time from the time point tb5 to the time point tb6 and is the reciprocal of off-velocity.

  The status S shown in FIG. 5E represents the state of the light emitting unit 37 and takes any value from 0 to 3.

  The luminance level L shown in FIG. 6F is a value that determines the actual light emission luminance of the light emitter 46, and is set to a predetermined value V1 or a value calculated by the afterglow control process of FIG. 11, as will be described later. Is done.

  FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of the main process. This process is executed when a start switch (not shown) (for example, a power-on switch) is turned on.

  First, initialization is performed, that is, various register values T, t, IT, FT1, FT, S, GT, and m are reset to 0 (step S801). Here, GT represents the time (gate time GT) during which the switch SW1 is turned on. m is a mode value representing the afterglow mode of the light emitter 46, and is set to any one of 1 to 3 by a mode setting process of FIG.

  Next, the mode setting process is executed by the process of FIG. 9 to be described later (step S802), and it is determined whether or not there is an ON event of the switch SW1 (step S803). As a result of the determination, if there is an ON event of the switch SW1, the status S is set to “1”, the first counter value T is set to “0”, and the luminance level L is set to a predetermined value V1 (for example, a voltage of 5 volts). The corresponding values are set (step S304), a light emission instruction is given to the light emitter 46 (step S805), and the process returns to step S802. That is, light emission of the light emitter 46 is started when the switch SW1 is turned on (time point tb1 in FIG. 7).

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S803, if there is no on event of the switch SW1, it is determined whether or not there is an on event of the switch SW2 (step S806). If the switch SW2 is turned on as a result of the determination (time tb2 in FIG. 7), the status S is set to "2" and the key-on time IT is set to the current first counter value T (step In step S807, a sound generation instruction corresponding to the key-on time IT is given to the tone generator circuit 30 (step S808), and the process returns to step S802. In this sound generation instruction, for example, a louder sound is generated as the key-on time IT is smaller.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S806 is that there is no switch SW2 on event, it is determined whether or not there is an switch SW2 off event (step S809). As a result of the determination, if there is an off event of the switch SW2 (time tb5 in FIG. 7), the subtraction value FT1 is set to the current first counter value T (step S810) and the sound source circuit 30 is muted. An instruction is given (step S811), and the process returns to step S802. Therefore, while the switch SW2 is turned on (time tb2 to time tb5), the tone of the timbre corresponding to the pad 21a is generated.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S809 is that there is no switch SW2 off event, it is determined whether or not the status S is set to "2" (step S812). 2 is set, that is, after both the switches SW1 and SW2 are turned on and the switch SW2 is not yet turned off, it is determined whether or not there is an off event of the switch SW1 ( Step S813).

  As a result of the determination, if there is no off event of the switch SW1 (time tb2 to time tb6 in FIG. 7), the process returns to the step S802, whereas if there is an off event of the switch SW1 (time tb6 in FIG. 7), the step Proceeding to S814, the status S is set to “3”, the key-off time FT is set to a value obtained by subtracting the subtraction value FT1 from the current first counter value T, and the gate time GT is set to the current first time. Set to the counter value T. In this state, the luminance of the light emitter 46 can be changed with the change of the luminance level L by the afterglow control process of FIG. Next, the process returns to step S802.

  On the other hand, if the status S is not set to “2” as a result of the determination in step S812, it is determined whether or not there is an off event of the switch SW1 (step S815). As a result of the determination, if there is an off event of the switch SW1, it is a case where the switch SW1 is turned off in a state where only the switch SW1 is turned on and the switch SW2 is not turned on (that is, a state where the pad 21a is tapped). Then, the luminance level L is set to “0” (step S816), and the process returns to step S802. That is, in this case, unlike the example shown in FIG. 7, the light emitter 46 only emits light at the luminance level L corresponding to the predetermined value V1 over the gate time GT of the switch SW1, and after the switch SW1 is turned off. Afterglow control is not performed. Such a situation also occurs in the light emitting unit 37 existing near the light emitting unit 37 where the stick 35 hits the core even when the pad 21a is struck.

