JP4882783B2 - Interface device for electronic music equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an interface device for an electronic music device that enables transmission and reception of various information between the two devices by connecting to both the electronic music device and the media player. In particular, the present invention relates to a technique for controlling a media player from an electronic music device so that a large number of music contents stored in the media player can be used on the electronic music device side.

Conventionally, a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk capable of storing a large amount of various data has been installed, and a large number of data for generating musical sounds such as musical tone waveform data and audio data are stored in advance in this large-capacity storage device. An electronic music apparatus such as an electronic musical instrument that can generate a user-desired musical tone by selecting / reproducing arbitrary data from the stored musical tone waveform data and audio data is known. . For example, the technique described in Patent Document 1 shown below is an example. In the prior art described in Patent Document 1, a large number of musical sound waveform data can be stored in a large-capacity storage device, and arbitrary musical sound waveform data can be stored in the performance operator from the stored large musical sound waveform data. (For example, each key constituting the keyboard) is selected in advance from the large-capacity storage device according to the operation of the performance operator, and the musical sound waveform data pre-assigned to the operated performance operator is selected. Thus, the user-desired musical tone can be quickly generated by a simple operation. In this specification, the term “musical sound” is not limited to musical sound, but is used in the sense that it may include voice or any other sound.
JP 2006-259213 JP

  In the prior art described above, a large-capacity storage device capable of storing a large number of data for generating musical sounds such as musical sound waveform data and audio data needs to be mounted on the electronic music device itself. The apparatus is not only suitable for an inexpensive electronic music apparatus due to its high cost, but also difficult to apply to existing electronic music apparatuses that are already in widespread use. Therefore, even in an electronic music device having a storage device with a small storage capacity, in order to store more data for generating musical sounds in the storage device, for example, the original audio data is compressed to reduce the storage capacity. It can be considered that the data is converted into digital audio data (for example, MP3 data) and stored in a storage device. However, in order to do so, it is necessary to install an encoder for converting original audio data into compressed audio data and a decoder for returning compressed audio data to the original audio data before compression. Because there are, it will be costly in the end and it is not realistic.

  By the way, recently, a large number of music contents (for example, digital audio data such as MP3 data) and the like can be stored in a storage device such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory housed in a small casing. A portable media player having at least a music content storage function and a music content playback function that can generate music by playing music content selected by a user from among a large number of music contents is widely used. It has become like this. Therefore, in order to effectively use such a portable media player, it is desirable to be able to use an enormous number of music contents stored in the portable media player by operating the external portable media player from the electronic music device. Although rare, such a thing has not been considered. In this regard, an audio signal (generally an analog audio signal) output from the portable media player is input to the electronic music apparatus side via the audio signal input terminal, so that it is stored in the portable media player. It is conceivable to use music content that is available. However, in such a case, the user can only select and play the music content by operating the portable media player, and cannot control the portable media player by operating the electronic music device, that is, stored in the portable media player. In order to use the music content, the user must operate the controls provided in the electronic music device and the portable media player as necessary, which is inconvenient.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an external media player is controlled from an electronic music device, and musical sounds based on music content stored in the media player are appropriately used also on the electronic music device side. It is an object of the present invention to provide an interface device for an electronic music apparatus that can easily perform the above.

  An electronic music apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is a player connection means for connecting a media player having a function of reproducing music content stored in advance, and a control command for controlling the media player to the media player. A connection means for connecting an electronic music apparatus with a signal transmission path for transmitting and a signal transmission path for receiving an audio signal of the first format generated in response to reproduction of music content from the media player. Receiving a control command for controlling a media player from the electronic music device and having a common signal transmission path for transmitting a predetermined second format audio signal to the electronic music device; and the connection means The control command generated based on the operation of the electronic music device connected to Based on the command transfer means for transferring the received control command to the media player connected to the player connection means in response to the reception, and based on the transferred control command in the media player connected to the player connection means Data conversion means for converting the first format audio signal received in response to the reproduction of the music content into the second format audio signal, and the converted second format audio signal are connected to the connection means. Transmitting means for transmitting to the electronic music apparatus.

