Input device and its control method, program

Abstract

To facilitate an operation of setting a sound parameter.SOLUTION: A pad operation unit 50 includes a first group GrL including a plurality of pads, and a second group GrR including a plurality of pads disposed at symmetrical positions with respect to the plurality of pads included in the first group GrL. Upon receiving an instruction to set a sound parameter, a CPU 81 executes setting processing for setting the sound parameter for at least one pair as a pair to be subjected to setting among pairs of pads having a symmetrical positional relationship with respect to each other. As the setting processing, in the pair to be subjected to setting, interlocking processing for reflecting the setting of the sound parameter for the pad of the first group GrL also in the pad of the second group GrR or interchange processing for interchanging the sound parameter set for the pad of the first group GrL and the sound parameter set for the pad of the second group GrR is executed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an input device, a control method thereof, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an input device for setting sound parameters for a plurality of operators has been known. In the device of Patent Document 1, sound parameters are assigned to each of the operators (pads) for inputting performance information.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose how to set sound parameters. There may be cases where a user wants to set desired sound parameters for a desired operator. The operation of setting sound parameters one by one for each operator is cumbersome. Also, there may be cases where the same device is to be reused by right-handed and left-handed users. Therefore, it is desirable to enable efficient setting operations of sound parameters.

[0005] [[ID=~39]]One object of the present invention is to provide an input device capable of facilitating the setting operation of sound parameters.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the device includes: an operation receiving unit including a first group including a plurality of operators and a second group including a plurality of operators arranged symmetrically with respect to the plurality of operators in the first group; an instruction receiving unit that receives instructions to set sound parameters; and a control unit that, upon receiving the instruction, performs a setting process to set sound parameters, selecting at least one pair of operators that are symmetrically positioned to each other as the setting target, wherein the control unit performs a first process as the setting process to reflect the setting of sound parameters for the operators in the first group to the operators in the second group, or a second process to swap the sound parameters set for the operators in the first group and the sound parameters set for the operators in the second group in the setting target pair. The control unit has a designation unit that specifies whether the first process is enabled or disabled, and the control unit executes the first process on the condition that the first process is enabled. An input device is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the setting operation of sound parameters can be made easier. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a plan view of the input device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a plan view of the pad control section. [Figure 3] This is a plan view of the pad control section. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram of the input device. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the display when setting "groups that may be subject to setting". [Figure 6] This diagram shows the functional blocks that implement the sound parameter setting process. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart showing the sound parameter setting process. [Figure 8] This is a plan view of the modified pad operating section. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view of the input device according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] (First Embodiment) Figure 1 is a plan view of an input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This input device 100 is an input device suitable for inputting performance operations, and is configured as an electronic musical instrument (electronic percussion instrument) as an example. The input device 100 is a device for setting or inputting sound parameters.

[0011] The input device 100 has a housing 102. A panel 103 is provided on the top side of the housing 102. The panel 103 has a pad operation section 50, a setting operation section 90, a display section 96, and a speaker 97. The setting operation section 90 is an instruction receiving section that includes an operator that receives setting instructions (or input instructions) for sound parameters from the user 101. The setting operation section 90 includes a menu button 91, an interlock mode enable / disable button 92 (designation section), a swap mode enable / disable button 93 (designation section), a swap execution button 94, a confirm button 95, and an increase / decrease button 98.

[0012] The pad operation unit 50 is an operation reception unit that includes multiple controls (hereinafter referred to as pads) for the user 101 to input performance information. The multiple pads included in the pad operation unit 50 are pads K, H1 to H3, C1, C2, S1, S2, R1, R2, M1, M2, and T1 to T6.

[0013] User 101 typically uses the input device 100 with the pad K facing forward, as shown in Figure 1. For convenience, from now on, the side facing forward from User 101 will be referred to as the front, the side facing backward, and the left-right direction will also be based on the direction viewed from User 101.

[0014] Although the shape is different for each pad, the basic configuration is common to each other. Each pad is a physical switch that constitutes an input area for an input operation (performance operation). Each pad has a surface sheet, a base plate (not shown), and a sensor (not shown). The base plate is, for example, a metal plate or a plastic plate. A sensor is disposed on the base plate, and a surface sheet is further disposed thereon. The surface sheet constitutes the surface of the pad. The surface of the pad is flat and exposed from the panel 103. When the user 101 usually performs an input operation, the user taps the pad with a finger. In order to cushion the impact on the finger, for example, a rubber plate or the like is adopted for the surface sheet.

