Display control device, display device, method, and program

The display control device for electronic metronomes addresses the challenge of users understanding the light movement range by controlling the light to reciprocate along a specified trajectory and stop at trajectory ends, enhancing user comprehension of the beat timing.

JP2025045981AActive Publication Date: 2025-04-02CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023154095
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-09-21
Publication Date
2025-04-02
Estimated Expiration
2043-09-21

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Electronic metronomes with light displays can make it difficult for users to grasp the range of light movement, which in turn affects their ability to understand the timing of the beat.

Method used

A display control device that controls the light source to repeatedly reciprocate along a specified trajectory on the display unit according to the timing of the beat, and stops the light display at positions corresponding to both ends of the trajectory for a certain period including the timing of the beat.

Benefits of technology

This solution makes it easier for users to grasp the timing of the beat by visually capturing the light display position that has stopped, thereby improving the user's understanding of the light movement range and beat timing.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a display control device that allows a user to grasp the timing of a beat.SOLUTION: A display control device comprises a control unit that controls a light source unit. The control unit changes a display position of light emitted from the light source unit and cast on a display unit so that the light repeatedly reciprocates on a predetermined track on the display unit in accordance with the timing of a beat, and stops the display position of the light at a position corresponding to both ends of the track in a constant period including the timing of the beat.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The disclosure of this specification relates to a display control device, a display device, a method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known an electronic metronome that visually conveys beats and tempo to a user using light. A specific configuration of this type of electronic metronome is described in, for example, Patent Document 1.

[0003] The electronic metronome described in Patent Document 1 lights up one of multiple LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) arranged in a horizontal row. In this electronic metronome, the lit LEDs are shifted one by one from left to right on the way out, and the lit LEDs are shifted one by one from right to left on the way back. By repeating this, the light display position moves back and forth repeatedly, reproducing the movement of a pendulum-type metronome. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-88977 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Unlike pendulum-type metronomes that move a physical bar, electronic metronomes can make it difficult to see the range of movement of the light depending on the design of the display that projects the light. If the range of movement of the light is difficult to see (i.e., it is difficult to see how far the light will move), it is difficult for the user to grasp the timing of the beat.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a display control device, a display device, a method, and a program that allow a user to easily grasp the timing of beats. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A display control device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit that controls a light source unit. The control unit changes a display position of the light so that the light irradiated from the light source unit and projected on the display unit repeatedly travels back and forth along a predetermined trajectory on the display unit in synchronization with the timing of the beat, and stops the display position of the light at positions corresponding to both ends of the trajectory for a certain period including the timing of the beat. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a display control device, a display device, a method, and a program are provided that allow a user to easily grasp the timing of beats. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall perspective view of an electronic musical instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a partial perspective view of an electronic musical instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic musical instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a display unit provided in an electronic musical instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a case where the display unit is operated as an electronic metronome in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a case where the display unit is operated as an electronic metronome in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the display position of light projected on a display unit and time in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between the stop time of the light projected on the display unit and the tempo in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9]5 is a flowchart showing a metronome process executed by a sub-processor provided in the electronic musical instrument according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] A display control device, a display device, and a method and a program executed by the display device, which is an example of a computer, according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Fig. 1 is an overall perspective view of an electronic musical instrument 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a partial perspective view of the electronic musical instrument 1, Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic musical instrument 1.

[0012] The electronic musical instrument 1 is an example of a display device including a display control device, and is, for example, an electronic piano.

[0013] The display control device according to the present embodiment includes a control unit that controls a light source unit. The control unit changes the display position of the light so that the light irradiated from the light source unit and projected on the display unit repeatedly travels back and forth along a predetermined trajectory on the display unit in synchronization with the timing of the beat, and stops the display position of the light at positions corresponding to both ends of the trajectory for a certain period including the timing of the beat.

[0014] That is, the display control device according to this embodiment operates as an electronic metronome that visually conveys beats and tempo to the user using light. The display control device according to this embodiment makes it easier for the user to grasp the movement range of the light (particularly the edge of the movement range) by stopping the display position of the light at positions corresponding to both ends of the trajectory for a certain period including the timing of the beat. The user can easily grasp the timing of the beat by visually grasping that the display position of the light has stopped (in other words, that the light has reached the edge of the movement range).

[0015] The electronic musical instrument 1 may be an electronic keyboard instrument other than an electronic piano, such as an electronic keyboard. The electronic musical instrument 1 may also be another type of electronic musical instrument, such as an electronic percussion instrument, an electronic wind instrument, or an electronic string instrument.

