COMMUNICATION DEVICE, ELECTRONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM, METHOD, AND PROGRAM

Abstract

To achieve excellent communication between an electronic musical instrument and an external communication device.SOLUTION: A communication device for electronic musical instrument comprises a substrate where an antenna transmitting and receiving a radio signal, a radio communication module performing mutual conversion between data and the radio signal, a control unit performing mutual conversion between the data and a signal for a certain interface, and a connector transmitting and receiving the signal for the certain interface to and from the electronic musical instrument are arranged, and the connector is so arranged that a longitudinal direction of the connector is substantially perpendicular to a substrate surface of the substrate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This disclosure , connoisseur The present invention relates to an electronic musical instrument system, a method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI (registered trademark)) is widely used as a format for exchanging data between devices for playing electronic musical instruments. Meanwhile, in recent years, when wireless communication devices are widely used, technology for transmitting and receiving MIDI wirelessly is being considered. For example, MIDI over Bluetooth LE (or BLE MIDI), which transmits and receives MIDI using Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (Bluetooth LE), is being considered.

[0003] In addition, a dongle device has been proposed that can realize BLE MIDI simply by inserting it into the MIDI terminal of an existing electronic musical instrument (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-179141 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the existing dongle device for BLE MIDI described in Patent Document 1 and the like has the following problems: It was not possible to handle MIDI or audio data.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a method for realizing good communication between an electronic musical instrument and an external communication device. Ru One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a receiving device, an electronic musical instrument system, a method, and a program. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure Ru The receiving device is MIDI data and Receives wireless signals for audio data and converting the wireless signal of the MIDI data into MIDI data for a certain interface, and converting the wireless signal of the audio data into audio data for the certain interface. Signals for the following interfaces The electronic equipment Send to do. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, good communication between an electronic musical instrument and an external communication device can be achieved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a system 1 according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the external appearance of the electronic musical instrument 10 according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the control system 100 of the electronic musical instrument 10 according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the dongle 20 according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the device 30 according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating an example Printed Circuit Board (PCB) layout and corresponding antenna radiation characteristics of dongle 20 according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating another example of a PCB layout and corresponding antenna radiation characteristics of dongle 20 according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the size of the dongle 20 according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the size of the dongle 20 according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the size of the dongle 20 according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the size of the dongle 20 according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Since the same parts have the same names, functions, etc., detailed description will not be repeated.

[0011] (system) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a system 1 according to an embodiment. The system 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes an electronic musical instrument 10, a dongle 20, and a device 30. The system 1 may be called a MIDI transmission (or playback or execution) system, an electronic musical instrument system, or the like.

[0012] The electronic musical instrument 10 is a device for receiving input from a user via controls such as a keyboard and switches, and controlling performance, etc. The electronic musical instrument 10 may be a device having a function of generating sounds according to performance information such as MIDI data. The device may be an electronic musical instrument (such as an electronic piano or synthesizer), an analog musical instrument equipped with sensors and configured to have functions equivalent to those of an electronic musical instrument, or an electronic device (similar to a device 30 described later) that does not have controls (such as a keyboard) for performance. In this disclosure, the electronic device may mean a name that includes the electronic musical instrument 10 and other electronic devices. In other words, in this disclosure, the electronic musical instrument 10 may be read as the electronic device 10 and vice versa.

[0013] The dongle 20 is connected to the electronic musical instrument 10 and relays direct communication with the device 30. In this disclosure, the dongle 20 is described assuming that it is connected (attached) to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) terminal provided on the outer periphery of the electronic musical instrument 10, but is not limited to this. If an interface other than USB is used, the USB in this disclosure may be interpreted as referring to that interface. The dongle 20 may be called an electronic musical instrument communication device.

[0014] The device 30 is an electronic device that communicates with the electronic musical instrument 10 (or the dongle 20). The device 30 may be a mobile terminal (mobile communication terminal) such as a mobile phone, smartphone, or tablet terminal, or may be a fixed communication terminal such as a personal computer (PC), server, television, or game console. In other words, the device 30 in the present disclosure may be interchangeably read as a communication device, a communication apparatus, a terminal apparatus, or the like.

[0015] <Electronic Musical Instruments> 2 is a diagram showing an example of the external appearance of an electronic musical instrument 10 according to an embodiment. The electronic musical instrument 10 may include a switch (button) panel 140b, a keyboard 140k, a display 150d, and a speaker 150s.

