Performance input device and performance input method

Abstract

This performance input device includes an illumination-equipped operation area and an illumination-free operation area. The illumination-equipped operation area is played. The illumination-equipped operation area is configured to be lightable. The illumination-free operation area is played. When the illumination-equipped operation area is played, the lighting mode of the illumination-equipped operation area is changed.

Description

Performance input device and performance input method

[0001] The present invention relates to a performance input device and a performance input method that are operated for performance.

[0002] In recent years, various electronic musical instruments have been developed. For example, Patent Document 1 (JP-A-2003-109999) describes an electronic percussion instrument. In this electronic percussion instrument, a playing surface of a housing is provided with a plurality of pads and a plurality of light arrays. The light arrays correspond to the pads, respectively. When any pad is struck, an audio event is generated, and the light array corresponding to that pad changes from a dark state to a bright state.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 1,120,781

[0004] In the electronic percussion instrument of Patent Document 1, the brightness state of the light array changes during performance, improving the aesthetics of the electronic percussion instrument. However, it is difficult to maintain playability while improving the aesthetics of the electronic percussion instrument.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a performance input device and a performance input method that can improve aesthetics while maintaining playability.

[0006] A performance input device according to one aspect of the present invention is configured to be lit and has an illuminated operation section that is operated for performance, and an unilluminated operation section that is operated for performance, and when the illuminated operation section is operated for performance, the lighting state of the illuminated operation section changes.

[0007] A performance input method according to another aspect of the present invention includes accepting performance operations from an illuminated operation section of a performance input device, accepting performance operations from an unilluminated operation section of the performance input device, and changing the lighting state of the illuminated operation section when the illuminated operation section is operated, and is executed by a computer.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the aesthetics of a performance input device while maintaining playability.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a performance input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the housing. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of performance operators. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a correspondence relationship between illuminated operators and unilluminated operators. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a correspondence relationship between illuminated operators and unilluminated operators. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a third example of a correspondence relationship between illuminated operators and unilluminated operators. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the functional section of the performance input device. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of basic control processing executed by the performance input device. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of control processing in the first additional function mode. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of control processing in the second additional function mode. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of control processing in the third additional function mode. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of control processing in the fourth additional function mode. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of control processing in the fifth additional function mode. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of control processing in the sixth additional function mode. FIG. 15 is a plan view showing an unilluminated operation section according to another embodiment.

[0010] 1. Configuration of the Performance Input Device A performance input device and a performance input method according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a performance input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the performance input device 1 includes a housing 10, a plurality of performance controls 20, a setting operation section 30, a detection circuit 40, a display 50, a sound source section 60, a sound system 70, a storage device 80, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 90, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 100, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 110, a communication I / F (Interface) 120, and a bus 130.

[0011] The performance controls 20, the setting operation section 30, and the display 50 are provided in a state exposed from the housing 10 so as to be operable or visible by the user. The detection circuit 40, the sound source section 60, the sound system 70, the storage device 80, the CPU 90, the RAM 100, the ROM 110, the communication I / F 120, and the bus 130 are provided inside the housing 10. The detection circuit 40, the display 50, the sound source section 60, the storage device 80, the CPU 90, the RAM 100, the ROM 110, and the communication I / F 120 are connected to the bus 130.

[0012] The performance operators 20 and the setting operation unit 30 are connected to a detection circuit 40. In this example, the performance input device 1 is a finger drum pad, and the performance operators 20 are associated with the tones of a variety of drums or cymbals. The performance operators 20 also include illuminated operators that are provided with illumination and non-illuminated operators that are not provided with illumination. Details will be described later.

[0013] The user can perform a performance operation by tapping or pressing a desired performance operator 20 with a finger. The user can also release the performance operation by releasing the finger from the performance operator 20 or by changing the performance operator 20 from a pressed state to a non-pressed state. The performance input device 1 is provided with a hold function. When the hold function is on, each time a performance operator 20 is tapped, the performance operator 20 switches between a state in which the performance operator 20 is being operated and a state in which the performance operator 20 is released.

[0014] The setting operation unit 30 accepts setting operations from the user to make various settings for the performance input device 1. The various settings include setting the correspondence between the multiple performance operators 20 and tones, or setting the lighting mode of the illuminated operators described below. The detection circuit 40 detects the performance operations performed by the user on each performance operator 20. Based on the detection results of the performance operations, the detection circuit 40 can determine the strength with which the performance operator 20 is struck (Note On Velocity) and the strength with which the performance operator 20 is pressed (After Touch Value). The detection circuit 40 also detects setting operations performed by the user on the setting operation unit 30.

[0015] The display 50 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display. The display 50 displays the name of a piece of music, a musical score, settings of the performance input device 1, and the like. The display 50 may be a touch panel display. In this case, some or all of the multiple performance controls 20 or the setting operation section 30 may be displayed on the display 50. This allows the user to perform performance operations or setting operations on the display 50.

[0016] The sound source unit 60 outputs audio data based on the performance operations on the performance operators 20 detected by the detection circuit 40. The audio data is sampling data that indicates a sound waveform. Hereinafter, the audio data output by the sound source unit 60 will be referred to as a sound signal. The sound system 70 includes a digital-to-analog (D / A) conversion circuit, an amplifier, and a speaker, and is connected to the sound source unit 60. The sound system 70 converts the sound signal provided by the sound source unit 60 into an analog sound signal, and outputs sound based on the analog sound signal.

[0017] The storage device 80 includes a storage medium such as a hard disk, optical disk, magnetic disk, or memory card, and stores in advance computer programs such as a control program for controlling sound production, lighting status, etc. The storage device 80 may also store musical score data, etc. The CPU 90 executes the control programs stored in the storage device 80 to perform control processing of the performance input device 1. The RAM 100 is, for example, a volatile memory, and is used as a work area for the CPU 90 and temporarily stores various data.

[0018] The ROM 110 is, for example, a nonvolatile memory and stores a control program. The ROM 110 may store the control program instead of the storage device 80. The control program may be provided in a form stored on a computer-readable storage medium 140 such as a CD (compact disc)-ROM, and may be installed in the storage device 80 or the ROM 110 by being read out via the communication I / F 120 or the like. Furthermore, if the communication I / F 120 is connected to a communication network, a control program distributed from a server connected to the communication network may be installed in the storage device 80 or the ROM 110.

[0019] 2. Configuration of Performance Operators FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the housing 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 10 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape consisting of six main surfaces 11 to 16. Main surfaces 11 and 12 face each other, main surfaces 13 and 14 face each other, and main surfaces 15 and 16 face each other. Hereinafter, the direction in which main surfaces 11 and 12 are aligned (the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 2 ) will be referred to as the height direction. The direction in which main surfaces 13 and 14 are aligned (the up-down direction in FIG. 2 ) will be referred to as the depth direction. The direction in which main surfaces 15 and 16 are aligned (the left-right direction in FIG. 2 ) will be referred to as the width direction. The depth direction is an example of a first direction, and the width direction is an example of a second direction. The height direction, depth direction, and width direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0020] In addition, in the height direction, the direction in which main surface 11 is located is referred to as the upper side, and the direction in which main surface 12 is located is referred to as the lower side. In the depth direction, the direction in which main surface 13 is located is referred to as the front side, and the direction in which main surface 14 is located is referred to as the rear side. In the width direction, the direction in which main surface 15 is located is referred to as the left side, and the direction in which main surface 16 is located is referred to as the right side. When playing, the user of the performance input device 1 operates the performance controls 20 from the front. Therefore, main surface 13 of the housing 10 is one end surface that faces the user when playing.