[0015] The above sensor detects an input operation by the user 101. The above sensor is provided for each pad. The above sensor is, for example, a pressure sensor that detects a change in pressure applied to the corresponding pad. The above sensor outputs a signal with an amplitude corresponding to the change in pressure as information indicating an input operation. Note that the above sensor is not limited to a pressure sensor and may be a vibration sensor.

[0016] As an example, each pad is configured as follows. In order from the bottom, a conductive pattern on a substrate, a conductive sheet, and a rubber sheet are arranged. There is a spacer under the conductive sheet, and the conductive pattern and the conductive sheet do not conduct or conduct very slightly even when the rubber sheet is placed on it. When pressure is applied from above by tapping (or pushing in) the rubber sheet with a finger, the conductive sheet is pushed and contacts the conductive pattern, and the voltage value changes according to the contact area. By detecting the voltage value by the above sensor, it is possible to detect the strength of tapping (or pushing in) with a finger.

[0017] Each pad is assigned (allocated) a timbre of an electronic sound, for example, a timbre of a drum (which may include percussion). The timbre of the electronic sound to be assigned is not limited. When the user 101 performs an input operation on a pad, a sound of the timbre associated with that pad is emitted from the speaker 97. As will be described later, the timbre assigned to each pad can be changed. Note that for some pads, the assigned timbre may be unchanged (fixed).

[0018] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the pad operation unit 50.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the pad operation unit 50 includes a first region 10, a second region 20, a third region 30, and a fourth region 40. The arrangement direction of the first, second, third, and fourth regions is the front-rear direction. The direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction is the left-right direction. In the direction away from the first region 10 (rearward), the first region 10, the fourth region 40, the second region 20, and the third region 30 are arranged in sequence. There is a fourth region 40 between the first region 10 and the third region 30. The shapes of the first region 10, the second region 20, and the third region 30 are different from each other. The first region 10 and the second region 20 are adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction.

[0020] The first region 10 mainly includes one or more pads assigned a timbre of a bass drum, and includes, for example, pads K, M1, and M2. The second region 20 mainly includes one or more pads assigned a timbre of a snare drum, and includes, for example, pads S1, R1, and R2. The third region 30 mainly includes one or more pads assigned a timbre of a cymbal, and includes, for example, pads H1 to H3, C1, and C2. The fourth region 40 mainly includes one or more pads assigned a timbre of a tom, and includes, for example, pads S2, Tl to T6.

[0021] Let the centers of gravity of pads K, S2, S1, and H2 be G10, G40, G20, and G30, respectively. When viewed from above, let P0 be the imaginary line passing through G10, G40, G20, and G30. The imaginary line P0 is also the center line of the pad operation section 50 in the left-right direction. The imaginary line P0 is also the center line of the first region 10, second region 20, third region 30, and fourth region 40 in the left-right direction. The input device 100 is designed to be operated by both right-handed and left-handed users, and also by two-handed users. Therefore, the entire pad is laid out symmetrically with respect to the imaginary line P0.

[0022] First, pads K, S2, S1, and H2 are positioned in the center in the left-right direction. Pads T1, T2, and T3 are symmetrical with respect to the virtual line P0 (about P0 as the center), and pads T6, T5, and T4 are symmetrical with respect to the virtual line P0. Pads M1, R1, and C1 are symmetrical with respect to the virtual line P0, and pads M2, R2, and C2 are symmetrical with respect to the virtual line P0. Pad H1 and pad H3 are symmetrical with respect to the virtual line P0.

[0023] Viewed from above, the boundary lines 51 between the first region 10 and the fourth region 40, 53 between the second region 20 and the third region 30, and 52 between the fourth region 40 and the second region 20 are all curves that convex toward the front. Also, viewed from above, the opposing end faces of adjacent pads in the left-right direction are straight lines and are inclined so that they become closer to the virtual straight line P0 towards the rear. This inclination of the end faces and the curvature of the boundary lines make it easy to input music in a natural and comfortable posture.

[0024] The pad S1 is provided with upward-projecting protrusions 61 and 62. By touching either of the protrusions 61 or 62, the user can recognize the position of the pad S1 without relying on their vision.

[0025] Figure 3 is a plan view of the pad operating section 50. A pair of operating elements (pads) that are symmetrically positioned relative to each other is called a "pair". The pad group on the left is the first group GrL, and the pad group on the right is the second group GrR. The first group GrL includes pads T1, T2, T3, M1, R1, C1, and H1. The second group GrR includes pads T6, T5, T4, M2, R2, C2, and H3.