[0016] The switch panel 140b may include switches for operating the volume specification, settings such as sound source and tone, song (accompaniment) selection, song playback start / stop, song playback settings (tempo, etc.), and the like.

[0017] The keyboard 140k may have a plurality of keys as performance operators. The keys may be called performance operators, pitch operators, timbre operators, direct operators, etc.

[0018] The display 150d may display lyrics, musical scores, various setting information, etc. The speaker 150s may be used to emit sounds generated by playing.

[0019] The electronic musical instrument 10 may be capable of generating and converting at least one of MIDI messages (events) and Open Sound Control (OSC) messages. In the present disclosure, "MIDI" may refer to any of the MIDI 1.0 standard, the MIDI 2.0 standard, and a modified / extended standard of MIDI. In the present disclosure, MIDI messages and MIDI data may be interchangeable. A MIDI message may refer to multiple (e.g., several bytes) of MIDI data that function as one command.

[0020] The electronic musical instrument 10 may communicate with a network (such as the Internet) via at least one of wired and wireless communication (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5th generation mobile communication system New Radio (5G NR), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth, etc.).

[0021] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the control system 100 of the electronic musical instrument 10 according to an embodiment.

[0022] A central processing unit (CPU) 101, a ROM (read only memory) 102, a RAM (random access memory) 103, a sound source 104, a key scanner 106 to which the switch (button) panel 140b and keyboard 140k in Figure 2 are connected, a USB interface 107, and an LCD controller 108 to which a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) as an example of the display 150d in Figure 2 is connected, etc. are each connected to a system bus 109.

[0023] A timer 110 (which may be called a counter) for controlling performance may be connected to CPU 101. Timer 110 may be used, for example, to count the progress of an automatic performance in electronic musical instrument 10. CPU 101 may be called a processor, and may include an interface with peripheral circuits, a control circuit, an arithmetic circuit, a register, and the like.

[0024] 2 by executing a control program stored in ROM 102 while using RAM 103 as a working memory. In addition to the control program and various fixed data, ROM 102 may also store vocal data, accompaniment data, and song data including these.

[0025] A key scanner (scanner) 106 constantly scans the key-on / key-off states of the keyboard 140k in FIG. 2, the switch operation states of the switch panel 140b, and the like, and issues an interrupt to the CPU 101 to notify it of state changes.

[0026] The LCD controller 108 is an IC (integrated circuit) that controls the display state of an LCD, which is an example of the display 150d.

[0027] The sound source 104 generates a digital sound source signal (e.g., waveform data of a musical instrument sound) corresponding to the sound to be generated (note-on) based on note-on / off data input from the CPU 101 based on the key scanner 106, and outputs it to a Digital to Analog (D / A) converter 111. The sound source 104 may execute processes such as envelope control of the sound to be generated. The sound source 104 may execute a voice synthesis process to generate a synthetic voice signal.

[0028] The D / A converter 111 converts the input digital signal into an analog signal and outputs it to the amplifier 112. The amplifier 112 may amplify the input signal and output it from a speaker 150s or an output terminal (not shown).

[0029] The USB interface 107 exchanges signals in accordance with the USB standard with the dongle 20, which is physically connected to the electronic musical instrument 10 using an external connection terminal (for example, a connector). The USB interface 107 may include a USB connector (USB connection terminal).

[0030] When the signal input from the USB interface 107 includes MIDI format data (MIDI data), the CPU 101 may perform playback processing using the sound source 104. Furthermore, the CPU 101 may generate MIDI data based on key input information (e.g., note on / off) acquired from the key scanner 106, output the MIDI data to the USB interface 107, and transmit the data to the device 30 via the dongle 20.

[0031] <Dongle> 4A and 4B are diagrams showing an example of a hardware configuration of the dongle 20 according to an embodiment. Fig. 4A is a conceptual diagram of the hardware configuration of the dongle 20. As shown in Fig. 4A, the dongle 20 is configured to include, for example, a USB interface unit 201, an RF unit 202, and an antenna unit 203. Note that the drawings of the present disclosure merely show configurations used for explanation, and it will be naturally understood by those skilled in the art that the dongle 20 may include configurations such as a power supply that are not shown.

[0032] The USB interface unit 201 relays signals conforming to the USB standard (for example, signals including at least one of MIDI data and audio data) between the USB interface 107 of the electronic musical instrument 10 and the RF unit 202. In other words, the USB interface unit 201 has a function of bridging (converting) between signals used in the RF unit and signals conforming to the USB standard.