[0021] The plurality of performance operators 20 include a plurality of illuminated operators 21 and a plurality of unilluminated operators 22. An illuminated operation section 21A is formed by arranging the plurality of illuminated operators 21. An unilluminated operation section 22A is formed by arranging the plurality of unilluminated operators 22. The illuminated operation section 21A, the unilluminated operation section 22A, the setting operation section 30, and the display 50 are provided so as to be exposed from the main surface 11 of the housing 10.

[0022] In this example, the unilluminated operation section 22A is disposed at the front of the main surface 11. The illuminated operation section 21A is disposed behind the unilluminated operation section 22A on the main surface 11. That is, the illuminated operation section 21A and the unilluminated operation section 22A are arranged along the depth direction (first direction), and the illuminated operation section 21A is disposed at a position farther from the main surface 13 than the unilluminated operation section 22A. The setting operation unit 30 is disposed near the left end of the main surface 11 and behind the illuminated operation section 21A. The display 50 is disposed near the left end of the main surface 11 and behind the setting operation unit 30.

[0023] Each illuminated operator 21 includes a light and is configured to be lit. Each light may be, for example, a light-emitting diode. Each illuminated operator 21 may also include a plurality of lights that light up in different colors. When a performance operation is performed on each illuminated operator 21, the light of the illuminated operator 21 is activated, thereby changing the lighting state of the illuminated operator 21. When the performance operation on each illuminated operator 21 is released, the lighting state of the illuminated operator 21 returns to the state before the change.

[0024] As will be described later, the performance input device 1 can operate in various selected additional function modes, and can also operate in multiple additional function modes simultaneously. The user can select the additional function mode of the performance input device 1 by operating the setting operation unit 30. In each additional function mode, the performance input device 1 changes the lighting state of each illuminated operator 21 when a specific event occurs, even if none of the illuminated operators 21 is being operated for performance.

[0025] The lighting state includes the color, brightness (or luminosity), blinking pattern, or blinking speed of the light. For example, the change in the lighting state may be a change in the light from white to another color such as red, blue, or green. Furthermore, the change in the lighting state may be a change in the light from a dark state (including an off state) to a bright state, or a change in the light from a bright state to a dark state.

[0026] The user can select a desired lighting mode by operating the setting operation unit 30. The user can also select from a plurality of levels of brightness in the bright light state by operating the setting operation unit 30. The lighting mode may be set to be different for each event. In this case, the user can easily recognize which event has occurred by visually checking the lighting mode, even when the performance input device 1 operates in a plurality of additional function modes.

[0027] Furthermore, by operating the setting operation unit 30, the user can change the lighting state of each illuminated operator 21 depending on the strength of hitting or pressing the illuminated operator 21. Similarly, by operating the setting operation unit 30, the user can change the lighting state of each illuminated operator 21 depending on whether the illuminated operator 21 is hit or pressed.

[0028] In this way, the illuminated operation section 21A and the unilluminated operation section 22A are provided on the same main surface 11 of the housing 10. The illuminated operation section 21A includes a plurality of illuminated operators 21, and therefore the illumination state of the illuminated operation section 21A changes when the illuminated operation section 21A is operated for performance or when a specific event occurs. Note that the unilluminated operators 22 do not include illumination, and therefore do not light up. Therefore, even when the unilluminated operation section 22A is operated for performance, the unilluminated operation section 22A does not light up.

[0029] 3. Arrangement of Performance Operators FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of the performance operators 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the illuminated operation section 21A includes eight illuminated operators 21. When distinguishing between the eight illuminated operators 21, the eight illuminated operators 21 are referred to as operators A1 to A8, respectively. Furthermore, the non-illuminated operation section 22A includes 18 non-illuminated operators 22. When distinguishing between the 18 non-illuminated operators 22, the 18 non-illuminated operators 22 are referred to as operators C1, C2, H1 to H3, K, M1, M2, R1, R2, S1, S2, and T1 to T6, respectively.

[0030] Each of the performance operators 20 is associated with a tone color such as a drum or cymbal. For example, in the initial setting, operators C1 and C2 are associated with the tone color of a crash cymbal, and operators H1 to H3 are associated with the tone color of a hi-hat. Furthermore, operators R1 and R2 are associated with the tone color of a ride cymbal, operators S1 and S2 are associated with the tone color of a snare drum, and operators T1 to T6 are associated with the tone color of a tom-tom. The user can associate a desired tone color with each performance operator 20 by operating the setting operation unit 30.

[0031] The plurality of illuminated operators 21 are arranged along the width direction (second direction). The plurality of unilluminated operators 22 are arranged along the depth direction (first direction) and the width direction (second direction). In this example, operators A1 to A8 are arranged linearly from left to right in this order. Operators C1, H1, H2, H3, and C2 are arranged from left to right in this order. In front of operators C1, H1 to H3, and C2, operators R1, S1, and R2 are arranged from left to right in this order. In front of operators R1, S1, and R2, operators T1, T2, T3, S2, T4, T5, and T6 are arranged from left to right in this order. In front of the controls T1 to T3, S2, T4 to T6, controls M1, K, and M2 are arranged in this order from left to right.

[0032] The illuminated operators 21 have the same shape (generally rectangular in this example). Meanwhile, the non-illuminated operators 22 have different shapes. Here, since there is no need to provide illumination for each non-illuminated operator 22, each non-illuminated operator 22 can be easily made larger. Therefore, in this example, the area of ​​each non-illuminated operator 22 is set to be equal to or larger than the area of ​​the illuminated operator 21 in a plan view. With this configuration, the user can play and operate each non-illuminated operator 22 more easily than each illuminated operator 21.

[0033] In particular, the operators S1 and K have a shape that extends elongatedly in the width direction. Specifically, the operator S1 is disposed in front of the operators H1 to H3 that are arranged in the width direction. The operators T2, T3, S2, T4, and T5 that are arranged in the width direction are disposed in front of the operator S1. The operator K is disposed in front of the operators T2, T3, S2, T4, and T5 that are arranged in the width direction. In this way, the operators S1 and K are several times larger than the other non-illuminated operators 22, so that the user can more easily operate the operators S1 and K in performances.

[0034] Furthermore, the front end surface of the operator group 22B, which is made up of operators C1, H1 to H3, and C2, has a curved shape with the center protruding forward. The rear end surface of the operator group 22C, which is made up of operators R1, S1, and R2, has a curved shape that follows the front end surface of the operator group 22B. The front end surface of the operator group 22C has a curved shape that is approximately parallel to the rear end surface. The rear end surface of the operator group 22D, which is made up of operators T1 to T3, S2, and T4 to T6, has a curved shape that follows the front end surface of the operator group 22C. The front end surface of the operator group 22D has a curved shape that is approximately parallel to the rear end surface. The rear end surface of the operator group 22E, which is made up of operators M1, K, and M2, has a curved shape that follows the front end surface of the operator group 22D.

[0035] In the shape of the unilluminated operator 22 described above, the operators R1, S1, and R2 are arranged in a curved manner in the width direction, rather than in a straight line. Similarly, the operators T1 to T3, S2, and T4 to T6 are arranged in a curved manner in the width direction, rather than in a straight line. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. The operators R1, S1, and R2 may be arranged in a straight line in the width direction, or the operators T1 to T3, S2, and T4 to T6 may be arranged in a straight line in the width direction.