[0026] Figure 4 is a block diagram of the input device 100. Performance information generated by operating each pad in the pad operation unit 50 and operation information generated by operating each control in the setting operation unit 90 are sent to the CPU 81 via the bus 80. The display unit 96 is composed of an LCD or the like and displays various information according to instructions from the CPU 81. In addition, the sound generation unit 79, ROM 82, RAM 83, timer 84, storage unit 85, and various I / F (interfaces) 86 are connected to the CPU 81 via the bus 80.

[0027] The CPU 81 controls the entire device. The ROM 82 stores control programs and various data executed by the CPU 81. The RAM 83 provides a work area for the CPU 81 when executing control programs. The storage unit 85 includes non-volatile memory and stores various information. The various I / F 86 may include wired or wireless communication I / Fs as well as MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface). The sound generation unit 79 includes a speaker 97 (Figure 1), as well as sound source circuits and effect circuits (not shown), and generates sound based on performance information generated by the operation of each pad.

[0028] In this embodiment, there are two sound parameter setting modes: "linked mode" and "swap mode." These setting modes are applied to pairs of pads that are symmetrically positioned relative to each other. The pair to which a setting mode is applied is called the "set target pair."

[0029] The linked mode is a mode in which, in the set of settings, the sound parameter settings for the pads of the first group GrL (or second group GrR) are reflected in the pads of the second group GrR (or first group GrL) which are positioned symmetrically to the said pads, in a linked process (first process). The swapped mode is a mode in which, in the set of settings, the sound parameter set for the pads of the first group GrL is swapped with the sound parameter set for the pads of the second group GrR which are positioned symmetrically to the said pads, in a swapped process (second process).

[0030] These two setting modes are not mutually exclusive; they can be individually enabled or disabled and can coexist. The linked mode can be enabled or disabled by user operation on the linked mode enable / disable button 92, and the swap mode can be enabled or disabled by user operation on the swap mode enable / disable button 93.

[0031] In linked mode, the user can initiate the linked process by entering candidate sound parameters to be set and then pressing the OK button 95. For example, if pads H1 and H3 are the pair to be set and linked mode is enabled, when the first sound parameter is assigned to pad H1, the first sound parameter will automatically be assigned to pad H3 as well. The reverse is also true.

[0032] On the other hand, let's assume that pads C1 and C2 are the set of pads to be configured, and that swap mode is enabled. When a first sound parameter is assigned to pad C1 and a second sound parameter is assigned to pad C2, and the swap operation is instructed, the second sound parameter will be assigned to pad C1 and the first sound parameter will be assigned to pad C2. In other words, the assigned sound parameters between pads C1 and C2 will be swapped.

[0033] Figure 5 shows an example of the display on the display unit 96 when setting "settable sets". Settable sets are set by user operations on the menu button 91, increase / decrease button 98, confirm button 95, etc. The user can set settable sets by marking "Assignment match". For example, in the example in Figure 5, pads H1, H3, T1, T6, T2, T5, C1, and C2 are set as settable sets. Note that "settable sets" may be set separately for linked mode and swap mode.

[0034] Note that the method for configuring the sets of pads that can be configured is not limited to this method, and the use of a screen display is not mandatory. Furthermore, all or some of the pads may be treated as sets of pads that can be configured, independently of user interaction.

[0035] In linked mode, the direction of linking does not have to be bidirectional; it can be unidirectional. For example, in unidirectional mode, when the first sound parameter is assigned to pad H1, the first sound parameter is automatically assigned to pad H3 as well. However, even if the second sound parameter is assigned to pad H3, the sound parameter assigned to pad H1 remains unchanged. Whether the linking direction is bidirectional or unidirectional may be predetermined, or it may be set by the user. Furthermore, in linked mode, pairs of pads that have different sound parameters set before receiving a setting instruction may be excluded from the pairs to be set.

[0036] In swap mode, all possible sets of pads become the set of pads to be configured. On the other hand, in linked mode, the set of pads to be configured is the set of the pad that was last hit (struck) among the possible sets of pads to be configured and the pad that is symmetrically related to it. Note that the method for determining the set of pads to be configured in linked mode is not limited to this example. In other words, any method can be used as long as it can achieve the state in which one pad is selected from among multiple pads. For example, the user could strike the desired pad with a force above a threshold, or the user could select the desired pad using the UI.