[0033] For example, the USB interface unit 201 acquires original data from a signal (packet) transmitted via the USB interface 107 of the electronic musical instrument 10, and transfers it to the RF unit 202. The USB interface unit 201 also transmits the data transferred from the RF unit 202 to the USB interface 107 of the electronic musical instrument 10, incorporating it into a USB packet.

[0034] The RF unit 202 realizes transmission and reception of signals using wireless communication (eg, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.).

[0035] The RF unit 202 may perform transmission processing such as channel coding (which may include error correction coding), modulation, mapping, filtering, Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) processing, and digital-to-analog conversion on a bit string (e.g., MIDI data) to be transmitted and transferred from the USB interface unit 201, and output a baseband signal. The RF unit 202 may perform modulation to a radio frequency band, filtering, amplification, and the like on the baseband signal, and transmit the radio frequency band signal via the antenna unit 203.

[0036] On the other hand, the RF unit 202 may perform amplification, filtering, demodulation to a baseband signal, etc., on the radio frequency band signal received by the antenna unit 203. The RF unit 2002 may apply reception processes such as analog-to-digital conversion, Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) processing, filtering, demapping, demodulation, and decoding (which may include error correction decoding) to the acquired baseband signal, acquire transmitted data (e.g., MIDI data), and transfer the data to the USB interface unit 201.

[0037] The RF unit 202 may simultaneously perform the process of converting the received radio signal into the transmitted data and the process of converting the bit string to be transmitted into the radio signal.

[0038] The antenna section 203 can be composed of at least one of antennas described based on common understanding in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains, such as a pattern antenna, a chip antenna, a dipole antenna, an omni antenna, a whip antenna, and the like.

[0039] Fig. 4B shows an example of implementation of the configuration of Fig. 4A. In this example, the USB interface unit 201 of Fig. 4A is configured by a USB connector 220 and a USB chip 221. Moreover, the RF unit 202 of Fig. 4A is configured by an RF chip 222. Moreover, the antenna unit 203 of Fig. 4A is configured by an antenna 223 (pattern antenna).

[0040] The USB connector 220 transmits and receives signals for the USB interface to and from the electronic musical instrument 10. The USB chip 221 converts data (for example, at least one of MIDI data and audio data) to and from the signals for the USB interface, and vice versa.

[0041] The RF chip 222 converts the data (e.g., at least one of MIDI data and audio data) into a wireless signal and vice versa. The RF chip 222 may be called a wireless communication module, or may be called a Bluetooth chip if the wireless signal is a Bluetooth signal. The antenna 223 transmits and receives the wireless signal.

[0042] Each of the USB chip 221 and the RF chip 222 may include a control device, a processor, a CPU, a microcontroller unit (MCU), a memory control unit (MCU), or the like.

[0043] In the present disclosure, other data (for example, audio data for the accompaniment of a song) may be transmitted and received simultaneously with the MIDI via a USB interface or wireless communication. Furthermore, the USB interface unit 201 in the present disclosure may be interpreted as any interface unit capable of connecting to and communicating with the electronic musical instrument 10. In this case, "USB" in the present disclosure may be interpreted as a name related to any interface unit, and "a signal conforming to the USB standard" may be interpreted as a signal conforming to the standard to which the any interface unit complies.

[0044] <Device> 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the device 30 according to an embodiment. The device 30 may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 301, a memory 302, a storage 303, a communication device 304, an input device 305, an output device 306, a bus 307, and the like.

[0045] Each function of device 30 is realized by loading a specific software (program) onto hardware such as processor 301 and memory 302, causing processor 301 to perform calculations and control communication via communication device 304, reading and / or writing of data in memory 302 and storage 303, etc.

[0046] The processor 301, for example, operates an operating system to control the entire computer, and may be configured by a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control unit, an arithmetic unit, a register, and the like.

[0047] Moreover, the processor 301 reads out programs (program codes), software modules, data, etc. from at least one of the storage 303 and the communication device 304 into the memory 302, and executes various processes according to the programs. As the programs, programs that cause a computer to execute at least a part of the operations described in the embodiments of the present disclosure are used.