[0036] Each unilluminated operation control 22 is associated with one of the illuminated operation controls 21. The correspondence between the unilluminated operation controls 22 and the illuminated operation controls 21 does not have to be one-to-one. Therefore, the correspondence between the unilluminated operation controls 22 and the illuminated operation controls 21 may be multiple-to-one or one-to-multiple. Each unilluminated operation control 22 may be associated with the illuminated operation control 21 that is closest to the unilluminated operation control 22. In other words, each unilluminated operation control 22 may be associated with the operation control 21 that overlaps the unilluminated operation control 22 in the depth direction.

[0037] In the arrangement of the performance operators 20 in this example, operator group 22F consisting of operators C1, R1, T1, and M1 is located in front of operator A1 at the left end of main surface 11. Operator group 22G consisting of operators C2, R2, T6, and M2 is located in front of operator A8 at the right end of main surface 11. Therefore, operators C1, R1, T1, and M1 overlap operator A1 in the depth direction. Operators C2, R2, T6, and M2 overlap operator A8 in the depth direction.

[0038] Furthermore, operator group 22H, which is made up of operators H1 to H3, K, S1, S2, and T2 to T5, is located in front of operators A2 to A7 on main surface 11 and between operator group 22F and operator group 22G. Specifically, operator T2 overlaps with operator A2 in the depth direction. Operators H1 and T3 overlap with operator A3 in the depth direction. Operators H2 and S2 overlap with operators A4 and A5 in the depth direction. Operators H3 and T4 overlap with operator A6 in the depth direction. Operator T5 overlaps with operator A7 in the depth direction. Furthermore, as described above, operators S1 and K extend elongated in the width direction, and therefore operators S1 and K overlap with each of operators A2 to A7 in the depth direction.

[0039] Each non-illuminated operator 22 may overlap an illuminated operator 21 other than the illuminated operator 21 described above in the depth direction. In this example, the right end face of operator group 22F gradually slopes leftward from the rear to the front. The left end face of operator group 22G gradually slopes rightward from the rear to the front. The left end face of operator group 22H gradually slopes leftward from the rear to the front, along the right end face of operator group 22F. The right end face of operator group 22H gradually slopes rightward from the rear to the front, along the left end face of operator group 22G. Therefore, operators C1, R1, and T1 also overlap operator A2 in the depth direction. Operators C2, R2, and T6 also overlap operator A7 in the depth direction.

[0040] 4. Additional Function Mode (1) First Additional Function Mode As described above, each illuminated operator 21 is associated with one of the non-illuminated operators 22. In the first additional function mode, even when the illuminated operator 21 is not being operated, when one of the non-illuminated operators 22 is operated, the lighting mode of the corresponding illuminated operator 21 changes. When the performance operation of each non-illuminated operator 22 is released, the lighting mode of the corresponding illuminated operator 21 returns to its previous state. Therefore, in the first additional function mode, the lighting mode of each illuminated operator 21 changes not only when the illuminated operator 21 is operated, but also when the corresponding non-illuminated operator 22 is operated.

[0041] By operating the setting operation unit 30, the user can change the lighting state of each illuminated operator 21 for each corresponding non-illuminated operator 22. Furthermore, by operating the setting operation unit 30, the user can change the lighting state of each illuminated operator 21 depending on the strength of hitting or pressing the corresponding non-illuminated operator 22. Similarly, by operating the setting operation unit 30, the user can change the lighting state of each illuminated operator 21 depending on whether the corresponding non-illuminated operator 22 is hit or pressed.

[0042] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a first example of the correspondence between the illuminated operation controls 21 and the non-illuminated operation controls 22. In Fig. 4, the symbol of the corresponding illuminated operation control 21 is shown in parentheses near the symbol of each non-illuminated operation control 22. The same applies to Figs. 5 and 6 described below.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4 , in this example, operator A1 is associated with operators C1, T1, and M1. Operator A2 is associated with operators R1 and T2. Operator A3 is associated with operators H1 and T3. Operator A4 is associated with operators S2 and K. Operator A5 is associated with operators H2 and S1. Operator A6 is associated with operators H3 and T4. Operator A7 is associated with operators R2 and T5. Operator A8 is associated with operators C2, T6, and M2.

[0044] In this way, in this example, each unilluminated operator 22 is associated with an illuminated operator 21 that is relatively close to the unilluminated operator 22 in the depth direction. This allows the user to intuitively recognize the correspondence between the illuminated operator 21 and the unilluminated operator 22. Furthermore, because the number of unilluminated operators 22 associated with each illuminated operator 21 is approximately equal (two or three in this example), the changes in the lighting state of the multiple illuminated operators 21 when an unilluminated operator 22 is operated for performance can be made approximately equal.

[0045] As described above, the lighting state of each illuminated operator 21 can be set to be different for each corresponding non-illuminated operator 22. Therefore, by setting it in this manner, the user can easily identify which non-illuminated operator 22 has been operated for performance, even when the lighting state of the same illuminated operator 21 changes.

[0046] 5 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the correspondence between the illuminated operators 21 and the unilluminated operators 22. As shown in FIG. 5, this example has the same correspondence as the first example, except that operator R1 is associated with operator A1 instead of operator A2, and operator R2 is associated with operator A8 instead of operator A7. In this example, each unilluminated operator 22 is associated with the illuminated operator 21 that is closest to the unilluminated operator 22 in the depth direction. In this case, the user can more intuitively recognize the correspondence between the illuminated operators 21 and the unilluminated operators 22.

[0047] 6 is a diagram illustrating a third example of the correspondence between illuminated operators 21 and non-illuminated operators 22. As shown in FIG. 6, operators H2 and S1 correspond to not only operator A5 but also operator A4, and operators K and S2 correspond to not only operator A4 but also operator A5, with the same correspondence as in the first example. In this example, the non-illuminated operator 22 located in the center in the width direction corresponds to the illuminated operator 21 located in the center in the width direction. In this case, the user can more intuitively recognize the correspondence between some of the illuminated operators 21 and the non-illuminated operators 22.

[0048] In the first additional function mode, when any of the non-illuminated operators 22 is operated for performance, the lighting state of not only the corresponding illuminated operator 21 but also other illuminated operators 21 may change. Hereinafter, of the illuminated operators 21 whose lighting state changes, the corresponding illuminated operator 21 will be referred to as the main illuminated operator 21, and the other illuminated operators 21 will be referred to as the sub illuminated operators 21. The sub illuminated operator 21 may be the illuminated operator 21 adjacent to the main illuminated operator 21.

[0049] Furthermore, the lighting mode of the main illuminated operator 21 and the lighting mode of the sub illuminated operator 21 may be different from each other. For example, when any of the non-illuminated operators 22 is operated for playing, the main illuminated operator 21 may light up in a different color from the sub illuminated operator 21, or may light up at a higher brightness than the sub illuminated operator 21. The user can select the lighting mode of each of the main illuminated operator 21 and the sub illuminated operator 21 by operating the setting operation unit 30.