  According to the present invention, the electronic music apparatus is connected to the connection means, and the received control command is sent to the player connection means in response to reception of a control command generated based on an operation of the electronic music apparatus connected to the connection means. Sent to media players connected to. Also, a second-format audio signal that can be transmitted / received by the connection means in the first-format audio signal received in response to the reproduction of the music content based on the transferred control command in the media player connected to the player connection means. And the converted second format audio signal is transmitted to the electronic music apparatus connected to the connection means. The connection means receives a control command for controlling the media player from the electronic music device and has one common interface device having a common signal transmission path for transmitting a predetermined second format audio signal to the electronic music device It is. In this way, the user can use the music content stored in the media player on the electronic music device side only by performing a simple connection such as connecting the electronic music device to the connection means, or by operating the electronic music device. It becomes convenient to be able to. In addition, the electronic music device is equipped with a large-capacity storage device for storing a large number of audio signals in the electronic music device in advance and a dedicated playback device (playback function) such as an encoder or decoder for the compressed audio signal. Even if it is not done, the user can use many music contents by effectively using the media player.

  According to the present invention, an external media player and an electronic music device are connected by a simple connection, and music content stored in advance according to the operation of the electronic music device is selected for the connected media player. Since the playback instruction can be performed, the user can easily use the music content desired by the user stored in the external media player as appropriate on the electronic music apparatus side. The effect is obtained.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration block diagram showing an embodiment of the overall configuration of an electronic music apparatus interface device according to the present invention. 1 indicate the flow of various signals (electrical signals). An interface device IF (hereinafter simply referred to as an interface device) for an electronic music device shown in the present embodiment is an electronic music device (an electronic musical instrument EM as an example) connected to the interface device IF and a portable media player PL. A device that mediates transmission / reception of various information between them, and is controlled by a microcomputer comprising a microprocessor unit (CPU) 1, a flash read only memory (ROM) 2, and a random access memory (RAM) 3. The CPU 1 controls the operation of the entire interface device. The flash ROM 2 stores various programs executed by the CPU 1 and various data. The RAM 3 is used as a working memory that temporarily stores various data generated when the CPU 1 executes a predetermined program, or as a memory that stores a currently executed program and related data. A predetermined address area of the RAM 3 is assigned to each function and used as a register, flag, table, memory, or the like.

  Further, the interface device IF is assumed to mediate transmission / reception of various signals (electrical signals such as control signals and audio signals) between the external media device, the portable media player PL and the electronic musical instrument EM. It has a portable media player connection terminal and an electronic music apparatus connection terminal for individually connecting the electronic musical instrument EM. The portable media player connection terminal is an interface device for externally connecting a known content reproduction device such as a portable media player PL, and has a configuration of an analog audio terminal PA and a command terminal PC. The analog audio terminal PA is an input device dedicated to analog signals for receiving an analog format (first format) audio signal output from the portable media player PL. The command terminal PC controls the portable media player PL with a control signal for controlling the portable media player PL (in this embodiment, in particular, a control command for instructing selection / playback control of music content desired by the user (also called a control command). )) Is a dedicated output device for the control signal. The A / D converter AD converts the analog format (first format) audio signal received from the analog audio terminal PA into a digital format (second format) audio signal.

  The portable media player PL, which is connected to the interface device IF so as to be able to transmit and receive various signals via the portable media player connection terminal, receives music contents including digital audio data (for example, MP3 data), music names, music genres, etc. A music content storage function for storing a large number of information in a built-in data storage (for example, a hard disk or a semiconductor memory) together with related information associated with the music content, and the music content stored in the built-in data storage in response to a user operation. It is a device having at least a music content playback function for generating an analog audio signal by playing (decoding). In other words, the portable media player PL can not only store a large number of music contents, but, unlike an external hard disk device or USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, it can store a large number of music contents stored by itself. Thus, any music content can be played according to user designation or at random to generate a musical sound. In addition to the above-mentioned, the portable media player PL has other functions such as a list of music contents stored in the built-in data storage and the names and album names of music contents being played back based on the related information. You may have a display function etc. which display on display apparatuses, such as a built-in liquid crystal panel. Of course, the media player PL need not be portable.

  On the other hand, the electronic music apparatus connection terminal is a general-purpose interface device for externally connecting the electronic musical instrument EM, and includes at least a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal EU or a combination of the analog audio terminal EA and the MIDI terminal EM. Consists of one configuration. In the present embodiment, as a connection form between the interface device IF and the electronic musical instrument EM, the electronic musical instrument is connected through one signal transmission path via the USB terminal EU using only one USB connection cable CU indicated by a solid line in FIG. A first connection form connected to the EM (see FIG. 2 to be described later in detail), or two audio cables CO and MIDI cables CM indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 1, respectively, via the analog audio terminal EA and the MIDI terminal EM. Thus, there is one of the second connection forms (refer to FIG. 5 to be described later in detail) that connect to the electronic musical instrument EM through the two signal transmission paths. What is necessary is just to take the structure.