[0048] The memory 302 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be configured by at least one of, for example, a Read Only Memory (ROM), an Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM), an Electrically EPROM (EEPROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), and other suitable storage media. The memory 302 may also be called a register, a cache, a main memory, etc. The memory 302 may store executable programs (program codes), software modules, etc. for implementing a method according to an embodiment.

[0049] Storage 303 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be constituted by at least one of, for example, a flexible disk, a floppy disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM)), a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray disk), a removable disk, a hard disk drive, a smart card, a flash memory device (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a magnetic stripe, a database, a server, and other suitable storage media. Storage 303 may be referred to as an auxiliary storage device.

[0050] The communication device 304 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for performing communication between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, or a communication module.

[0051] The input device 305 is an input device (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, etc.) that accepts input from the outside. The output device 306 is an output device (e.g., a display, a speaker, etc.) that outputs to the outside. The input device 305 and the output device 306 may be integrated into one device (e.g., a touch panel).

[0052] Furthermore, each device such as the processor 301 and the memory 302 is connected by a bus 307 for communicating information. The bus 307 may be configured by a single bus, or may be configured by different buses between the devices.

[0053] Note that these system configurations and device configurations are merely examples and are not limited to these. For example, the number of each circuit included is not limited to these. Each device may have a configuration that does not include some circuits (mechanisms), or may have a configuration in which the function of one circuit is realized by multiple circuits. It may also have a configuration in which the function of multiple circuits is realized by one circuit.

[0054] Furthermore, the electronic musical instrument 10, the dongle 20, and the device 30 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc., and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by the hardware. For example, the CPU 101 may be implemented by at least one of these pieces of hardware.

[0055] The block diagrams described so far show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of hardware and / or software. The means for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized by one physically combined device, or may be realized by two or more physically separated devices connected by wire or wirelessly.

[0056] For example, although only one processor 301 is shown, there may be multiple processors. Furthermore, the processes may be performed by one processor, or the processes may be performed by two or more processors simultaneously, sequentially, or in other manners. Furthermore, each functional block may be implemented by one or more chips.

[0057] (Physical configuration of the dongle) The physical configuration of the dongle 20 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is described below.

[0058] <Printed Circuit Board Layout> 6A and 6B are diagrams showing an example of a printed circuit board (PCB) layout of dongle 20 according to one embodiment and the corresponding antenna radiation characteristics. In the following figures, the PCB layout is a schematic diagram, and wiring and the like that is not used in the description are omitted.

[0059] 6A, PCB 210 is arranged so that board surface (component surface) 211 is horizontal to USB connector 220 (or the insertion direction of USB connector 220, in other words, the long dimension (or long side or long face) direction of USB connector 220). In this disclosure, the insertion direction of USB connector 220 may be interpreted as the extension direction of USB connector 220. Note that since USB connector 220 (wiring extending from) is connected to component surface 211, USB connector 220 may be expressed as being arranged on component surface 211.

[0060] 4 may be configured with the USB chip 221 and the USB connector 220. Also, the USB chip 221 mounting the USB interface unit 201, the RF chip 222 mounting the RF unit 202, and the antenna 223 mounting the antenna unit 203 are disposed on the component surface 211 of the PCB 210. That is, the antenna 223 extends horizontally with respect to the USB connector 220 (or the insertion direction of the USB connector 220).

[0061] When the PCB layout structure of FIG. 6A is adopted, for example when a pattern antenna or the like is used for antenna 223, radio waves are emitted in a doughnut shape in the insertion direction of USB connector 220, as shown in FIG. 6B, so that the directivity (radiation characteristics) of antenna 223 can be improved in the vertical direction compared to the horizontal direction (e.g., the front-to-back direction) of electronic musical instrument 10.

[0062] In the present disclosure, X being perpendicular to Y may mean that it is completely perpendicular or that it is approximately perpendicular. Here, X may be an object or a specific surface of the object, and Y may be an object other than X or a specific surface of the object. In addition, X being completely perpendicular to Y may mean that the angle between the normal to (the specific surface of) X and the normal to (the specific surface of) Y is 90°, and X being approximately perpendicular to Y may mean that the angle between (the specific surface of) X and the normal to (the specific surface of) Y is in the range of 90-Z° to 90+Z° (for example, Z may be 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, etc.).

[0063] According to the configuration of FIG. 6A, good communication characteristics are obtained in the vertical direction of the electronic musical instrument 10 body.

