JP7041387B2 - Parameter control device, electronic musical instrument, parameter control method and control program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a parameter control device that controls control parameters set in a device such as an electronic musical instrument, an electronic musical instrument to which the parameter control device is applied, a control parameter control method, and a control program.

Conventionally, electronic wind instruments that imitate the shape and playing method of acoustic wind instruments such as saxophones and clarinets have been known. In the performance of such an electronic wind instrument, the pitch of the musical tone is specified by operating the pitch key provided at the same key position as the acoustic wind instrument. In addition, the volume is controlled by the pressure of the breath (breath pressure) blown into the mouthpiece.

Furthermore, in recent electronic wind instruments, the playing method and feeling peculiar to acoustic wind instruments, and the effects given to musical sounds (for example, pitch bend that continuously changes the pitch, vibrato that finely vibrates the pitch, and other timbre effects). ) Etc. are known to be equipped with special operation switches, sensors, and the like.

For example, in Patent Document 1, in order to realize a pitch bend similar to that of an acoustic wind instrument, a rotation operator (pitch bend wheel) is provided on the back side of the electronic wind instrument, and the operator is rotated with a thumb during a performance. A technique for controlling the direction of change in pitch (bend-up, bend-down) according to the operation direction is described.

Further, for example, in Patent Document 2, a plurality of electrostatic pads (capacitive touch sensors) are arranged in series on the lead member of the mouthpiece, and the position of the lips and the tongue when the mouthpiece is held during a performance. A technique for controlling the tone color, volume, pitch, etc. during a performance by detecting the contact state and the biting pressure of the music is described.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-85159 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-15809

In the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above, the position of the lips holding the mouthpiece (the contact position of the lead member with the electrostatic pad) is changed by operating the rotary controller with a finger. By making it possible, it is possible to control the effects given to the musical sound such as pitch bend, but in these operation methods, it is not possible to control a plurality of effects during the performance. Therefore, the types of effects that can be executed while playing an electronic wind instrument are limited, and when changing the desired effect, it is necessary to change the association between the controller or sensor device and the effect in advance. Had the problem that it became annoying.

Such problems are not limited to the above-mentioned electronic wind instruments, but various electronic musical instruments that perform using one part of the body such as a finger, or a part of the body, as in the case of electronic wind instruments, are used. Electronic musical instruments that perform various operations other than playing have similar problems. That is, an operator that slides or rotates in one direction, a sensor device in which a plurality of sensors are arranged in one direction, or the like is provided in an area where one part of the body such as one finger or lips can touch and move. In such a device, when the user operates the above-mentioned operator or sensor device by moving one finger, lips, or the like, only one control parameter according to the operation amount can be controlled.

Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is a parameter control device and an electronic musical instrument capable of efficiently controlling a plurality of control parameters when the operator operates the device using one part of the body. , It is an object of the present invention to provide a parameter control method and a control program.

In the parameter control device according to the present invention, the first sensor in which a plurality of detection regions are arranged and the second sensor in which at least one detection region is arranged so as to face the plurality of detection regions of the first sensor. Control of the operation amount from a plurality of parameters based on the detection value of the sensor and the detection area of the first sensor and the detection area of the second sensor detected at the same time as the detection area is entered. The control unit includes a control unit that selects a target parameter and controls the operation amount of the selected parameter based on the detection values of the plurality of detection regions of the first sensor. The average position is obtained based on the distribution of the arrangement positions of the plurality of detection regions of the first sensor, and the average position is converted into a standardized numerical value and used for controlling the manipulated variable of the parameter. If the average position is within a predetermined range when converting to a standardized numerical value, a dead zone is provided to fix the converted numerical value to a specific value.

According to the present invention, when an operator operates a device using a part of the body, a plurality of control parameters can be efficiently controlled.

It is an external view which shows the whole structure of one Embodiment of the electronic musical instrument to which the parameter control device which concerns on this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the functional structure of the electronic musical instrument which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the touch pad applied to the parameter operation part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the calculation method of the contact position in the X direction applied to 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the contact position in the X direction and a MIDI signal applied to 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the method of determining the contact position in the Y direction applied to 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the main routine of the control method in the electronic musical instrument which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the parameter operation part applied to the control method of the electronic musical instrument which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the other example of the signal conversion processing which considered the dead zone applied to the control method of the electronic musical instrument which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 1st control method of the parameter applied to the control method of the electronic musical instrument which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 2nd control method of the parameter applied to the control method of the electronic musical instrument which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the modification which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the control method of the parameter operation part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control method of the parameter operation part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the parameter control device, the electronic musical instrument, the parameter control method, and the control program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, an example of an electronic musical instrument to which a parameter control device having various effects given to musical tones as control parameters, and a control method of the control parameters and an electronic musical instrument to which a control program is applied will be described. ..

<First Embodiment>
(Electronic musical instrument)
FIG. 1 is an external view showing an overall structure of an embodiment of an electronic musical instrument to which the parameter control device according to the present invention is applied. 1 (a) is a front view of the electronic musical instrument according to the present embodiment, FIG. 1 (b) is a side view of the electronic musical instrument, and FIG. 1 (c) is a rear view of the electronic musical instrument.

The electronic musical instrument 100 to which the parameter control device according to the present invention is applied has an appearance imitating the shape of a saxophone of an acoustic wind instrument, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 (a) to 1 (c). In the electronic musical instrument 100, a mouthpiece 22 that the performer (user) holds in his mouth is attached to one end side (left end side in the drawing) of the musical instrument body 102 having a tubular housing, and the other end side (right side in the drawing). A speaker box 92 that outputs a musical sound is provided on the side).

Further, as shown in FIG. 1A, a performance key 12 for determining the pitch is provided on the front side of the musical instrument main body 102 by being operated by the performer with a finger. Further, on the back side of the musical instrument main body 102, as shown in FIG. 1 (c), an effect (control parameter) to be given to a musical sound during a performance is selected, and its polarity, intensity, etc. (operation amount) are controlled. A touch pad 32 for this purpose, a display unit 42 for setting the type of effect associated with the touch pad 32 before playing, and a setting switch 44 are provided.

Further, on the back side of the musical instrument body 102, a finger rest (or a finger hook) 104 for stably holding the electronic musical instrument 100 by abutting against a finger during a performance, and a strap of the electronic musical instrument 100 of the performer. A strap ring 106 is provided for hanging and holding the instrument around the neck. Further, as shown in the IA section of FIG. 1A, the pressure sensor 24, the CPU (Central Processing Unit) 50, the ROM (Read Only Memory) 60, and the RAM (Random Access Memory) 70 are inside the musical instrument body 102. , A board 108 on which a sound source 80 and the like are mounted is provided.

The breath pressure detection unit 20 measures the pressure (breath pressure) generated inside the mouthpiece 22 by the pressure sensor 24 when the performer blows into the mouthpiece 22 attached to one end side of the instrument body 102. , The breath pressure information is output to the CPU 50.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the electronic musical instrument according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the electronic musical instrument 100 according to the present embodiment generally includes an operator 10 including a performance key 12, a breath pressure detection unit 20 including a mouthpiece 22 and a pressure sensor 24, and a touch pad 32. It has a parameter operation unit 30 including a parameter operation unit 30, a parameter setting unit 40 including a display unit 42 and a setting switch 44, a CPU 50, a ROM 60, a RAM 70, a sound source 80, and a sound system 90 including a speaker. The functional configuration shown in FIG. 2 is an example for realizing the electronic musical instrument according to the present invention, and is not limited to this configuration.

The operator 10 receives a key operation by the performer on the performance key 12 provided on the front side of the musical instrument main body 102, and outputs the operation information to the CPU 50. Here, the key operation for the performance key 12 for designating the scale is performed by changing the positions of the keys pressed by the four fingers (excluding the thumb) from the index finger to the little finger of both hands of the performer.

The parameter operation unit 30 receives an operation by the performer on the touch pad 32 provided on the back side of the musical instrument main body 102, and controls the polarity, intensity, and the like of the effect given to the musical sound preset in the touch pad 32. The parameter operation information for this is output to the CPU 50.