[0016] 1 and 2, the electronic musical instrument 1 includes a housing 2. The housing 2 supports a keyboard 13A, pedals 13B, an operation panel 14, and a display unit 16.

[0017] 3, the electronic musical instrument 1 includes a main processor 10M, a sub-processor 10S, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 11, a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a keyboard 13A, pedals 13B, an operation panel 14, a key scanner 15, a display unit 16, a sound source LSI (Large Scale Integration) 17, a D / A converter 18, an amplifier 19, and a speaker 20. The various components of the electronic musical instrument 1 are connected via a bus 21.

[0018] The main processor 10M and the sub-processor 10S each read out the programs and data stored in the flash ROM 12. The main processor 10M and the sub-processor 10S control the electronic musical instrument 1 by using the RAM 11 as a work area.

[0019] The main processor 10M and the sub-processor 10S are, for example, a single processor or a multi-processor, each including at least one processor. When multiple processors are included, the main processor 10M and the sub-processor 10S may each be packaged as a single device, or may be configured as multiple devices that are physically separated within the electronic musical instrument 1. The main processor 10M and the sub-processor 10S may be called, for example, a control unit, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), or an MCU (Micro Controller Unit).

[0020] The main processor 10M and the sub-processor 10S do not have to be separate processors, but may be a single processor.

[0021] The RAM 11 temporarily holds data and programs, and various data such as various programs and waveform data read from the flash ROM 12.

[0022] The flash ROM 12 is a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM). As an example, control programs 12M and 12S are stored in the flash ROM 12. The main processor 10M and the sub-processor 10S execute the control programs 12M and 12S, respectively, to perform various processes according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] The keyboard 13A includes a plurality of white keys and a plurality of black keys. Each key is associated with a different pitch. The electronic musical instrument 1 generates musical tones in response to depression of the keys on the keyboard 13A.

[0024] The pedals 13B include three pedals that are performance operators. Specifically, the pedals 13B include a damper pedal, a soft pedal, and a sostenuto pedal. When a user performs a key depression operation while depressing a pedal, the electronic musical instrument 1 performs sound generation processing by adding a sound effect associated with the pedal that is being depressed to a musical tone.

[0025] The operation panel 14 includes various operation sections such as a power switch, a setting switch for a metronome function, and the like.

[0026] The key scanner 15 monitors key presses and releases on the keyboard 13A. For example, when the key scanner 15 detects a key press by a user, it outputs a key press event to the main processor 10M. The key press event includes information on the pitch of the key related to the key press (key number). The key number is also called a key number, a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) key, or a note number.

[0027] In this embodiment, a means for measuring the key pressing speed (velocity) is provided separately, and the velocity measured by this means is also included in the key pressing event. For example, a plurality of contact switches are provided for each key. The velocity is measured based on the difference in the time that each contact switch is conductive when the key is pressed. The velocity can be said to be a value indicating the strength of the key pressing operation, and also a value indicating the loudness (volume) of the musical sound.

[0028] The display unit 16 operates as an electronic metronome that visually conveys beats and tempo to the user using light. A specific description of the display unit 16 will be given later.

[0029] The waveform data is stored in the flash ROM 12 or another memory (not shown). This waveform data is loaded into the RAM 11 during startup processing of the electronic musical instrument 1 so that musical tones are quickly generated in response to key presses. When the key scanner 15 detects a key press, the main processor 10M instructs the sound source LSI 17 to read out the corresponding waveform data from among the waveform data loaded into the RAM 11. The waveform data to be read out is determined, for example, according to the tone color selected by the user and the key press event.

[0030] The tone generator LSI 17 generates musical tones based on waveform data read from the RAM 11 under the instruction of the main processor 10M. The tone generator LSI 17 has, for example, 128 generator sections and can simultaneously generate up to 128 musical tones. In this embodiment, the main processor 10M, the sub-processor 10S, and the tone generator LSI 17 are configured as three separate processors, but in another embodiment, they may be configured as one or two processors.

[0031] The digital musical sound data generated by the sound source LSI 17 is converted into an analog signal by a D / A converter 18 , and then amplified by an amplifier 19 and output to a speaker 20 .

[0032] 4 is an exploded perspective view of the display unit 16. As shown in FIG. 4, the display unit 16 includes a sheet metal member 160, a light source unit 162, an insulating sheet 164, and a display unit 166.

[0033] The sheet metal member 160 is supported inside the housing 2. Each portion of the display unit 16 is supported by the housing 2 via the sheet metal member 160.

[0034] The light source unit 162 includes an LED (Light Emitting Diode) substrate 162A and an LED 162B.

