JP2010233005A - Electronic music apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic music apparatus capable of presenting a corresponding relationship between an assignable manipulator and a parameter to a user easily comprehensibly even though with a simple display. <P>SOLUTION: In response to operating an assignable manipulator capable of changing a corresponding relationship with a parameter among a plurality of panel manipulators disposed around a display, information on the corresponding parameter is temporarily displayed just for a predetermined time on a parameter setting screen as another pop-up screen than the screen. Namely, only when information on the parameter is required, the information on the corresponding parameter is presented for a user in a clear and easily comprehensible display form of the pop-up screen in the vicinity of the operated assignable manipulator. Therefore, even if any simplified display is used in particular, the screen is prevented from becoming hard to watch and furthermore, while referring to the pop-up screen, the user can easily appropriately set the desired parameter. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic music apparatus that displays on a display device information related to parameters that can be set for each operator according to the arrangement positions of a plurality of physical operators arranged on a main body panel. . In particular, the present invention relates to a technique for easily presenting a correspondence relationship between each operation element and a parameter to a user even in a simple display with a narrow display area and limited display function.

Conventionally, each operation element is operated in accordance with the arrangement positions of a large number of physical operation elements (so-called panel operation elements) arranged on a main body panel around a display device such as an LCD (liquid crystal panel). By displaying information on various parameters (for example, parameters that can specify parameters such as parameter names and parameter values) on the display unit for controlling the musical sound signals that are associated with each other so as to be settable accordingly. There are known electronic music devices such as an electronic musical instrument, a mixing device (mixer), or a sequencer, in which the user can easily grasp the correspondence between each operation member and each parameter that can be set according to the operation of the operation member. As an example of such an apparatus, there is an apparatus described in Patent Document 1 or Non-Patent Document 1 shown below. In the present specification, the term "musical sound" is not limited to musical sound, but is used in the sense that it may include voice or other arbitrary sounds.
JP-A-3-266893 “01V96 Version2 Instruction Manual”, 2005, Yamaha Corporation, Internet <http://www2.yamaha.co.jp/manual/pdf/pa/japan/mixers/01V96V2J1.pdf>

  By the way, small electronic music devices, such as portable electronic musical instruments (so-called portable keyboards) and mixers that are easy to carry, are limited to display functions such that the display range is narrow and simple display is possible because they are small and inexpensive. A simple indicator is used. When such a simple display is used, in order to display a plurality of parameters at the same time, the parameters must be displayed in a narrow display range. Then, the operation elements arranged around the display are displayed. It becomes very difficult to display the display position of each parameter together with the arrangement position. Even if a large number of parameters can be displayed on the display unit according to the position of each operation unit, the user can determine which parameters are set by actually operating the operation unit on the display unit. Although the only way to check the correspondence between each operator and parameter is by visually checking the display, which parameter is set according to the operation of the operator from the many parameters displayed on the display unit. It is very difficult to quickly confirm this.

  Therefore, in the conventional apparatus, among the panel operators, with respect to an operator whose parameters are fixedly associated in advance by a manufacturer or the like (referred to as a fixed operator), information related to the parameters is fixedly displayed on the display. Thus, with respect to an operator (so-called assignable operator) to which the user can appropriately associate (also assign) a parameter, information on the parameter is displayed on the display even if the parameter is associated. I have not done it. Therefore, it is necessary for the user to make a note of the correspondence relationship between the assignable operator and the various parameters assigned by himself in a memo or the like at best. However, if the parameter information is not displayed on the display unit even though the parameters are assigned to the assignable controls, it is very inconvenient because the user does not have to check the correspondence between the controls and the parameters. In other words, to which of the assignable operators a parameter has already been assigned, what parameters have been assigned and how the current parameter values are set, etc. There is a problem that the information regarding the parameters is difficult for the user to understand and the user can easily perform an incorrect operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and when displaying information on parameters associated with a plurality of controls arranged around a display on the display, a plurality of controls and It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic music apparatus that can present a correspondence relationship with a parameter to a user clearly and easily as needed.