[0050] Here, a performance period for an illuminated operator 21 may overlap with a performance period for a non-illuminated operator 22 corresponding to that illuminated operator 21 (including when the hold function is on). Alternatively, performance periods for two or more non-illuminated operators 22 corresponding to the same illuminated operator 21 may overlap. In these cases, a change in the illumination state corresponding to an earlier performance operation on the illuminated operator 21 may be overwritten by a change in the illumination state corresponding to a later performance operation. Alternatively, a change in the illumination state corresponding to an earlier performance operation on the illuminated operator 21 may be combined with a change in the illumination state corresponding to a later performance operation.

[0051] For example, if the earlier and later performance operations are of the same type (striking or pushing), the change in the lighting mode of the illuminated operator 21 corresponding to the earlier performance operation may be overwritten by the change in the lighting mode corresponding to the later performance operation. On the other hand, if the earlier and later performance operations are of different types, the change in the lighting mode of the illuminated operator 21 corresponding to the earlier performance operation may be combined with the change in the lighting mode corresponding to the later performance operation. Note that changes in the lighting mode that can be combined include, for example, the color or brightness of the light.

[0052] (2) Second Additional Function Mode In the second additional function mode, the illumination state of the illuminated operation section 21A changes at a predetermined tempo even when the illuminated controls 21 are not being operated for performance. The tempo may be set by the user. The user can select the tempo by operating the setting operation unit 30. Alternatively, if musical score data representing musical scores is stored in the storage device 80 of FIG. 1 or the like, the tempo may be specified by the musical score data.

[0053] In this example, on the first beat, operators A1 and A5 light up, and the other illuminated operators 21 go out. On the second beat, operators A2 and A6 light up, and the other illuminated operators 21 go out. On the third beat, operators A3 and A7 light up, and the other illuminated operators 21 go out. On the fourth beat, operators A4 and A8 light up, and the other illuminated operators 21 go out. Thereafter, similar lighting patterns are repeated.

[0054] (3) Third Additional Function Mode In the third additional function mode, even when the illuminated controls 21 are not being operated, the illumination pattern of the illuminated operation section 21A changes every predetermined number of bars. The user can select the number of bars by operating the setting operation unit 30. In this example, the number of bars can be selected from the range of 1 to 127 bars. The tempo may be set by the user, as in the second additional function mode, or may be specified by the musical score data.

[0055] Specifically, N lighting mode change patterns are prepared in advance. N is an integer equal to or greater than 2, and is 8 in this example. Each change pattern is assigned a unique identification number from 1 to N. The number of bars is measured based on the tempo, and each time a selected number of bars advances, the lighting mode change pattern changes to a lighting mode change pattern with an identification number that is one larger. Also, in this example, even when the measurement of the number of bars is reset due to the start of click playback, etc., the lighting mode change pattern changes to a lighting mode change pattern with an identification number that is one larger. After processing has progressed until the identification number reaches N, the identification number returns to 1.

[0056] Here, if the time from when the lighting mode change pattern changes to when the condition for the next change in the lighting mode change pattern is met is less than a predetermined time (e.g., 250 milliseconds), the lighting mode change pattern may not be changed. In other words, the lighting mode change pattern may not be changed at intervals of less than the predetermined time. In this case, it is possible to prevent the performance of the performance input device 1 from deteriorating due to frequent changes in the lighting mode change pattern.

[0057] In this embodiment, the lighting mode change pattern changes so that the identification number increases sequentially, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The lighting mode change pattern may also change so that the identification number decreases sequentially. Alternatively, the lighting mode change pattern may change in a random order. Furthermore, the user can arbitrarily specify the order of the lighting mode change pattern by operating the setting operation unit 30.

[0058] (4) Fourth Additional Function Mode In the fourth additional function mode, even when the illuminated controls 21 are not being operated, the lighting state of the illuminated operation section 21A changes when the timing of a beat change coincides with the timing of a performance operation on the performance controls 20. The tempo may be set by the user, as in the second additional function mode, or may be specified by the musical score data.

[0059] (5) Fifth Additional Function Mode In the fifth additional function mode, even when an illuminated operator 21 is not being operated for performance, the lighting mode of the illuminated operator 21 corresponding to the performance operator 20 to be operated next changes before the performance operator 20 is operated. Specifically, the illuminated operator 21 or non-illuminated operator 22 to be operated next and the time when the performance operator should be operated are identified based on musical score data acquired from the storage device 80 or the like shown in FIG. 1. The lighting mode of the identified illuminated operator 21 or the illuminated operator 21 corresponding to the identified non-illuminated operator 22 changes to a time (e.g., several beats before) before the time when the performance operator should be operated.

[0060] That is, in the fifth additional function mode, the illuminated operation section 21A functions as a guide that indicates the performance operator 20 that should be operated next. Therefore, the user can properly practice playing the song indicated by the musical score data by visually checking the lighting state of the illuminated operation section 21A.

[0061] (6) Sixth Additional Function Mode The performance input device 1 transitions to a sleep mode if the performance controls 20 or the setting operation unit 30 are not operated for a certain period of time. By operating the setting operation unit 30, the user can select the time until the performance input device 1 transitions to the sleep mode from, for example, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 120 minutes. In the sleep mode, power supply to certain components of the performance input device 1 is stopped or reduced, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0062] In the sixth additional function mode, when the performance input device 1 is in the sleep state, the lighting state of the illuminated operation section 21A changes in a predetermined pattern. The user can select the change pattern of the lighting state of the illuminated operation section 21A in the sleep state by operating the setting operation unit 30. Therefore, the user can easily confirm whether the performance input device 1 is in the sleep state by visually checking the lighting state of the illuminated operation section 21A.

[0063] 5. Functional Units of the Performance Input Device Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the functional units of the performance input device 1. As shown in Fig. 7, the performance input device 1 includes, as a functional unit 150, a performance determination unit 151, a sound generation instruction unit 152, a tempo determination unit 153, a measure determination unit 154, a timing determination unit 155, a guide execution unit 156, a sleep execution unit 157, and an illumination control unit 158. The functional unit 150 of the performance input device 1 is realized by the CPU 90 of Fig. 1 executing a control program stored in the storage device 80 or the like. At least a part of the functional unit 150 of the performance input device 1 may be realized by hardware such as an electronic circuit.

[0064] The performance determination unit 151 determines whether any of the performance operators 20 have been operated based on the detection result by the detection circuit 40. When any of the performance operators 20 have been operated, the performance determination unit 151 determines the type of performance operation, such as a hitting operation or a pressing operation. When a hitting operation has been performed, the performance determination unit 151 determines the strength of the hitting. Similarly, when a pressing operation has been performed, the performance determination unit 151 determines the strength of the pressing operation.

[0065] The sound generation instruction unit 152 outputs a sound generation instruction signal in response to a performance operation of the performance operator 20. The sound generation instruction signal is a signal that instructs the generation of a sound (generation of a sound signal) corresponding to the performance operation of the performance operator 20, and is given to the sound source unit 60. When given the sound generation instruction signal, the sound source unit 60 outputs a sound signal indicated by the sound generation instruction signal to the sound system 70. As a result, a sound corresponding to the performance operation on the performance operator 20 is output from the sound system 70.

[0066] Each of the tempo determination unit 153, bar determination unit 154, timing determination unit 155, and guide execution unit 156 has a timing function. The tempo determination unit 153 obtains the tempo based on the setting in the setting operation unit 30 and determines the point in time when the beat changes. The tempo determination unit 153 may obtain the tempo based on musical score data stored in the storage device 80 or the like shown in FIG. 1. The bar determination unit 154 determines the point in time when the bar has advanced by the number set in the setting operation unit 30, based on the musical score data stored in the storage device 80 or the like.