[0035] The LED board 162A is a rectangular board. A plurality of LEDs (an example of a light-emitting element) 162B are attached to the LED board 162A. In this embodiment, 20 LEDs 162B are arranged in a line at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction (for convenience, referred to as the "left-right direction") of the LED board 162A. The LEDs 162B are, for example, white LEDs that emit pseudo-white light.

[0036] The insulating sheet 164 is a rectangular sheet member having a shape corresponding to the LED board 162A and a size slightly larger than the LED board 162A, and has insulating properties. The insulating sheet 164 is sandwiched between the sheet metal member 160 and the LED board 162A to prevent a short circuit between the sheet metal member 160 and the LED board 162A.

[0037] The display unit 166 includes a light guide member 166A, a light blocking case 166B, a diffusion sheet 166C, and an acrylic panel 166D.

[0038] The light guide member 166A is made of, for example, polycarbonate or acrylic having light transmissibility. The light guide member 166A is attached to the light-shielding case 166B. When attached to the light-shielding case 166B, the light guide member 166A is located in front of each LED 162B. The light guide member 166A guides the light emitted from the LED 162B forward.

[0039] The light-shielding case 166B is made of, for example, black polystyrene and has light-shielding properties. The light-shielding case 166B is formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction. An exit opening 166b is formed in approximately the center of the light-shielding case 166B. The exit opening 166b has a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction.

[0040] The light emitted from the LED 162B is reflected on the display unit 166. That is, the display unit 166 reflects the light emitted from the light source unit 162.

[0041] Specifically, most of the light emitted from LED 162B enters light guide member 166A. A portion of the light that enters light guide member 166A travels substantially straight inside light guide member 166A and is emitted from light guide member 166A.

[0042] The exit surface of the light-guiding member 166A is textured, so that the light that reaches the exit surface of the light-guiding member 166A is diffusely reflected by the exit surface due to the texture, and is emitted from the exit surface with high efficiency.

[0043] The diffusion sheet 166C is made of, for example, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and has light diffusing properties. The light emitted from the light guide member 166A is diffused by the diffusion sheet 166C and emitted forward from the light exit opening 166b with approximately uniform brightness from the light shielding case 166B.

[0044] Acrylic panel 166D is attached to the front surface of light-shielding case 166B. The light diffused by diffusion sheet 166C and emitted from light-shielding case 166B is emitted to the outside via acrylic panel 166D.

[0045] The light emitted from the light-guiding member 166A is blocked by the light-shielding case 166B in areas other than the emission opening 166b. That is, only the rectangular area long in the left-right direction defined by the emission opening 166b is a display area (hereinafter, designated by reference numeral 168) capable of projecting this light. Hereinafter, the light projected in the display area 168 will be referred to as "light L."

[0046] The display area 168 (in other words, the emission opening 166b) is located in front of the 20 LEDs 162B arranged in a row in the left-right direction. Note that in FIG. 2, the LEDs 162B are illustrated for the convenience of clearly indicating the positional relationship between the display area 168 and each LED 162B. The LEDs 162B are located behind the acrylic panel 166D, the diffusion sheet 166C, and the light-guiding member 166A. Therefore, these LEDs 162B are substantially invisible from the outside.

[0047] Specifically, each part of the display unit 166 is housed inside the housing 2, and the external surface (front surface) is made flat by the acrylic panel 166D as shown in Fig. 1. In addition, the light-shielding case 166B located on the back side of the acrylic panel 166D blocks almost no external light from reaching the inside of the housing 2. Therefore, it is difficult for the user to visually recognize each part inside the housing 2.

[0048] That is, the user cannot visually recognize the position of LED 162B even if he or she looks at the portion where LED 162B is arranged. Therefore, the user cannot grasp the movement range of light L (especially the end of the movement range) when LED 162B is not lit.

[0049] 5 and 6 are explanatory diagrams showing a case where the display unit 16 is operated as an electronic metronome.

[0050] Fig. 5 shows the change on the time axis of the display position of light L reflected in display area 168. The diagram on the left in Fig. 5 shows how light L makes one round trip within display area 168. The graph on the right in Fig. 5 corresponds to the diagram on the left, and shows the relationship between the display position of light L and time.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 5, light L can be displayed at each display position from position P1 to position P2000. The leftmost display position of light L is position P1. Display positions further to the right are assigned higher numbers. Therefore, the rightmost display position of light L is position P2000. Note that each display position from position P1 to position P2000 is a position of light L represented by light emitted from LED 162B, and is different from the physical position where LED 162B is disposed.

