Display control device, display device, method and program

Abstract

To provide a display control device that allows a user to easily keep the beats.SOLUTION: A display control device comprises a control unit that controls a light source unit. The control unit set one tempo from among a plurality of tempos, and changes, according to the timing of a first beat of the set tempo, a display form of light emitted from the light source unit and cast on a display unit from a third display form to a first display form. A first period during which the display form of the cast light changes between the third display form and the first display form has a constant length irrespective of the set tempo. The constant length is a length less than one beat of the fastest tempo of the tempos that can be set.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

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 has an array of multiple light-emitting elements arranged in a vertical line. This electronic metronome imitates the movement of a conductor's baton by sequentially switching on the lit light-emitting elements and moving the light vertically. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2005 / 93529 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] With the conventional electronic metronome exemplified in Patent Document 1, for example, it can be difficult to grasp the timing of the beat depending on the tempo. Such an electronic metronome (an example of a display device) has room for improvement in terms of making it easier for the user to grasp the timing of the beat.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view 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 sets one tempo from among a plurality of tempos, and changes the display form of light emitted from the light source unit and projected onto the display unit in synchronization with the timing of the first beat of the set tempo. , with a third width From the third display form , having a first width greater than a third width The first period during which the light changes between the third display form and the first display form has a fixed length regardless of the set tempo. This fixed length is less than one beat of the fastest tempo that can be set. [Effects 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 explanation 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; [Figure 2] 1 is a partial perspective view of an electronic musical instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing the 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. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a case where the display unit operates as an electronic metronome in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a case where the display unit operates as an electronic metronome in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the relationship between the display form of light projected on the display unit and time in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram illustrating the length on the time axis over which light projected on a display unit pulsates in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 9A]10 is a flowchart showing metronome processing executed by a sub-processor provided in the electronic musical instrument according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9B] 10 is a flowchart showing metronome processing executed by a sub-processor provided in the electronic musical instrument according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A display control device, a display device, and a method and 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 one 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 this embodiment includes a control unit that controls a light source unit. The control unit sets one tempo from among a plurality of tempos, and changes the display mode of the light emitted from the light source unit and projected on the display unit from a third display mode to a first display mode in synchronization with the first beat of the set tempo. The first period during which the light changes between the third display mode and the first display mode has a fixed length regardless of the set tempo. This fixed length is less than one beat of the fastest tempo that can be set.

[0014] That is, the display device according to this embodiment operates as an electronic metronome that uses light to visually communicate beats and tempo to the user. In the display device according to this embodiment, the first period during which the light changes between the third display form and the first display form is shorter than one beat of the fastest tempo, regardless of the set tempo. By displaying the light display form in accordance with the timing of the beat for only a short time, the timing of the beat is no longer ambiguous, and as a result, the timing of the beat is emphasized. This makes it easier for the user to grasp the timing of the beat.

[0015] The electronic musical instrument 1 may be an electronic keyboard instrument other than an electronic piano, such as an electronic keyboard, etc. 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 components of the electronic musical instrument 1 are connected by 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 each, for example, a single processor or a multi-processor, and include at least one processor. When multiple processors are included, the main processor 10M and the sub-processor 10S may be packaged as a single device, or may be configured as multiple devices 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 stores data and programs, and stores 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 has a plurality of white keys and a plurality of black keys. Each key is associated with a different pitch. The electronic musical instrument 1 produces musical tones in response to depression of the keys on the keyboard 13A.

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

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

[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 about 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 separate means is provided for measuring the key pressing speed (velocity), and the velocity measured by this means is also included in the key pressing event. For example, multiple contact switches are provided for each key. The velocity is measured based on the difference in the time that each contact switch remains conductive when the key is pressed. Velocity can be considered a value that indicates the strength of the key pressing operation, and also a value that indicates 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 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 tone generator LSI 17 to read the corresponding waveform data from the waveform data loaded into the RAM 11. The waveform data to be read is determined, for example, by 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 direction 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 other embodiments, these 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 part 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 substrate 162A is a rectangular substrate. A plurality of LEDs (an example of a light-emitting element) 162B are attached to the LED substrate 162A. In this embodiment, 20 LEDs 162B are arranged in a row at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction (for convenience, referred to as the "left-right direction") of the LED substrate 162A. The LEDs 162B are, for example, white LEDs that emit pseudo-white light.