  The USB terminal EU is a conventionally known USB interface device, which is a digital audio signal and a control signal for controlling the portable media player PL (in particular, an instruction to perform control for selection / playback of music content). This is a highly versatile input / output device (specifically, a USB TO HOST terminal) that can transmit and receive various signals such as control commands) via only one USB cable CU. The analog audio terminal EA is an output terminal dedicated to an analog signal for outputting an analog audio signal to the electronic musical instrument EM. The MIDI terminal EM is a conventionally known MIDI interface device, which is a dedicated input device for receiving MIDI signals from an electronic musical instrument EM capable of outputting at least a MIDI signal (specifically, a MIDI signal). Is the MIDI IN connector). Note that the portable media player connection terminal and the electronic music apparatus connection terminal described above may be wired or wireless.

  The electronic musical instrument EM connected to the interface device IF via the electronic music device connection terminal described above includes, for example, a performance operator CR, various switches SW1 and SW2, and an interface as shown in FIG. At least a connection terminal (only the USB terminal UT or both the analog audio terminal OT and the MIDI terminal MT) corresponding to the electronic music apparatus connection terminal of the device IF is provided. The performance operator CR is, for example, a keyboard provided with a plurality of keys for selecting the pitch of a musical tone, and has a key switch corresponding to each key. The keyboard or the like) can be used for manual performance by the user's own hand-playing or chord input for automatic accompaniment. As the various switches SW1 and SW2, for example, a switch for instructing “reproduction start / reproduction stop” such as BGM and automatic accompaniment automatically performed separately from the user's manual performance, BGM during automatic performance and automatic accompaniment There are a switch for instructing “fast forward / rewind” of the playback position, etc., a dial type controller for selecting and confirming display of various setting items, an enter key, an exit key, and the like. Furthermore, there is a “portable media player mode” setting switch for allowing the user to arbitrarily set the electronic musical instrument EM in the “portable media player mode” in which the portable media player PL can be controlled from the electronic musical instrument EM. May be. Of course, the electronic musical instrument EM may include other known devices such as a display and a sound source including a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) and a CRT in addition to the above devices.

  As described above, as a connection form between the interface device IF and the electronic musical instrument EM, the connection is made only through the USB terminal, which is a general-purpose interface device that is typically provided in recent electronic musical instruments. Via a connection form and an analog audio terminal EA and a MIDI terminal EM, which are dedicated interface devices that are generally provided for transmission in an existing old electronic musical instrument that does not have a general-purpose interface device. And a second connection form to be connected. Thus, hereinafter, the control of the portable media player PL from the electronic musical instrument EM through the interface device IF in each case will be described by dividing the case into the first connection form and the second connection form.

  First, the control procedure of the portable media player PL from the electronic musical instrument EM in the case of the first connection form described above will be described. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the outline of the control processing in the first connection form.

  The electronic musical instrument EM and the interface device IF connect the USB terminals EU and UT with a single USB cable CU, so that control signals and digital audio signals can be transmitted between the two devices via this single USB cable CU. Can be sent and received. On the other hand, the portable media player PL is inserted into the slot SL provided in the interface device IF, and is provided in the portable media player PL with respect to the analog audio terminal PA and the command terminal PC provided in the slot SL. When a corresponding data input terminal or output terminal (not shown) is contacted or coupled, a control signal or an analog audio signal can be transmitted / received between the two devices. In this way, when the portable media player PL is connected to the interface device IF, the electronic musical instrument EM is automatically set to the “portable media player mode” (automatic setting). Alternatively, the electronic musical instrument EM may be set to the “portable media player mode” according to the operation of the “portable media player mode” setting switch by the user (manual setting).

  In the “portable media player mode”, when a predetermined operator (such as a performance operator or a switch) is operated on the electronic musical instrument EM, the electronic musical instrument EM does not perform control corresponding to the operated operator. The portable media player side corresponding to the operated operator is controlled. As will be described in detail later, for example, a performance operator CR of the electronic musical instrument EM, various switches, and some (or all) of the controllers SW1 and SW2 may be used as control means for controlling the external portable media player PL. become able to. When these operators are operated, a control command for controlling the portable media player associated with the operator is output from the USB terminal UT and supplied to the portable media player PL via the interface device IF. Is done.