[0052] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between each display position of light L and the lighting pattern of LED 162B. In FIG. 6, the LED 162B arranged at the leftmost position among the 20 LEDs 162B is marked as "LED 1." LEDs 162B located further to the right are given higher numbers. Therefore, the LED 162B arranged at the rightmost position among the 20 LEDs 162B is marked as "LED 20." In FIG. 6, the numbers (0 to 100) indicate the brightness of LED 162B. A brightness of 0 indicates a state in which LED 162B is not lit. A brightness of 100 indicates a state in which LED 162B is lit at the highest brightness.

[0053] The light emission of the LEDs 162B is controlled by the sub-processor 10S. The sub-processor 10S controls the light emission of the 20 LEDs 162B by sequentially switching between 2000 lighting patterns corresponding to each display position from position P1 to position P2000. Hereinafter, the lighting patterns corresponding to positions P1 to P2000, respectively, are denoted by symbols LP1 to LP2000.

[0054] That is, the sub-processor 10S operates as a control unit that controls the display position of the light L on the display unit 166 by controlling the light source unit 162.

[0055] For example, the sub-processor 10S lights up LED1 to LED3 at luminances of 51, 100, and 51, respectively, and does not light up LED4 to LED20. That is, when the sub-processor 10S performs light emission control with the lighting pattern LP1, the light L is projected onto position P1, which is the leftmost display position within the display area 168.

[0056] Next, the sub-processor 10S gradually and very slightly reduces the luminance of LED1 and LED3. That is, when the sub-processor 10S sequentially controls the light emission in the lighting patterns after the lighting pattern LP2, the display position of the light L gradually moves to the right (positions P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, etc.).

[0057] By gradually changing the luminance of the multiple LEDs 162B, it is possible to express the smooth movement of the light L.

[0058] The sub-processor 10S sequentially switches the lighting pattern from LP1 to LP2000 at high speed until the light L at position P1 reaches position P2000, gradually shifting the lit LED 162B to the right LED 162B. As a result, the display position of the light L moves from position P1 to position P2000 on the forward path, as shown in FIG.

[0059] When the light L reaches the position P2000, the sub-processor 10S sequentially switches the lighting pattern from the lighting pattern LP2000 to LP1 at high speed until the light L from the position P2000 reaches the position P1, gradually shifting the lit LED 162B to the left LED 162B. As a result, as shown in Fig. 5, on the return path, the display position of the light L moves from the position P2000 to the position P1.

[0060] In this way, the sub-processor 10S continuously changes the display position of the light L so that the light L travels back and forth along a line segment trajectory (an example of a predetermined trajectory on the display unit) within the display area 168. For convenience, this line segment trajectory is referred to as an "orbit ORB."

[0061] More specifically, the sub-processor 10S controls the emission of 20 LEDs 162B in lighting patterns corresponding to the display positions of the light L from one end (e.g., one of position P1 and position P2000) of the orbit ORB to the other end (e.g., the other of position P1 and position P2000). The sub-processor 10S sequentially switches the lighting patterns to continuously change the display position of the light L from the one end to the other end, and then continuously change it from the other end to the one end, thereby making the light L go back and forth on the orbit ORB.

[0062] Further, the 20 LEDs 162B (an example of a plurality of light emitting elements) are arranged in a straight line corresponding to the orbit ORB along which the light L moves.

[0063] In this embodiment, a large number (2000) of display positions are switched sequentially at high speed. Since the movement resolution is high (the distance between adjacent display positions is close) and the display positions are switched at high speed, the light L appears to move smoothly back and forth within the display area 168.

[0064] The operation of the display unit 16 as an electronic metronome will now be described in more detail.

[0065] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the display position of light L and time. In FIG. 7, T1 to T5 indicate the timing of beats. Each period indicated by a bidirectional arrow (the period from beat timing T1 to beat timing T2, the period from beat timing T2 to beat timing T3, the period from beat timing T3 to beat timing T4, and the period from beat timing T4 to beat timing T5) has the same length and corresponds to the length of one beat. Periods PD0 and PD2 indicate periods during which the display position of light L stops. Period P1 indicates a period during which the display position of light L moves.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 7, the light L repeatedly moves back and forth in synchronization with the beat.

[0067] Specifically, when the electronic metronome function is turned on, during the first period PD0 starting from beat timing T1, the display position of the light L remains stopped at position P1 and does not move.

[0068] When the period PD1 begins, the display position of the light L moves from position P1 toward position P2000. The display position of the light L reaches position P2000 at the end of the period PD1.