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

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

[0038] The light guide member 166A is made of, for example, a light-transmitting material such as polycarbonate or acrylic. 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 positioned in front of each of the LEDs 162B. The light guide member 166A guides the light emitted from the LEDs 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 emission opening 166b is formed in approximately the center of the light-shielding case 166B. The emission opening 166b is also in a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction.

[0040] The light emitted from the LED 162B is projected onto the display unit 166. That is, the display unit 166 projects 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 light-emitting surface of light-guiding member 166A is textured, so that light that reaches the light-emitting surface of light-guiding member 166A is diffused by the texture and emitted from the light-emitting surface with high efficiency.

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

[0044] Acrylic panel 166D is attached to the front surface of light-shielding case 166B. The light that is 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 light-guiding member 166A is blocked by light-shielding case 166B in areas other than emission opening 166b. That is, only the rectangular area long in the left-right direction defined by emission opening 166b serves as a display area (hereinafter, designated by reference numeral 168) capable of projecting this light. Hereinafter, the light projected onto 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 shown 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 essentially invisible from the outside.

[0047] Specifically, each part of the display unit 166 is housed inside the housing 2, and the acrylic panel 166D gives the external surface (surface) a flat shape, as shown in Fig. 1. In addition, the light-shielding case 166B located on the back side of the acrylic panel 166D blocks almost all 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, even if the user looks at the area where the LED 162B is arranged, the user cannot visually recognize the position of the LED 162B. Therefore, the user cannot grasp the range in which the light L is projected when the LED 162B is not lit.

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

[0050] Fig. 5 shows changes over time in the display form of light L reflected in display area 168. The diagram on the left in Fig. 5 shows how light L expresses triple beats in 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 form of light L and time.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 5, the width (length in the left-right direction) of light L changes so as to pulsate in time with the beat. In FIG. 5, the symbol LS indicates the initial width of light L. The symbol LM indicates the width of light L at the timing of a weak beat. The symbol LL indicates the width of light L at the timing of a strong beat. Hereinafter, the initial width of light L will be referred to as "initial width LS." The width of light L at the timing of a weak beat will be referred to as "weak beat width LM." The width of light L at the timing of a strong beat will be referred to as "strong beat width LL."

[0052] In this embodiment, a "strong beat" refers to the first beat of an n-beat (n is a natural number), and a "weak beat" refers to the second to n-th beats. For example, in the case of a 4-beat rhythm, the first beat is the strong beat, and the second to fourth beats are the weak beats. Also, all beats from the second beat onwards do not have to be weak beats. At least one weak beat among the weak beats included from the second beat onwards may be replaced with a medium strong beat that is stronger than the weak beat and weaker than the strong beat.

[0053] The light of the strong beat width LL is an example of a first display form light having a first width and represents a strong beat. The light of the weak beat width LM is an example of a second display form light having a second width and represents a weak beat. The light of the initial width LS is an example of a third display form light having a third width.

[0054] The weak beat width LM is wider than the initial width LS. The strong beat width LL is wider than the weak beat width LM. For example, when the initial width LS is 1, the ratio of these widths is 4 for the weak beat width LM and 10 for the strong beat width LL.

[0055] The timing of the strong beat is an example of the timing of the first beat. The timing of the weak beat is an example of the timing of the second beat.

[0056] Light L expands and contracts in accordance with the timing of the beat, with the initial width LS as its minimum width. At the timing of a weak beat, light L expands to the weak beat width LM. At the timing of a strong beat, light L expands to the strong beat width LL.

[0057] That is, as shown in Figure 5, the light L instantly extends from the initial width LS to the strong beat width LL in time with the strong beat, and then returns to the initial width LS again. Next, the light L instantly extends from the initial width LS to the weak beat width LM in time with the weak beat, and then returns to the initial width LS again. The light L further instantly extends from the initial width LS to the weak beat width LM in time with the weak beat, and then returns to the initial width LS again. In this way, the light L pulsates and expands and contracts in time with the strong beat, weak beat, and weak beat, thereby expressing a triple beat with the light L.