  The light emission mode in this case will be described in detail. In the light emitting unit 37 that receives the hit with the core, the movable body 39 is pushed down as the switches SW1 and SW2 are both turned on. On the other hand, since the distance from the light-emitting body 46 of the movable body 39 increases as the light-emitting section 37 is located farther from the light-emitting section 37, the amount of increase in the luminous flux decreases, and the visible brightness is reduced. Becomes small and shines brightly. The light emitting unit 37 group following the route of steps S803, S804, S805, S802, S803, S806, S809, S812, S815, and S816 emits light only for a moment immediately after hitting. In this case, the light emission pattern of each light emitting unit 37 group slightly differs depending on how the stick 35 hits the pad 21a.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S815 is that there is no off event of the switch SW1, the process immediately returns to step S802.

  By this process, the status S is set according to the pressed state of the movable body 39, and the light emission process of the light emitter 46 and the sound generation process by the sound source circuit 30 and the like are performed.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the mode setting process executed in step S802 of FIG.

  First, the input of the mode switch 22a of the panel switch 22 is captured (step S901), and it is determined whether or not there is an ON event of the mode switch 22a (step S902). As a result of the determination, if there is no on-event of the mode switch 22a, this process is immediately terminated. On the other hand, if there is an on-event of the mode switch 22a, it is determined whether or not the on-event is on of the switch SWm1. (Step S903).

  As a result of the determination, if the ON event is ON of the switch SWm1, a value “1” indicating that the mode value m is a mode in which the luminance level L after the switch SW1 is turned off is changed according to the key-on time IT. (Step S904), the process proceeds to step S905. On the other hand, if the on event is not the switch SWm1 being on, the process immediately proceeds to step S905.

  In step S905, it is determined whether or not the ON event is ON of the switch SWm2. As a result of the determination, when the ON event is ON of the switch SWm2, the value “2” indicating that the mode value m is a mode in which the luminance level L after the switch SW1 is turned off is changed according to the gate time GT. (Step S906), the process proceeds to step S907. On the other hand, if the ON event is not the switch SWm2 being ON, the process immediately proceeds to step S907.

  In step S907, it is determined whether or not the ON event is ON of the switch SWm3. As a result of the determination, if the ON event is ON of the switch SWm3, the value “3” indicating that the mode value m is a mode in which the luminance level L after the switch SW1 is turned off is changed according to the key-off time FT. (Step S908), the process ends. On the other hand, if the ON event is not ON of the switch SWm3, the process ends immediately.

  With this processing, the afterglow control mode (mode) of the light emitter 46 is determined based on the input of the mode switch 22a.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the timer count process. This process is executed by a timer interrupt every 0.1 to 1 ms, for example.

  First, it is determined whether or not the switch SW1 is on (step S1001). If the switch SW1 is on as a result of the determination, the first counter value T is incremented by “1” (step S1001). In step S1002, the process ends. On the other hand, if the switch SW1 is not on, the first counter value T is reset to “0” (step S1003), and the process ends.

  By this process, the first counter value T is counted up while the switch SW1 is on. The counter value T counted up in this process is used as the T value at that time in steps S807, S810, S814, etc. of FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the afterglow control process. This process is executed by a timer interrupt every 2 to 10 ms, for example.

  First, it is determined whether or not the status S is set to “3” (step S1101). If the result of the determination is that the status S is set to “3”, whether or not L ≧ V2 is satisfied. Is determined (step S1102). When V2 is applied to the voltage-controllable element composed of the light emitter 46 and a resistor connected in series to the light emitter 46, the light emitter 46 emits light when V2 is applied to the element that can be regarded as a voltage control type, as described in the first embodiment. This is a predetermined value corresponding to the lowest possible voltage value (for example, 2 volts), which is smaller than the predetermined value V1 and close to zero.

  If L ≧ V2 is satisfied as a result of the determination in step S1102, it is determined whether or not the mode value m is set to “1” (step S1103). As a result of the determination, the mode value m is “1”. If the mode value m is not set to "2", it is determined whether or not the mode value m is set to "2" (step S1104). As a result, when the mode value m is set to “1”, the mode value m is set to step S1105. When the mode value m is set to “2”, the mode value m is set to “2”. If not, it is assumed that the mode value m is set to “3”, and the process proceeds to step S1107. After the processes in steps S1105, S1106, and S1107, the second counter value t is incremented by “1” (step S1108), and this process ends.

  First, in step S1105, the luminance level L calculated by the following formula 1 is set as a new luminance level L.