[0037] In linked mode, the linked process is executed, for example, when the user performs an operation to set (including changing) sound parameters. In other words, in linked mode, when a setting instruction is received for setting a sound parameter for any of the pads in the set to be set, the linked process is executed as a setting instruction. A setting instruction for a sound parameter is received when the user operates the menu button 91, increase / decrease button 98, confirm button 95, etc.

[0038] In swap mode, when a setting instruction is received to swap sound parameters, the swap process is executed as a setting process. For example, pressing the swap execution button 94 receives an instruction to swap sound parameters.

[0039] One or more sound parameters can be set for a single pad at a time, and two or more sound parameters can also be set simultaneously. For example, sound parameters that primarily depend on timbre (Voice) include "Category," "Number," "Volume," "Pan," "Tuning," "Decay," "Cutoff," "Resonance," "Reverb Send," and "Chorus Send." In addition, sound parameters that primarily do not depend on timbre (Pad) include "Choke," "Link," "Velocity Limit Low," "Velocity Limit High," and "Note Repeat." Furthermore, sound parameters that primarily relate to MIDI and the feel of playing the pad (Trigger) include "MIDI Channel," "MIDI Note Number," "Velocity Curve," "Velocity Fixed Value," "Velocity Minimum," "Velocity Maximum," "After Touch Curve," "After Touch Fixed Value," "After Touch Minimum," and "After Touch Maximum."

[0040] Figure 6 shows a functional block that implements sound parameter setting processing. This functional block includes a screen display control unit 74, an instruction receiving unit 75, and a processing control unit 76. The functions of the screen display control unit 74, the instruction receiving unit 75, and the processing control unit 76 are realized through the cooperation of the CPU 81, ROM 82, RAM 83, timer 84, storage unit 85, etc. In this embodiment, the screen display control unit 74 is not essential and will be described in the second embodiment.

[0041] The instruction receiving unit 75 receives setting instructions that instruct the setting of sound parameters. For example, the instruction receiving unit 75 receives user operations such as the menu button 91, increase / decrease button 98, and confirm button 95 as setting instructions. The processing control unit 76 executes a setting process to set the sound parameters for the set to be set, in response to the receipt of the setting instructions. In the interlocking mode, the processing control unit 76 executes the interlocking process (first process), and in the swapping mode, it executes the swapping process (second process).

[0042] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the sound parameter setting process. This process is achieved by the CPU 81 loading a program stored in ROM 82 into RAM 83 and executing it. This process starts when the main power supply of the input device 100 is turned on. Alternatively, this process may start when an instruction to start setting sound parameters is received by the setting operation unit 90.

[0043] In step S101, the CPU 81 performs initialization. For example, the CPU 81 resets the sound parameter settings for each pad to their previous state. The CPU 81 also resets the sound parameter setting mode to the default setting, enabling both the linked mode and the swap mode, for example.

[0044] In step S102, the CPU 81 performs other processing. For example, the CPU 81 may perform processing such as terminating the sound parameter setting process in response to user operation or the passage of a certain amount of time. Alternatively, the CPU 81 may perform pad-only assignment processing that does not fall under linked processing or swapping processing.

[0045] In step S103, the CPU 81 determines whether or not there has been a hit on a pad, i.e., a performance input. If there has been a performance input, the CPU 81 then performs a performance process in step S111 based on the sound parameters assigned to the hit pad. For example, if pad S1, which is assigned the snare drum sound, is hit, the CPU 81 causes the sound generation unit 79 to produce a sound of the snare drum sound, corresponding to the set Volume, Pan, and other values.

[0046] If there is no performance input in step S103, the CPU 81 proceeds to step S104, and also proceeds to step S104 after step S111. In step S104, the CPU 81 determines whether or not there has been an operation related to sound parameter setting. Operations here include setting the setting mode (linked mode, swap mode) and setting the set of possible sets, but do not include instructions for setting sound parameters. It also includes input operations for candidate sound parameters to be set in linked mode. The user can change the candidate sound parameters to be set at any time by operating the setting operation unit 90.

[0047] If there is an operation related to setting sound parameters, the CPU 81 executes the corresponding process in step S112 and proceeds to step S105. If there is no operation related to setting sound parameters, the CPU 81 proceeds to step S105.

[0048] In step S105, the CPU 81 determines whether the swap mode is set to "enabled". If the swap mode is not set to "enabled", the CPU 81 proceeds to step S106; if the swap mode is set to "enabled", the CPU 81 proceeds to step S113.