[0058] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between each display mode of light L and the lighting pattern of LED 162B. In FIG. 6, the LED 162B located on the leftmost side of the 20 LEDs 162B is labeled "LED 1." LEDs 162B located further to the right are assigned higher numbers. Therefore, the LED 162B located on the rightmost side of the 20 LEDs 162B is labeled "LED 20." In FIG. 6, the numbers (0 to 100) indicate the brightness of the LED 162B. A brightness of 0 indicates a state in which the LED 162B is not lit. A brightness of 100 indicates a state in which the LED 162B is lit at the highest brightness.

[0059] The light emission of the LED 162B is controlled by the sub-processor 10S. The sub-processor 10S controls the light emission of the light L in 1000 lighting patterns corresponding to the widths L1 to L1000, as shown in FIG.

[0060] The larger the numerical value of the symbol (L1 to L1000), the wider the width in the left-right direction of the light L. Hereinafter, the symbols LP1 to LP1000 will be assigned to the lighting patterns corresponding to the widths L1 to L1000, respectively. Note that width L1 (lighting pattern LP1), width L500 (lighting pattern LP500), and width L1000 (lighting pattern LP1000) are the initial width LS, weak beat width LM, and strong beat width LL, respectively.

[0061] The sub-processor 10S appropriately switches the lighting pattern of the LEDs 162B to control the light emission of the 20 LEDs 162B. That is, the sub-processor 10S operates as a control unit that controls the display form (here, the width) of the light L on the display unit 166 by controlling the light source unit 162.

[0062] For example, the sub-processor 10S lights up LED9 to LED11 at brightness levels of 51, 100, and 51, respectively, while not lighting up LED1 to LED8 and LED12 to LED20. In other words, when the sub-processor 10S performs light emission control using the lighting pattern LP1, light L is projected at position P1 in the center of the display area 168 as light having an initial width LS.

[0063] Next, the sub-processor 10S gradually and minutely increases the brightness of the LEDs located to the left and right of the LED 10. When the sub-processor 10S sequentially controls the light emission in the lighting patterns from lighting pattern LP2 onwards, the width of the light L gradually increases in a smooth motion.

[0064] By gradually changing the brightness of the plurality of LEDs 162B individually, it is possible to express the width of the light L expanding in a smooth motion.

[0065] As the timing of the strong beat approaches, the sub-processor 10S sequentially switches the lighting pattern from lighting pattern LP1 to LP1000 at high speed, and instantaneously extends light L from the initial width LS to the strong beat width LL. After extending light L to the strong beat width LL at the timing of the strong beat, the sub-processor 10S sequentially switches the lighting pattern from lighting pattern LP1000 to LP1 at high speed, and instantaneously returns light L from the strong beat width LL to the initial width LS. As a result, as shown in Figure 5, light L is displayed in a large pulsating manner to represent the strong beat.

[0066] As the timing of the downbeat approaches, the subprocessor 10S sequentially switches the lighting pattern from lighting pattern LP1 to LP500 at high speed, and instantaneously extends light L from the initial width LS to the downbeat width LM. After extending light L to the downbeat width LM at the timing of the downbeat, the subprocessor 10S sequentially switches the lighting pattern from lighting pattern LP500 to LP1 at high speed, and instantaneously returns light L from the downbeat width LM to the initial width LS. As a result, as shown in Figure 5, light L is displayed in a small pulsating manner to represent the downbeat.

[0067] In this way, the sub-processor 10S continuously changes the width of the light L so that the light L pulsates in synchronization with the beat.

[0068] The 20 LEDs 162B (an example of a plurality of light emitting elements) are arranged in a straight line corresponding to the width direction of the light L.

[0069] In this embodiment, a large number (1000) of display modes (widths) are switched sequentially at high speed. Because the resolution of the expandable width is high and the width is switched quickly, the width of the light L appears to expand and contract smoothly within the display area 168.

[0070] The operation of the display unit 16 as an electronic metronome will now be described in more detail.

[0071] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the display form (width) of light L and time. In FIG. 7, symbols TL1 and TL4 indicate the timing of strong beats. Symbols TM2 and TM3 indicate the timing of weak beats. The example in FIG. 7 shows a triple beat, with a strong beat, weak beat, and weak beat repeated. Each period indicated by a bidirectional arrow (the period from the timing of the strong beat TL1 to the timing of the weak beat TM2, the period from the timing of the weak beat TM2 to the timing of the weak beat TM3, and the period from the timing of the weak beat TM3 to the timing of the strong beat TL4) is the same length and corresponds to the length of one beat.