[Equation 1]
L = L × et / TBL (IT)
Here, e is the base of the natural logarithm. TBL (IT) is a table value set according to the key-on time IT. As a result, the luminance level L gradually decreases as the second counter value t is counted up. Since the table value TBL (IT) corresponds to a time constant, the smaller the table value TBL (IT), the faster the luminance level L decays.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a table TB1 for setting the table value TBL (IT). As shown in the figure, the table values TBL (IT) corresponding to the comparison values IT1, IT2. Is set. The table value TBL (IT) is set to a smaller value as the key-on time IT is longer (weak touch).

  When the processes in steps S1105 and S1108 in FIG. 11 are repeated, the luminance level L gradually attenuates. At that time, the key-on time IT is the reciprocal of the on-velocity, and as the key-on time IT is larger (the hitting speed is lower), the luminance level L decays faster, and the afterglow time of the light emitter 46 (time tb6 to time t in FIG. 7). tb7) is short. Conversely, the smaller the key-on time IT (the higher the hitting speed), the slower the decay of the luminance level L, and the light emitter 46 maintains afterglow for a long time.

  In step S1106, the luminance level L calculated by the following formula 2 is set as a new luminance level L.

[Equation 2]
L = L × et / TBL (GT)
Here, TBL (GT) is a table value set according to the gate time GT. As a result, the luminance level L gradually decreases as the second counter value t is counted up. Since the table value TBL (GT) corresponds to a time constant, the luminance level L decays faster as the table value TBL (GT) is smaller.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a table TB2 for setting the table value TBL (GT). As shown in the figure, TBLGT1, TBLGT2,... TBLGTn (TBLGT1 <TBLGT2 <TBLGTn) are used as table values TBL (GT) corresponding to the comparison values GT1, GT2. Is set. The table value TBL (GT) is set to a larger value as the gate time GT is larger.

  When the processes in steps S1106 and S1108 in FIG. 11 are repeated, the luminance level L gradually attenuates. At that time, the smaller the gate time GT (the shorter the switch SW1 is on), the faster the luminance level L decays, and the afterglow time of the light emitter 46 is shorter. Conversely, the longer the gate time GT, the slower the attenuation of the luminance level L, and the light emitter 46 keeps afterglow for a long time.

  In step S1107, the brightness level L calculated by the following formula 3 is set as a new brightness level L.

[Equation 3]
L = L × et / TBL (FT)
Here, TBL (FT) is a table value set according to the key-off time FT. As a result, the luminance level L gradually decreases as the second counter value t is counted up. Since the table value TBL (FT) corresponds to a time constant, the luminance level L decays faster as the table value TBL (FT) is smaller.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a table TB3 for setting the table value TBL (FT). As shown in the figure, corresponding to the comparison values FT1, FT2... FTn (FT1 <FT2 <FTn) of the key off time FT, TBLFT1, TBLFT2. Is set. The table value TBL (FT) is set to a smaller value as the key-off time FT increases.

  When the processes in steps S1107 and S1108 in FIG. 11 are repeated, the luminance level L gradually attenuates. At that time, the key-off time FT is the reciprocal of the off-velocity. The longer the key-off time FT is (the slower the stick 35 is moved away), the faster the decay of the luminance level L is, and the afterglow time of the light emitter 46 is shorter. Conversely, the smaller the key-off time FT (the quicker the separation of the stick 35), the slower the attenuation of the luminance level L, and the longer the afterglow time of the light emitter 46.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S1101 is that the status S is not set to “3”, the second counter value t is reset to “0” (step S1109), and this process is terminated. In this case, afterglow control is not performed. That is, if the status S is “1” or “2”, the light emitter 46 continues to emit light while the luminance level L is set to the predetermined value V1, and if the status S is “0”, the light emitter 46 emits light. do not do.

  If it is determined in step S1102 that L <V2 holds, the gate time GT, status S, key-on time IT, subtraction value FT1, key-off time FT, and luminance level L are reset to “0” (step S1110). This process is terminated. In this case, the luminance level L is attenuated to the predetermined value V2, and the light emitter 46 is close to a state incapable of emitting light, so that the light is forcibly extinguished.

  According to this process, the release curve of the luminance level L after the switch SW1 is turned off can be set according to the key-on time IT, the gate time GT, or the key-off time FT. That is, when the pad 21a is struck with the stick 35, the afterglow time of the illuminant 46 can be made longer than when the pad 21a is struck quickly, brought into contact for a long time, or separated quickly.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the actual light emission luminance of the light emitter 46 by the processes of FIGS. 8 to 11 is shown in FIG. From time tb1 to time tb6, the light emitter 46 emits light with a constant luminance corresponding to the luminance level L (predetermined value V1). Then, from time tb6 to time tb7, the luminance gradually decreases by the afterglow control process of FIG. 11, and the light emitter 46 is extinguished after time tb7. This is due to the effect of electrical control.