  When the portable media player PL receives a control command from the electronic musical instrument EM via the interface device IF, the portable media player PL performs control according to the control command. Control according to the control command includes, for example, control for selecting / determining an audio file to be reproduced from a large number of stored music contents (audio files), control for starting / stopping reproduction of the determined audio file, and reproduction For example, control to fast forward / rewind the position. When the control for reproducing the audio file is performed, the analog audio signal generated based on the reproduction of the audio file is sequentially sent to the interface device IF, and the interface device IF transmits the analog audio signal sent thereto. Convert to digital audio signal. After converting the signal format, the interface device IF sends the digital audio signal to the electronic musical instrument EM via the USB cable CU connected to the USB terminal EU. The electronic musical instrument EM reproduces a musical sound based on the transmitted digital audio signal. In this way, the portable musical media player PL is controlled from the electronic musical instrument EM via the interface device IF so that the music content stored in the portable musical media player PL can be used on the electronic musical instrument EM side.

  FIG. 3 shows a specific process (software program) executed by a computer, DSP, or the like for realizing the control procedure of the portable media player PL from the electronic musical instrument EM in the case of the first connection form. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of “control processing”. Each device of the interface device IF, the electronic musical instrument EM connected to one of the interface devices IF, and the portable media player PL connected to the other of the interface devices IF transmits and receives a predetermined signal between the devices. However, since each of them performs “control processing” in parallel, in the embodiment shown here, the processing executed by the interface device IF, the electronic musical instrument EM (electronic music device), and the portable media player PL are shown simultaneously. Processing executed by the apparatus will be described according to the processing procedure. Hereinafter, “control processing” in the case of the first connection configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, first, the electronic music device (electronic musical instrument EM) and the interface device IF check whether the electronic music device and the interface device IF are connected via the USB cable CU. If the device is connected via USB, mutual authentication is performed (step S21 and step S11). The electronic music apparatus that has performed the mutual authentication automatically sets the device setting to the “portable media player mode” (step S22). In step S23, it is determined whether or not an operation element corresponding to the portable media player has been operated. When it is determined that the operation of the portable media player-compatible operator has been performed (YES in step S23), a control command associated with the portable media player-compatible operator is transmitted to the interface device IF (step S24). .

  Here, a control means (operation corresponding to a portable media player) which controls a portable media player PL which is stored in advance in the electronic music device and is connected to the electronic music device via the interface device IF is operated by a predetermined operator of the electronic music device. An “operation-control command correspondence table” for setting a device to function as a child will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the “operation-control command correspondence table”.

  The “operation-control command correspondence table” is an “device setting” in the electronic music device in which one or more operators used as control means for controlling the portable media player PL connected to the electronic music device via the interface device IF are defined. Information ". In the “operation-control command correspondence table”, the “operator” to which the function of the control means for controlling the portable media player PL is assigned, and the portable media according to the operation of the “operator” to be assigned. A “control command” for instructing the player PL to perform predetermined control is defined. Based on the embodiment shown here, an example of control of the portable media player PL according to the operation of the operator of the electronic music device will be described. For example, the dial type controller on the electronic music device side is “dial right” or “dial When the rotation operation is performed to “left”, the portable media player PL “next-select” or “pre-select” audio file candidates to be played back from among a large number of stored audio files. In response to the “Enter” key being operated in this state, the portable media player PL “determines” the audio file to be played. When the “song playback start” switch is operated after the audio file to be played back is determined, the portable media player PL “starts playback” of the audio file determined as the playback target. When the “song playback stop” switch is operated during the playback of the audio file, the portable media player PL “stops playback” of the audio file being played back. If the “song fast forward” switch is operated during the playback of the audio file, the portable media player PL “fast forwards” the playback position of the audio file being played back and advances “song rewind”. When the switch is operated, the portable media player PL “rewinds” the playback position of the audio file being played back. When the “exit” key is operated, “return” to one state before the operation is performed according to the number of times of operation of the key.

  Note that the operation command to which the control command is assigned and the control command associated with the operation device are not limited to those described above. In addition to the above, the following association can be considered. For example, an “audio file genre selection” control command is associated with an “automatic accompaniment style genre selection” switch, a “tone color category selection” switch, or the like of the electronic music apparatus. An “audio file selection” control command is associated with the “automatic accompaniment style selection” switch, “tone selection” switch, and the like. An “artist selection” or “album selection” control command is associated with the “bank select” switch. Of course, the correspondence between the operation element and the control command is not limited to the above. A single operator may be associated with a combination of a plurality of control commands (for example, selection of a predetermined audio file and start of reproduction).