Here, for example, in the electronic musical instrument 100 shown in FIG. 1, the touch pad 32 is on the right when the performer stands the electronic musical instrument 100 vertically (horizontal direction in the drawing is up and down) and supports and holds the electronic musical instrument 100 with both hands. It is provided at a position (region) where the thumb 202 of the hand abuts. That is, the operation on the touch pad 32 is performed by moving the thumb of the player's right hand on the touch pad 32 in a specific direction to change the contact position (contact area). The parameter operation unit 30 detects the contact position of the thumb on the touch pad 32 and outputs it to the CPU 50 as parameter operation information for controlling the polarity and intensity of a predetermined effect. The configuration and functions of the touchpad 32 will be described in detail later.

In the present embodiment, the touch pad 32 of the parameter operation unit 30 is provided in the area corresponding to the thumb 202 of the right hand on the back side of the electronic musical instrument 100, but the present invention is limited to this. For example, it may have a configuration in which a touch pad is provided in an area corresponding to the thumb of the left hand, or a configuration in which a touch pad is provided in an area corresponding to the thumb of the left and right hands (that is,). , A total of 2 places) may be provided.

The parameter setting unit 40 receives an operation by the performer on the setting switch 44 provided on the back side of the musical instrument main body 102, and outputs parameter setting information for setting the type of effect associated with the touch pad 32 to the CPU 50. do.

Here, the parameter setting unit 40 has a plurality of types of effects prepared in advance by, for example, the performer operating the setting switch 44 based on the information displayed on the display unit 42 such as a liquid crystal display panel (LCD). Parameter setting information for setting (assigning) one or a plurality of effects selected from among them in association with the touch pad 32 of the parameter operation unit 30 is output to the CPU 50.

The CPU 50 is a computer that functions as a control means for controlling each part of the electronic musical instrument 100. A predetermined program stored in the ROM 60 is read out and expanded in the RAM 70, and various processes are performed in cooperation with the expanded program. Execute. For example, the CPU 50 generates a musical tone based on the operation information input from the operator 10, the breath pressure information input from the breath pressure detection unit 20, and the parameter operation information input from the parameter operation unit 30. Is instructed to the sound source 80. Further, the CPU 50 determines the type of effect to be set in association with the touch pad 32 of the parameter operation unit 30 based on the parameter setting information input from the parameter setting unit 40.

The ROM 60 is a read-only semiconductor memory, and stores various data and programs for controlling operations and processes in the electronic musical instrument 100. In particular, in the present embodiment, a control method applied to a control method for an electronic musical instrument described later, which determines an effect to be executed, its polarity, strength, and the like based on the contact position of the thumb 202 on the touch pad 32. The program for realizing the above is stored. The RAM 70 is a volatile semiconductor memory, and is a data or program read from the ROM 60, or data generated during the execution of the program, an operator 10, a breath pressure detection unit 20, a parameter operation unit 30, and parameter setting. It has a work area for temporarily storing various information output from the unit 40.

The sound source 80 is a synthesizer, and is in accordance with a musical tone generation instruction output from the CPU 50 based on operation information from the operation element 10, breath pressure information from the breath pressure detection unit 20, and parameter operation information from the parameter operation unit 30. Musical tone synthesis is performed, a musical tone signal is generated, and it is output to the sound system 90. The sound system 90 performs processing such as signal amplification on the musical tone signal input from the sound source 80, and outputs it as a musical tone from the speaker built in the speaker box 92.

(Parameter operation unit)
Next, the parameter operation unit applied to the electronic musical instrument according to the present embodiment will be specifically described.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of a touch pad applied to the parameter operation unit according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3A is a schematic view showing a state in which the thumb is in contact with the touchpad, and FIG. 3B is a schematic view showing a planar structure of the touchpad.

As shown in FIG. 3A, for example, the touch pad 32 applied to the present embodiment is provided in a region adjacent to the finger rest 104 on the back side of the musical instrument main body 102. As a result, the thumb 202 of the player's right hand is guided to move along the finger rest 104, and the operation position in the X direction, which is the lateral direction (left-right direction in the drawing) of the musical instrument body 102, is determined. Further, by moving the thumb 202 so as to roll with reference to the state where the thumb 202 of the right hand is in contact with the finger rest 104, the operation position in the Y direction, which is the longitudinal direction (vertical direction in the drawing) of the musical instrument body 102. Is determined.

As shown in FIG. 3B, for example, the touch pad 32 has a configuration in which electrodes of a plurality of capacitive touch sensors are arranged in a predetermined planar shape and layout. The touch pad 32 is roughly divided into three stages in the Y direction (longitudinal direction) of the musical instrument body 102, from the side closer to the finger rest 104: the upper sensor electrode ELu, the middle sensor electrode group ELm, and the lower sensor electrode ELd. The electrode group is arranged. All of these electrode groups are arranged so as to extend in the X direction (short direction) of the musical instrument main body 102.

Specifically, the upper sensor electrode ELu and the lower sensor electrode ELd are composed of a single electrode formed continuously in a straight line, and the sensor electrodes ELu and ELd are arranged so as to extend in the X direction. Has been done. The sensor electrode group ELm in the middle stage is composed of an aggregate of a plurality of rectangular sensor electrodes cap1 to cap9, and the plurality of sensor electrodes cap1 to cap9 are located in the region between the upper sensor electrode ELu and the lower sensor electrode ELd. Are arranged at regular intervals in the X direction.

That is, the touch pad 32 is orthogonal to the X direction, which is the arrangement direction of the sensor electrodes cap1 to cap9, with respect to the sensor electrode group ELm in the middle stage constituting the slider in which the plurality of sensor electrodes cap1 to cap9 are arranged in the X direction. The upper sensor electrode ELu and the lower sensor electrode ELd are arranged so as to extend in the X direction so as to be adjacent to each other in the Y direction and straddle (or face each other in common) a plurality of sensor electrodes cap1 to cap9. Has been done. Each of these sensor electrodes ELu, ELd, and cap1 to cap9 corresponds to a detection region of each touch sensor arranged on the touch pad 32.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3B, among the three-stage electrode group arranged on the touch pad 32, the width Wm in the Y direction of the middle-stage sensor electrode group ELm is, for example, Y in the contact region of the thumb 202. It is set to be about the same as the width in the direction. Further, the total width of the three-stage electrode group in the Y direction (that is, the width from the upper side of the upper sensor electrode ELu in the drawing to the lower side of the lower sensor electrode ELd in the drawing) We is, for example, the contact of the thumb 202. It is set to be approximately 1.5 to 2 times the width of the region in the Y direction.

Further, among the three-stage electrode group arranged on the touch pad 32, the length Le of the upper sensor electrode ELu and the lower sensor electrode ELd in the X direction is, for example, all the sensor electrodes cap1 to the middle sensor electrode group ELm. Arrangement length of cap9 in the X direction (that is, the total length from the left side of the drawing of the sensor electrode cap1 to the right side of the drawing of the sensor electrode cap9) so as to be about the same or slightly shorter than Lm. It is set. Further, among the three-stage electrode group, both ends of the middle-stage sensor electrode group ELm in the X direction (the left side of the drawing of the sensor electrode cap1 and the right side of the drawing of the sensor electrode cap9) are, for example. The plane shape and layout of each pad are set so as to protrude from or to the same extent as the X-direction end of the upper sensor electrode ELu and the lower sensor electrode ELd.

In the present embodiment, when the thumb 202 touches the touch pad 32, the contact position of the thumb 202 in the X direction is detected based on the contact state with the sensor electrode group ELm in the middle stage constituting the slider, and the effect is produced. The amount of operation (polarity, strength, etc.) is determined. Further, the effect of detecting and executing the contact position of the thumb 202 in the Y direction is selected based on the contact state with the upper sensor electrode ELu or the lower sensor electrode ELd. Therefore, even if the thumb 202 touches the position of any sensor electrode in the three-stage electrode group and the effect to be executed is selected, the contact position in the X direction that determines the operation amount of the effect. In order to accurately detect, the thumb 202 needs to be in direct contact with one of the sensor electrodes cap1 to cap9 of the sensor electrode group ELm in the middle stage, or in contact with a position sufficiently close to the sensor electrodes cap1 to cap9. In the present embodiment, in order to realize such a state satisfactorily, the planar shape and layout of the sensor electrodes as described above are applied.