[0072] The period PDL is an example of a first period, and indicates a period during which the light L changes between the initial width LS and the strong beat width LL when reflected in the display area 168. The period PDM is an example of a second period, and indicates a period during which the light L changes between the initial width LS and the weak beat width LM when reflected in the display area 168. The period PDS is an example of a third period, and indicates a period during which the light L is fixed at the initial width LS.

[0073] In addition, the period PDL is the period from a first point in time (e.g., time TL1a) before the timing of the strong beat to a second point in time (e.g., time TL1b) after the timing of the strong beat. The period PDM is the period from a third point in time (e.g., time TL2a) before the timing of the weak beat to a fourth point in time (e.g., time TL2b) after the timing of the weak beat. The period PDS is the period between the periods PDL (or PDM).

[0074] As shown in Figure 7, the width of light L momentarily increases during the first period PDL, causing it to pulsate widely. Light L is fixed at the initial width LS during the next period PDS, and then changes to a smaller pulsating width during the following period PDM. Light L is again fixed at the initial width LS during the next period PDS, and then changes again to a smaller pulsating width. While the electronic metronome function is on, light L repeats this pulsating action to represent triple beats.

[0075] More specifically, when the period PDL begins (an example of a first time point, for example, when time TL1a is reached), the light L extends from the initial width LS to a strong beat width LL until the timing of the strong beat (for example, time TL1), and then returns from the strong beat width LL to the initial width LS between the timing of the strong beat and the end point of the period PDL (an example of a second time point, for example, time TL1b). In other words, the light L extends for just an instant at the timing of the strong beat to the strong beat width LL that represents the strong beat.

[0076] When the period PDM begins (an example of a third time point, for example, when time TM2a is reached), the light L extends from the initial width LS to the weak beat width LM until the timing of the weak beat (for example, time TM2), and then returns from the weak beat width LM to the initial width LS from the timing of the weak beat until the end of the period PDM (an example of a fourth time point, for example, time TM2b). That is, the light L extends for just an instant at the timing of the weak beat to the weak beat width LM that represents the weak beat.

[0077] For example, if the light L expands and contracts slowly over time, the timing of the beat becomes unclear. Furthermore, if this expansion and contraction is reproduced slowly in a smooth manner like pulsation (i.e., if the light L expands and contracts slowly and smoothly), the timing of the beat becomes even more unclear. Therefore, in this embodiment, the display form of the light L is changed so that the light L pulsates in a short period of time.

[0078] Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating the length on the time axis over which light L pulsates. As in the example of Fig. 7, each period indicated by a two-way arrow (the period from the timing TL1 of the strong beat to the timing TM2 of the weak beat, and the period between the timings of each beat after the timing TM2 of the weak beat, not shown) has the same length, which corresponds to the length of one beat.

[0079] The user can set the tempo of the electronic metronome by operating the operation panel 14. The upper, middle, and lower diagrams in Fig. 8 show the relationship between the display form (width) of the light L and time when the set tempos are tempos TMP1, TMP2, and TMP3, respectively. Of the tempos TMP1 to TMP3, tempo TMP1 is the fastest, and tempo TMP3 is the slowest. Tempo TMP2 is slower than tempo TMP3 and faster than tempo TMP1.

[0080] 8, the periods PDL and PDM have a fixed length regardless of the set tempo. The lengths of the periods PDL and PDM are less than one beat of the fastest tempo that can be set.

[0081] For example, the sub-processor 10S, in accordance with a user operation, sets one tempo from among tempos 20 to 255. In this case, the length of the period PDL and the period PDM is n% (e.g., 20% or 40%) of the time required for one beat of the tempo 255.

[0082] In this way, the light L pulsates for less than one beat of the fastest tempo. By projecting the light L on the display area 168 so that it pulsates for a short time in time with the timing of the beat, the timing of the beat becomes unclear, and as a result, the timing of the beat is emphasized. This makes it easier for the user to grasp the timing of the beat.

[0083] It should be noted that the faster the tempo, the shorter the fixed time of the light L (that is, the period PDS corresponding to the initial width LS), and the slower the tempo, the longer the fixed time of the light L.