[0067] The timing determination unit 155 determines whether the timing of the performance operation on the performance operators 20 determined by the performance determination unit 151 matches the timing of the beat change acquired by the tempo determination unit 153. The guide execution unit 156 identifies the performance operators 20 that should be next operated based on the musical score data acquired by the measure determination unit 154. The guide execution unit 156 also identifies the time when the performance operators 20 should next be operated.

[0068] The sleep execution unit 157 determines whether the time set in the setting operation unit 30 has elapsed since the detection circuit 40 stopped detecting a performance operation or a setting operation. If the time has elapsed, the sleep execution unit 157 puts the performance input device 1 into a sleep state. Furthermore, if the detection circuit 40 detects a performance operation or a setting operation, the sleep execution unit 157 releases the sleep state of the performance input device 1. The lighting control unit 158 ​​controls the lighting state of each illuminated operator 21 in response to the operation of the performance determination unit 151, tempo determination unit 153, bar determination unit 154, timing determination unit 155, guide execution unit 156, or sleep execution unit 157.

[0069] 6. Control Processing (1) Basic Control Processing Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of basic control processing executed by the performance input device 1. The performance input device 1 executes the control processing of Fig. 8 for each illuminated operator 21 in the illuminated operation section 21A. First, the performance determination unit 151 determines whether or not the illuminated operator 21 has been operated for performance (step S01). If the illuminated operator 21 has been operated for performance, the type of performance operation, the strength of the tap or the strength of the depression, etc. are also determined. If the illuminated operator 21 has not been operated for performance, the performance determination unit 151 waits until the illuminated operator 21 is operated for performance.

[0070] When an illuminated operator 21 is operated for performance, the sound generation instruction unit 152 outputs a sound generation instruction signal corresponding to the illuminated operator 21 that has been operated for performance (step S02). The lighting control unit 158 ​​also changes the lighting state of the illuminated operator 21 that has been operated for performance (step S03). Steps S02 and S03 may be performed either first or simultaneously. The change in lighting state in step S03 depends on the strength with which the illuminated operator 21 is struck or pressed.

[0071] Next, the performance determination unit 151 determines whether the performance operation of the illuminated operator 21 has been released (step S04). If the performance operation has not been released, the process returns to step S02. If the performance operation has been released, the sound generation instruction unit 152 stops outputting the sound generation instruction signal (step S05). Furthermore, the lighting control unit 158 ​​stops changing the lighting state of the illuminated operator 21 (step S06). This returns the lighting state of the illuminated operator 21 to the state before the change. Steps S05 and S06 may be executed first, or may be executed simultaneously. Thereafter, the process returns to step S01.

[0072] (2) First Additional Function Mode Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of control processing in the first additional function mode. When the first additional function mode is in the ON state, the performance input device 1 further executes the control processing of Fig. 9 for each unilluminated operator 22 in the unilluminated operation section 22A. Also, when the first additional function mode is in the OFF state, the performance input device 1 further executes the same control processing as Fig. 9, except that steps S13 and S16 of Fig. 9 are omitted.

[0073] First, the performance determination unit 151 determines whether or not the unilluminated operator 22 has been operated (step S11). If the unilluminated operator 22 has been operated, the type of performance operation, the strength of the tap or the strength of the depression, etc. are also determined. If the unilluminated operator 22 has not been operated, the performance determination unit 151 waits until the unilluminated operator 22 is operated.

[0074] When a non-illuminated operator 22 is operated for performance, the sound generation instruction unit 152 outputs a sound generation instruction signal corresponding to the operated non-illuminated operator 22 (step S12). In addition, the lighting control unit 158 ​​changes the lighting mode of the illuminated operator 21 corresponding to the operated non-illuminated operator 22 (step S13). Steps S12 and S13 may be executed first, or may be executed simultaneously.

[0075] The change in the illumination mode in step S13 differs depending on the strength with which the non-illuminated operator 22 is struck or pressed. Furthermore, if an illuminated operator 21 is operated during a period in which an illuminated operator 21 is being operated for performance, the change in the illumination mode in step S13 differs depending on the order and type of performance operations. Similarly, if another non-illuminated operator 22 corresponding to the illuminated operator 21 is operated during a period in which an illuminated operator 21 is being operated for performance, the change in the illumination mode in step S13 differs depending on the order and type of performance operations.

[0076] Next, the performance determination unit 151 determines whether the performance operation of the non-illuminated operator 22 has been released (step S14). If the performance operation has not been released, the process returns to step S12. If the performance operation has been released, the sound generation instruction unit 152 stops outputting the sound generation instruction signal (step S15). Furthermore, the lighting control unit 158 ​​stops changing the lighting state of the non-illuminated operator 22 (step S16). Steps S15 and S16 may be executed first, or may be executed simultaneously. Thereafter, the process returns to step S11.

[0077] (3) Second Additional Function Mode Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the control process in the second additional function mode. When the second additional function mode is on, the performance input device 1 further executes the control process of Fig. 10. First, the tempo determination unit 153 determines whether the current time is the first beat (step S21). If the current time is not the first beat, the system waits until the current time is the first beat. If the current time is the first beat, the illumination control unit 158 ​​illuminates the operators A1 and A5 and turns off the other illuminated operators 21 (step S22).

[0078] Next, the tempo determination unit 153 determines whether the current time is the second beat (step S23). If the current time is not the second beat, the unit waits until the current time is the second beat. If the current time is the second beat, the lighting control unit 158 ​​lights up operators A2 and A6 and turns off the other illuminated operators 21 (step S24).

[0079] Next, the tempo determination unit 153 determines whether the current time is the third beat (step S25). If the current time is not the third beat, the unit waits until the current time is the third beat. If the current time is the third beat, the lighting control unit 158 ​​lights up operators A3 and A7 and turns off the other illuminated operators 21 (step S26).

[0080] Thereafter, the tempo determination unit 153 determines whether the current time is the fourth beat (step S27). If the current time is not the fourth beat, the process waits until the current time is the fourth beat. If the current time is the fourth beat, the lighting control unit 158 ​​lights up operators A4 and A8 and turns off the other illuminated operators 21 (step S28). Then, the process returns to step S21.

[0081] (4) Third Additional Function Mode Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the control process in the third additional function mode. When the third additional function mode is in the ON state, the performance input device 1 further executes the control process of Fig. 11. First, the measure determination unit 154 determines whether or not a time corresponding to the set number of measures has elapsed (step S31). If the time corresponding to the number of measures has not elapsed, the process returns to step S31. If the time corresponding to the number of measures has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S32.

[0082] In this example, even if the time corresponding to the number of bars has not elapsed in step S31, if the measurement of the number of bars is reset due to the start of click playback, etc., the process proceeds to step S32 without returning to step S31. In step S32, the lighting control unit 158 ​​determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the change in the variation pattern (step S32). If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S31.

[0083] When the predetermined time has elapsed, the lighting control unit 158 ​​determines whether k is equal to N (step S33). k is an integer between 1 and N. The initial value of k may be 1, a value selected by the user, or the value of k when the control process previously ended. If k is equal to N, the lighting control unit 158 ​​sets k to 1 (step S34) and proceeds to step S36. If k is not equal to N, the lighting control unit 158 ​​increments k by 1 (step S35) and proceeds to step S36.