[0049] In step S113, the CPU 81 determines whether or not there has been an instruction (setting instruction) to execute the swap process. As described above, if the swap execution button 94 is pressed, it is determined that there has been an instruction to execute the swap process. If there is no instruction to execute the swap process, the CPU 81 proceeds to step S106; if there is an instruction to execute the swap process, it proceeds to step S114. Note that even if the swap execution button 94 is pressed when the swap mode is set to "disabled", it will not be accepted as an instruction to execute the swap process.

[0050] Furthermore, since the input device 100 is intended to be operated with either the dominant or non-dominant hand, the switching process can be considered as essentially switching between right-handed and left-handed use. From this perspective, the instruction to execute the switching process may be interpreted as an instruction to switch the dominant hand.

[0051] In step S114, the CPU 81 performs a swapping process. That is, for each set of pads to be configured, the CPU 81 swaps the sound parameters set between the pads of the first group GrL and the pads of the second group GrR. For example, if the sounds of the first and second crash cymbals were assigned to pads C1 and C2 respectively, the swapping process will assign the sound of the second crash cymbal to pad C1 and the sound of the first crash cymbal to pad C2. Alternatively, if the sets to be configured are in the configuration state shown in Figure 5, the sound parameters assigned to pads H1, T1, T2, and T3 and pads H3, T6, T5, and T4 of the first group GrL and second group GrR will be swapped. The process in step S114 is effective, for example, for switching between "left-handed" and "right-handed" modes. After step S114, the CPU 81 proceeds to step S106.

[0052] In step S106, the CPU 81 determines whether the linkage mode is set to "enabled". If the linkage mode is not set to "enabled", the CPU 81 returns to step S102; if the linkage mode is set to "enabled", it proceeds to step S107.

[0053] In step S107, the CPU 81 identifies the set to be configured. As described above, the CPU 81 identifies the set to be configured as the set to which the last (most recently) struck pad belongs among the sets that could be configured. If the last struck pad is not remembered, such as during the first use, the CPU 81 may identify the default set of pads as the set to be configured. Normally, the user should strike one or more pads in the set to which they want to apply the linked processing before proceeding to the operation for linked processing.

[0054] In step S108, the CPU 81 determines whether or not candidates for the sound parameters to be set have already been entered. These candidates are entered in step S112. If no candidates for the sound parameters have been entered, the CPU 81 returns to step S102; if candidates for the sound parameters have been entered, it proceeds to step S109.

[0055] In step S109, the CPU 81 determines whether or not an operation (setting instruction) to determine the sound parameters to be set in linked mode has been received. Here, it is determined whether or not the OK button 95 has been pressed. If the operation to determine the sound parameters to be set has not been received, the CPU 81 returns to step S102; if the operation to determine the sound parameters to be set has been received, it proceeds to step S110.

[0056] In step S110, the CPU 81 sets the sound parameters for the target set through a linked process. For example, if the select button 95 is pressed while "Maple Floor Tom" is entered as a candidate for the tom sound on pad T1, "Maple Floor Tom" will be assigned to both pads T1 and T6. This process is effective in maintaining an assignment state suitable for both "left-handed" and "right-handed" players. After that, the CPU 81 returns to step S102.

[0057] If the system is configured to exclude pairs of pads with different sound parameters from the set of pads to be set, the following process occurs in step S107. Specifically, if the pads in the pair to which the last struck pad belongs have different sound parameters set, the CPU 81 determines that there are no pairs to be set and proceeds to step S108. If the process then proceeds from S108 to S109 to S110, in step S110, the CPU 81 sets candidate sound parameters for the last struck pad individually.

[0058] If the direction of linkage is set to be unidirectional, the following processing occurs in step S107. For example, consider the case where the assignment in group 1 GrL is reflected in group 2 GrR, but the assignment in group 2 GrR is not reflected in group 1 GrL. If the last hit pad belongs to group 1 GrL, the CPU 81 identifies the group to which the last hit pad belongs as the group to be configured, as usual.

[0059] However, if the last hit pad belongs to the second group GrR, in step S107 the CPU 81 determines that there is no set to configure and proceeds to step S108. If the process then proceeds from S108 to S109 to S110, in step S110 the CPU 81 sets the candidate sound parameters for the last hit pad individually.

[0060] According to this embodiment, the pad operation unit 50 includes a first group GrL containing a plurality of pads, and a second group GrR containing a plurality of pads arranged symmetrically with respect to the plurality of pads in the first group GrL. At least one set of pads (operators) that are symmetrically positioned relative to each other becomes the set to be set. The CPU 81, acting as the control unit, executes a setting process to set sound parameters for the set to be set in response to receiving an instruction to set sound parameters.