[0064] 1, it is assumed that the device 30 (or the user carrying it) is usually positioned horizontally relative to the electronic musical instrument 10. Therefore, the inventors came up with the idea of ​​arranging the PCB vertically relative to the USB connector, taking into consideration the radiation characteristics of the antenna (e.g., a pattern antenna).

[0065] 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating another example of a PCB layout and corresponding antenna radiation characteristics of dongle 20 according to one embodiment.

[0066] 7A, PCB 210 is arranged so that board surface (component surface) 211 is perpendicular to USB connector 220 (or the insertion direction of USB connector 220, in other words, the long dimension (or long side or long surface) direction of USB connector 220). Note that since USB connector 220 (wires extending from) are connected to component surface 211, USB connector 220 may be expressed as being arranged on component surface 211.

[0067] Further, USB chip 221 mounting USB interface unit 201, RF chip 222 mounting RF unit 202, and antenna 223 mounting antenna unit 203 are disposed on component surface 211 of PCB 210. That is, antenna 223 extends perpendicular to USB connector 220 (or the insertion direction of USB connector 220).

[0068] When the PCB layout structure of FIG. 7A is adopted, for example when a pattern antenna or the like is used for antenna 223, radio waves are emitted in a doughnut shape in the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of USB connector 220, as shown in FIG. 7B, so that the directivity (radiation characteristics) of antenna 223 can be improved in the horizontal direction (e.g., the front-to-back direction) compared to the vertical direction of electronic musical instrument 10.

[0069] According to the configuration of FIG. 7A, good communication characteristics are obtained in the horizontal direction of the electronic musical instrument 10 body.

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 6A and 7A, it is preferable to provide an antenna 223 on one end side in the long dimension (or long side or long face) direction of PCB 210, and a USB connector 220 on the other end side.

[0071] In addition, the antenna section 203 (antenna 223) of the present disclosure may be realized as an omnidirectional antenna such as a pattern antenna or an omni antenna (in other words, an antenna that can radiate or transmit and receive radio waves at a uniform level in all directions within a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the antenna extends).

[0072] <Dongle size> If the size of dongle 20 (especially antenna section 203) is large, it is expected that the radiation characteristics and communication quality will be improved. On the other hand, if dongle 20 is too large, there is a concern that dongle 20 connected to electronic musical instrument 10 may be easily damaged if a person / object collides with it and receives an impact. Therefore, the present inventors have considered the size of dongle 20.

[0073] 8 is a diagram showing an example of the size of the dongle 20 according to one embodiment. In this example, it is assumed that the dongle 20 is connected to the rear of the electronic musical instrument 10 (when the side where the keyboard 140k is located is defined as the front).

[0074] This example also illustrates a music stand 40 that can be attached to the electronic musical instrument 10. The music stand 40 includes a music stand receiving portion 401 that supports music sheets, and a music stand placement portion 402 on which the face of the music sheet is placed. Note that the music stand receiving portion 401 may be called the bottom surface of the music stand 40, and the music stand placement portion 402 may be called the side surface of the music stand 40.

[0075] 7A, it is assumed that the insertion amount (which may be called the USB insertion amount) of the USB connector 220 is 10.7 mm (millimeters), the distance between the vertical surface (the side closer to the electronic musical instrument 10) of the dongle 20 relative to the USB connector 220 and the rear surface of the electronic musical instrument 10 is 6.2 mm, and the thickness (which may be called the dongle thickness) of the vertical portion (including the PCB 210, etc.) of the dongle 20 is 8.4 mm. It is also assumed that the thickness (which may be called the thickness of the connector connection portion) of the USB connector 220 is the same as the dongle thickness.

[0076] The uppermost point (or surface) of the dongle 20 connected to the electronic musical instrument 10 is preferably located at a height equal to or lower than a surface that is horizontal to the music stand 401 and extends from the upper side 170 at the rear of the electronic musical instrument 10. By configuring in this way, it is possible to appropriately ensure the clearance (spacing) of the dongle 20 with respect to the music stand 40.

[0077] The lowest point (or surface) of the dongle 20 connected to the electronic musical instrument 10 is preferably located at a height equal to or higher than a surface horizontal to the rear grounding portion (foot) 180 of the electronic musical instrument 10 and the rear edge (back portion) 190 of the electronic musical instrument 10 that first comes into contact with the ground when the electronic musical instrument 10 is tilted backward. This surface may be at an angle of 45° with respect to the ground, for example. This configuration can suitably ensure the clearance (spacing) of the dongle 20 when the electronic musical instrument 10 is tilted backward.