  Returning to the description of FIG. 3, the interface device IF constantly monitors whether or not a control command has been received from the electronic music device (step S12), and if it is determined that the control command has been received from the electronic music device. (YES in step S12), the control command received from the electronic music device is transferred to the portable media player PL connected to the interface device IF. The portable media player PL constantly monitors whether or not a control command has been received from the electronic music device via the interface device IF (step S1). If it is determined that the control command has been received (step S1) YES), a process corresponding to the received control command is executed (step S2). At this time, when the control command “start audio file reproduction” is received, the portable media player PL starts reproduction of the corresponding (selected) audio file. When the audio file is reproduced, analog audio signals are sequentially generated, and the generated analog audio signals are sequentially input from the analog audio terminal PA to the interface device IF. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the user has operated an operator provided in the portable media player PL. If it is determined that the user has operated the operating element of the portable media player PL (YES in step S3), the process assigned to the operated operating element is executed (step S4).

  When there is an input of an analog audio signal generated in response to the playback of audio data from the portable media player PL, the interface device IF is connected to this device via the USB terminal EU by an electronic music device compliant with the USB audio standard. It is determined whether it has been performed (step S14). If it is determined that an electronic music device that conforms to the USB audio standard is connected to the device via the USB terminal EU (YES in step S14), an analog audio signal is input from the portable media player PL. Then, the input analog format audio signal is sequentially converted into a digital format audio signal by the A / D converter AD and packetized (referred to as an audio packet signal) is electronic music apparatus. (Step S15). The electronic music apparatus constantly monitors whether or not an audio packet signal has been received from the interface apparatus IF (step S25), and if it is determined that an audio packet signal has been received from the interface apparatus IF (YES in step S25). Then, a digital audio signal based on the received audio packet signal is reproduced to generate a musical sound (step S26). In other words, the electronic music device generates musical sounds reproduced by the portable media player PL from the electronic music device via the interface device IF. A step S27 executes a process according to the operation of another operation element other than the one assigned to the portable media player-compatible operation element.

  In this way, if the electronic music device has a general-purpose interface such as USB that supports transmission and reception of control signals and digital audio signals, the user can connect the electronic music device and the interface device to only one USB cable. The control command and audio signal can be transmitted and received between the electronic music device and the portable media player via the interface device. For this reason, even if the electronic music device does not have a dedicated interface for connecting the portable media player, it simply issues a connection to the external portable media player, and the portable media player An audio signal based on the reproduced music content can be used on the electronic music device side (that is, the portable music player can be controlled and used from the electronic music device side). Therefore, the user can replace a plurality of portable media players already owned by the user, and can exchange a large number of music contents as necessary to use them on the electronic music apparatus side. Can be used. In addition, analog audio signals are once received from the portable media player, converted into digital audio signals, and then sent to the electronic music device. The high-quality digital audio data is not likely to be copied (saved) as it is to the electronic music apparatus, which is advantageous from the viewpoint of copyright protection.

  Next, a control procedure of the portable media player PL from the electronic musical instrument EM in the case of the second connection form described above will be described. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the outline of the control processing in the second connection form.

  The electronic musical instrument EM and the interface device IF connect the analog audio terminals EA and OT with an audio cable CO, and connect the MIDI terminals EM and MT with a MIDI cable CM. In this way, the electronic musical instrument EM can transmit a control signal to the interface device IF via the MIDI cable CM, while receiving an analog audio signal from the interface device IF via the audio cable CO. Will be able to. The connection between the portable media player PL and the interface device IF is the same as in the first connection mode.

  In the “portable media player mode”, when a predetermined operator (such as a performance operator that emits a MIDI message in response to the operation in the second connection mode) provided in the electronic musical instrument EM is operated, The musical instrument EM performs control assigned to the operated operator and performs control on the portable media player side corresponding to the operated operator. As will be described in detail later, for example, part (or all) of the performance operator CR of the electronic musical instrument EM can be used as control means for controlling the external portable media player PL. When such an operator is operated, a corresponding MIDI message is transmitted to the interface device IF. When receiving a MIDI message from the electronic musical instrument EM, the interface device IF converts the MIDI message into a control command and transmits it to the portable media player PL.

  When the portable media player PL receives a control command from the interface device IF, it performs control according to the control command. Control according to the control command includes control for selecting / determining the audio file, control for starting / stopping playback of the audio file, control for fast-forwarding / rewinding the playback position, and the like. When the control for reproducing the audio file is performed, the analog audio signal generated based on the reproduction of the audio file is sequentially sent to the interface device IF, and the interface device IF transmits the analog audio signal sent thereto. And sent to the electronic musical instrument EM via the audio cable CO connected to the analog audio terminal EA. The electronic musical instrument EM generates a musical sound based on the sent analog audio signal. In this way, the portable musical media player PL is controlled from the electronic musical instrument EM via the interface device IF so that the music content stored in the portable musical media player PL can be used on the electronic musical instrument EM side.