[0069] The subsequent period PD2 is a period from time T2a (an example of a first time point) before the timing T2 of the beat to time T2b (an example of a second time point) after the timing T2 of the beat. In other words, this period PD2 includes the timing T2 of the beat. The display position of the light L remains stationary at position P2000 during the period PD2.

[0070] The time from the first time point to the timing of the beat and the time from the timing of the beat to the second time point are, for example, the same length as the period PD0. The time from the first time point to the timing of the beat and the time from the timing of the beat to the second time point may be approximately the same length as the period PD0.

[0071] When the next period PD1 begins, the display position of light L moves from position P2000 toward position P1. The display position of light L reaches position P1 at the end of period PD1.

[0072] The subsequent period PD2 includes beat timing T3. The display position of the light L remains stationary at position P1 during the period PD2.

[0073] In this way, the light L moves back and forth between position P1 and position P2000 in time with the beats during the period from beat timing T1 to T3. As a result, the display position of the light L changes continuously in time with the beats, as shown in FIG. 5, so that the light L moves back and forth on an orbit ORB (an example of a predetermined orbit on the display unit) within the display area 168. The light L appears to move back and forth smoothly within the display area 168. This back and forth motion is repeated while the electronic metronome function is turned on.

[0074] By stopping the display position of the light L at positions P1 and P2000 (one example of both ends of a predetermined trajectory) for a certain period that includes the timing of the beat, the user can easily grasp the movement range of the light (particularly the end of the movement range). The user can easily grasp visually that the movement of the light L has stopped (in other words, that the light L has reached the end of the movement range). By visually grasping the stop period of the light L, which includes the timing of the beat, the user can easily grasp the timing of the beat.

[0075] The time from the first point in time to the timing of the beat (for example, the time from time T2a to the timing of the beat T2) and the time from the timing of the beat to the second point in time (for example, from the timing of the beat T2 to the time T2b) are the same or approximately the same. By making the stop times of the light L before and after the timing of the beat the same or approximately the same, the user can more intuitively grasp the timing of the beat.

[0076] The duration of a first lighting pattern (e.g., one of lighting pattern LP1 and lighting pattern LP2000) corresponding to one end of the trajectory ORB and a second lighting pattern (e.g., the other of lighting pattern LP1 and lighting pattern LP2000) corresponding to the other end of the trajectory ORB is longer than the duration of other lighting patterns (e.g., lighting patterns LP2 to LP1999) corresponding to each display position (e.g., positions P2 to P1999) of light L between one end and the other end (e.g., position P1 and position P2000) of the trajectory ORB.

[0077] That is, by lengthening the time of the lighting pattern LP1 and the lighting pattern LP2000, the user can be sure that the light L is stopped. This allows the user to easily grasp the timing of the beat. In contrast, by shortening the time of the other lighting patterns LP2 to LP1999, the display position of the light L is switched in sequence at high speed, and the light L appears to the user as if it is moving smoothly within the display area 168.

[0078] The user can set the tempo of the electronic metronome by operating the operation panel 14. The length of the stop time of the light L (an example of a certain period) is set according to this tempo. Specifically, n% (e.g., 20% or 40%) of the time for one beat is set as the stop time of the light L.

[0079] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the stop time of light L (i.e., period PD2) and tempo. The upper, middle, and lower diagrams in FIG. 8 respectively show the relationship between the stop time of light L and tempo when the set tempos are tempos TMP1, TMP2, and TMP3. Of the tempos TMP1 to TMP3, tempo TMP1 is the slowest tempo, and tempo TMP3 is the fastest tempo. The tempo TMP2 is slower than the tempo TMP3, and is also faster than the tempo TMP1. Also, similar to the example in FIG. 7, each period indicated by a bidirectional arrow (the period from beat timing T1 to beat timing T2, and the period from beat timing T2 to beat timing T3) has the same length and corresponds to the length of one beat.

[0080] 8, the faster the tempo (in other words, the shorter the time per beat), the shorter the stop time of the light L (i.e., period PD2). The slower the tempo (in other words, when the time per beat is long), the longer the stop time of the light L.

[0081] In this way, by making the ratio of the stop time of the light L to the time for one beat constant (for example, always 20%) regardless of the tempo, it is possible to provide a sense of unity in the display mode of the electronic metronome.

[0082] The pendulum motion of a pendulum metronome gradually accelerates from one end of the pendulum range on the way out, and when it passes the midpoint, it gradually decelerates and stops for a moment at the other end of the pendulum range, and on the way back, it gradually accelerates toward one end of the pendulum range, and when it passes the midpoint, it gradually decelerates and stops for a moment at one end of the pendulum range. The pendulum metronome repeats this back and forth movement in time with the beat.