  An electronic music apparatus according to the present invention is an electronic music apparatus that controls a musical sound signal in accordance with preset parameters, and includes a display, a plurality of panel operators disposed in the vicinity of the display, and the panel A storage unit that stores a correspondence relationship between an operator and a parameter that can be set with the operator, and a fixed operator that cannot change a correspondence relationship with the parameter among the panel operators. A first display control means for constantly displaying a parameter setting screen presenting information on possible parameters on the display; and an assignable operator capable of changing a correspondence relationship with the parameter among the panel operators, In response to an assignable operator being operated, information on parameters associated with the operated assignable operator is obtained. Second display control means for temporarily displaying a predetermined display position in the parameter setting screen close to the operated assignable operator as a pop-up screen different from the displayed parameter setting screen for a predetermined time. Prepare.

  According to the present invention, regarding a fixed operator that cannot change a correspondence relationship with a parameter among a plurality of panel operators arranged in the vicinity of the display, information on parameters that can be set by the fixed operator is set as a parameter. Presented to the user by constantly displaying on the screen. On the other hand, among the panel operators, the assignable operators that can change the correspondence relationship with the parameters are associated with the operated assignable operators when the assignable operators are operated. Information related to the parameters is presented to the user by temporarily displaying it for a predetermined time as a pop-up screen different from the displayed parameter setting screen. In that case, a pop-up screen is displayed at a predetermined display position in the parameter setting screen close to the operated assignable operator. That is, only when information regarding parameters such as operating an assignable operator is desired, the correspondence relationship with the parameter associated with the operator is presented to the user in a clear and easy-to-understand manner on the pop-up screen. This makes it difficult to see the screen even when using a simple display with a narrow display area and a limited display function, and the user can operate the operator while referring to the pop-up screen. Desired parameters can be set appropriately.

  According to the present invention, the correspondence between each operation element arranged around the display and various parameters to be set is presented to the user clearly and easily according to the operation of the operation element. Therefore, even when a simple display device with a narrow display area and a limited display function is used, the user can set parameters while checking the display as necessary without any inconvenience. The effect of becoming

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration block diagram showing the overall configuration of an electronic music apparatus according to the present invention. The electronic music apparatus shown in this embodiment is, for example, an electronic musical instrument, a mixing apparatus (mixer), or a sequencer, and includes a microprocessor unit (CPU) 1, a read only memory (ROM) 2, and a random access memory (RAM) 3. Controlled by microcomputer. The CPU 1 controls the operation of the entire electronic music apparatus. For this CPU 1, ROM 2, RAM 3, detection circuit 4, display circuit 5, communication interface (I / F) 6, audio interface (I / F) 7, storage device via communication bus (data and address bus) 1 D 8 are connected to each other.

  The ROM 2 stores various programs executed by the CPU 1 and various data. The RAM 3 is used as a working memory that temporarily stores various data generated when the CPU 1 executes a predetermined program, or as a memory that stores a currently executed program and related data. A predetermined address area of the RAM 3 is assigned to each function and used as a register, flag, table, memory, or the like. Specific examples of the data stored in the ROM 2 and RAM 3 are as follows. For example, regarding a fixed operator to which a predetermined parameter is already assigned in advance by a manufacturer or the like, parameters assigned to each fixed operator, A part of the parameter setting screen that presents the display data that defines the overall outline of the setting screen, the operator display that mimics the shape of each fixed control element, and the correspondence with the assigned parameters such as parameter information There is partial display data that defines a partial display component (see FIG. 2 to be described later).

