JPH11119772A - Keyboard musical instrument and musical performance support device thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a player to distinctively recognize a key to be pressed. SOLUTION: Long light guiding, bodies 20 which can bend largely are arranged on white keys 11 and black keys 12 of a keyboard 10 respectively. The light emitted by a light emission body 24 is made incident on each of the light guide bodies 20. According to music data, one of the light emission bodies 24 are selectively turned on to make the light incident on the light guide body 20 on the corresponding key 11 or 12. The light guide body 20 is a type which projects light from its flank, and consequently, a wide range on the key 11 or 12 is irradiated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a keyboard instrument capable of emitting keys of a keyboard and a keyboard musical instrument performance support apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It may be difficult for a beginner of a keyboard instrument to determine which key to press even when reading a musical score. Furthermore, fingering rules for keyboard instruments may be difficult for beginners to remember. All this makes self-taught learning difficult.

[0003] In recent years, for the purpose of self-study of playing a keyboard instrument, even if the keyboard is provided with the same keyboard as the keyboard instrument, the sound when the key is pressed is reduced or the sound is not generated even when the key is pressed. A performance training apparatus has also been developed (for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-46665). The same applies to these performance training devices, for example, it may be difficult for a beginner to determine which key to press next.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard instrument capable of clearly recognizing a key to be pressed by a player, and a performance support device for the keyboard instrument. I do.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a keyboard instrument according to the present invention comprises a keyboard having a plurality of keys, and a flexible elongated body provided for each of the keys. A plurality of light guides capable of emitting light from its own side and / or end, a plurality of light emitting means for emitting light incident on each of the light guides, and music data, Control means for selecting the light emitting means to emit light.

In the keyboard instrument according to the present invention, the control means causes the light emitting means corresponding to any key to emit light based on the music data. Light emitted from the light emitting means enters the corresponding light guide and exits from the side and / or end of the light guide. Since such a light guide is provided for each key, the player can clearly recognize the key to be pressed, and the effect of the performance practice is enhanced. In order to provide such an effect, it is only necessary to use a light guide that emits light from its own side and / or end, so that an inexpensive structure may be used.

In this keyboard instrument, a color changing means for changing a color of light emitted by each of the light emitting means may be provided. According to such a configuration, for example, the sound intensity,
The distinction between the right hand and the left hand, the distinction of the finger to be used, or the time for which the key is to be held can be expressed by a difference in color, which is convenient.

[0008] Further, a performance support apparatus for a keyboard instrument according to the present invention is a performance support apparatus for a keyboard instrument including a keyboard having a plurality of keys, wherein the flexible elongate body is provided for each of the keys. A plurality of light guides that can emit light from their own side, and a plurality of light emitting units that emit light incident on each of the light guides, based on music data,
Control means for selecting the light emitting means to emit light.

[0009] In this keyboard instrument performance support device,
Color changing means for changing the color of light emitted by each of the light emitting means may be provided.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1. First Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a keyboard 10 of a keyboard instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention and the vicinity thereof. As shown in FIG. 1, the keyboard 10 includes a large number of white keys 11 and black keys 12, and the white keys 11 and the black keys 12 are arranged in a known arrangement order. The keyboard instruments to which the present invention can be applied include all keyboard instruments such as a grand piano, an upright piano, an organ, an electronic piano, an electronic organ, and a harpsichord.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 13 denotes a player's side, that is, a front side frame, and reference numeral 14 denotes a rear side frame. The white key 11 and the black key 12 extend to the rear side of the frame 14, and are swingable in a vertical plane about a pivot point (not shown). And
The player selects the frame 1 of the white key 11 and the black key 12.
The player presses a key on the exposed portion (front portion) in front of (player side) from No. 4 to perform. In the figure, code rear portions 11a and 12a are portions of the white key 11 and the black key 12 that are behind the frame 14.

The white key 11 and the black key 1 constituting the keyboard 10
2, light guides 20 are provided. The light guide 20 is a flexible elongated body, and can emit light not only from its own end face but also from its side face. As such a light guide 20, a liquid or solid transparent or translucent matrix mixed with a light diffusing filler for scattering light can be used. The light diffusing filler is preferably a transparent material having a different refractive index, for example, spherical silica fine particles. Particle size of such filler,
By adjusting the concentration in advance, the light guide 20
The light emission distribution from the side surface can be adjusted. For example, the illuminance emitted from the end surface can be made small, or the illuminance on the entire side surface can be made substantially uniform.