[0078] These clearances reduce the possibility that the dongle 20 connected to the electronic musical instrument 10 will come into contact with something, even when the electronic musical instrument 10 is moved or someone passes near the back of the electronic musical instrument 10, and thus shocks and damage can be preferably avoided.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 8, the uppermost surface of the vertical portion of the dongle 20 may have a height up to a length 501 (eg, 27 mm) above the height of the center of the USB connector 220.

[0080] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the size of dongle 20 according to one embodiment. The same points as in Fig. 8 will not be described repeatedly. Fig. 9 differs from Fig. 8 in that dongle 20 is connected upside down. In this case, the lowermost surface of the vertical portion of dongle 20 may have a height up to length 502 (e.g., 19 mm) below the height of the center of USB connector 220.

[0081] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the size of dongle 20 according to one embodiment. Description of the same points as in Fig. 8 will not be repeated. Fig. 10 differs from Fig. 8 in that the horizontal part of dongle 20 is extended to its limit in consideration of the ease of holding dongle 20 and its design. In this case, the uppermost surface of the vertical part of dongle 20 may have a height up to length 503 (e.g., 23 mm) above the height of the center of USB connector 220.

[0082] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the size of the dongle 20 according to an embodiment. The same points as in Fig. 8 will not be described again. Fig. 10 differs from Fig. 8 in that a straight-line type dongle 20 as in Fig. 6A is used. In this case, the lowest surface of the tip portion of the dongle 20 is located at a height equal to or higher than a plane horizontal to a straight line connecting a ground-contact portion (foot) 180 at the rear of the electronic musical instrument 10 and a rear side (rear portion) 190 of the electronic musical instrument 10 that first comes into contact with the ground when the electronic musical instrument 10 is tilted backward (a plane 45° above the horizontal line).

[0083] It should be noted that the lengths shown in Figures 8-11 are merely examples and are not limited to these.

[0084] (Modification) In the above embodiment, the electronic musical instrument 10 is a keyboard instrument such as a keyboard, but is not limited to this. The electronic musical instrument 10 may be any instrument that has a configuration that allows the user to specify the timing of sound generation, such as an electric violin, an electric guitar, a drum, or a trumpet.

[0085] Furthermore, the electronic musical instrument 10 is not limited to a so-called musical instrument (such as a keyboard), but may be interpreted as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer (PC), a television, and the like.

[0086] 1 and 8-11, the dongle 20 is connected to the rear of the electronic musical instrument 10 (when the side where the keyboard 140k is located is considered to be the front), but this is not limited thereto. The dongle 20 may be connected to a USB connector on the front or side of the electronic musical instrument 10. In this case, "rear" in the explanation of FIGS. 8-11 may be interpreted as the front or side. In this disclosure, "side" may be interpreted as any of the front side, rear side, or lateral side (i.e., any side).

[0087] Furthermore, music stand 40 in the description of Figures 8-11 may be any object connected to electronic musical instrument 10, and music sheet receiving portion 401 and music sheet placement portion 402 may be interpreted as the bottom and side surfaces of the object, respectively.

[0088] As described above, by using the dongle 20 of the present disclosure, good communication between the electronic musical instrument 10 and the device 30 can be achieved.

[0089] The electronic musical instrument communication device (dongle 20) includes a substrate (PCB 210) on which are arranged an antenna (antenna unit 203 / antenna 223) for transmitting and receiving a wireless signal, a wireless communication module (RF unit 202 / RF chip 222) for converting data to and from the wireless signal, a control device (USB interface unit 201 / USB chip 221) for converting data to and from a signal for a certain interface, and a connector (USB connector 220) for transmitting and receiving the signal for the certain interface to and from the electronic musical instrument, and the connector may be arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the connector is approximately perpendicular to the substrate surface (substrate surface / component surface 211) of the substrate. With this configuration, the dongle 20 capable of communicating with the device 30 can be easily connected to and removed from the electronic musical instrument 10, and the directivity (radiation characteristics) of the antenna can be increased in the horizontal direction compared to the vertical direction of the electronic musical instrument 10 to which the USB connector 220 is connected.