In the parameter operation unit 30 having such a configuration, in the present embodiment, the upper sensor electrode ELu, the middle sensor electrode group ELm, and the lower sensor electrode ELd arranged on the touch pad 32 are the parameter setting unit 40. Is associated with any effect. For example, the upper sensor electrode ELu is associated with modulation, the middle sensor electrode group ELm is associated with pitch bend, and the lower sensor electrode ELd is associated with filter cutoff. Here, as a function associated with the sensor electrodes of each stage arranged on the touch pad 32, a case of setting an effect for imparting a timbre effect such as pitch bend or vibrato to a musical sound will be described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. do not have. That is, other controls related to the pronunciation of musical tones may be performed, for example, control of presence / absence of mute, control of volume, control of switching the assignment of scales designated by the controller 10, and the like. It may be associated with the sensor electrode of the stage.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, the shape and area of the upper sensor electrode ELu and the lower sensor electrode ELd, and the shapes of the sensor electrodes cap1 to cap9 of the middle sensor electrode group ELm. And are formed so that the areas are different. Therefore, the sensor output value output from each electrode differs depending on the shape and area of the electrode, but by correcting the acquired sensor value in the software, it is in the range of 0 to 255 (256 steps). Can be optimized as obtained in.

Although FIGS. 1 and 3 show a configuration in which the touch pad 32 is installed on the back surface of the musical instrument main body 102, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the touch pad 32 is provided inside the musical instrument main body 102, and the detection surface on which the electrodes of the plurality of touch sensors described above are arranged is provided so as to be exposed from the housing of the musical instrument main body 102. Alternatively, the front surface of the detection surface may be covered and protected by the housing of the musical instrument body 102. Here, the touch pad 32 may have a structure in which a capacitive touch sensor is mounted on a substrate, or the substrate is formed of a flexible printed circuit board (FPC substrate) to form a musical instrument main body. It may have a structure attached to the surface of the housing of 102. Further, the touch pad 32 is not limited to the capacitance type touch sensor, and may be one to which a resistance film type touch sensor is applied.

(Method of calculating contact position in X direction)
Next, a method of calculating the contact position in the X direction when the thumb of the performer touches the above-mentioned touch pad will be described.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating a contact position in the X direction applied to the present embodiment. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of distribution of the sensor output value of the parameter operation unit 30 in a state where the thumb is in contact with the touch pad, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing the sensor output value shown in FIG. 4A. This is an example of the contact position of the thumb determined based on the above.

In the touch pad 32 applied to the present embodiment, as a method for obtaining the contact position of the thumb 202 in the X direction, it is based on the distribution of the sensor output value output according to the capacitance in each sensor electrode of the touch pad 32. In this case, a general algorithm for calculating the position of the center of gravity can be satisfactorily applied.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, the contact state of the thumb 202 with the touch pad 32 is based on the capacitance of each sensor electrode cap1 to cap9 arranged in the sensor electrode group ELm in the middle stage constituting the slider. For example, it is detected by an output value of 256 steps. Here, since the plurality of sensor electrodes cap1 to cap9 of the sensor electrode group ELm in the middle stage are arranged in a row in the X direction (short side direction) of the instrument body 102, for example, the player's thumb is directly above the sensor electrode cap4. In the state where the 202 is placed and in contact, as shown in FIG. 4A, the electrostatic capacitance of the sensor electrodes (for example, sensor electrodes cap3 to cap5) in the region where the thumb 202 is in contact and in the vicinity thereof is large. It becomes large and a high sensor output value can be obtained. On the other hand, in the sensor electrodes in the region where the thumb 202 is not in contact (for example, the sensor electrodes cap1, cap2, cap6 to cap9), the capacitance becomes small and a relatively low sensor output value can be obtained. That is, as shown in FIG. 4A, the distribution of the sensor output values output from the sensor electrodes cap1 to cap9 of the touchpad 32 in this case is the sensor electrode (generally the sensor) at the position where the thumb 202 is in the strongest contact. It has the characteristic of showing a chevron shape with the sensor output value from the electrodes cap3 to cap5) as the maximum value.

Then, based on the distribution of the sensor output values shown in FIG. 4A, a general method for calculating the position of the center of gravity is applied to obtain the contact position of the thumb. The center of gravity position x _G corresponding to the contact position pos of the thumb is based on the sensor output values Vcap _i from a plurality of sensor electrodes for detecting the contact state of the thumb and the number x _i indicating the arrangement position of each sensor electrode. It is calculated by the following equation (11).

In the above equation (11), n is the number of sensor output values used for calculating the center of gravity position x _G. Here, as described above, the sensor output values Vcap _i from the nine (n = 9) sensor electrodes cap1 to cap9 arranged in the sensor electrode group ELm in the middle of the touchpad 32 are used to calculate the center of gravity position x _G. Use. Further, the position numbers x _i (= 1, 2, ... 9) of each sensor electrode are set corresponding to the arrangement positions of these sensor electrodes cap1 to cap9. That is, the method of calculating the center of gravity position x _G corresponding to the contact position pos of the thumb shown in the equation (11) is an operation for obtaining the average position based on the distribution of the arrangement positions of the sensor electrodes, and the average position is the calculation. Is a weighted average calculation that multiplies the position of each sensor electrode by the output value of each sensor electrode as a weight value.

As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the center of gravity position x _G is determined using the above equation (11) based on the distribution of the sensor output values obtained when the performer touches the touch pad 32 with his / her thumb. When the calculation is performed to obtain the contact position pos in the X direction of the thumb, a numerical value of "4.0" is obtained as shown in FIG. 4 (b). This numerical value represents the contact position of the thumb by the position number of the sensor electrode. That is, it is represented by a relative position with respect to the arrangement position of each sensor electrode cap1 to cap9 indicated by the position numbers 1 to 9, and is represented by a numerical value including a decimal number of 1.0 to 9.0. Further, as shown in the above equation (11), sum1 in FIG. 4B is the sum of the products of the sensor output values Vcap _i and the position number x _i in each of the sensor electrodes cap1 to cap9, and is sum2. Is the sum of the sensor output values Vcap _i from each sensor electrode cap1 to cap9.

The thumb contact position pos shown in the figure is converted into a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) signal, which is a numerical value expressed in 7 bits when used in the sound source 8 (arrangement positions 1 of the sensor electrodes cap1 to cap9). It is used after assigning the range from 0 to 9 to an integer value from 0 to 127). Specifically, as shown in the following equation (12), 127/8 is multiplied after subtracting 1 from the value of the contact position pos of the thumb, which is the center of gravity position x _G calculated by the equation (11). .. For example, if the contact position pos of the thumb is "4.0", the numerical value "48" obtained by the equation (12) is used as a MIDI signal expressed by 7 bits.

The contact position pos of the thumb in the X direction of the touch pad 32 obtained by the above-mentioned series of calculation methods of the center of gravity is converted into a MIDI signal, and then, as will be described later, the upper sensor electrode ELu and the middle sensor. It is used to control the polarity and intensity of the effect set in either the electrode group ELm or the lower sensor electrode ELd.

(Conversion process to MIDI signal)
Next, the process of converting the above-mentioned contact position in the X direction into a MIDI signal will be described.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the contact position in the X direction and the MIDI signal applied to the present embodiment. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship having linearity when the dead pair is not considered, and FIG. 5B is a diagram for explaining the conversion process to the position information in consideration of the dead zone. ..

When the processing of converting (assigning) the contact position of the thumb in the X direction of the thumb obtained by applying the above-mentioned calculation method of the center of gravity position into a MIDI signal as it is is performed, the relationship between the contact position in the X direction and the MIDI signal is For example, represented by the graph shown in FIG. 5A, by moving the contact position of the thumb from the position of the sensor electrode cap1 to the X direction, which is the direction of the sensor electrode cap9, the MIDI signal is from "0" to "127". Numerical values that change with linearity are obtained. In such a conversion process, if the performer's thumb moves in the X direction even slightly on the touch pad, the effect of the musical tone may be affected, and the performer's intended performance may not be possible.

In order to suppress such a situation, the touch sensor does not respond to the movement of the performer's thumb near the intermediate position (center) in the X direction of the touch pad 32, or the detection sensitivity of the touch sensor is set low. A method of providing a dead zone can be applied. The method of providing such a dead zone is generally used not only in the user interface of an electronic musical instrument but also in various analog operation levers and the like.