  The actual luminance of the light emitter 46 and the apparent luminance visually recognized through the head 42 of the movable body 39 by the vertical movement of the movable body 39 are shown in FIG. At time tb1 to time tb3, as in the case of the first embodiment, as a result of the movable body 39 gradually approaching the light emitter 46, the apparent luminance visually recognized through the head 42 of the movable body 39 is It gradually increases as shown in FIG. This is due to mechanical action.

  Next, since the movable body 39 does not move from the time point tb3 to the time point tb4, the apparent luminance does not change. From time tb4 to time tb6, the movable body 39 gradually moves away from the light emitter 46 as in the case of the first embodiment. As a result, the apparent luminance gradually decreases. This is also due to mechanical action.

  Next, from the time point tb6 to the time point tb7, the actual brightness of the light emitter 46 gradually decreases (electrical action) due to the gradual separation (mechanical action) of the movable body 39 from the light emitter 46 and the attenuation of the brightness level L. By both, the apparent luminance gradually decreases.

  According to the second embodiment, when the pad 21 a is hit with the stick 35, the light emitting unit 37 that hits the light and the light emission is visually recognized through the head 42 of the movable body 39. At that time, the apparent luminance visually recognized through the head 42 of the movable body 39 can be changed by the on / off state of the switches SW1 and SW2, and a plurality of light emitting portions 37 are provided. By hitting, it is possible not only to enjoy musical sounds but also to easily recognize the hitting position and hitting strength visually. Therefore, not only the enjoyment of the drum performance is increased, but also, for example, it is possible to easily grasp the subtle difference between the performance teacher and one's percussion, which is useful for practice and can be expected to improve quickly.

  Moreover, since the mode can be selected arbitrarily, not only is the fun of the percussion more interesting, but the elements of the percussion can be analyzed more finely, further contributing to rapid progress. be able to.

  Further, in the mode in which the afterglow control is performed according to the key-off time FT, if the practice of pulling the stick 35 in accordance with the teacher is practiced, the sound that blows off (the sound due to the playing technique in which the stick 35 is pushed back) is generated or is broken. The percussion can be acquired in a short time.

  The afterglow control parameters are not limited to the above-described key-on time IT, gate time GT, and key-off time FT, but may be other parameters. Further, the mode of light emission control according to each parameter is not limited to the illustrated example, and any mode that changes the light emission mode may be used. For example, the predetermined value V1 may be set to a larger value as the key-on time IT is smaller. In this case, the predetermined value V1 may be a fixed value until the time point tb2, and the predetermined value V1 may be set according to the key-on time IT from the time point tb2. Or you may make it change the color of LED.

  In the second embodiment, the apparent luminance is changed by both the mechanical action and the electric action. However, this may be changed mainly by the electric action. In that case, the amount of movement of the movable body 39 in the vertical direction may be reduced or set to zero.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the light emitting unit 57 of the present embodiment taken along line VI-VI in FIG. The light emitting unit 57 according to the present embodiment is different from the light emitting unit 37 according to the second embodiment in the configuration of the light emitting means, and the other configurations are the same.

  In other words, in the present embodiment, the light emitter 46 is provided not on the switch substrate 38 but away from the movable body 39, for example, in the vicinity of the support portion that supports the pad 21a. An optical fiber 50 is provided in the vicinity of the light emitter 46. The optical fiber 50 is a bundle of a plurality of optical fibers, and is branched into optical fibers 50a, 50b, 50c, for example, as shown in FIG. The optical fiber 50 a passes through the switch substrate 38, and similarly, the optical fibers 50 b and c are supplied to the switch substrate 38 of the other light emitting unit 57. Thereby, the light emitted from one light emitter 46 is distributed to the plurality of light emitting portions 57.

  The optical fiber 50a is fixed to the switch substrate 38 with an adhesive 51 having a light refractive index substantially equal to that of the optical fiber 50a. The adhesive 51 is formed into a convex lens shape with its own surface tension by dropping one drop from the upper end of the optical fiber 50a. Thereby, diffusion of light emitted from the optical fiber 50 a can be suppressed, and light can be efficiently transmitted to the head 42 of the movable body 39. The optical fibers 50b and 50c are configured similarly to the optical fiber 50a.