  FIG. 6 shows a specific process (software program) executed by a computer, a DSP, or the like that realizes the control procedure of the portable media player PL from the electronic musical instrument EM in the case of the second connection form. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another example of the “control processing”. Also in the embodiment shown here, the processes executed by the interface device IF, the electronic musical instrument EM (electronic music apparatus), and the portable media player PL are shown simultaneously, and the processes executed by each device will be described according to the processing procedure. Hereinafter, “control processing” in the case of the second connection mode will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, first, in the electronic music apparatus, it is determined whether or not an operation element has been operated (step S51). If it is determined that the operation of the operator has been performed (YES in step S51), the process associated with the operated operator is executed (step S52) and generated in response to the operation of the operator. A predetermined MIDI message is transmitted to the interface device IF (step S53). For example, when a performance operator CR (keyboard) is pressed, a musical tone having a pitch associated with the pressed key is generated (not necessarily generated) and the interface device IF A MIDI message “pitch + key-on (note-on information)” is transmitted. The interface device IF constantly monitors whether or not a MIDI message has been received from the electronic music device (step S41). If it is determined that a MIDI message has been received from the electronic music device (YES in step S41), the interface device IF The received MIDI message is converted into a control command associated in advance, and this control command is transmitted to the portable media player PL (step S42). At this time, if the received MIDI message is not associated with a control command, the MIDI message is ignored and no processing is performed.

  Here, the MIDI message stored in the interface device IF in advance and sent from the electronic music device is converted into a control command for controlling the portable media player PL connected to the interface device IF. The “table” will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing one embodiment of a “MIDI-control command correspondence table”.

  The “MIDI-control command correspondence table” defines a “MIDI message” that associates a control command for controlling the portable media player PL, and a “control command” that instructs the portable media player PL to perform predetermined control. . Operation of the electronic music device used as a control means for controlling the portable media player PL connected to the electronic music device via the interface device IF by associating the control command with the MIDI message generated in response to the operation of the operator Similar to defining a child. Based on the embodiment shown here, an example of control of the portable media player PL in accordance with the operation of the operator of the electronic music apparatus will be described. For example, the pitch “C # 1” or “D # 1” is set on the electronic music apparatus side. When the key “” is pressed, the portable media player PL “next-selects” or “pre-selects” audio file candidates to be played back from among a large number of stored audio files. In this state, when the key of the pitch “E1” is pressed, the portable media player PL “determines” the audio file to be reproduced. When the key of the pitch “B5” is pressed after the audio file to be played back is determined, the portable media player PL “starts playback” of the audio file determined as the playback target. When the key of the pitch “C6” is pressed during reproduction of the audio file, the portable media player PL “stops reproduction” of the audio file being reproduced. In addition, when the key of the pitch “C1” is pressed during the playback of the audio file, the portable media player PL advances the playback position of the audio file being played back by “fast-forwarding” and advances the pitch “ When the “D1” key is pressed, the portable media player PL “rewinds” the playback position of the audio file being played back. When the key of the pitch “E # 1” is pressed, “return” to one state before the operation according to the number of operations of the key.

  Note that it is desirable that the MIDI message associated with the control command should not cause much trouble in the operation of the electronic music apparatus. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the key-on message is a key to which a pitch that is rarely used in normal performance and assigned a pitch near the lowest tone. Note that the control commands associated with MIDI messages are not limited to those described above. Further, the correspondence between the MIDI message and the control command is not limited to the above. One MIDI message may be associated with a combination of a plurality of control commands (for example, selection of a predetermined audio file and start of reproduction), or one control command is associated with a combination of a plurality of MIDI messages. You may do it.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 6, the portable media player PL constantly monitors whether or not a control command has been received from the interface device IF (step S31), and determines that the control command has been received (step S31). Processing in accordance with the received control command is executed (YES in S31) (step S32). At this time, when the control command “start audio file reproduction” is received, the portable media player PL starts reproduction of the corresponding (selected) audio file. When the audio file is reproduced, analog audio signals are sequentially generated, and the generated analog audio signals are sequentially input from the analog audio terminal PA to the interface device IF. Since an electronic music device is connected to the interface device IF via an analog audio terminal, the analog audio signal flows directly to the electronic music device EM, and the musical sound based on the analog audio signal is sent from the electronic music device. Is generated. That is, the musical sound reproduced by the portable media player PL is generated from the electronic music device via the interface device IF. In step S33, it is determined whether or not the user has operated an operator provided in the portable media player PL. If it is determined that the user has operated the operator of the portable media player PL (YES in step S33), the process assigned to the operated operator is executed (step S34).