  The operation element 4A is a general-purpose physical operation element (panel operation) installed on the main body panel around the display unit 5A (for example, the lower side and / or the right side of the display unit 5A as shown in FIG. 2 described later). And used for setting various parameters such as musical tone control parameters and mixing parameters (the above-described fixed operator or assignable operator). These panel controls are provided with detecting means (not shown) that can detect that the panel has been moved by the user even a little. The operation element 4A is not only a panel operation element, but also switches such as a screen display changeover switch for instructing to change the screen displayed on the display 5A (for example, each parameter setting screen for timbre and effect). Various operators such as a numeric keypad for inputting numeric data and a keyboard for inputting character data may be included for selecting, setting, and controlling pitches, timbres, effects, and the like. Furthermore, a performance operator such as a keyboard that generates performance information in response to a user operation may be included. The detection circuit 4 detects the operation state of the operation element 4A, and outputs switch information corresponding to the operation state to the CPU 1 via the data and address bus 1D.

  The display circuit 5 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) or the like, and has a limited display function such that a display range is narrow and a large amount of information cannot be displayed at a time and only a small amount of information can be displayed at a time. A simple display 5A has various information such as information relating to individual parameters assigned to each panel operator and input signals for mixing and output signals after mixing that can change based on the set parameter values. A parameter setting screen including information (see FIG. 2 described later) is displayed. Although details will be described later, in the present invention, when a parameter is assigned to the panel operator, the panel operator is provided in the vicinity of each operator in the display 5A in response to the operation of the panel operator. Information regarding parameters assigned to a predetermined display position is temporarily displayed as a pop-up screen. The user can appropriately set parameters by operating the panel operator while referring to the pop-up screen displayed on the display 5A.

  The communication interface (I / F) 6 is a musical tone signal such as a waveform signal or MIDI data input / output between the apparatus and an external device 6A (for example, another electronic musical instrument, a mixer, a sequencer, etc.) It is an interface for sending and receiving various information such as control programs. The audio interface (I / F) 7 is an interface for transmitting and receiving musical tone signals such as audio data (audio data) input / output between the apparatus and the external device 7A (for example, a microphone, an audio device, etc.). It is. The communication interface 6 and the audio interface (I / F) 7 may be, for example, a MIDI interface, a LAN, the Internet, a telephone line, or the like, and may include both of them, not wired or wireless.

  The storage device 8 stores various data and various control programs executed by the CPU 1. Specifically, parameters assigned to individual assignable operators, currently set parameter values, setting information, and the like are stored. The setting information defines a display mode when presenting to the user that the assignable operator is not assigned to any parameter and is not assigned to the display 5A. For example, there are “non-display” that displays nothing and “No Assign” display that clearly indicates that no assignment is made. Such setting information can be arbitrarily set by the user. When the control program is not stored in the ROM 2 described above, the control program is stored in the storage device 8 (for example, a hard disk) and is read into the RAM 3 to store the control program in the ROM 2. It is possible to cause the CPU 1 to perform the same operation. In this way, control programs can be easily added and upgraded. The storage device 8 is not limited to a hard disk (HD), but may be a flexible disk (FD), a compact disk (CD-ROM / CD-RAM), a magneto-optical disk (MO), or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). Any storage device may be used as long as it uses a storage medium in the form. Alternatively, a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory may be used.

  The electronic music device according to the present invention is not limited to the form of an electronic musical instrument, mixer or sequencer, but has a narrow display range and a limited display function, such as a karaoke device, a game device, and a portable communication terminal such as a mobile phone or PDA. The present invention may be applied to any type of apparatus / device as long as it is a device having a simple display. Further, even if a display device having a large display range and capable of high-definition display such as a personal computer is provided, the screen size of the parameter setting screen opened on the display device 5A for parameter setting is small. You may make it apply in such a case.

  In the electronic music apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the user operates each panel by appropriately operating panel operators arranged around the display 5A while referring to the parameter setting screen displayed on the display 5A. The parameter associated with the child can be set. An example of the parameter setting screen for assisting the user in parameter setting is shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a parameter setting screen displayed on the display 5A. Here, a parameter setting screen used at the time of mixing parameter setting is shown as an example. Also, in the following, eight panel operators C consisting of sliders or knobs are arranged on the lower side of the screen of the display 5A, and five panel operators D consisting of on / off switches are arranged on the right side of the screen of the display 5A. A parameter setting screen will be described as an example. For convenience of explanation, the symbols 1 to 8 and a to e are individually attached to the plurality of panel operators C and D for convenience and can be distinguished.