  In the present embodiment, if the number of branches of the optical fiber 50 is increased, the number of light emitters 46 does not need to be increased as in the second embodiment.

  For example, one light emitter 46 is set for each pad 21a, and a plurality of light emitting units 57 (for example, several hundreds) are set. In this case, a plurality of switches SW1 and SW2 are provided, and the light emitter 46 is configured to emit light regardless of which light emitting portion 57 is hit. If it does in this way, the pad 21a whole will shine by one impact. At that time, the light emitting portion 57 that receives the hit with the lead exhibits the same light emitting manner as that of the second embodiment, but in the other light emitting portions 57 away from the lead, the movable body 39 is not moved up or down. Therefore, only the change mainly due to the electric action is visually recognized. As a result, it is possible to enjoy the brightness change even in a portion that is difficult to see due to the stick 35, which is not only interesting, but also increases the learning effect.

  According to this embodiment, not only the same effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained, but also the usefulness can be improved.

  In this embodiment, the predetermined value V1 may be set to a larger value as the key-on time IT is smaller.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a time chart when the drum device 20 is played. FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D are the same as those in FIG. (I) and (k) show the actual light emission luminance of the light emitter 46, and FIGS. (J) and (l) show the actual light emission luminance of the light emitter 46 (i) and (k). , The apparent luminance visually recognized by the player through the head 42 of the movable body 39 is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (i), when the illuminator 46 emits light with the maximum luminance LL1 when the switch SW2 is turned on and is extinguished when the switch SW2 is turned off, it is visually recognized in the form shown in FIG. The On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6 (k), when the light emitter 46 is caused to emit light with the maximum luminance LL1 by turning on the switch SW2, and the extinction control is performed in the same manner as in the second embodiment, FIG. It is visually recognized in the mode shown in FIG. The maximum luminance LL1 may be set so as to increase as the key-on time IT decreases.

  In this way, if the pad 21a is strongly struck, the entire pad 21a shines brightly, the striking strength and the brightness are approximately proportional, and more suitable for the playing sensation, so the learning effect is improved.

  Note that the third embodiment and the first embodiment can be combined. That is, the luminance of the light emitting unit 57 changes only mechanically as in the first embodiment, and a plurality of light emitting units 57 emit light with a single light emitter 46 as in the third embodiment. Constitute.

  In this case, the light emitter 46 is caused to emit light when the power is turned on, and the light is always supplied to each light emitting unit 57. If it does in this way, in the normal non-operation state, it will be visually recognized as the whole pad 21a is light-emitting. And when hit | damaged, the part which received the hit | damage of the pad 21a is visually recognized brightest, and the circumference | surroundings are visually recognized darkly, so that it distances from a strike position. Where it is not affected by the blow, it remains shining dull. In addition, the stronger the impact, the larger the area that can be viewed brightly. Therefore, various light emission modes are obtained, and the usefulness is improved.

  The present invention is not limited to game devices such as the game machine body 1 and musical instruments such as the drum device 20, but can be applied to devices in various fields. For example, if a plurality of light-emitting units 7, light-emitting units 37, and light-emitting units 57 are provided on the floor of the stage device so that they emit light when stepped on the actor's feet, the brightness can be changed by the actor's own glue. Control becomes possible and the stage effect can be improved. Also, since the actor's step position is easy to see, it is useful for practicing dance. In particular, when the light emitting unit 57 of the third embodiment is applied to a stage device, the stage effect is great. For example, a plurality of light-emitting portions 57 and a single light-emitting body 46 that supplies light to these are provided every 30 cm square of the stage. In this way, since the entire 30 cm square where the actor's foot is located emits light, the foot is illuminated, and the illumination mode changes every moment. Also, if you step strongly, it will shine brightly, and if you step weakly, it will shine darkly. Thus, the utility is improved and the application of various devices can be expanded.

  In the first, second, and third embodiments, the movable bodies 9 and 39 are formed in a cylindrical shape as viewed from above, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a long member having a cross-sectional shape similar to that of the movable body 9 in FIG. 2 is obtained by extrusion molding or the like, and this is divided into an appropriate size in a so-called Kintaro shape to form the movable body 9 or the like. Also good. Thereby, the movable body 9 and the like become uniform, and the accuracy is improved.