  In the electronic music apparatus, it is determined whether or not the “MIDI-control command correspondence table” is instructed to be changed (step S54). This instruction is performed by operating a predetermined operator. If it is determined that the “MIDI-control command correspondence table” has been instructed to change (YES in step S54), the MIDI message indicating the change instruction of the “MIDI-control command correspondence table” (for example, described in system exclusive) Is sent to the interface device IF (step S55). The interface device IF determines whether or not a change instruction for the “MIDI-control command correspondence table” has been received from the electronic music device (step S43), and has received a change instruction for the “MIDI-control command correspondence table”. If it is determined (YES in step S43), the "MIDI-control command correspondence table" is changed in accordance with the received change instruction (step S44).

  Here, in order to be able to change the correspondence between MIDI messages and control commands in the "MIDI-control command correspondence table" according to user instructions, for example, a correspondence editing program is installed in a personal computer or the like, and the interface The device IF and the personal computer may be connected via a USB terminal. After reading the “MIDI-control command correspondence table” from the interface device IF on the personal computer and editing the correspondence on the correspondence editing program, this editing result is returned to the interface device IF via the USB terminal, and the flash ROM 2 of the interface device IF Save to. Of course, it is not limited to this.

  As described above, even a general electronic music device (especially an existing old type electronic music device) that does not have a general-purpose interface such as USB, but has a MIDI interface, In response to an operation of a performance operator or the like, the external portable media player is instructed to select and play music content stored in the external portable media player, and the portable media player corresponding to the instruction is used. Since the audio signal generated based on the reproduction of the music content can be used on the electronic music device side, the usability of the electronic music device to the portable media player is improved. By simply replacing a plurality of portable media players already owned, the user can replace and use a large number of music contents as required, and can effectively use the portable media player. In addition, since the user can arbitrarily set the correspondence between MIDI messages and control commands, it is easy to set the optimal usability of the portable media player on the electronic music device according to the user's preference. And convenient.

  In the embodiment described above, the audio signal received by the interface device IF from the portable media player PL is an analog audio signal generated by the portable media player PL reproducing the digital audio data. However, the audio signal may be received from the portable media player PL in a digital format. However, in general, digital audio signals are often encrypted for copyright protection. In that case, a decryptor (decryptor) for decrypting the cipher is required. FIG. 8 shows the hardware configuration of the interface device IF in such a case. As shown in FIG. 8, the portable media player PL is connected by a command terminal PC and a digital audio terminal PD which is an input device that receives a digital audio signal. The digital audio signal input from the digital audio terminal PD is sent to the decryptor EN to be decrypted.

  However, in the first connection mode described above, it is preferable from the viewpoint of copyright protection that the digital audio signal after decryption by the decryptor EN is sent to the electronic music device as it is via the USB interface. Absent. Therefore, the CPU 1 encrypts (re-encrypts) the digital audio signal after decryption and then sends it to the electronic music apparatus. The encryption key required for this re-encryption is generated based on information unique to the connected electronic music device (for example, an electronic music device ID or a storage medium ID attached to the electronic music device). It is desirable to do so. The re-encrypted digital audio signal is decrypted on the electronic music apparatus side and then reproduced to generate a musical sound. As described above, if encryption is performed using an encryption key based on information unique to the electronic music apparatus, the electronic music apparatus can generate the key, and thus can be easily decrypted. On the other hand, in the second connection form described above, the digital audio signal decrypted by the decryptor EN is sent to the D / A converter DA, and the analog audio signal is sent by the D / A converter DA. After being converted to, it is amplified by the amplifier AP and sent to the electronic music device via the analog audio terminal EA, so that a musical sound is generated on the electronic music device side.