  Parameter setting screens are prepared in advance for each parameter type for controlling tone signals such as volume / tone, filter, tuning, effects, EQ, CMP, and line output. (In the figure, a different tab T is attached to each screen for each of these settable parameter types), for example, switching to an arbitrary screen is performed according to the operation of the screen display changeover switch.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the “CMP” parameter, which is one of the mixing parameters, is selected as the parameter type and the screen is switched to the “CMP” parameter setting screen, Among the panel controls C and D arranged on the lower side of the screen or the right side of the screen, fixed operators (knobs 3, 4, 6 and on / off switches a, d) in which parameters are associated in advance by a manufacturer or the like. As in the prior art, the parameter information H is always displayed on the display 5A at a predetermined position near each operation element (in this example, near each operation element along the outer periphery of the screen). The parameter information H includes, for example, an operator display simulating the shape of a fixed controller (knob shape in the figure), parameter names (TH, RATIO, and OUT displays in the figure), and current parameter values (all in the figure) 100), or a partial display component (screen) for presenting information related to each parameter such as setting status (“ON / OFF” display, “SAVE” display in the figure) in combination with one or more. Thus, the combination of information to be presented differs for each parameter. The operation element display is appropriately updated so that, for example, the direction of the operation element indicates the same direction in accordance with the operation of the panel operation element (see the operation element display corresponding to the knob 6). In addition, the parameter setting screen may display other information M other than the parameter information H such as an input signal or an output signal (for example, MIDI data or audio data) affected by the parameter, or a gain.

  On the other hand, the panel controls C and D other than the fixed controls are assignable controls, and of these assignable controls that are not assigned to parameters by the user (eg, slider 2, on / off). Nothing is displayed regardless of whether the switch e) is operated. Alternatively, only when the operation element is operated, “No Assign” may be temporarily displayed in order to clearly indicate that no assignment is made.

  Among the assignable controls, the controls assigned to the parameters by the user (for example, sliders 1, 7, 8 and knob 5, on / off switches b, c) are predetermined close to the controls on the display 5A. The parameter information H is displayed at the initial display position (near each operator along the outer periphery of the screen). However, the parameter information H is not always displayed like the display corresponding to the fixed operation element, but the displayed screen in response to the assigned panel operation elements C and D being moved even a little. It is automatically displayed as a separate pop-up screen. At this time, needless to say, the pop-up screen may be displayed so as to overlap the display of the parameter information H related to the fixed operator (see the screen for the slider 7). Then, the pop-up screen for presenting the parameter information H is automatically closed when a predetermined time elapses from the operation start of the operator. That is, the parameter information H is temporarily displayed for assignable controls. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the parameter information H relating to the parameters assigned to the sliders 1, 7, 8 and the knob 5 is displayed as a slider 1 screen, a slider 7 screen, a slider 8 screen, and a knob 5 screen. (However, as will be described later, the ideographic position of the screen for the slider 8 is shifted from the initial display position), and the parameter information H relating to the parameters respectively assigned to the on / off switches b and c is the screen b and screen c. It is displayed as.

  The display size (screen size) of the pop-up screen that presents the parameter information H to the user with respect to the assignable operator may be an appropriate size, but at least the parameter is particularly necessary when the display range of the display 5A is narrow. The information H may be displayed in an appropriate size that can be clearly presented to the user. Further, the display size of the pop-up screen may be different depending on the parameter type assigned to the assignable operator. In the illustrated example, if the screen size of the slider 1 screen is used as a reference, the slider 7 screen is expanded in the horizontal direction, and the slider 8 screen is expanded in both the vertical and horizontal directions. The screen is narrow in the horizontal direction but wide in the vertical direction. When the display size of the pop-up screen is varied in this way, the amount of parameter information H to be presented to the user in the screen (for example, the number of characters of the parameter name and the digit of the parameter value depending on the assigned parameter type) It is good to decide automatically by number). Of course, the display size of the pop-up screen may be the same regardless of the assigned parameter type. The user may be able to specify the display size of the pop-up screen to an appropriate size in advance.