When the conversion process to a signal or information in consideration of such a dead zone is applied to the relationship between the contact position in the X direction on the input side (before conversion) and the MIDI signal on the output side (after conversion), for example, FIG. It is represented by the form shown in the graph shown in (b), and when the contact position of the thumb is within the dead zone, the touch sensor does not respond or the sensor output value indicating the intermediate position of the touch pad 32 is output. Will be done.

That is, when the contact position in the X direction is Xa or more and Xb or less, the value of the MIDI signal is fixed to the default value "64" regardless of the contact position in the X direction. Here, in the graph of FIG. 5B, the case where Xa = 50 and Xb = 84 are set as an example is shown.

Further, when the contact position (x) in the X direction is less than Xa, the MIDI signal (y) changes with a linearity represented by the following equation (13), and the contact position (x) in the X direction is changed. ) Is larger than Xb, the MIDI signal (y) changes with the linearity represented by the following equation (14).

According to the signal conversion process in consideration of such a dead zone, the sensitive operation of the touch pad 32 is suppressed, and the intended playing feeling and musical tone effect can be satisfactorily realized. In addition, in FIG. 5 (b), in order to simplify the explanation, the case where the dead zone is provided near the intermediate position (center) in the X direction of the touch pad 32 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, a dead zone may be provided at both ends in the X direction or at either end (right end, left end). A specific example of the setting position of the dead zone will be described later.

(Method of determining the contact position in the Y direction)
Next, a method of determining the position in the Y direction when the thumb of the performer touches the touch pad described above will be described.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a method for determining a contact position in the Y direction, which is applied to the present embodiment. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a state in which the thumb is touching the upper or lower sensor electrodes of the touchpad, and FIG. 6B is a state in which the thumb is touching the sensor electrode group in the middle stage of the touchpad. It is a figure which shows.

In the touch pad 32 applied to the present embodiment, as a method for obtaining the contact position of the thumb 202 in the Y direction, the difference between the sensor output values output from the upper sensor electrode ELu and the lower sensor electrode ELd of the touch pad 32 is used. Can be calculated based on.

Specifically, when the sensor output value of the upper sensor electrode ELu is Vu and the sensor output value of the lower sensor electrode ELd is Vd, both sensor output values Vu, as shown in the following equation (21), It is determined whether or not the difference in Vd (Vu-Vd) is larger than the preset threshold value THdiff. Further, as shown in the following equation (22), it is determined whether or not the sensor output value Vu from the upper sensor electrode ELu is equal to or higher than the preset threshold value THon. Here, THdiff is a value for determining whether or not the difference between the sensor output values Vu and Vd from the upper and lower sensor electrodes ELu and ELd is sufficiently large. Further, THon is a value for determining whether or not the thumb is touching the upper or lower sensor electrodes ELu and ELd.
Vu-Vd> THdiff ・ ・ ・ (21)
Vu ≧ THon ・ ・ ・ (22)

When both of the conditions of the equations (21) and (22) are satisfied, that is, the difference between the sensor output values Vu and Vd (Vu-Vd) of both is larger than the preset threshold value THdiff, and When the sensor output value Vu from the upper sensor electrode ELu is equal to or higher than the preset threshold value THon, the thumb 202 touches the upper sensor electrode ELu as shown in FIG. 6A. Or, it is judged that they are in a sufficiently close state.

On the other hand, as shown in the following equation (23), it is determined whether or not the difference (Vd-Vu) between the two sensor output values Vu and Vd is larger than the preset threshold value THdiff. Further, as shown in the following equation (24), it is determined whether or not the sensor output value Vd from the lower sensor electrode ELd is equal to or higher than the preset threshold value THon.
Vd-Vu> THdiff ・ ・ ・ (23)
Vd ≧ THon ・ ・ ・ (24)

When both of the conditions of the equations (23) and (24) are satisfied, that is, the difference between the sensor output values Vu and Vd (Vd-Vu) of both is larger than the preset threshold value THdiff, and When the sensor output value Vd from the lower sensor electrode ELd is equal to or higher than the preset threshold value THon, the thumb 202 touches the lower sensor electrode ELd as shown in FIG. 6 (b). Or, it is judged that they are in a sufficiently close state.

Further, when the conditions of the above equations (21) to (24) are not satisfied, that is, the absolute value (| Vu-Vd |) of the difference between the sensor output values Vu and Vd of both is set as a preset threshold value THdiff. When the sensor output values Vu and Vd of both are smaller than the preset threshold values THon, the thumb 202 touches the sensor electrode group ELm in the middle stage as shown in FIG. 6 (c). It is judged that they are or are in a sufficiently close state.

In the present embodiment, the conditions of the above equations (21) to (24) are shown to determine whether the thumb 202 touches the upper or lower sensor electrodes ELu or ELd. It is not limited to this. For example, by using only the equations (21) and (23) among the above equations (21) to (24) and setting the threshold value THdiff to a large value, the difference between the two sensor output values Vu and Vd. It may be determined whether the sensor electrode ELu in the upper stage, the sensor electrode ELd in the lower stage, or the sensor electrode group ELm in the middle stage is touched depending on whether or not is larger than the threshold value THdiff. Further, the method is not limited to the method using the difference between the sensor output values Vu and Vd from the upper and lower sensor electrodes ELu and EL, and for example, the ratio of the sensor output values Vu and Vd of both is set in advance. The sensor electrode touched by the thumb 202 may be determined based on whether or not the value is larger than the threshold value.

(Control method for electronic musical instruments)
Next, a control method of an electronic musical instrument to which the parameter control device according to the present embodiment is applied will be specifically described.
Here, the method for controlling an electronic musical instrument according to the present embodiment includes a method for determining the contact position of the thumb in the XY directions in the parameter operation unit 30 described above and a conversion process for a MIDI signal, which is described above. It is realized by executing a specific control program in the CPU 50 of the electronic musical instrument 100.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the main routine of the control method in the electronic musical instrument according to the present embodiment.
As for the control method of the electronic musical instrument according to the present embodiment, as shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, when the performer first turns on the power of the electronic musical instrument 100, the CPU 50 performs an initialization process for initializing various settings of the electronic musical instrument 100. Execute (step S702).

Next, the CPU 50 executes a process based on the detection information of the lip (lower lip) output from the lip detection unit (not shown) when the performer holds the mouthpiece 22 of the electronic musical instrument 100 (step S704). ..

Next, the CPU 50 executes a process based on the tongue detection information output from the tongue detection unit (not shown) according to the contact state of the tongue (tongue portion) with the mouthpiece 22 (step S706). Further, the CPU 50 executes a process based on the breath pressure information output from the breath pressure detection unit 20 according to the breath blown into the mouthpiece 22 (step S708).

Next, the CPU 50 generates a key code corresponding to the pitch information included in the operation information of the operator 10, supplies the key code to the sound source 80, and executes a key switch process for setting the pitch of the musical tone (step S710). At this time, in the process of the lip detection unit (step S704), the CPU 50 executes a process of adjusting the tone color, volume, and the like of the musical tone based on the lip detection information input from the lip detection unit. Further, in the process of the tongue detection unit (step S706), the CPU 50 executes a process of setting the note on / off of the musical tone based on the tongue detection information input from the tongue detection unit, and the breath pressure detection unit 20. In the process (step S708), a process of setting the volume of the musical tone is executed based on the breath pressure information input from the breath pressure detection unit 20.

Further, the CPU 50 selects a plurality of preset effects (tone effects such as pitch bend and vibrato) based on the parameter operation information input from the parameter operation unit 30, and operates the effects (polarity, intensity, etc.). ) Is executed (step S712). The process of the parameter operation unit 30 includes a method of determining the contact position of the thumb on the touch pad 32 described above, and the details will be described later. Through these series of processes, the CPU 50 generates an instruction for generating a musical tone according to the performance operation of the performer and outputs the instruction to the sound source 80. Then, the sound source 80 executes a pronunciation process for operating the sound system 90 based on a musical tone generation instruction from the CPU 50 (step S714).

After that, the CPU 50 executes other necessary processing (step S716), and when the series of processing operations is completed, the CPU 50 repeatedly executes the processing of steps S704 to S716 described above. Although not shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 50 detects a change in the state in which the performance ends or is interrupted during the execution of the series of processing operations (steps S702 to S716) described above. If so, the processing operation is forcibly terminated.