In the case of a liquid polymer, the polymer is encapsulated in a soft transparent material such as, for example, weatherable vinyl chloride. As the solid polymer, for example, a transparent resin such as acryl can be used, and this solid polymer is preferably encapsulated with a soft transparent material such as a fluorine tube having excellent environmental resistance. A light guide 20 having a liquid polymer is sold by Bridgestone Corporation under the trade name "RADACLIGHT", and a light guide 20 having a solid polymer is also available from Bridgestone Corporation under the trade name "RADAC".・ Light ・
S (RADACLIGHT-S) ".

The arrangement structure of the light guide 20 is as follows.
First, the front part of each black key 12 is composed of a quadrangular prism-shaped wooden part 15 and a black protruding part 16 joined on the wooden part 15, as shown in the AA sectional view. The black protrusion 16 is made of, for example, a black material such as phenol resin or ebony, and protrudes above the white key 11. On the upper surface of the black protrusion 16, the light guide 2
0 is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the black key 12. A coating layer 21 made of a hard transparent material (for example, resin such as acrylic) is provided on the entire upper surface of the black key 12 so as to cover the light guide 20. The upper surface of the coating layer 21
The black key 12 is made substantially flat so as to be parallel to the upper surface, so that the player's finger does not get caught and the player does not feel uncomfortable.

The front part of each white key 11 is composed of a square pillar-shaped wooden part 18 and a thin covering part 19 joined on the wooden part 18, as shown in the sectional view taken along the line BB.
The covering portion 19 is made of a white material such as ivory or acrylite resin. A light guide 20 is arranged on the upper surface of the cover 19 along the longitudinal direction of the white key 11. Then, a covering layer 22 made of a transparent material (eg, resin such as acrylic) is provided on the entire upper surface of the covering portion 19 so as to cover the light guide 20. The upper surface of the cover layer 22 is substantially flat so as to be parallel to the upper surface of the white key 11, so that the player's finger does not get caught and the player does not feel uncomfortable.

Under this arrangement, light emitted from the entire side surface of the light guide 20 is transmitted to the corresponding white key 11 or black key 12.
The white key 11 or the black key 12 shines through the upper coating layer 21 or 22. In addition, in the BB cross-sectional view, the reason why there are two light guides 20 is that the light guides 20 are folded at the forefront of each white key 11. Thus, light is emitted from a wide range on the white key 11.

The coating layers 21 on the white key 11 and the black key 12
A light diffusion filler similar to that used in the light guide 20 may be mixed in the light guide 20. Thereby, the white key 11
And the illuminance distribution on the black key 12 can be expanded.

The coating layers 21 and 22 are not limited to the above transparent materials, but may be translucent materials. According to this, the presence of the light guide 20 is made more visible to the player,
It is possible to make it appear as if the key itself is emitting light.

In the vicinity of the frame 14 in each of the white key 11 and the black key 12, the end face of the light guide 20 is abutted against the end face of the optical fiber (light guide) 23. The optical fiber 23 is different from the light guide 20 in that it is a normal type of optical fiber, that is, light can enter and exit from an end face, but is prevented from exiting from a side face.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the white key 11 or the black key 12, showing a state in which the light guide 20 and the optical fiber 23 are connected. It is efficient to perform these arrangement procedures as follows.

First, as shown in FIG.
2, an insertion hole 25 into which the light guide 20 and the optical fiber 23 are inserted is formed. Entrance part 2 of insertion hole 25
6 is preferably formed in a tapered shape that becomes thinner as it gets deeper. The adhesive injection port 2 communicating with the insertion hole 25 is also provided.
A plurality of holes 7 are formed from the upper surfaces of the coating layers 21 and 22. The adhesive injection port 27 is also preferably formed in a tapered shape that becomes narrower as it goes deeper.