[0083] In order to reproduce the pendulum motion of a pendulum-type metronome with high reproducibility, it is desirable to move the display position of the light L according to a sine wave. However, control according to a sine wave imposes too heavy a processing load on the sub-processor 10S.

[0084] Therefore, in this embodiment, the sub-processor 10S moves the display position of the light L by control according to a quadratic function.

[0085] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, on the outbound journey, the sub-processor 10S moves the display position of the light L from one end of the trajectory ORB (e.g., position P1) to the midpoint of the trajectory ORB (e.g., position P1000) while accelerating quadratically (see period A in FIG. 7), and then moves it from the midpoint to the other end of the trajectory (e.g., position P2000) while decelerating quadratically (see period B in FIG. 7).

[0086] Also, as shown in FIG. 7, on the return path, the sub-processor 10S moves the display position of the light L from the other end of the trajectory ORB (e.g., position P2000) to the midpoint of the trajectory ORB (e.g., position P1000) while accelerating quadratically (see period C in FIG. 7), and then moves it from the midpoint to one end of the trajectory (e.g., position P1) while decelerating quadratically (see period D in FIG. 7).

[0087] The quadratic function applied to period A is shown in the following equation (1).

[0088] Formula (1) Position P(t)-Position P1=(2×(Position P2000-Position P1) / T 2 )×t 2

[0089] The symbol T indicates the time taken for the light L to move between the position P1 and the position P2000 (in other words, the period PD1). The symbol t indicates the elapsed time. For the sake of calculation, the elapsed time t indicates the time excluding the stop time of the light L (in other words, the periods PD0 and PD2), that is, the elapsed time only during the movement time of the light L (in other words, the period PD1). This elapsed time t is reset to zero when the display position of the light L returns from the position P2000 to the position P1. In Equation (1), the elapsed time t takes a value of 0 ≦ t < T / 2. The position P(t) indicates the display position of the light L corresponding to the elapsed time t.

[0090] The quadratic function applied to the periods B and C is shown in the following Equation (2).

[0091] Equation (2) Position P(t) - Position P2000 = (-2 × (Position P2000 - Position P1) / T 2 ) × (t - T) 2

[0092] In Equation (2), during the period B, the elapsed time t takes a value of T / 2 ≦ t < T. In Equation (2), during the period C, the elapsed time t takes a value of T ≦ t < 3T / 2.

[0093] The quadratic function applied to the period D is shown in the following Equation (3).

[0094] Equation (3) Position P(t) - Position P1 = (2 × (Position P2000 - Position P1) / T 2 ) × (t - 2T) 2

[0095] In Equation (3), during the period D, the elapsed time t takes a value of 3T / 2 ≦ t < 2T.

[0096] When the elapsed time t reaches the time 2T, the sub-processor 10S resets the elapsed time t to zero. In the next periods PD1 and PD2, the sub-processor 10S applies Equations (1) to (3) in order again.

[0097] By moving the display position of the light L using control according to a quadratic function, it is possible to imitate the pendulum motion of a pendulum-type metronome with high reproducibility, just as in the case of a sine wave.

[0098] Furthermore, by performing control according to a quadratic function, the processing load on the sub-processor 10S can be reduced compared to when control according to a sine wave is performed.

[0099] Furthermore, by performing control according to a quadratic function, the time it takes for light L to move from one end (e.g., position P1) to the other end (e.g., position P2000) of the trajectory ORB is shorter than when control is performed according to a sine wave. Because the time it takes light L to move within the time it takes for one beat is shorter, the stop time of light L (in other words, period PD2) can be secured longer. This allows the user to more reliably understand that light L is stopped. This makes it easier for the user to grasp the timing of the beat.

[0100] 9 is a flowchart showing a metronome process executed by the sub-processor 10S in one embodiment of the present invention. For example, when a user operates the operation panel 14 to turn on the electronic metronome function, the execution of the metronome process shown in FIG.

[0101] When the electronic metronome function is turned on, the main processor 10M transmits a synchronization signal to the sub-processor 10S at a timing according to the set tempo (in other words, at each beat), and at the same time causes the speaker 20 to output a sound indicating the beat.

[0102] The set tempo is a tempo that is set by a user operation on the operation panel 14. If no user operation is performed, the set tempo is a tempo that is determined initially.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 9, the sub-processor 10S waits for a synchronization signal from the main processor 10M (step S101).