(Processing of parameter operation part)
Next, the processing of the parameter operation unit 30 shown in the above-mentioned main routine will be described.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing of the parameter operation unit applied to the control method of the electronic musical instrument according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of signal conversion processing in consideration of a dead zone applied to the control method of an electronic musical instrument according to the present embodiment.

The processing of the parameter operation unit 30 applied to the control method of the electronic musical instrument shown in FIG. 7 is as shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. The sensor output value output from the sensor electrodes (three-stage electrode group of upper, middle, and lower stages) is acquired and stored as the current output value in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 7. As a result, the sensor output value stored in the predetermined storage area of the RAM 7 is sequentially updated to the current sensor output value (step S802). Here, the sensor output value output from the parameter operation unit 30 is such that the performer's thumb contacts a plurality of sensor electrodes arranged on the touch pad 32 having the configurations shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. When the detection state is reached, the output values corresponding to the capacitance generated in each sensor electrode at that time are simultaneously (or substantially simultaneously) detected and output to the CPU 50.

Next, the CPU 50 determines whether or not the performer's thumb is in contact with the touch pad 32 based on the sensor output value (current output value) output from the touch pad 32 of the parameter operation unit 30 (step). S804). Here, as a method for determining whether or not the thumb is in contact with the touch pad 32, for example, based on the sum of the sensor output values from the plurality of sensor electrodes ELu, ELm, and ELd arranged on the touch pad 32. Judgment techniques can be applied. That is, when the total sum of the calculated sensor output values is larger than the predetermined threshold value THfinger, it is determined that the thumb is in contact with the touch pad 32, and when the total sum is equal to or less than the above threshold value THfinger. , It is determined that the thumb is not in contact with the touch pad 32.

The determination of whether or not the thumb is in contact with the touch pad 32 is not limited to the above method, and other methods may be applied. For example, when the sensor output values from the sensor electrodes ELu, ELm, and ELd are all equal to or less than a predetermined value, it is determined that the thumb is not in contact with the touch pad 32, and half of the sensor electrodes ELu, ELm, and ELd. When the above sensor output value exceeds the above-mentioned predetermined value, the method of determining that the thumb is in contact with the touch pad 32 may be applied.

If it is determined in step S804 that the performer's thumb is not in contact with the touchpad 32 (No in step S804), the CPU 50 determines the thumb contact position on the touchpad 32 (in FIG. 8). Then, the calculation of "pos1") is not performed, and after setting "64" which is the default value of the 7-bit expression ("pos1 = 64"; step S806), the processing of the parameter operation unit 30 is terminated. The process returns to the processing of the main routine shown in FIG.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S804 that the performer's thumb is in contact with the touch pad 32 (Yes in step S804), the CPU 50 determines the thumb contact position calculation method in the X direction described above. A series of processing operations including a signal conversion process considering a dead zone and a method of determining the contact position of the thumb in the Y direction are executed.

Specifically, the CPU 50 first calculates the center of gravity position (weighted average) described above with respect to the sensor output values from the sensor electrodes cap1 to cap9 arranged in the sensor electrode group ELm in the middle stage of the touchpad 32. Is applied to calculate the contact position pos1 of the thumb in the X direction (step S808). Here, since the contact position pos1 obtained by the method of calculating the center of gravity position is represented by a numerical value including a decimal number of 1.0 to 9.0, it is assigned to an integer value of 0 to 127 in order to use this as a MIDI signal. In this way, the contact position pos1 of the thumb in the X direction is determined with a high resolution of 128 steps. The determined thumb contact position pos1 in the X direction is stored in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 70.

Next, the CPU 50 converts the contact position pos1 in the X direction into a numerical value of a MIDI signal by applying the above-mentioned signal conversion processing method in consideration of the dead zone (pos1 → pos2).

Specifically, the CPU 50 has thresholds THdL, THdc1, THdc2, and THdR that define a plurality of dead zones DZ1, DZ2, and DZ3 in advance, and is calculated by a method of calculating the contact position of the thumb in the X direction to 0. The contact position pos1 in the X direction assigned to the integer values of ~ 127 corresponds to any of the five areas including the dead zones DZ1, DZ2, and DZ3 on the input side (horizontal axis) of the signal conversion characteristic shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not to do so (step S810). In the discrimination process of step S810, when the numerical value of the contact position pos1 is included in the region of the dead zone DZ1 which is less than the threshold value THdL, it is converted to pos2 = 0 as shown in FIG. 9 (step S812). When the value of the contact position pos1 is equal to or more than the threshold value THdL and less than THdc1, pos2 is calculated based on the characteristic line consisting of a linear function of a predetermined slope as shown in FIG. 9, and is in the range of 0 to 64. It is converted into the numerical value of (step S814). Further, when the numerical value of the contact position pos1 is included in the region of the dead zone DZ2 having the threshold value THdc1 or more and less than THdc2, it is converted to pos2 = 64 as shown in FIG. 9 (step S816). When the value of the contact position pos1 is equal to or more than the threshold value THdc2 and less than THdR, pos2 is calculated based on the characteristic line consisting of a linear function of a predetermined slope as shown in FIG. 9, and is in the range of 64 to 127. It is converted into the numerical value of (step S818). Further, when the numerical value of the contact position pos1 is included in the region of the dead zone DZ3 having the threshold value THdR or more, it is converted to pos2 = 127 as shown in FIG. 9 (step S820). The numerical value of the contact position pos2 thus converted is stored in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 70.

Next, the CPU 50 calculates the contact position of the thumb in the Y direction by applying the above-mentioned method of processing for determining the contact position of the thumb in the Y direction. Specifically, the CPU 50 first sets in advance the difference (Vu-Vd) with respect to the sensor output values Vu and Vd from the upper sensor electrodes ELu and the lower sensor electrodes ELd arranged on the touch pad 32. It is determined whether or not the sensor output value Vu from the upper sensor electrode ELu is larger than the set threshold value THdiff and is equal to or higher than the preset threshold value THon (step S822). In the discrimination process of step S822, when the difference between the sensor output values Vu and Vd (Vu-Vd) is larger than the threshold value THdiff and the sensor output value Vu is equal to or more than the threshold value THon (Yes in step S822). The CPU 50 determines that the thumb is in contact with or close to the upper sensor electrode ELu (posUD = up) (step S824).

On the other hand, in the discrimination process of step S822, when the difference between the sensor output values Vu and Vd (Vu-Vd) is smaller than the threshold value THdiff and the sensor output value Vu is less than the threshold value THon (step S822). In No), the CPU 50 determines whether or not the difference between the sensor output values Vu and Vd (Vd-Vu) is larger than the threshold value THdiff and the sensor output value Vd is equal to or higher than the threshold value THon. (Step S826). In the discrimination process of step S826, when the difference between the sensor output values Vu and Vd (Vd-Vu) is larger than the threshold value THdiff and the sensor output value Vd is equal to or more than the threshold value THon (Yes in step S826). The CPU 50 determines that the thumb is in contact with or close to the lower sensor electrode ELd (posUD = down) (step S828).

On the other hand, in the discrimination process of step S826, when the difference between the sensor output values Vu and Vd (Vd-Vu) is smaller than the threshold value THdiff and the sensor output value Vd is less than the threshold value THon (step S826). In No), the CPU 50 is at a position where the thumb is not in contact with or close to any of the upper and lower sensor electrodes ELu and ELd, but is in contact with or close to the middle sensor electrode group ELm (posUD = middle). (Step S830). In this way, the contact position posUD of the thumb in the Y direction is determined by three lower resolutions of upper, middle, and lower. The Y-direction thumb contact position posUD whose upper, middle, and lower positions on the touchpad 32 are determined is stored in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 70.

Next, the CPU 50 selects an effect previously associated with the touchpad 32 by the parameter setting unit 40 based on the thumb contact position posUD in the Y direction determined as described above, and the thumb contact position pos2 in the X direction. Set the operation amount (polarity, intensity, etc.) of the selected effect based on. As a result, the CPU 50 issues a MIDI signal with values based on the contact positions pos2 and posUD in the XY directions (step S832), and produces a musical tone with an effect corresponding to the operation of the touch pad 32 with the thumb. The MIDI signal is used when generating. After that, the CPU 50 ends the processing of the parameter operation unit 30, and returns to the processing of the main routine shown in FIG. 7.