  As described above, when the audio signal output from the portable media player PL is in a digital format, it is re-encrypted in an encryption mode that only the electronic music device can decrypt in the interface device IF, and then the electronic music device is By transmitting, it is not necessary to have a device (mechanism) or the like for decrypting the audio signal output from the portable media player PL in the electronic music apparatus main body, leading to cost reduction. That is, since the device (mechanism) that decrypts the encryption of the audio signal output from the portable media player PL is often supplied by the provider of the portable media player, it includes a license fee to be paid to the provider. It is a relatively expensive device compared to a device that does not require a license fee. Since it is not necessary to equip the electronic music device with a device for decrypting the encryption including the license fee that leads to such cost increase, the cost of the electronic music device can be reduced (especially for users who do not use a portable media player, (Even if an electronic music device is equipped with a device for decrypting a cipher, such a device is not used, so it is useless to have an electronic music device with a device for decrypting a cipher including a license fee) .

In the above-mentioned “MIDI-control command correspondence table” (see FIG. 7), the performance operator CR to which the function as the control means for controlling the external portable media player PL is assigned is the key constituting the above-described keyboard. Anything can be used as long as it generates a MIDI message in response to an operation, such as a drum pad or a dedicated pad for phrase assignment. That is, the electronic musical instrument EM only needs to be a device that generates a MIDI message in response to a manual performance operation by a user, and includes any type of operator such as a keyboard type, a guitar type, a wind instrument type, a percussion instrument type, and a gesture type. It may be a device (or an operation form).
The electronic music apparatus is not limited to the form of the electronic musical instrument, and may be applied to any form of apparatus / equipment such as a mixer, a personal computer, a karaoke apparatus, or a game apparatus. In particular, in the case of a mixer, a control command is assigned to each operation element such as an on / off switch or a slider for performing control for each channel, and a control command corresponding to the operation of these operation elements is assigned to the interface device. The portable media player can be controlled from the mixer by transmitting to the portable media player (in the case of the first connection mode). Alternatively, the portable media player can be controlled from the mixer by specifying a control command corresponding to the interface device that has received the MIDI message generated in response to the operation of the operator and transmitting the command to the portable media player. It is better to do so (in the case of the second connection form).

1 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration showing an embodiment of an overall configuration of an interface device for an electronic music device. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the outline | summary of the control processing in a 1st connection form. It is a flowchart which shows one Example of a control process. It is a conceptual diagram which shows one Example of an operation-control command correspondence table | surface. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the outline | summary of the control processing in a 2nd connection form. It is a flowchart which shows another Example of a control process. It is a conceptual diagram which shows one Example of a MIDI-control command correspondence table. It is the hardware block diagram which showed another Example of the whole structure of the interface apparatus for electronic music apparatuses.

Explanation of symbols

IF ... Interface device for electronic music device, PL ... Portable media player, EM ... Electronic music device (electronic musical instrument), 1 ... CPU, 2 ... Flash ROM, 3 ... RAM, PA (EA, OT) ... Analog Audio terminal, PC ... Command terminal, AD ... A / D converter, EU (UT) ... USB terminal, EM (MT) ... MIDI terminal, CO ... Audio cable, CU ... USB cable, CM ... MIDI cable, SL ...・ Slot, SW1, SW2 ... Switches, CR ... Performance operator, DA ... D / A converter, AP ... Amplifier, EN ... Decryptor

Claims (3)

A player connection means for connecting a media player having a function of playing music content stored in advance, a signal transmission path for transmitting a control command for controlling the media player to the media player, and music content from the media player Each having a signal transmission path for receiving an audio signal of the first format generated in response to reproduction of
A connection means for connecting an electronic music apparatus, which receives a control command for controlling a media player from the electronic music apparatus and transmits a predetermined second format audio signal to the electronic music apparatus Having a transmission path;
A command for transferring the received control command to the media player connected to the player connection means in response to the reception of the control command generated based on the operation of the electronic music apparatus connected to the connection means. Transfer means;
Data conversion means for converting a first format audio signal received in response to reproduction of music content based on the transferred control command in a media player connected to the player connection means into a second format audio signal; ,
An interface device for an electronic music apparatus, comprising: transmission means for transmitting the converted audio signal of the second format to the electronic music apparatus connected to the connection means.   2. The interface device for an electronic music device according to claim 1, wherein the first format audio signal is an analog format audio signal, and the second format audio signal is a digital format audio signal.   The audio signal in the first format is a digital audio signal encrypted in a predetermined first encryption mode, and the audio signal in the second format is specific to the electronic music apparatus connected to the connection means. And a signal decoding means for decoding the digital audio signal encrypted in the first encryption mode, wherein the decrypted signal is a digital audio signal encrypted in the second encryption mode. 2. The interface device for an electronic music apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a signal encryption unit that encrypts the digital audio signal in the second encryption mode.

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