[0084] In step S36, the lighting control unit 158 ​​changes the lighting mode of the illuminated operation section 21A in the change pattern with the identification number k (step S36). After that, the process returns to step S31. As a result, every time the measure advances by the selected number, the lighting mode change pattern changes to a lighting mode change pattern with an identification number that is 1 larger. After the process has progressed until the identification number becomes N, the identification number returns to 1.

[0085] (5) Fourth Additional Function Mode Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of control processing in the fourth additional function mode. When the fourth additional function mode is on, the performance input device 1 further executes the control processing of Fig. 12. First, the performance determination unit 151 determines whether any of the performance operators 20 have been operated (step S41). If none of the performance operators 20 have been operated, the performance determination unit 151 waits until any of the performance operators 20 is operated.

[0086] When any of the performance operators 20 is operated, the timing determination unit 155 determines whether the timing of the performance operation coincides with the timing of the change in beat (step S42). If the timings do not coincide, the process returns to step S41. If the timings coincide, the lighting control unit 158 ​​changes the lighting state of the illuminated operation section 21A (step S43). Thereafter, the lighting control unit 158 ​​stops changing the lighting state of the illuminated operation section 21A (step S44) and returns to step S41.

[0087] (6) Fifth Additional Function Mode Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the control process in the fifth additional function mode. When the fifth additional function mode is on, the performance input device 1 further executes the control process shown in Fig. 13. First, the guide execution unit 156 identifies the performance operator 20 to be operated next based on the musical score data (step S51). In step S51, multiple performance operators 20 to be operated next may be identified simultaneously.

[0088] The guide execution unit 156 also identifies the time when the next performance operation should be performed based on the musical score data (step S52). Steps S51 and S52 may be performed either first or simultaneously. Next, the lighting control unit 158 ​​determines whether the current time is a predetermined time before the time identified in step S52 (step S53). If the current time is not the predetermined time, the lighting control unit 158 ​​waits until the current time becomes the predetermined time.

[0089] If the current time is a predetermined time, the lighting control unit 158 ​​changes the lighting mode of the illuminated operator 21 corresponding to the performance operator 20 identified in step S51 (step S54). Specifically, if the performance operator 20 identified in step S51 is an illuminated operator 21, the lighting mode of the illuminated operator 21 changes. On the other hand, if the performance operator 20 identified in step S51 is an unilluminated operator 22, the lighting mode of the illuminated operator 21 corresponding to the unilluminated operator 22 changes. This allows the user to easily recognize the performance operator 20 to be operated next before the time comes to operate the performance. Thereafter, the lighting control unit 158 ​​stops changing the lighting mode in step S54 (step S55) and returns to step S51.

[0090] (7) Sixth Additional Function Mode Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of control processing in the sixth additional function mode. When the sixth additional function mode is in the ON state, the performance input device 1 further executes the control processing of Fig. 14. First, the sleep execution unit 157 determines whether the performance input device 1 has not been operated for a predetermined time based on the detection result of the detection circuit 40 (step S61). If the performance input device 1 has not been operated for the predetermined time, the sleep execution unit 157 waits until the performance input device 1 has not been operated for the predetermined time.

[0091] If the performance input device 1 has not been operated for a predetermined time, the sleep execution unit 157 puts the performance input device 1 into a sleep state (step S62). The lighting control unit 158 ​​changes the lighting state of the illuminated operation area 21A in a predetermined pattern (step S63). Therefore, the user can easily confirm that the performance input device 1 is in a sleep state by visually checking the change in the lighting state of the illuminated operation area 21A. Steps S62 and S63 may be executed first, or may be executed simultaneously.

[0092] Next, the sleep execution unit 157 determines whether the performance input device 1 has been operated based on the detection result of the detection circuit 40 (step S64). If the performance input device 1 has not been operated, the sleep execution unit 157 waits until the performance input device 1 is operated. If the performance input device 1 has been operated, the sleep execution unit 157 releases the sleep state of the performance input device 1 (step S65). Furthermore, the lighting control unit 158 ​​stops changing the lighting state of the illuminated operation section 21A (step S66), and the process returns to step S61. Steps S65 and S66 may be executed first, or may be executed simultaneously.

[0093] 7. Effects As described above, the performance input device 1 according to this embodiment is configured to be lit and includes the illuminated operation section 21A that is operable for performance and the unilluminated operation section 22A that is operable for performance, and when the illuminated operation section 21A is operated for performance, the lighting state of the illuminated operation section 21A changes.

[0094] According to this configuration, when the illuminated operation section 21A is operated for performance, the lighting state changes, thereby improving the aesthetics of the performance input device 1. Furthermore, since the unilluminated operation section 22A is not illuminated, the operability of the unilluminated operation section 22A is not reduced, and performance performance is maintained. Therefore, by appropriately providing the illuminated operation section 21A and the unilluminated operation section 22A, it is possible to maintain performance performance while improving the aesthetics of the performance input device 1.

[0095] The illuminated operation section 21A includes a plurality of illuminated operators 21, and the non-illuminated operation section 22A includes a plurality of non-illuminated operators 22, each of the plurality of illuminated operators 21 being associated with one of the plurality of non-illuminated operators 22, and the lighting state of each of the plurality of illuminated operators 21 may change when the illuminated operator 21 is operated for playing and when the non-illuminated operator 22 associated with the illuminated operator 21 is operated for playing.

[0096] In this configuration, even when the unilluminated operation section 22A is operated for performance, the lighting state of the illuminated operation section 21A changes. Therefore, the user can visually recognize that the unilluminated operation section 22A has been operated without reducing the operational feel of the unilluminated operation section 22A. This further improves playability.

[0097] The illuminated operation section 21A and the unilluminated operation section 22A may be arranged along the depth direction, the illuminated operators 21 may be arranged along the width direction intersecting the depth direction, and the unilluminated operators 22 may be arranged along the width direction, with each of the illuminated operators 21 corresponding to an unilluminated operator 22 that overlaps with it in the depth direction. In this case, the illuminated operator 21 corresponds to the unilluminated operator 22 that is adjacent to it in the depth direction. This allows the user to intuitively recognize the correspondence between the illuminated operators 21 and the unilluminated operators 22.

[0098] The lighting mode of each of the plurality of illuminated operators 21 may be set for each associated non-illuminated operator 22. In this configuration, even if a plurality of non-illuminated operators 22 are associated with an illuminated operator 21, the user can easily identify which non-illuminated operator 22 has been played.

[0099] The change in the lighting state of each of the plurality of illuminated operators 21 may differ depending on the strength of the strike on that illuminated operator 21 or on the non-illuminated operator 22 associated with that illuminated operator 21. In this case, the user can easily recognize the strength of the strike when performing by visually checking the lighting state of the illuminated operator 21.

[0100] The change in the lighting state of each of the plurality of illuminated operators 21 may differ depending on the strength of pressing the illuminated operator 21 or the non-illuminated operator 22 associated with the illuminated operator 21. In this case, the user can easily recognize the strength of pressing the illuminated operator 21 during performance operation by visually checking the lighting state of the illuminated operator 21.

[0101] The lighting state of each of the plurality of illuminated operators 21 may be different depending on whether a striking performance operation is performed or a pressing performance operation is performed on that illuminated operator 21 or on the non-illuminated operator 22 associated with that illuminated operator 21. In this case, the user can easily distinguish whether a striking performance operation or a pressing performance operation is performed by visually checking the lighting state of the illuminated operator 21.