[0061] When CPU81 receives a setting instruction to set sound parameters for any of the pads in the set to be configured, it executes a linkage process (first process) as a setting process. In the linkage process, CPU81 reflects the sound parameter settings for the pads in the first group GrL (or second group GrR) to the pads in the second group GrR (or first group GrL) in the set to be configured. When CPU81 receives a setting instruction to swap sound parameters, it executes a swap process (second process) as a setting process. In the swap process, CPU81 swaps the sound parameters set for the pads in the first group GrL with the sound parameters set for the pads in the second group GrR in the set to be configured. These processes make it easier to set sound parameters.

[0062] For example, finger drummers can easily create typical pad assignments. Furthermore, a single input device 100 can be easily shared among multiple users with different dominant hands. Therefore, finger drummers can achieve the same playing feel regardless of their dominant hand. It is also possible to change the assignments of multiple pads with simple operations.

[0063] Furthermore, by excluding pairs of pads with different sound parameters from the set of pads to be configured, it is possible to avoid the unintended setting of linked pads, thereby improving usability.

[0064] Furthermore, the user can specify whether to enable or disable the linked mode and the swapping mode. The set of items to be configured can also be determined according to user operation. Additionally, in linked mode, the user can specify whether the linking is bidirectional or unidirectional. Therefore, usability can be improved.

[0065] Furthermore, when performing the setting process, it is possible to set two or more sound parameters for a single pad at once, making the setting process easier.

[0066] In this embodiment, even in linked mode, multiple sets can be specified as the set to be configured, and the assignment state can be standardized (unified or matched) to either the first group GrL or the second group GrR. In this case, input of candidate sound parameters is not required, and step S108 may be omitted. From step S107 onward, processing proceeds as follows.

[0067] For example, in step S107, the CPU 81 identifies all "potentially selectable sets" marked as "assignment match" on the display screen shown in Figure 5 as selectable sets. Furthermore, the CPU 81 identifies whether the group to which the last hit pad in the selectable sets belongs (referred to as the higher-level group) is either the first group GrL or the second group GrRg. Next, in step S109, when the OK button 95 is pressed to give a setting instruction, the CPU 81, in step S110, reflects the assignment status of each pad in the higher-level group to each pad that is symmetrically positioned to that pad in all selectable sets. In other words, the CPU 81 sets the sound parameter assignment settings of the non-higher-level group to the same state as the sound parameter assignment settings of the higher-level group. This process is effective, for example, in creating assignment states suitable for both "left-handed" and "right-handed" users.

[0068] Note that it is not mandatory to be able to specify whether the linked mode and swapping mode are enabled or disabled; both modes may always be enabled.

[0069] In addition, the enabling / disabling of each mode may be configured as follows: First, enabling / disabling each mode may be set on a pad-by-pad basis. Enabling / disabling may be selectable when each mode is being executed. One of the modes may always be enabled. The linked mode and the swap mode may be mutually exclusive. Enabling / disabling each mode may be switched in conjunction with other settings. Enabling / disabling each mode may be switched by referring to other settings (depending on other settings). Enabling / disabling each mode may be switched depending on the type of sound parameter that has been changed.

[0070] Furthermore, the settings state immediately before the execution of the setting process may be stored and made available for restoration through a predetermined operation.

[0071] Note that boundary lines 51, 53, and 52 were all curves that convex towards the foreground. However, this is not mandatory; boundary lines 51, 53, and 52 could also be straight lines parallel to each other in the left-right direction.

[0072] Furthermore, the present invention applies to devices in which multiple pads included in the first group GrL and multiple pads included in the second group GrR are in symmetrical positions. Here, "symmetry" is not limited to left-right symmetry or line symmetry. Therefore, vertical symmetry and point symmetry are also included.

[0073] For example, as shown in the modified example in Figure 8, the device may have point-symmetric pads. In the example shown in Figure 8, a first pad operating section 50-A and a second pad operating section 50-B, both having the same pad layout, are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to point P1 within a single housing.

[0074] The first pad operating section 50-A can be considered to correspond to the first group GrL, and the second pad operating section 50-B can be considered to correspond to the second group GrR. In this example, all pads have a point-symmetric relationship with respect to each other with respect to point P1. Therefore, the pads K, S1, S2, and H2 of the first pad operating section 50-A and the pads K, S1, S2, and H2 of the second pad operating section 50-B are also point-symmetric.

[0075] (Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the pad was a physical switch. However, the present invention can also be applied to a virtual pad.