Next, the coating layers 21 and 22 are respectively
1 and the black key 12. Then, the light guide 20 and the optical fiber 23 are inserted into the insertion hole 25 in this order,
An adhesive is injected from the adhesive injection port 27 to fix the light guide 20 and the optical fiber 23. In addition, the coating layers 21 and
After attaching the light guide 20 and the optical fiber 23 to the second key 2, the coating layers 21 and 22 may be adhered on the white key 11 and the black key 12. In addition, when adopting this arrangement procedure,
Since it is difficult to form the insertion hole 25 so that the light guide 20 on the white key 11 can be bent at the frontmost portion of the white key 11, such bending need not be performed.

Alternatively, the light guide 20 and the optical fiber 2
3 is fixed on the white key 11 and the black key 12 with an adhesive or the like, and then a material serving as a material of the covering layers 21 and 22 is coated on the white key 11 and the black key 12. After coating the optical fiber 23 with a substance that is a material of the coating layers 21 and 22, the white key 11 and the black key 1 are coated.
These may be fixed on 2. When employing these arrangement procedures, it is easy to bend the light guide 20 on the white key 11 at the forefront of the white key 11.

As shown in FIG. 1, light from a light source, that is, a light-emitting body (light-emitting means) 24 is incident on the end face of each optical fiber 23 opposite to the light guide 20. The light emitter 24 is fixed to a portion other than the key (for example, a frame not shown). As the light emitter 24, for example, L
An ED (Light Emitting Diode), a light bulb, a fluorescent light, a metal halide lamp, a halogen lamp, a laser, and the like can be used. In FIG. 1, only two light emitters 24 are shown for simplicity, but one light emitter 24 is provided for each key. Although not shown, between the light emitting bodies 24,
The light is shielded by the partition walls, and the light guide to the light guide 20 of the corresponding key is prevented.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system for the keyboard instrument. In the figure, reference numeral 30 indicates a music data reading device. The music data reader 30 reads music data recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, and transmits the read music data to the light emission controller 31.
To supply.

The light emission controller 31 selectively emits light from the light emitter 24 corresponding to any one of the white key 11 and the black key 12 corresponding to the pitch of the music data. The light emission duration is the duration of the pitch. In this manner, the keys are illuminated based on the music data, whereby the player is guided in the order of fingering, and the effect of performance practice is enhanced. In the case of a chord, the light emission controller 31 causes the light emitters 24 corresponding to a plurality of keys to emit light.

In this embodiment, the following excellent effects can be achieved. First, by providing the light guide 20 for emitting light from its own side surface on the white key 11 and the black key 12, a wide range on the key can be irradiated. This point
For example, in a normal optical fiber such as the optical fiber 23,
Light passes through the inside, the amount of light emitted from the end face is increased,
It is symmetrical that emission from the side is prevented. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to shine a wide range on the key. Moreover, since the light diffusing filler is dispersed in the light guide 20, this effect can be further enhanced.

Further, if a material that diffuses light is used as the coating layers 21 and 22, the above effects can be further enhanced. Conversely, even if a special material is not used for the coating layers 21 and 22, such an effect is ensured by the light diffusing function of the light guide 20. In other words, it is possible to shine a wide area with an inexpensive structure.

On the other hand, an optical fiber 23 is interposed between the light guide 20 and the light emitting body 24 behind the frame 14 which cannot be seen by the player. The optical fiber 23 suppresses light loss to the outside.

The setting of the illuminance of the illuminant 24, which is a light source, is optional as desired. Then, the coating layers 21 and 22
If the materials of the optical fiber 23 and the light guide 20 are selected, the brightness can be set arbitrarily. For example, it is easy to increase the brightness while suppressing an increase in cost.

Further, the light guide 20 and the optical fiber 23 are lightweight, and the coating layers 21 and 22 can be formed from a material having a small specific gravity. In addition, the thickness of the coating layers 21 and 22 may be any thickness that can cover the light guide 20 and the optical fiber 23. Therefore, the load applied to the keys 11 and 12 can be reduced. For example, even when these components are arranged on an existing piano, the change in the key touch feeling felt by the player can be reduced. It is.