[0102] The lighting state of the illuminated operation section 21A may change at a predetermined tempo even when the illuminated operation section 21A is not being operated for performance. In this case, the user can recognize the tempo of the song to be performed by visually checking the lighting state of the illuminated operation section 21A. Furthermore, the user can practice playing the song in time with the tempo.

[0103] The tempo may be set by the user, in which case the user can easily play the song at the desired tempo.

[0104] The change pattern of the lighting state of the illuminated operation section 21A may change every predetermined number of bars. In this case, the user can easily recognize the change of bars by visually checking the lighting state of the illuminated operation section 21A.

[0105] The change pattern of the lighting mode of the illuminated operation section 21A may be selected by the user, in which case the user can change the lighting mode of the illuminated operation section 21A in a desired pattern.

[0106] When the timing of the change in beat coincides with the timing of the performance operation to the illuminated operation section 21A or the non-illuminated section, the lighting state of the illuminated operation section 21A may change. In this case, the user can easily recognize whether the song is being played in time with the tempo by visually checking the lighting state of the illuminated operation section 21A.

[0107] The illuminated operation section 21A and the unilluminated operation section 22A may be provided on the same surface, in which case the user can easily combine the illuminated operation section 21A and the unilluminated operation section 22A to perform musical performance operations.

[0108] The performance input device 1 has one end surface facing the user, and the illuminated operation section 21A may be located farther from the end surface than the unilluminated operation section 22A. In this case, when the user operates the unilluminated operation section 22A, the illuminated operation section 21A is prevented from being hidden by the user's hand or arm. This allows the user to easily see the lighting state of the illuminated operation section 21A.

[0109] The performance input device 1 may further include a sound generation instruction unit 152 that outputs a sound generation instruction signal in response to a performance operation on the illuminated operation section 21A or the unilluminated operation section 22A, instructing the generation of a sound corresponding to the illuminated operation section 21A or the unilluminated operation section 22A that has been operated. In this case, the user can perform a performance by operating the illuminated operation section 21A or the unilluminated operation section 22A.

[0110] 8. Other Embodiments (1) In the above embodiment, the plurality of unilluminated operators 22 have different shapes, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The plurality of unilluminated operators 22 may have the same shape. FIG. 15 is a plan view showing an unilluminated operation section 22A in another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, in this embodiment, each unilluminated operator 22 has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. Furthermore, some of the unilluminated operators 22 have the same shape.

[0111] (2) In the above embodiment, the performance input device 1 is provided with the first to sixth additional function modes, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The performance input device 1 may not be provided with at least some of the first to sixth additional function modes.

[0112] (3) In the above embodiment, the performance input device 1 is a finger drum pad, but the embodiment is not limited to this. Any sampled sound may be associated with the performance operators 20. Therefore, the performance input device 1 may be another electronic musical instrument, such as an electronic keyboard instrument. In this case, the tone colors of an acoustic piano or the like are associated with the multiple performance operators 20.

[0113] (4) In the above embodiment, the performance input device 1 includes the sound source unit 60 and the sound system 70, but the embodiment is not limited to this. If an external sound system is connected to the communication I / F 120 and a sound signal can be output from the sound source unit 60 to the external sound system via the communication I / F 120, the performance input device 1 does not need to include the sound system 70. Also, if an external sound source unit is connected to the communication I / F 120 and a sound generation instruction signal can be output to the external sound source unit, the performance input device 1 does not need to include the sound source unit 60.

[0114] The sound generation instruction signal may also be used for purposes other than generating a sound. The sound generation instruction signal may be used to mute a sound that is currently being generated, to change the volume of a sound that is currently being generated, or to repeatedly generate a sound assigned to the performance operator 20 at a predetermined interval in accordance with the tempo. Alternatively, the sound generation instruction signal may be used to convert a striking or pressing performance operation into a control change (e.g., a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) message) and output it.

[0115] (5) In the above embodiment, the performance operators 20 are provided on the main surface 11 of the housing 10, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The performance operators 20 may be provided on a main surface of the housing 10 different from the main surface 11. Furthermore, the illuminated operation section 21A and the unilluminated operation section 22A may be provided on different main surfaces of the housing 10. Therefore, the illuminated operation section 21A and the unilluminated operation section 22A do not have to be arranged in the depth direction, and the illuminated operation section 21A does not have to be located farther from the main surface 13 than the unilluminated operation section 22A.

[0116] (6) In the above embodiment, each non-illuminated operation control 22 is associated with an operation control 21 that overlaps the non-illuminated operation control 22 in the depth direction, but the embodiment is not limited to this. Each non-illuminated operation control 22 may be associated with an illuminated operation control 21 that is different from the operation control 21 that overlaps the non-illuminated operation control 22 in the depth direction. Furthermore, the correspondence between the non-illuminated operation control 22 and the illuminated operation control 21 may be set by the user via the setting operation unit 30. In this case, the user can associate each illuminated operation control 21 with the desired non-illuminated operation control 22. This allows the user to easily recognize the correspondence between the illuminated operation control 21 and the non-illuminated operation control 22.

[0117] 9. Summary of Embodiments (Clause 1) The performance input device according to Clause 1 includes an illuminated operation section that can be turned on and is operated for performance, and an unilluminated operation section that is operated for performance, and when the illuminated operation section is operated for performance, the lighting state of the illuminated operation section changes.

[0118] In this performance input device, when the illuminated operation section is operated, the lighting state changes, improving the aesthetics of the performance input device. Furthermore, since the unilluminated operation section is not provided with illumination, the operability of the unilluminated operation section is not reduced, and performance performance is maintained. Therefore, by appropriately providing the illuminated operation section and the unilluminated operation section, the aesthetics of the performance input device can be improved while maintaining performance performance.

[0119] (Clause 2) In the performance input device described in clause 1, the illuminated operation section includes a plurality of illuminated operators, the non-illuminated operation section includes a plurality of non-illuminated operators, each of the plurality of illuminated operators is associated with one of the plurality of non-illuminated operators, and the lighting state of each of the plurality of illuminated operators may change when the illuminated operator is operated for performance and when the non-illuminated operator associated with the illuminated operator is operated for performance.

[0120] In this configuration, even when the non-illuminated operation section is operated, the lighting state of the illuminated operation section changes. Therefore, the user can visually recognize that the non-illuminated operation section has been operated without reducing the feel of operating the non-illuminated operation section. This further improves playability.

[0121] (Clause 3) In the performance input device described in clause 2, the illuminated operation section and the unilluminated operation section may be arranged along a first direction, the plurality of illuminated operators may be arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction, the plurality of unilluminated operators may be arranged along the second direction, and each of the plurality of illuminated operators may be associated with an unilluminated operator that overlaps in the first direction.

[0122] In this case, the illuminated operation button is associated with the non-illuminated operation button that is adjacent to the illuminated operation button in the first direction, thereby allowing the user to intuitively recognize the correspondence between the illuminated operation button and the non-illuminated operation button.

[0123] (4) In the performance input device described in 2, the correspondence between the plurality of non-illuminated operators and the plurality of illuminated operators may be set by a user.

[0124] In this case, the user can associate each of the plurality of illuminated controls with a desired unilluminated control, thereby enabling the user to easily recognize the correspondence between the illuminated controls and the unilluminated controls.

[0125] (5) In the performance input device described in any one of paragraphs 2 to 4, the lighting state of each of the plurality of illuminated operators may be set for each associated non-illuminated operator.