[0090] In addition, the communication device for an electronic musical instrument (dongle 20) includes a board (PCB 210) on which are arranged an antenna (antenna unit 203 / antenna 223) for transmitting and receiving wireless signals, a wireless communication module (RF unit 202 / RF chip 222) for converting data to and from the wireless signals, a control device (USB interface unit 201 / USB chip 221) for converting the data to and from signals for a certain interface, and a connector (USB connector 220) for transmitting and receiving signals for the certain interface with the electronic musical instrument, and the wireless communication module converts wireless signals transmitted from a terminal device (device 30) and received via the antenna into at least one of MIDI data and audio data, and may also convert MIDI data transmitted from the electronic musical instrument into a wireless signal for transmission to the terminal device via the antenna. With such a configuration, for example, a lesson system can be provided in which the electronic musical instrument acquires at least one of MIDI data and audio data of a song that is not built into the electronic musical instrument from an external terminal device via an electronic musical instrument communication device, and the electronic musical instrument produces sound based on at least one of the MIDI data and audio data of the song acquired, while, while sound is being produced, MIDI data generated by the electronic musical instrument in response to a user's performance of the electronic musical instrument is transmitted to the terminal device, and the terminal device evaluates (scores) the user's performance.

[0091] Also, dongle 20 may include the antenna at one end in the longitudinal direction of the board, and the connector at the other end. With this configuration, the range in which the antenna can transmit and receive wireless signals can be made as wide as possible when viewed from electronic musical instrument 10 connected to the connector.

[0092] Furthermore, the signal for the certain interface may include a USB signal. With this configuration, the dongle 20 can realize suitable conversion between at least one of MIDI data and audio data and a USB signal.

[0093] The connector may also be attached to any part of the periphery of the electronic musical instrument. With this configuration, the dongle 20 is properly physically connected to the electronic musical instrument 10.

[0094] In addition, the electronic musical instrument system 1 may include the above-mentioned electronic musical instrument communication device and the electronic musical instrument including a speaker (speaker 150s) that produces sound based on at least one of MIDI data and audio data acquired via the electronic musical instrument communication device.

[0095] In addition, at least one processor of the electronic musical instrument communication device (processors included in the USB chip 221 and the RF chip 222) may convert a wireless signal transmitted from a terminal device and received via an antenna into at least one of MIDI data and audio data, convert MIDI data transmitted from the electronic musical instrument into a wireless signal for transmission to the terminal device via the antenna, convert the MIDI data and / or the audio data into a signal for a certain interface, and transmit and receive the signal for the certain interface between the electronic musical instrument and the electronic musical instrument.

[0096] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched according to implementation. In addition, the processing procedures, sequences, flow charts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be reordered unless inconsistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0097] As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0098] Any reference to an element using a designation such as "first," "second," etc., used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed or that the first element must precede the second element in some way.

[0099] When the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Further, when used in this disclosure, the term "or" is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0100] In the present disclosure, "A / B" may mean "at least one of A and B."

[0101] In this disclosure, where articles have been added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0102] Although the invention according to the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the invention according to the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described in the present disclosure. The invention according to the present disclosure can be implemented as modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention defined based on the description of the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the invention according to the present disclosure.

Claims

1. Receives wireless signals of MIDI data and audio data; converting the wireless signal of the MIDI data into MIDI data for a certain interface, and converting the wireless signal of the audio data into audio data for the certain interface; Transmitting a signal for the certain interface to an electronic device; Communications equipment.

2. The wireless signal corresponds to Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication device according to claim 1 .

3. The signal for the certain interface includes a Universal Serial Bus (USB) signal.

3. A communication device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A connector for transmitting a signal for the certain interface to the electronic device, The connector is arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the connector is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the board. A communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The substrate is provided with a pattern antenna. The communication device according to claim 4.

6. A communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5; an electronic musical instrument including a speaker that produces sound based on at least one of MIDI data and audio data acquired via the communication device; An electronic musical instrument system comprising:

7. A communication device comprising: receiving wireless signals of MIDI data and audio data; converting the wireless signal of the MIDI data into MIDI data for a certain interface, and converting the wireless signal of the audio data into audio data for the certain interface; Transmitting a signal for the certain interface to an electronic device; How to perform the action.

8. A communication device comprising: receiving wireless signals of MIDI data and audio data; converting the wireless signal of the MIDI data into MIDI data for a certain interface, and converting the wireless signal of the audio data into audio data for the certain interface; Transmitting a signal for the certain interface to an electronic device; A program that executes a process.

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