[0076] Figure 9 is a perspective view of an input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This input device 200 has a main body 77 and a screen unit 78. The input device 200 is the same as the elements shown in Figure 4, but with the pad operation unit 50 and setting operation unit 90 removed, and with the addition of the screen unit 78. The pad operation unit 50 and setting operation unit 90 are realized by being displayed on the screen unit 78. The setting operation unit 90 may also be physically provided, as in the first embodiment. In addition, although the display unit 96 is not shown, the display unit 96 may also be realized by the screen unit 78.

[0077] The screen display control unit 74 (Figure 6) displays a first group GrL, which includes multiple pads (operators), and a second group GrR, which includes multiple pads arranged symmetrically to the multiple pads in the first group GrL, on the screen unit 78 (on the screen). In other words, the screen unit 78 displays a group of pads with the same layout as shown in Figure 3, which can be operated by touch. This process is performed, for example, in step S102 in Figure 7. The processing from step S103 onwards is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

[0078] According to this embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be achieved in terms of facilitating the setting of sound parameters.

[0079] It is not mandatory to provide all of the first to fourth areas, nor is it mandatory to provide all of the example pads.

[0080] It is not mandatory for the input device to be configured as an electronic musical instrument, nor is it mandatory for it to have a sound-producing function. Therefore, it is not mandatory to provide speaker 97. For example, an output terminal may be provided on the input device, and sound information corresponding to the input operation may be output externally from the output terminal. For example, a sound generator (not shown) may be connected to the output terminal, and sound may be generated from the sound generator. Alternatively, the input device may be used for inputting performance information to be recorded by recording the input performance information in a memory (not shown) or outputting it externally. The input performance information may also be played back or recorded by another device.

[0081] The physical pad operation unit 50 shown in the first embodiment or the virtual pad operation unit shown in the second embodiment may be provided on the panel surface of an electronic musical instrument (such as an electronic keyboard instrument). Furthermore, this input device 100 may be mounted on other electronic devices such as electronic musical instruments (such as portable keyboards) or MIDI keyboards. Alternatively, in the case of an electronic keyboard instrument, the keyboard itself may be used as the physical pad operation unit 50. For example, if the entire keyboard or a specific key range is defined, at least the white keys can be considered symmetrical, making it possible to apply the present invention. In these cases, the electronic musical instrument becomes the input device of the present invention.

[0082] Although the present invention has been described in detail above based on its preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms that do not depart from the spirit of the invention are also included in the present invention. Some of the above embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

[0083] Furthermore, the same effects as the present invention may be achieved by reading a storage medium containing a control program represented by software for achieving the present invention into this input device. In this case, the program code read from the storage medium itself will realize the novel function of the present invention, and the non-transient computer-readable recording medium storing that program code will constitute the present invention. Alternatively, the program code may be supplied via a transmission medium or the like, in which case the program code itself will constitute the present invention. In these cases, the storage medium can be ROM, floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, etc. The non-transient computer-readable recording medium also includes volatile memory (e.g., DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)) inside a computer system that acts as a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, which retains the program for a certain period of time. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0084] GrL Group 1, GrR Group 2, 50 Pad operation unit, 74 Screen display control unit, 75 Instruction reception unit, 76 Processing control unit, 78 Screen unit, 81 CPU, 90 Setting operation unit, 92 Link mode enable / disable button, 93 Swap mode enable / disable button, 94 Swap execution button, 95 Confirm button, 100, 200 Input devices

Claims

1. An operation receiving unit including a first group containing multiple operators, and a second group containing multiple operators arranged symmetrically with respect to the multiple operators in the first group, An instruction receiving unit that receives instructions for setting sound parameters, The system includes a control unit that, upon receiving the aforementioned setting instruction, executes a setting process to set sound parameters, selecting at least one set of operators that are in a symmetrical positional relationship to each other as the setting target, The control unit, as the setting process, performs a first process in which the setting of the set target reflects the setting of sound parameters for the first group of operators to the second group of operators, or performs a second process in which the sound parameters set for the first group of operators and the sound parameters set for the second group of operators are swapped in the set target. It has a designation unit that specifies whether the first process is enabled or disabled, The control unit is an input device that executes the first process on the condition that the first process is valid.

2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein when the control unit receives a setting instruction for the sound parameters to the first group of operators as the setting instruction, it executes the first process as the setting process.

3. The input device according to claim 2, wherein when the control unit receives an instruction to set the sound parameters for the second group of operators, it reflects the setting of the sound parameters for the second group of operators in the first group of operators in the set of operators to be set.