Further, there is no need to mechanically connect the light emitting body 24 as the light source and the optical fiber 23 for guiding the light to the position above the key. Therefore, when operating the keys 11 and 12,
Except for the weight of the light guide 20, the optical fiber 23, and the coating layers 21 and 22, there is no extra resistance. Therefore, for example, even when these components are arranged on an existing piano, it is possible to make the change in the key touch feeling felt by the player small.

It is preferable that the light emission controller be capable of changing the illuminance of the light emitter 24 in accordance with the strength of the sound of the music data. Thus, for example, it is possible to adjust the illuminance of the light-emitting body 24 to be small in pianissimo and to make it brightest in fortissimo, and it is possible to notify the player of the strength of the key press.

2. Second Embodiment FIG. 4 shows a keyboard 1 of a keyboard device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Indicates 0. In the first embodiment, the light guide 20 on the white key 11
In the embodiment, the light guide 20 is extended to the foremost part of the white key 11, but in this embodiment, the light guide 20 on the white key 11 is extended only to the vicinity of the foremost part of the black key 12. The cover layer 22 that covers the light guide 20 on the white key 11 is provided only up to the vicinity of the forefront of the black key 12. Black key 1
The light guide 20 on the second key 2 is also extended only to the rear of the first embodiment.
It is provided only to the rear of. That is, since the light guide 20 and the covering layers 21 and 22 are not provided in the portion where the player frequently presses down, the touch of the key can be made similar to that of a normal keyboard instrument. In addition, the cost of the material can be reduced, and the load on the keys 11 and 12 can be reduced.

As described above, if the viewer does not misunderstand which key shines, the length of the light guide 20 on the white key 11 and the length of the covering layer 22 covering the same can be changed. In addition, black key 1
The same applies to the length of the light guide 20 above and the length of the covering layer 21 covering the same.

3. Third Embodiment FIG. 5 shows a black key 1 of a keyboard device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of 2 and a white key 11. FIG. 1 shows an AA cross section corresponding to the cross section of the black key 12 and a BB cross section which is a cross section of the white key 11. The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that a concave portion, that is, a groove 28 is formed on each of the upper surfaces of the black key 12 and the white key 11, and the light guide 20
Are arranged inside the groove 28.

According to this configuration, it is easy to dispose the light guide 20 inside the groove 28, and the coating layers 21 and
Since the movement of the light guide body 20 during the work of providing the 2 is also suppressed, this work can be easily performed. Note that not only the light guide 20 but also the optical fiber 23 has grooves 28.
It is possible to arrange inside.

4. Fourth Embodiment FIG. 6 shows a black key 1 of a keyboard device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of 2 and a white key 11. FIG. 1 shows an AA cross section corresponding to the cross section of the black key 12 and a BB cross section which is a cross section of the white key 11. The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment lies in that the configuration of the keys 11 and 12 is simplified, and the light guide 20 and the optical fiber 23 are disposed inside the keys.

Specifically, on the woody portion 15 of the black key 12, the black protrusion 16 used in a normal piano is not provided, but a coating layer 21 in which a light guide 20 is embedded is provided. Although not shown, not only the light guide 20 but also the optical fiber 2
3 is also embedded in the coating layer 21. The coating layer 21 is translucent so that the light emitted from the light guide 20 can be visually recognized, but is colored black so that it can be easily distinguished from the white key 11 without the black protrusion 16. preferable.

On the wooden part 18 of the white key 11, a white covering 19 used in a normal piano is not provided, but a covering layer 22 in which a light guide 20 is embedded is provided. Although not shown, not only the light guide 20 but also the optical fiber 2
3 is also embedded in the coating layer 22. The coating layer 22 is translucent so that the light emitted from the light guide 20 can be visually recognized, but is colored white so that the black key 12 can be easily identified without the white coating portion 19. Is preferred.

The procedure for disposing the coating layers 21 and 22, the light guide 20, and the optical fiber 23 is the same as the procedure described in the first embodiment. According to this configuration, since the covering layer 21 also serves as the black projecting portion 16 and the covering layer 22 also serves as the covering portion 19, the manufacturing or assembly process is simplified. In addition, the cost of the material can be reduced, and the load on the keys 11 and 12 can be reduced.