  The parameter information H presented on the pop-up screen is not limited to the parameter name or parameter value, but may be other information (for example, an operator display imitating an operator). You may choose. Priorities are given in advance to the information presented as the parameter information H, and the information from the highest priority to the range that can be displayed in the screen is ordered in accordance with the display size of the pop-up screen arbitrarily designated by the user. You may make it show to. In this case, the amount of information related to the parameter presented is increased or decreased depending on the display size of the designated screen.

  By the way, depending on the display size of the pop-up screen, adjacent assignable controls are operated almost simultaneously or without any gaps, so that the corresponding pop-up screens are displayed overlapping each other, which is difficult for the user to see. It can happen. Therefore, when adjacent assignable controls are operated almost simultaneously or without a gap, one of the screens is moved to a predetermined first position (so that the pop-up screens are not overlapped with each other). The display is shifted from the initial display position) to a predetermined second position. In the illustrated example, when the slider 7 and the slider 8 are operated almost simultaneously, the slider 8 screen is the initial display position of the slider 7 screen and the slider 8 screen corresponding to each operator. The display is shifted from a predetermined first position close to the operating element (near each operating element along the outer periphery of the screen) to a predetermined second position as shown in the figure that does not overlap the screen for the slider 7.

  As an operation mode for detecting that the assignable operation element has been operated, an appropriate operation such as when the slider knob is simply moved up and down, when the knob is rotated, or when the on / off switch is pressed down is used. It may be. However, if a pop-up screen is displayed when the slider knob is moved up or down even slightly, the parameter value is changed according to the above operation, so the current parameter value etc. This is inconvenient if you want to see a pop-up screen because you want to check. In order to avoid this, the slider knob or knob should be configured so that it can be moved up and down after it is pushed on, and can be operated according to the push-on operation instead of the vertical movement or rotation. To display the pop-up screen temporarily.

  As described above, in the electronic musical instrument shown in this embodiment, it is possible to operate the assignable operator among the panel operators C and D installed around the display 5A (the lower and right sides of the screen in FIG. 2). The user can appropriately set desired parameters while referring to the parameter information H (pop-up screen) displayed on the screen accordingly. The “parameter information display process” for updating the display of the parameter setting screen displayed on the display 5A according to the operation of the assignable operator is performed by the CPU 1 executing a predetermined program (software). Is done. The “parameter information display process” will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of “parameter information display processing”. In step S1, it is determined whether a parameter is assigned to the operated assignable operator. If it is determined that a parameter has been assigned to the assigned assignable operator that has been operated (YES in step S1), the parameter name and previously set parameter value for the assigned parameter are stored in the RAM 3, the storage device 8, etc. (Step S2). A step S3 creates a pop-up screen for presenting the parameter information H according to the partial display data stored in the ROM 2 or the like based on the acquired parameter name and parameter value, and the created pop-up screen is displayed on the parameter setting screen. Display in position. Needless to say, the display position is adjusted at this time. Then, it progresses to step S4.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1 that no parameter is assigned to the operated assignable operator (NO in step S1), setting information is acquired from the storage device 8 (step S5). Then, it is determined whether “non-display” or “No Assign” display is set as a display mode when presented to the user in the acquired setting information (step S6). If it is determined in the setting information that the display mode is set to “non-display” (“non-display” in step S6), the process is terminated. If it is determined in the setting information that the display mode is set to “No Assign” display (“No Assign” display in step S6), “No Assign” is displayed on the screen (step S7). Then, it progresses to step S4.