4. The input device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein pairs of sound parameters that are set to different values ​​before the setting instruction is received are excluded from the pairs to be set.

5. An operation receiving unit including a first group including a plurality of operators, and a second group including a plurality of operators arranged symmetrically with respect to the plurality of operators included in the first group, An instruction receiving unit that receives instructions for setting sound parameters, The system includes a control unit that, upon receiving the aforementioned setting instruction, executes a setting process to set sound parameters, selecting at least one set of operators that are in a symmetrical positional relationship to each other as the setting target, The control unit, as the setting process, performs a first process in which the setting of the set target reflects the setting of sound parameters for the first group of operators to the second group of operators, or performs a second process in which the sound parameters set for the first group of operators and the sound parameters set for the second group of operators are swapped in the set target. If the control unit receives an instruction to swap sound parameters as the setting instruction, it will execute the second process as the setting process. It has a designation unit for specifying whether the second process is enabled or disabled, The instruction receiving unit is an input device that, only when the second process is effective, receives the instruction to swap sound parameters as the setting instruction.

6. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit can set two or more sound parameters for one operator at once when executing the setting process.

7. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the set of targets for setting is predetermined.

8. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the set of items to be set is determined according to user operation.

9. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the symmetrical position is a position symmetrical with respect to a line.

10. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the sound parameters include at least a voice.

11. A method for controlling an input device implemented by a computer, It accepts setting instructions that specify the settings for sound parameters. In response to the acceptance of the setting instruction, a setting process is executed to set sound parameters, with at least one pair of operators that are in a symmetrical positional relationship to each other as the setting target, in a first group including a plurality of operators and a second group including a plurality of operators arranged symmetrically with respect to the plurality of operators in the first group. When executing the setting process, in the set of settings, a first process is executed to reflect the setting of sound parameters for the first group of operators to the second group of operators, or a second process is executed to swap the sound parameters set for the first group of operators with the sound parameters set for the second group of operators in the set of settings. A control method for an input device, wherein when executing the setting process, the first process is executed on the condition that the first process is enabled by a designation unit that specifies whether the first process is enabled or disabled.

12. A method for controlling an input device implemented by a computer, A first group containing multiple operators and a second group containing multiple operators arranged symmetrically with respect to the operators in the first group are displayed on the screen. It accepts setting instructions that specify the settings for sound parameters. Upon receiving the aforementioned setting instruction, a setting process is executed to set sound parameters, selecting at least one pair of operators that are in a symmetrical positional relationship with each other as the setting target. When executing the setting process, in the set of settings, a first process is executed to reflect the setting of sound parameters for the first group of operators to the second group of operators, or a second process is executed to swap the sound parameters set for the first group of operators with the sound parameters set for the second group of operators in the set of settings. A control method for an input device, wherein when executing the setting process, the first process is executed on the condition that the first process is enabled by a designation unit that specifies whether the first process is enabled or disabled.

13. A program that causes a computer to execute a control method for an input device, The control method for the input device is as follows: It accepts setting instructions that specify the settings for sound parameters. In response to the acceptance of the setting instruction, a setting process is executed to set sound parameters, with at least one pair of operators that are in a symmetrical positional relationship to each other as the setting target, in a first group including a plurality of operators and a second group including a plurality of operators arranged symmetrically with respect to the plurality of operators in the first group. When executing the setting process, in the set of settings, a first process is executed to reflect the setting of sound parameters for the first group of operators to the second group of operators, or a second process is executed to swap the sound parameters set for the first group of operators with the sound parameters set for the second group of operators in the set of settings. A program that, when executing the setting process, executes the first process on the condition that the first process is enabled by a designation unit that specifies whether the first process is enabled or disabled.

14. A program that causes a computer to execute a control method for an input device, The control method for the input device is as follows: A first group containing multiple operators and a second group containing multiple operators arranged symmetrically with respect to the operators in the first group are displayed on the screen. It accepts setting instructions that specify the settings for sound parameters. Upon receiving the aforementioned setting instruction, a setting process is executed to set sound parameters, selecting at least one pair of operators that are in a symmetrical positional relationship with each other as the setting target. When executing the setting process, in the set of settings, a first process is executed to reflect the setting of sound parameters for the first group of operators to the second group of operators, or a second process is executed to swap the sound parameters set for the first group of operators with the sound parameters set for the second group of operators in the set of settings. A program that, when executing the setting process, executes the first process on the condition that the first process is enabled by a designation unit that specifies whether the first process is enabled or disabled.

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