  Moreover, you may attach the said elongate member obtained by extrusion molding to the mottle 4, the pad 21a, etc. as it is. In this case, a plurality of fixed contacts 17 and the like may be provided on the long member at equal intervals, and the movable contacts 9c and the light emitters 16 and the like corresponding thereto may be provided on the switch board 8 and the like. Accordingly, since the movable body 9 and the like are continuous, the light emission of the light emitting body 16 and the like is visible even though it is weak even in the adjacent movable body 9 and the like. Can be recognized. In addition, arrange | positioning radially etc. can be considered as an aspect which attaches a elongate member to the pad 21a.

  Moreover, when applying the said elongate member to 3rd Embodiment, while providing the one light-emitting body 46 corresponding to one elongate member, you may provide multiple optical fiber 50a and the adhesive agents 51. FIG. In this case, various settings can be made for the number of switches SW1 and SW2. In this way, when any part of the long member is hit, the entire long member appears to emit light. Moreover, the hitting center looks particularly bright.

  In the first and second embodiments, the exterior portions 10 and 40 are provided with a stopper function for the movable body 9 and the like. However, when the protrusion 9b and the like are depressed, the switch substrate 8 and the like are pressed. The lower limit position of the movable body 9 or the like may be regulated by abutting against the movable body 9.

It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the structure of the game machine main body provided with the brightness variable apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the light emission part which follows the II-II line | wire of FIG. It is a time chart showing the light emission state of a light emission part, and the change of apparent brightness | luminance. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the structure of the electronic drum apparatus provided with the brightness variable apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of an electronic drum apparatus. It is sectional drawing of the light emission part which follows the VI-VI line of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the time chart at the time of playing an electronic drum apparatus. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of a main process. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the mode setting process performed by step S802 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of a timer count process. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of an afterglow control process. It is a figure which shows table TB1 for setting table value TBL (IT). It is a figure which shows table TB2 for setting table value TBL (GT). It is a figure which shows table TB3 for setting table value TBL (FT). It is sectional drawing which follows the VI-VI line of FIG. 4 of the light emission part of the brightness variable apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the time chart at the time of playing a drum apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  20 drum device, 21 drum section, 21a pad, 21b pad surface, 23 percussion detection circuit, 25 CPU (control means), 37 light emitting section, 35 stick, 38 switch substrate (fixed section), 39 movable body, 39c second Movable contact (switch part), 39d first movable contact (switch part), 41 sheet part, 42 head part (part of translucent body), 43 trunk part (part of translucent body), 44 leg part (Elastic support part), 45 fixed end part, 46 light emitter (light emitting means or part thereof), 47 second fixed contact (switch part), 49 first fixed contact (switch part), 50 optical fiber (light emission) Part of the means)

Claims (4)

A translucent body capable of transmitting light and moving when pressed;
A switch unit that is turned on by pressing the translucent member;
A light emitting means disposed at a position such that the light transmitting body approaches the light transmitting body as the light transmitting body moves in the pressing direction;
When the switch unit is turned on, the light emitting unit starts to emit light, and when the switch unit is turned off, the light emitting unit starts to be extinguished. Control means for variably controlling according to the on / off mode of the switch unit,
A brightness varying apparatus, wherein the light of the light emitting means is configured to be viewed through the light transmitting body.   The switch unit is configured as a two-make type, and includes a velocity detection unit that detects an on-velocity and an off-velocity of the switch unit based on a make time difference of the switch unit, and the control unit includes the velocity detection unit 2. The luminance variable device according to claim 1, wherein the emission luminance after the light-emitting means has started to be extinguished is variably controlled based on one of the detected on-velocity and off-velocity.   Gate time detection means for detecting an on / off gate time of the switch section is provided, and the control means varies the light emission luminance after the light emission means starts extinction based on the gate time detected by the gate time detection means. The brightness varying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the brightness varying device is controlled.   The light transmitting body has a concave surface formed on the side facing the light emitting means, and the light incident on the concave surface from the light emitting means decreases as the light transmitting body moves away from the light emitting means. Thus, there is provided a brightness varying means for making the apparent light emission luminance due to the light of the light emitting means lower as the distance between the light transmitting body and the light emitting means becomes longer. The brightness | luminance variable apparatus of any one of Claims 1-3.

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