[0126] In this configuration, even if a plurality of non-illuminated operators are associated with an illuminated operator, the user can easily identify which non-illuminated operator has been played.

[0127] (6) In the performance input device described in any one of paragraphs 2 to 5, the change in the lighting state of each of the plurality of illuminated operators may differ depending on the strength of hitting (Note On Velocity) on the illuminated operator or on the non-illuminated operator associated with the illuminated operator.

[0128] In this case, the user can easily recognize the strength of the strike when performing a musical performance by visually checking the lighting state of the illuminated operator.

[0129] (Clause 7) In the performance input device described in any one of clauses 2 to 6, the change in the lighting state of each of the plurality of illuminated operators may differ depending on the strength of pressure (After Touch Value) applied to the illuminated operator or to an unilluminated operator associated with the illuminated operator.

[0130] In this case, the user can easily recognize the strength with which the illuminated operator is pressed when performing a performance operation by visually checking the lighting state of the illuminated operator.

[0131] (Item 8) In the performance input device described in any one of items 2 to 7, the lighting state of each of the plurality of illuminated operators may be different depending on whether a striking performance operation is performed on the illuminated operator or an unilluminated operator associated with ...

[0132] In this case, the user can easily distinguish whether a striking or pressing performance operation has been performed by visually checking the lighting state of the illuminated operation element.

[0133] (Item 9) In the performance input device described in any one of items 1 to 8, the lighting state of the illuminated operation section may change at a predetermined tempo even when the illuminated operation section is not being operated for performance.

[0134] In this case, the user can recognize the tempo of the song to be played by visually checking the lighting state of the illuminated operation section, and can practice playing the song in time with the tempo.

[0135] (10) In the performance input device described in 9, the tempo may be set by a user.

[0136] In this case, the user can easily play the song at a desired tempo.

[0137] (11) In the performance input device described in paragraph 9 or 10, the change pattern of the lighting state of the illuminated operation section may change every predetermined number of bars.

[0138] In this case, the user can easily recognize the change in the measure by visually checking the lighting state of the illuminated operation section.

[0139] (12) In the performance input device described in any one of paragraphs 9 to 11, the change pattern of the lighting state of the illuminated operation section may be selected by the user.

[0140] In this case, the user can change the lighting state of the illuminated operation section in a desired pattern.

[0141] (Clause 13) In the performance input device described in any one of clauses 9 to 12, when the timing of a beat change coincides with the timing of a performance operation to the illuminated operation section or the unilluminated section, the lighting state of the illuminated operation section may change.

[0142] In this case, the user can easily recognize whether the song is being played in time with the tempo by visually checking the lighting state of the illuminated operation section.

[0143] (14) In the performance input device described in any one of paragraphs 1 to 13, the illuminated operation section and the unilluminated operation section may be provided on the same surface.

[0144] In this case, the user can easily combine the illuminated operation section and the unilluminated operation section to perform musical performance operations.

[0145] (Item 15) The performance input device described in any one of items 1 to 14 may have one end surface facing the user, and the illuminated operation section may be positioned farther from the one end surface than the non-illuminated operation section.

[0146] In this case, when the user is performing an operation in the non-illuminated operation section, the illuminated operation section is prevented from being covered by the user's hand or arm, and the user can easily see the lighting state of the illuminated operation section.

[0147] (Clause 16) The performance input device described in any one of clauses 1 to 15 may further include a sound generation instruction unit that outputs a sound generation instruction signal in response to a performance operation of the illuminated operation section or the unilluminated operation section, instructing the generation of a sound corresponding to the illuminated operation section or the unilluminated operation section that has been performed.

[0148] In this case, the user can perform a musical performance by operating the illuminated operation section or the unilluminated operation section.

[0149] (Clause 17) The performance input method according to clause 17 includes accepting a performance operation from an illuminated operation section of a performance input device, accepting a performance operation from an unilluminated operation section of the performance input device, and changing the lighting state of the illuminated operation section when the illuminated operation section is operated, and is executed by a computer.

[0150] According to this performance input method, by appropriately providing illuminated operation sections and unilluminated operation sections, it is possible to improve the aesthetics of the performance input device while maintaining playability.

Claims

1. A performance input device comprising: an illuminated operation section which can be turned on and operated for musical performance; and an unilluminated operation section which can be operated for musical performance; wherein when the illuminated operation section is operated for musical performance, the lighting state of the illuminated operation section changes.

2. A performance input device as described in claim 1, wherein the illuminated operation section includes a plurality of illuminated operators, the unilluminated operation section includes a plurality of unilluminated operators, each of the plurality of illuminated operators corresponding to one of the plurality of unilluminated operators, and the lighting state of each of the plurality of illuminated operators changes when the illuminated operator is operated for performance and when the unilluminated operator corresponding to the illuminated operator is operated for performance.

3. A performance input device as described in claim 2, wherein the illuminated operation section and the unilluminated operation section are arranged along a first direction, the plurality of illuminated operators are arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction, the plurality of unilluminated operators are arranged along the second direction, and each of the plurality of illuminated operators is associated with an unilluminated operator that overlaps in the first direction.

4. The performance input device according to claim 2, wherein the correspondence between said plurality of non-illuminated operators and said plurality of illuminated operators is set by a user.

5. A performance input device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the lighting state of each of the plurality of illuminated operators is set for each associated non-illuminated operator.

6. A performance input device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the change in the lighting state of each of the plurality of illuminated operators differs depending on the strength of a strike (Note On Velocity) on the illuminated operator or on an unilluminated operator associated with the illuminated operator.

7. A performance input device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the change in the lighting state of each of the plurality of illuminated operators differs depending on the strength of pressure (After Touch Value) applied to the illuminated operator or to an unilluminated operator associated with the illuminated operator.

8. A performance input device as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the lighting state of each of the plurality of illuminated operators differs depending on whether a striking performance operation is performed on that illuminated operator or on an unilluminated operator associated with that illuminated operator or on a performance operation that is pressed down on that illuminated operator or on an unilluminated operator associated with that illuminated operator.

9. The performance input device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting state of said illuminated operation section changes at a predetermined tempo even when said illuminated operation section is not being operated for performance.

10. The performance input device according to claim 9, wherein the tempo is set by a user.

11. The performance input device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the change pattern of the lighting state of the illuminated operation section changes every predetermined number of bars.

12. The performance input device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the change pattern of the lighting state of the illuminated operation section is selected by a user.

13. A performance input device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein when the timing of a change in beat coincides with the timing of a performance operation to the illuminated operation section or the non-illuminated section, the lighting state of the illuminated operation section changes.

14. A performance input device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 9 or 10, wherein the illuminated operation section and the non-illuminated operation section are provided on the same surface.

15. A performance input device as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 9 or 10, having an end surface facing a user, the illuminated operation section being disposed at a position farther from the end surface than the non-illuminated operation section.

16. A performance input device as described in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 9 or 10, further comprising a sound generation instruction unit which outputs a sound generation instruction signal in response to the illuminated operation section or the unilluminated operation section being operated in a performance, the sound generation instruction signal instructing the generation of a sound corresponding to the illuminated operation section or the unilluminated operation section being operated in a performance.

17. A performance input method executed by a computer, comprising: accepting performance operations from an illuminated operation section of a performance input device; accepting performance operations from a non-illuminated operation section of the performance input device; and changing the lighting state of the illuminated operation section when the illuminated operation section is operated.

Images