[0104] When the sub-processor 10S receives a synchronization signal from the main processor 10M (step S101: YES), the sub-processor 10S resets the count value of the built-in counter and starts counting up at the same time (step S102). The sub-processor 10S controls the light emission of the LED 162B with a lighting pattern (e.g., lighting pattern LP1) corresponding to one end of the trajectory ORB (e.g., position P1) (step S103), and returns to the process of step S101.

[0105] 7 and 8 are, strictly speaking, the timings at which the sub-processor 10S receives a synchronization signal. The timing at which the synchronization signal is received may be adjusted as appropriate, taking into account signal delays within the sub-processor 10S.

[0106] If the sub-processor 10S does not receive a synchronization signal from the main processor 10M (step S101: NO), the sub-processor 10S acquires the elapsed time TM (in other words, the count value of the built-in counter) since the last reception of a synchronization signal (step S104).

[0107] The sub-processor 10S selects one of the above formulas (1) to (3) depending on the elapsed time TM, and calculates the display position of the light L corresponding to the elapsed time TM acquired in step S104 using the selected formula (step S105).

[0108] In step S105, the elapsed time TM is converted to elapsed time t, and then the display position of the light L is calculated. For example, when starting to move from position P1, the elapsed time TM is converted to zero. When receiving a synchronization signal, the elapsed time TM is converted to time T. When returning to position P1, the elapsed time TM is converted to time 2T.

[0109] The sub-processor 10S determines whether the elapsed time TM acquired in step S104 is equal to or shorter than the first time (step S106). The first time is, for example, half the period PD2 during which the light L stops. That is, the sub-processor 10S determines whether the elapsed time from the beat timing T1 is within the period PD0, and also determines whether the elapsed time from the beat timing Tn (n is a natural number equal to or greater than 2) after the beat timing T2 is within the period PD2.

[0110] If the elapsed time TM is equal to or shorter than the first time (step S106: YES), only a short time has elapsed since the timing of the beat. Therefore, the sub-processor 10S maintains the light emission control of the LED 162B in the lighting pattern (e.g., lighting pattern LP1) corresponding to one end (e.g., position P1) of the trajectory ORB (step S107), and returns to the process of step S101.

[0111] If the elapsed time TM exceeds the first time (step S106: NO), the sub-processor 10S determines whether the elapsed time TM acquired in step S104 is equal to or greater than the second time (step S108). The second time is, for example, the first time (i.e., half the time of the period PD2) plus the entire time of the period PD1.

[0112] If the elapsed time TM is less than the second time (step S108: NO), there is still time until the timing of the next beat, and the light L has not yet reached the other end of the trajectory ORB (e.g., position P2000). Therefore, the sub-processor 10S controls the light emission of the LED 162B with the lighting pattern (any of the lighting patterns LP2 to LP1999) corresponding to the display position calculated in step S105 (step S109), and returns to the process of step S101.

[0113] If the elapsed time TM is equal to or greater than the second time (step S108: YES), the timing of the next beat is approaching, and the light L has reached the other end of the trajectory ORB (e.g., position P2000). Therefore, the sub-processor 10S controls the light emission of the LED 162B with a lighting pattern (e.g., lighting pattern LP2000) corresponding to the other end of the trajectory ORB (e.g., position P2000) (step S110), and returns to the process of step S101.

[0114] In this way, the sub-processor 10S performs metronome processing to move the light L from position P1 to position P2000, with position P1 as one end of the trajectory ORB and position P2000 as the other end of the trajectory ORB. After processing step S110, the sub-processor 10S returns to step S101, and upon receiving a synchronization signal, performs metronome processing in the same manner as described above to move the light L from position P2000 to position P1, with position P2000 as one end of the trajectory ORB and position P1 as the other end of the trajectory ORB.

[0115] The sub-processor 10S repeatedly executes the metronome process shown in Fig. 9 until, for example, the electronic metronome function is turned off. In other words, when the electronic metronome function is turned off, the sub-processor 10S ends the execution of the metronome process shown in Fig. 9.

[0116] 9, the display position of light L stops for a certain period before and after the timing of the beat at positions P1 and P2000, which are the ends of the movement range of light L. By visually grasping the stop period of light L, which includes the timing of the beat, the user can easily grasp the timing of the beat.

[0117] When the main processor 10M transmits a synchronization signal to the sub-processor 10S at the timing of the beat, the sub-processor 10S receives the synchronization signal and controls the light emission of the LED 162B. Therefore, a delay occurs between the timing of the beat and the time when the light emission control of the corresponding lighting pattern (lighting pattern LP1 or lighting pattern LP2000) is performed.