(Parameter control method)
Next, a parameter control method applied to the electronic musical instrument control method described above will be described. Here, the operation of the electronic musical instrument when parameters such as effects realized by the above-mentioned control method of the electronic musical instrument are continuously controlled will be described.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first control method of parameters applied to the control method of the electronic musical instrument according to the present embodiment. 10 (a) is a schematic diagram showing an operation state in the touch pad, and FIGS. 10 (b) to 10 (d) are diagrams showing changes in the sensor output value output from each electrode of the touch pad, and FIG. 10A is a diagram. (E) is a table showing the sensor output value output from each electrode of the touch pad. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second control method of parameters applied to the control method of the electronic musical instrument according to the present embodiment. 11 (a) to 11 (c) are diagrams showing changes in the sensor output values output from each electrode of the touch pad, and FIGS. 11 (d) show the sensor output values output from each electrode of the touch pad. It is a table.

In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the contact area of the thumb 202 is determined by the electrode group arranged on the touch pad 32 of the parameter operation unit 30, and the pre-associated effect is produced. At the same time as being selected, the operation amount (polarity, intensity, etc.) of the effect is determined. Here, in the first control method of the parameter according to the present embodiment, when the thumb 202 is moved from the state of being placed on the specific area on the touch pad 32 to another area, the CPU 50 is first. Performs control to retain the determined effect in the area of.

For example, for the upper sensor electrode ELu, the middle sensor electrode group ELm, and the lower sensor electrode ELd arranged on the touch pad 32, the sound effects of A, B, and C are associated with each other for convenience as parameters. In this case, if the same effect is kept selected and the operation amount is changed, the effect corresponding to the change in the operation amount is executed. On the other hand, when another effect is selected, the execution state of the previously selected effect is retained (locked).

Specifically, in the first control method, as shown in FIG. 10A, the thumb 202 is “1” → “2” → ... → “5” with respect to the electrode group of the touch pad 32. The execution state of the effect when the effect is sequentially moved to the area of (b) to (e) is shown as shown in FIGS. 10 (b) to 10 (e). Here, "1" is a state in which the effect of A is selected, and the value of the operation amount is 30. “2” is a state in which the effect of A is selected, and the value of the manipulated variable is 10. “3” is a state in which the effect of C is selected, and the value of the operation amount is 120. “4” is a state in which the effect of B is selected, and the value of the operation amount is 120. “5” is a state in which the effect of A is selected, and the value of the operation amount is 100.
That is, in the first control method, the latest execution state of each effect A, B, and C is maintained until the next selection and the operation amount changes.

Further, in the second control method of the parameter according to the present embodiment, when the thumb 202 is moved from the state of being placed on the specific area on the touch pad 32 to another area, the CPU 50 is described above. Executes control to reset the determined effect in the area to the default value.

When the operation amount is changed while keeping the same effect selected in the same setting as the first control method described above, the effect corresponding to the change in the operation amount is executed. On the other hand, when another effect is selected, the execution state of the previously selected effect is reset.

Specifically, in the second control method, as shown in FIG. 10A, the thumb 202 is “1” → “2” → ... → “5” with respect to the electrode group of the touch pad 32. The execution state of the effect when the effect is sequentially moved to the area of "" is shown as shown in FIGS. 11A to 11D.
That is, in the second control method, for each effect A, B, and C, the operation amount is reset to the default value "64" in the non-selected state, and the effect is executed only in the selected state with the determined operation amount. It will be.

Further, in the above-mentioned parameter control method, if the execution state of the selected effect is continuously maintained, such as when the performer releases his / her thumb from the touch pad 32 during the actual performance, a problem may occur. .. Therefore, in the first and second control methods, when such a situation occurs, the execution state of the three effects A, B, and C is reset and the control to return to the default value is executed. Such reset control is, for example, (1) when the finger is separated from the touch pad 32 for 2 seconds, (2) the moment the mouthpiece 22 is released from the mouth, (3) the breath (breath) disappears. It is executed as an activation condition (trigger) when 2 seconds have passed since then, or when (4) there is no key input for determining the pitch for 2 seconds. When applying the present embodiment to an actual electronic musical instrument, it is desirable that the performer can arbitrarily select whether or not to apply these conditions.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the performer supports and holds the electronic musical instrument with both hands during performance, the sensor electrode group that functions as a slider in a specific direction (X direction) in the region where the thumb abuts. , A touch pad is provided that is arranged in parallel in close proximity to the sensor electrode group and has a sensor electrode having a predetermined parameter selection function. Then, when the thumb 202 touches the touch pad 32, the contact position of the thumb 202 in the X direction is detected based on the contact state with the sensor electrode group ELm in the middle stage constituting the slider, and the operation amount (polarity) of the effect is detected. And strength etc.). Further, the effect of detecting and executing the contact position of the thumb 202 in the Y direction is selected based on the contact state with the upper sensor electrode ELu or the lower sensor electrode ELd.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to control the operation amount of the parameter while selecting a predetermined parameter by a simple operation of moving the same thumb up / down / left / right on the touch pad, and a plurality of controls can be performed. The parameters can be controlled efficiently.

In the above-described embodiment, as the configuration of the electrode group arranged on the touch pad of the parameter operation unit, the middle sensor electrode group ELm constituting the slider in which a plurality of sensor electrodes are arranged in the X direction and the middle sensor electrode group ELm are used. The present invention has shown a configuration consisting of a three-stage electrode group having an upper sensor electrode ELu and a lower sensor electrode ELd arranged so as to extend parallel to the arrangement direction of the sensor electrode group ELm. Not limited. That is, the present invention has at least one group of electrodes serving as sliders and one or more linear electrodes arranged so as to extend in parallel (in the same direction) close to each other. good. Therefore, it may have a configuration consisting of either the sensor electrode group ELm constituting the slider and either the upper sensor electrode ELu or the lower sensor electrode ELd, or the upper sensor electrode ELu and the lower sensor. A plurality of sensor electrode groups constituting the slider may be arranged in parallel with the electrode ELd.

(Modification example)
Next, a modification of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a modified example according to the present embodiment.
In the above-described embodiment, as the electrode group arranged on the touch pad 32 of the parameter operation unit 30, the electrode group has three stages of upper, middle, and lower, and the middle stage has a slider structure composed of a plurality of sensors. , The case where the upper and lower stages each have a structure consisting of a single linear electrode has been described.

In this modification, a plurality of electrodes having a uniform planar shape such as a square are arranged in a matrix shape (lattice shape) in the XY directions. FIG. 12 shows a configuration in which nine pieces are arranged in the X direction (horizontal direction in the drawing) and three pieces are arranged in the Y direction (vertical direction in the drawing), arranged in a 9 × 3 matrix. Here, each of the upper, middle, and lower sensor electrode groups corresponds to the upper sensor electrode ELu, the middle sensor electrode group ELm, and the lower sensor electrode ELd in the above-mentioned touch pad 32, respectively.

In such an electrode arrangement, the contact position of the thumb can be appropriately determined by extracting the electrode having the maximum value from the sensor values output from each electrode. Therefore, the above-mentioned method is based on the position of the thumb without using the method of calculating the position of the center of gravity as shown in the above-described embodiment or the method of comparing the sensor values from the electrodes arranged in the upper and lower stages with the threshold value. It is possible to select the selected parameters (effects) and control the operation amount (polarity, intensity, etc.). Also in this modification, the conversion process and the parameter control method in consideration of the dead zone shown in the above-described embodiment, and the multi-stage control in the Y direction described later can be satisfactorily applied.

<Second embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the control process of the parameter operation unit applied to the electronic musical instrument according to the present invention will be described. Here, the description of the configuration and method equivalent to those of the first embodiment described above will be simplified.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a control method of the parameter operation unit according to the second embodiment. 13 (a) is a schematic view showing the contact state of the thumb with the touch pad, and FIGS. 13 (b) to 13 (e) are a diagram showing an example of distribution of the sensor output value in the touch pad and the distribution. It is a table which shows the contact position calculated based on. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a control process of the parameter operation unit according to the present embodiment.