  In step S4, it is determined whether or not the pop-up screen displayed in step S3 has been displayed for a predetermined time from the start of operation of the assignable operator. If it is determined that the display has not been performed for a predetermined time (NO in step S4), the process in step S4 is repeated. In this case, the pop-up screen continues to be displayed on the screen. On the other hand, when it is determined that the display has been performed for a predetermined time (YES in step S4), the displayed pop-up screen is canceled (step S8). That is, the pop-up screen display is terminated. In this way, when a parameter is assigned to an assignable operator, parameter information H related to the assigned parameter is displayed on the display 5A in response to the operation of the corresponding operator even a little. It is temporarily displayed as a pop-up screen at a predetermined position.

  As described above, regarding the assignable operator that can change the correspondence with the parameter among the plurality of panel operators arranged around the display unit, according to the user operating the assignable operator. Information related to the parameter associated with the operated assignable operator is presented to the user by temporarily displaying it as a separate pop-up screen on the currently displayed parameter setting screen for a predetermined time. That is, only when information about parameters such as operating an assignable operator is desired, information about the associated parameter is presented to the user in a clear and easy-to-understand display form such as a pop-up screen in the vicinity of the operated assignable operator. I did it. As a result, even when a simple display with a narrow display area and limited display function is used, information on many parameters is not displayed on the screen at the same time, so that the screen is not difficult to see. In addition, since the user can operate the operator while referring to a pop-up screen displayed only when necessary, it is easy to set desired parameters appropriately.

  As described above, there may be many parameter setting screens for each parameter type, such as for timbres and effects, but when applying the present invention, different parameters are arbitrarily assigned to the panel controls for each screen. Alternatively, the parameters assigned to the individual panel controls may be common to any screen (for example, the slider 1 is common to the volume parameters). However, for a panel operator whose function changes depending on the screen, such as an assignable operator on a certain screen, but a fixed operator to which a parameter is previously associated on the manufacturer side on another specific screen, the manufacturer The parameter associated on the side takes precedence over the parameter assigned by the user. For example, even if the user associates a volume with the slider 1 that is an assignable operator by recognizing a common parameter on each screen, the slider 1 is a parameter other than the volume by the manufacturer on another specific screen. Is a fixed operator associated with the information, information regarding parameters other than the volume is displayed.

1 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration showing an overall configuration of an electronic music apparatus according to the present invention. It is the schematic which shows one Example of the parameter setting screen displayed on a display. It is the flowchart which showed one Example of the control processing according to screen switching operation.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CPU, 2 ... ROM, 3 ... RAM, 4 ... Detection circuit, 4A ... Operator, 5 ... Display circuit, 5A ... Display, 6 ... Communication interface, 7 ... Audio interface, 6A (7A) ... External device, 8 ... Storage device, 1D ... Communication bus (data and address bus), M ... Information display other than parameter information, H ... Parameter information display, C (D) ... Panel operator, T ... Tab

Claims (3)

An electronic music device that controls a musical sound signal according to preset parameters,
An indicator,
A plurality of panel controls arranged in the vicinity of the display;
Storage means for storing a correspondence relationship between the panel operator and parameters settable by the operator;
A first display that constantly displays on the display a parameter setting screen that presents information on parameters that can be set with the fixed operator, with respect to a fixed operator that cannot change the association relationship with the parameter among the panel operators. Control means;
The assignable operator that can change the association relationship with the parameter among the panel operators, and the parameter that is associated with the operated assignable operator in response to the operation of the assignable operator Second display control for temporarily displaying information for a predetermined time at a predetermined display position in the parameter setting screen close to the operated assignable operator as a pop-up screen different from the displayed parameter setting screen Electronic music device comprising means.   When the second display control means displays a plurality of pop-up screens at predetermined display positions in the parameter setting screen in response to a plurality of assignable operators being operated, a part of each pop-up screen is displayed. 2. The electronic music apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a display position of at least one pop-up screen is shifted from the predetermined display position to a predetermined second display position so that the two are not displayed overlapping each other.   The second display control means provides the operated assignable that presents the screen size of the pop-up screen displayed at the predetermined display position to the user in response to the operation of the assignable operator. The electronic music apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic music apparatus is determined according to a presentation amount of information relating to a parameter associated with an operator.

Images