[0118] Therefore, the sub-processor 10S controls the light emission of the LED 162B with the corresponding lighting pattern (lighting pattern LP1 or lighting pattern LP2000) from a little before the timing of the beat. In other words, the light L is stopped from a little before the timing of the beat. Therefore, the user does not feel a delay and perceives that the timing of the stop of the light L and the timing of the beat are in sync.

[0119] A little before the beat arrives (in other words, a little before the light L stops), the light L gradually decelerates to mimic the pendulum motion of a pendulum metronome. By visually checking the deceleration of the light L, the user can know in advance that the beat is coming soon. This also makes it even easier for the user to grasp the timing of the beat.

[0120] The light L gradually accelerates from one end (stopped state) of the trajectory ORB, and when it passes the midpoint, it gradually decelerates and stops when it reaches the other end of the trajectory ORB. In this way, in this embodiment, the light L moves in a manner that mimics the pendulum motion of a pendulum-type metronome. This also makes it easier for the user to grasp the timing of the beat.

[0121] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the gist of the invention. In addition, the functions executed in the above-mentioned embodiment may be implemented in appropriate combinations as much as possible. The above-mentioned embodiment includes various steps, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriate combinations of the multiple components disclosed. For example, if an effect can be obtained even if some components are deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment, the configuration from which the components are deleted can be extracted as an invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 1: Electronic instruments 2: Housing 10M: Main processor 10S: Sub-processor 11: RAM 12: Flash ROM 12M: Control program 12S: Control program 13A: Keyboard 13B: Pedal 14: Operation panel 15: Key scanner 16: Display unit 17: Sound source LSI 18: D / A converter 19: Amplifier 20: Speaker 21: Bus 160: Sheet metal parts 162: Light source section 162A: LED board 162B: LED 164: Insulation sheet 166:Display section 166A: Light guide member 166B: Light-shielding case 166C: Diffusion sheet 166D: Acrylic panel 166b: Injection aperture 168 :Display area

Claims

1. A control unit for controlling the light source unit is provided, The control unit is changing a display position of the light so that the light emitted from the light source unit and projected on the display unit repeatedly travels back and forth on a predetermined trajectory on the display unit in synchronization with the beat; stopping the display position of the light at positions corresponding to both ends of the trajectory for a certain period including the timing of the beat; Display control device.

2. The control unit stops the display position of the light from a first time point before the timing of the beat to a second time point after the timing of the beat. The display control device according to claim 1 .

3. The light source unit has a plurality of light-emitting elements, The control unit is performing light emission control of the plurality of light-emitting elements in a lighting pattern corresponding to each of the display positions from one end of the track to the other end; by sequentially switching the lighting pattern to continuously change the display position of the light from the one end to the other end, and then continuously change the display position from the other end to the one end, the light is caused to travel back and forth on the trajectory. The display control device according to claim 1 .

4. the control unit makes a time period of the first lighting pattern corresponding to one end of the track and a time period of the second lighting pattern corresponding to the other end of the track longer than a time period of the other lighting patterns corresponding to each of the display positions between the one end and the other end of the track. The display control device according to claim 3 .

5. the trajectory is a trajectory of a line segment, The plurality of light emitting elements are arranged in a straight line corresponding to the orbit. The display control device according to claim 3 .

6. The light emitting element is an LED (Light Emitting Diode), The display control device according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

7. The control unit sets the length of the certain period in accordance with a tempo. The display control device according to claim 1 .

8. The control unit is On the way thereto, the display position of the light is moved from one end of the trajectory to a midpoint of the trajectory while accelerating quadratically, and is moved from the midpoint to the other end of the trajectory while decelerating quadratically; In the return path, the display position of the light is moved from the other end to the midpoint while accelerating quadratically, and is moved from the midpoint to the one end while decelerating quadratically. The display control device according to claim 1 .

9. A display control device according to claim 1 ; A light source unit; A display unit on which light emitted from the light source unit is displayed; Equipped with Display device.

10. A method for causing a computer to control a light source unit to execute the method, changing a display position of the light so that the light emitted from the light source unit and projected on the display unit repeatedly travels back and forth on a predetermined trajectory on the display unit in synchronization with the beat; causing a computer to execute a process of stopping the display position of the light at positions corresponding to both ends of the trajectory during a certain period including the timing of the beat; method.

11. A program executed by a computer that controls a light source unit, changing a display position of the light so that the light emitted from the light source unit and projected on the display unit repeatedly travels back and forth on a predetermined trajectory on the display unit in synchronization with the beat; causing a computer to execute a process of stopping the display position of the light at positions corresponding to both ends of the trajectory during a certain period including the timing of the beat; program.

Citation Information

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