In the first embodiment described above, an effect as a parameter is associated with each of the three-stage electrode group arranged on the touch pad 32, and one of the three effects is selected according to the contact state of the thumb in the Y direction. The control method to select one is shown. The second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, but has a control method capable of associating and selecting more parameters.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13A, the touch pad 32 to which the thumb contacts is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, that is, the sensor electrode group ELm in the middle stage constituting the slider and the sensor electrode group ELm in the middle stage. The sensor electrode group is composed of a three-stage electrode group having an upper sensor electrode ELu and a lower sensor electrode ELd arranged so as to extend parallel to the arrangement direction of the sensor electrode group ELm. Then, in such a touch pad 32, the same method as the method for calculating the position of the center of gravity applied for obtaining the contact position of the thumb in the X direction in the first embodiment described above is applied to the Y direction of the touch pad 32. When applied, the effect as a parameter is associated based on the contact position calculated as the center of gravity position, regardless of the arrangement of the sensor electrodes.

Specifically, first, in the process of the parameter operation unit 30 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, the processes of steps S802 to S808 are executed, and the thumb 202 is attached to the touch pad 32, as in the first embodiment described above. The contact position pos1 in the X direction in the state of contact is calculated by applying the method for calculating the position of the center of gravity. Next, the processes of steps S810 to S820 are executed to convert the calculated contact position pos1 into position information (pos2) in consideration of the dead zone.

Next, in the present embodiment, as a process of calculating the contact position of the thumb in the Y direction, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14, the CPU 50 has acquired the contact position of the thumb in the X direction in the middle stage. The maximum value is extracted from each sensor output value from each sensor electrode cap1 to cap9 arranged in the sensor electrode group ELm (step S1302), and a value of 80% of the maximum value is set as a threshold value THV (step S1304). ..

Next, the CPU 50 calculates the average value of the sensor values exceeding the threshold value THV among the sensor output values from the sensor electrodes cap1 to cap9 as aveH (step S1306).

Next, the CPU 50 sets the calculated average value aveH to the sensor output value of the sensor electrode group ELm in the middle stage, the sensor output value Vu from the upper sensor electrode ELu, and the sensor output value of the lower sensor electrode ELd. Based on Vd and aveH, which is the average value of the sensor output values of the sensor electrode group ELm in the middle stage, the method for calculating the position of the center of gravity is applied to calculate the contact position posV of the thumb in the Y direction. Here, the contact position posV in the Y direction is calculated by calculating the center of gravity position in the range of 1.0 to 3.0, where the position of the upper sensor electrode ELu is "1.0" and the position of the lower sensor electrode ELd is "3.0". (Step S1308).

Next, when the calculated contact position posV is used as a MIDI signal, the CPU 50 assigns it to an integer value from 0 to 127 using the following equation (32). The contact position pos2 in the X direction is assigned to an integer value from 0 to 127 using the same equation (31) as the equation (12) described above. As a result, the CPU 50 issues a MIDI signal with values based on the contact positions pos2 and posV in the XY directions (step S1310). After that, the CPU 50 ends the processing of the parameter operation unit 30, and returns to the processing of the main routine shown in FIG. 7.

In the control method as described above, as shown in FIG. 13A, the sensor output values obtained from the sensor electrodes cap1 to cap9 of the sensor electrode group ELm in the middle stage are obtained with the thumb in contact with the touch pad 32. Based on this, for example, a distribution of output values as shown in FIGS. 13 (b) to 13 (e) can be obtained. That is, as shown in FIG. 13 (a), in a state where the thumb is in contact with only the upper sensor electrode ELu (position of IIB in the figure), the distribution of the sensor output values as shown in FIG. 13 (b). Is obtained, and in the state where the thumb is in contact with the upper sensor electrode ELu and the sensor electrode cap4 of the middle sensor electrode group ELm (position of IIC in the figure), the sensor output value as shown in FIG. 13 (c) is obtained. The distribution was obtained. Further, in the state where the thumb is in contact with only the sensor electrode cap4 of the sensor electrode group ELm in the middle stage (position of IID in the figure), the distribution of the sensor output value as shown in FIG. 13 (d) is obtained, and the thumb is obtained. Was in contact with only the lower sensor electrode ELd (position of IIE in the figure), the distribution of the sensor output values as shown in FIG. 13 (e) was obtained. Then, based on the distribution of each sensor output value in FIGS. 13 (b) to 13 (e), the average value aveH of the sensor output values is calculated, and the position of the center of gravity in the Y direction is calculated to calculate the contact position posV of the thumb. Will be done.

Here, the contact position posV can be obtained as a numerical value including a decimal number in the range of 1.0 to 3.0, but since a numerical value having different characteristics can be obtained depending on the contact state with the electrode of the thumb, the range of the center of gravity position is in the range of 1.0 to 3.0. Is divided into a plurality of parts, and any parameter is associated with each division range, or the operation amount is associated with the position of the center of gravity, regardless of the number of stages of the electrode group arranged in the Y direction of the touch pad 32. Instead, any number of parameters and manipulation amounts can be controlled. In addition, the parameters that can be set can be increased without changing the area of the touch pad, the sensor electrode, or the like.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the operation amount of the parameter is controlled while selecting a predetermined parameter from more preset parameters by a simple operation of moving the same thumb up / down / left / right on the touch pad. It is possible to control a plurality of control parameters efficiently.

In each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the case where the present invention is applied to an electronic musical instrument has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the operator may operate using a part of the body. Also in various electronic devices, the method of associating the parameters according to the present invention with the contact position on the touch pad and the electrodes of the touch pad and controlling the parameter selection and the operation amount by moving the fingertip up, down, left and right is satisfactorily applied. Can be done. That is, the present invention may be provided with a sensor that detects contact or proximity of a part of the body at a position that can be operated by a part of the body. It can be satisfactorily applied to operation panels of machine tools, controllers for game machines and radio-controlled models, and the like.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the inventions described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.
The inventions described in the original claims of the present application are described below.

(Additional note)
[1]
The first sensor in which multiple detection areas are arranged, and
A second sensor in which at least one detection region is arranged so as to face the plurality of detection regions of the first sensor.
Based on the detection value of the detection area of the second sensor, which is detected at the same time when the detection area of any one of the first sensors is in the detection state, a parameter to be controlled for the operation amount from among a plurality of parameters. And a control unit that controls the operation amount of the selected parameter based on the detection values of the plurality of detection regions of the first sensor.
A parameter control device characterized by having.

[2]
The plurality of detection areas of the first sensor are arranged in a specific direction.
The detection area of the second sensor is spread out in the specific direction, and any part of the spread out detection area is provided with each of the plurality of detection areas of the first sensor. The parameter control device according to [1], which is arranged so as to be close to each other and face each other.

[3]
The detection areas of the second sensor are provided on both sides of the plurality of detection areas of the first sensor.
The control unit has a plurality of parameters from among a plurality of parameters according to the comparison result of the detection values of the detection areas on both sides of the second sensor, which are detected at the same time when the detection area of any one of the first sensors is in the detection state. The parameter control device according to [1] or [2], wherein the parameter to be controlled of the operation amount is selected.

[4]
The control unit obtains an average position based on the distribution of arrangement positions of the plurality of detection regions of the first sensor, and when obtaining the average position, the position of each of the plurality of detection regions of the first sensor. A weighted average calculation is applied to the first sensor by multiplying each output value from the plurality of detection regions as a weight value, and the average position obtained by the weighted average calculation is converted into a standardized numerical value. The parameter control device according to any one of [1] to [3], which is converted and used for controlling the operation amount of the parameter.

[5]
The process of converting the average position into a standardized numerical value is characterized in that a dead zone is provided to fix the converted numerical value to a specific value when the average position is within a predetermined range. The parameter control device according to [4].

[6]
The control unit selects a parameter to be controlled for the operation amount from the plurality of parameters based on a comparison between the detection value in the detection area of the second sensor and a predetermined threshold value. The parameter control device according to any one of [1] to [5].

[7]
The control unit obtains an average value obtained for a specific detection value among the detection values of the plurality of detection regions of the first sensor and the detection value of the detection region of the second sensor. By applying a weighted averaging calculation to obtain the average position by multiplying the array positions of the respective detection regions of the sensor and the second sensor as weight values, the average position obtained by the weighted averaging calculation is standardized. The present invention is described in any one of [1] to [5], wherein the parameter to be controlled by the operation amount is selected from the plurality of parameters based on the numerical value. Parameter control device.

[8]
Equipped with an instrument body that the performer supports and holds with the fingers of both hands
The plurality of detection areas of the first sensor and the detection areas of the second sensor are provided in the areas of the musical instrument body where the performer's fingers come into contact with each other, and detect the contact state of the performer's fingers. ,
The control unit controls the operation amount of the parameter related to the sound generated by the musical instrument body based on the detection values from the plurality of detection areas of the first sensor and the detection area of the second sensor. The parameter control device according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the parameter to be controlled by the operation amount is selected.