[0084] Between a period PDL in which light L pulsates greatly and a period PDM in which light L pulsates slightly, there is a period PDS in which light L does not move. By visually recognizing that light L does not move during the period PDS, the user can intuitively understand that they are now in a period between beats. By understanding the period without a beat, the user can more easily grasp the timing of the beats in the periods PDL and PDM.

[0085] The time from the first point in time to the timing of the strong beat (for example, the time from time TL1a to time TL1), the time from the timing of the strong beat to the second point in time (for example, the time from time TL1 to time TL1b), the time from the timing of the strong beat to the second point in time (for example, the time from time TL1 to time TL1b), the time from the third point in time to the timing of the weak beat (for example, the time from time TM2a to time TM2), and the time from the timing of the weak beat to the fourth point in time (for example, the time from time TM2 to time TM2b) are the same or approximately the same length. By making the pulsation times of the light L before and after the timing of the beat the same or approximately the same length, the user can more intuitively grasp the timing of the beat.

[0086] 9A and 9B are flowcharts showing the metronome processing 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 processing begins.

[0087] 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 simultaneously causes the speaker 20 to output a sound indicating the beat.

[0088] The set tempo is a tempo set by a user operation on the operation panel 14. If no user operation is performed, the set tempo is a tempo that is initially determined.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 9, the sub-processor 10S waits for a synchronization signal from the main processor 10M (step S101).

[0090] 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 simultaneously starts counting up (step S102).

[0091] 7 and 8 are, strictly speaking, the timings at which the sub-processor 10S receives the 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.

[0092] The sub-processor 10S determines whether or not this is the timing of a strong beat (step S103).

[0093] If it is the timing of a strong beat (step S103: YES), the sub-processor 10S controls the light emission of the LED 162B with the lighting pattern LP1000 corresponding to the strong beat width LL (step S104), and returns to the processing of step S101.

[0094] If it is the timing of a weak beat (step S103: NO), the sub-processor 10S controls the light emission of the LED 162B with the lighting pattern LP500 corresponding to the weak beat width LM (step S105), and returns to the processing of step S101.

[0095] If the synchronization signal is not received 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 synchronization signal was last received (step S106).

[0096] The sub-processor 10S determines whether the elapsed time TM acquired in step S106 is equal to or less than the first time (step S107). The first time is, for example, half the period PDL (period PDM).

[0097] If the elapsed time TM is equal to or shorter than the first time (step S107: YES), only a short time has passed since the timing of the previous beat, and the sub-processor 10S determines whether the previous beat was a strong beat (step S108).

[0098] If the previous beat was a strong beat (step S108: YES), the sub-processor 10S controls the illumination of the LED 162B corresponding to the strong beat in a lighting pattern corresponding to the elapsed time TM based on the information stored in the flash ROM 12 (step S109), and returns to the processing of step S101. The lighting pattern corresponding to the time TM when the previous beat was a strong beat is stored in, for example, the flash ROM 12.

[0099] If the previous beat was a downbeat (step S108: NO), the sub-processor 10S controls the light emission of the LED 162B corresponding to the downbeat in a lighting pattern corresponding to the elapsed time TM based on the information stored in the flash ROM 12 (step S110), and returns to the processing of step S101. The lighting pattern corresponding to the time TM when the previous beat was a downbeat is stored in, for example, the flash ROM 12.

[0100] If the elapsed time TM exceeds the first time (step S107: NO), the sub-processor 10S determines whether the current time is within the period PDS (step S111).

[0101] If the current time is within the period PDS (step S111: YES), the sub-processor 10S controls the light emission of the LED 162B in the lighting pattern LP1 corresponding to the initial width LS (step S112), and returns to the processing of step S101.

[0102] If the current time is outside the PDS period (i.e., the PDS period has passed and the timing of the next beat is approaching) (step S111: NO), the sub-processor 10S determines whether the previous beat is the last beat of the beat (step S113). For example, in a triple time signature, the second weak beat after the strong beat is the last beat of the beat. For example, in a quadruple time signature, the third weak beat after the strong beat is the last beat of the beat.

[0103] If the previous beat was the last beat of the beat (step S113: YES), the next beat is the first beat of the next beat (i.e., the down beat). Therefore, the sub-processor 10S controls the light emission of the LED 162B corresponding to the down beat in a lighting pattern corresponding to the elapsed time TM based on the information stored in the flash ROM 12 (step S114), and returns to the processing of step S101.