[9]
The parameter control device according to any one of [1] to [8],
Equipped with a sound source that produces musical tones,
The first sensor and the second sensor detect a part of the performer's body and
The control unit is an electronic musical instrument, characterized in that it controls a musical instrument to be generated by the sound source based on the controlled and selected parameters.

[10]
The control unit controls the musical sound generated by the sound source based on the parameters.
When the controlled operation amount of the parameter changes, the generation of the musical tone is controlled according to the change of the operation amount.
The electronic musical instrument according to [9], wherein when the selected parameter changes, the operation amount of the parameter before the change is maintained to control the generation of the musical tone.

[11]
The control unit controls the musical sound generated by the sound source based on the parameters.
When the manipulated variable of the controlled parameter changes, the generation of the musical tone is controlled according to the change of the manipulated variable.
The electronic musical instrument according to [9], wherein when the selected parameter changes, the operation amount of the parameter before the change is reset to control the generation of the musical tone.

[12]
The detection value of the first sensor in which a plurality of detection regions are arranged, and the detection value of the second sensor in which at least one detection region is arranged so as to face the plurality of detection regions of the first sensor. At the same time,
Based on the detection value of the detection area of the second sensor, the parameter to be controlled of the manipulated variable is selected from the plurality of parameters, and based on the detection value of the plurality of detection areas of the first sensor. To control the amount of manipulation of the selected parameter,
A parameter control method characterized by that.

[13]
On the computer
The detection value of the first sensor in which a plurality of detection regions are arranged, and the detection value of the second sensor in which at least one detection region is arranged so as to face the plurality of detection regions of the first sensor. At the same time,
Based on the detection value of the detection area of the second sensor, the parameter to be controlled of the manipulated variable is selected from the plurality of parameters, and based on the detection value of the plurality of detection areas of the first sensor. To control the amount of operation of the selected parameter.
A control program characterized by that.

10 Operator 12 Play key 22 Mouthpiece 30 Parameter operation unit 32 Touch pad 40 Parameter setting unit 50 CPU (control unit)
100 Electronic musical instrument 102 Musical instrument body 202 Thumb ELu Upper sensor electrode (second sensor)
ELm middle sensor electrode group (first sensor)
Sensor electrode at the bottom of ELd (second sensor)

Claims (10)

The first sensor in which multiple detection areas are arranged, and
A second sensor in which at least one detection region is arranged so as to face the plurality of detection regions of the first sensor.
Based on the detection value of the detection area of the second sensor, which is detected at the same time when the detection area of any one of the first sensors is in the detection state, a parameter to be controlled for the operation amount from among a plurality of parameters. And a control unit that controls the operation amount of the selected parameter based on the detection values of the plurality of detection regions of the first sensor.
Have,
The control unit obtains an average position based on the distribution of arrangement positions of a plurality of detection regions of the first sensor, and converts the average position into a standardized numerical value to control the operation amount of the parameter. Use,
When converting the average position to a standardized numerical value, if the average position is within a predetermined range, the converted numerical value is fixed to a specific value, a dead zone is provided, and a parameter control device is provided. .. When the control unit obtains the average position, the control unit multiplies each position of the plurality of detection regions of the first sensor by each output value from the plurality of detection regions of the first sensor as a weight value. The parameter control device according to claim 1 , wherein an operation based on a weighted average is applied . The control unit obtains an average value obtained for a specific detection value among the detection values of the plurality of detection regions of the first sensor and the detection value of the detection region of the second sensor. By applying a weighted averaging calculation to obtain the average position by multiplying the array positions of the respective detection regions of the sensor and the second sensor as weight values, the average position obtained by the weighted averaging calculation is standardized. The parameter control device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the parameter to be controlled by the operation amount is selected from the plurality of parameters based on the numerical value . The first sensor in which multiple detection areas are arranged, and
A second sensor in which at least one detection region is arranged so as to face the plurality of detection regions of the first sensor.
Based on the detection value of the detection area of the second sensor, which is detected at the same time when the detection area of any one of the first sensors is in the detection state, a parameter to be controlled for the operation amount from among a plurality of parameters. And a control unit that controls the operation amount of the selected parameter based on the detection values of the plurality of detection regions of the first sensor.
The instrument body that the performer supports and holds with the fingers of both hands,
Equipped with
The plurality of detection regions of the first sensor and the detection regions of the second sensor are provided in regions of the musical instrument body where the performer's fingers come into contact with each other to detect the contact state of the performer's fingers. ,
The control unit controls the operation amount of the parameter related to the sound generated by the musical instrument body based on the detection values from the plurality of detection areas of the first sensor and the detection area of the second sensor. A parameter control device that selects a parameter to be controlled by the operation amount . The plurality of detection areas of the first sensor are arranged in a specific direction.
The detection area of the second sensor is spread out in the specific direction, and any part of the spread out detection area is provided with each of the plurality of detection areas of the first sensor. The parameter control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is arranged so as to be close to and facing each other . The detection areas of the second sensor are provided on both sides of the plurality of detection areas of the first sensor.
The control unit is selected from a plurality of parameters according to the comparison result of the detection values of the detection areas on both sides of the second sensor, which is detected at the same time when the detection area of any one of the first sensors is in the detection state. The parameter control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the parameter to be controlled of the operation amount is selected . The control unit selects a parameter to be controlled by the operation amount from the plurality of parameters based on a comparison between the detection value in the detection region of the second sensor and a predetermined threshold value . The parameter control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 . The first sensor in which multiple detection areas are arranged, and
A second sensor in which at least one detection region is arranged so as to face the plurality of detection regions of the first sensor.
Based on the detection value of the detection area of the second sensor, which is detected at the same time when the detection area of any one of the first sensors is in the detection state, a parameter to be controlled for the operation amount from among a plurality of parameters. And a control unit that controls the operation amount of the selected parameter based on the detection values of the plurality of detection regions of the first sensor.
A sound source that produces musical tones and
Equipped with
The first sensor and the second sensor detect a part of the performer's body and
The control unit controls the musical tones generated by the sound source based on the controlled and selected parameters.
The control unit controls the musical sound generated by the sound source based on the parameters.
When the controlled operation amount of the parameter changes, the generation of the musical tone is controlled according to the change of the operation amount.
An electronic musical instrument that, when the selected parameter changes, holds or resets the manipulated variable of the parameter before the change to control the generation of the musical tone. Electronic musical instruments
The detection value of the first sensor in which a plurality of detection regions are arranged, and the detection value of the second sensor in which at least one detection region is arranged so as to face the plurality of detection regions of the first sensor. At the same time,
Based on the detection value of the detection area of the second sensor, the parameter to be controlled of the manipulated variable is selected from the plurality of parameters, and based on the detection value of the plurality of detection areas of the first sensor. To control the amount of operation of the selected parameter,
The plurality of detection areas of the first sensor and the detection areas of the second sensor are provided in the area where the finger of the performer of the electronic musical instrument abuts, and the contact state of the finger of the performer is detected.
Based on the detection values from the plurality of detection regions of the first sensor and the detection regions of the second sensor, the operation amount of the parameter related to the sound generated by the electronic musical instrument is controlled, and the operation is performed. Select the parameter to be controlled by the quantity,
Parameter control method. For computers of electronic musical instruments,
The detection value of the first sensor in which a plurality of detection regions are arranged, and the detection value of the second sensor in which at least one detection region is arranged so as to face the plurality of detection regions of the first sensor. At the same time,
Based on the detection value of the detection area of the second sensor, the parameter to be controlled of the manipulated variable is selected from the plurality of parameters, and based on the detection value of the plurality of detection areas of the first sensor. To control the amount of operation of the selected parameter.
The plurality of detection areas of the first sensor and the detection areas of the second sensor are provided in the area where the finger of the performer of the electronic musical instrument abuts, and the contact state of the finger of the performer is detected.
Based on the detection values from the plurality of detection regions of the first sensor and the detection regions of the second sensor, the operation amount of the parameter related to the sound generated by the electronic musical instrument is controlled, and the operation is performed. Select the parameter to be controlled by the quantity,
Control program.

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