[0104] If the previous beat is not the last beat of the beat (step S113: NO), the next beat is the next upbeat of the same beat. Therefore, the sub-processor 10S controls the light emission of the LED 162B corresponding to the upbeat in a lighting pattern corresponding to the elapsed time TM based on the information stored in the flash ROM 12 (step S115), and returns to the processing of step S101.

[0105] 9A and 9B until 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.

[0106] 9, pulsation of light L in time with the beat is displayed for a short time in the display area 168. This eliminates ambiguity in the timing of the beat, and as a result, the timing of the beat is emphasized. This makes it easier for the user to grasp the timing of the beat.

[0107] The light L starts pulsating a little before the timing of the beat arrives. By visually noticing that the light L has started pulsating, the user can know in advance that the timing of the beat is coming soon. This also makes it even easier for the user to grasp the timing of the beat.

[0108] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the functions performed in the above-described embodiments may be implemented in appropriate combinations as much as possible. The above-described embodiments include various steps, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriate combinations of the disclosed multiple constituent elements. For example, if the effect can be obtained even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiments, the configuration from which these constituent elements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

[0109] 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 way to distinguish 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 in some way precede the second element. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 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; The control unit Select one of several tempos, changing a display form of the light emitted from the light source unit and projected on the display unit from a third display form having a third width to a first display form having a first width wider than the third width in synchronization with a first beat of the set tempo; a first period during which the light changes between the third display form and the first display form has a fixed length regardless of the set tempo; The certain length is a length of less than one beat of the fastest tempo among the settable tempos. Display control device.

2. A control unit for controlling the light source unit, The control unit Select one of several tempos, changing the display form of the light emitted from the light source unit and projected on the display unit from a third display form to a first display form, which is light of a first width that represents a strong beat, in synchronization with the timing of a first beat of the set tempo; changing the display form of the light from the third display form to a second display form, which is light of a second width narrower than the first width and which represents a weak beat, in accordance with the timing of a second beat of the set tempo; a first period during which the light changes between the third display form and the first display form has a fixed length regardless of the set tempo; a second period during which the light changes between the third display form and the second display form and is displayed has the fixed length regardless of the set tempo; Display control device.

3. A control unit for controlling the light source unit, The control unit Select one of several tempos, changing a display form of the light emitted from the light source unit and projected on the display unit from a third display form to a first display form in synchronization with the timing of a first beat of the set tempo; a first period during which the light changes between the third display form and the first display form has a fixed length regardless of the set tempo; the first period is a period from a first time point before the timing of the first beat to a second time point after the timing of the first beat, The control unit between the first time point and the timing of the first beat, the width of the light is increased from the third display form having a third width to the wider light width of the first display form, and between the timing of the first beat and the second time point, the width of the light is decreased from the light width of the first display form to the light width of the third display form. Display control device.

4. The control unit During a third period other than the first period and other than the second period, the light is projected onto the display unit as light of the third display form having a third width narrower than the first width and the second width. The display control device according to claim 2 .

5. The second period during which the light changes between the third display form and the second display form is a period from a third time point before the timing of the second beat to a fourth time point after the timing of the second beat. The display control device according to claim 3 .

6. The control unit between the third time point and the timing of the second beat, the width of the light is increased from the width of the light of the third display form to the width of the light of the second display form, which is wider than the width of the light of the third display form and narrower than the width of the light of the first display form, and between the timing of the second beat and the fourth time point, the width of the light is decreased from the width of the light of the second display form to the width of the light of the third display form. The display control device according to claim 5 .

7. The 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.

8. A method executed by a computer that controls a light source unit, Select one of several tempos, changing a display form of the light emitted from the light source unit and projected on the display unit from a third display form having a third width to a first display form having a first width wider than the third width in synchronization with a first beat of the set tempo; a first period during which the light changes between the third display form and the first display form has a fixed length regardless of the set tempo; The certain length is a length of less than one beat of the fastest tempo among the settable tempos. method.

9. A program executed by a computer that controls a light source unit, Select one of several tempos, changing a display form of the light emitted from the light source unit and projected on the display unit from a third display form having a third width to a first display form having a first width wider than the third width in synchronization with a first beat of the set tempo; a first period during which the light changes between the third display form and the first display form has a fixed length regardless of the set tempo; The certain length is a length of less than one beat of the fastest tempo among the settable tempos. program.

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