5. Fifth Embodiment FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a control system for a keyboard device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, in addition to the first embodiment, a plurality of key press sensors 33 are provided for the keys 11 and 12, respectively. The key depression sensor 33 can detect that the corresponding key 11 or 12 is depressed by the player, and transmits a key depression signal to the light emission controller 31 when the key depression is detected.

As the key depression sensor 33, for example, a piezoelectric sensor, an electromagnetic induction type sensor, a photo sensor or the like can be used. Further, the key press sensor 33 may detect the movement of the key, or may detect that the player has touched the key.

The music data read by the music data reader 30 is temporarily transferred from the light emission controller 31 to a RAM (read only memory) 34 which is a working area of the light emission controller 31.
The light emission controller 31 sequentially reads out the music data from the RAM 34 and causes the light emitter 24 corresponding to the musical tone of the data to emit light. At this time, after the light emission of the light emitter 24, if the key press signal from the corresponding key press sensor 33 is not input to the light emission controller 31, the light emission controller 31 transmits
4 does not emit light. That is, the key 1 emitted by the player
Unless key 1 or 12 is depressed, guidance for the next fingering cannot be obtained.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent only the light emission from shifting one after another before the player cannot judge the order of the scale. In other words, even a player who has a slow fingering like a beginner can at least learn at least the order of the musical scales by following a finger that emits light only after fingering.

6. Sixth Embodiment FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a keyboard device control system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the filter set 3 is provided between the optical fiber 23 and the light emitter 24.
6 are interposed. The filter set 36 is provided with a plurality of filters of different colors, and these filters are switched by the filter driving unit 37. Under this configuration, after the color of the light emitted from the light emitter 24 is adjusted, the light is guided to the optical fiber 23 and the light guide 20 to illuminate the key 11 or 12.

Thus, the white key 11 and the black key 12
Includes a light emitting set (light emitting means) S including a light emitting body 24, a filter set 36, and a filter driving unit 37, respectively.
Is provided, and the color of light emitted by the light emitting set S is
The light emission controller 31 can be changed by driving the filter driving unit 37.

As the filter set 36, a plurality of filters are arranged in the circumferential direction, and the light-emitting body 2 is set according to the rotation angle.
A filter having a different filter disposed between the optical fiber 4 and the optical fiber 23 can be used. In this case, a rotary stepping motor is preferably used as the filter driving unit 37. However, if a mechanism for rotating the filter set 36 is attached, a linear motor can also be used.

Alternatively, as the filter set 36, a filter in which a plurality of filters are arranged in a linear direction and the filters arranged between the light emitting body 24 and the optical fiber 23 are made different by displacement can be used. In this case, a linear stepping motor is preferably used as the filter driving unit 37. However, if a mechanism for linearly reciprocating the filter set 36 is attached, a rotary motor can also be used.

The light emission controller 31 to which the music data read by the music data reading device 30 is input not only causes one of the light emitters 24 to emit light in accordance with the musical scale, but also drives the filter driving unit 37 to perform the following. Such effects can be obtained. For example, instead of expressing the above-mentioned sound intensity by illuminance, it is possible to express it by color. For example, blue is pianissimo, yellow is mesoforte, and red is fortesimo.

Alternatively, the distinction between the right hand and the left hand can be represented by a difference in color. Furthermore, it is also possible to express the distinction of the finger to be used with a difference in color, such as the little finger of the left hand being yellow. Alternatively, it is also possible to represent the time for which the key is to be held down by a difference in color.

7. Seventh Embodiment FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control system for a keyboard device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, two illuminants for each key 11 or 12, namely the first
A luminous body 40 and a second luminous body 41 are provided. The luminous colors of the first luminous body 40 and the second luminous body 41 are different from each other, and the luminous color of each key varies depending on which luminous body emits light.

Thus, the white key 11 and the black key 12
Is provided with a light-emitting set (light-emitting means) S including a plurality of light-emitting bodies 40 and 41, and the color of light emitted by the light-emitting set S depends on which light-emitting body the light-emitting controller 31 emits. Can be changed. In FIG. 8, only two light emitters 40 and 41 are shown, but the number of light emitters, that is, the number of emission colors of each key is not limited to this.

The light emission controller 31 to which the music data read by the music data reading device 30 is input causes any of the light emitters to emit light according to the musical scale. At this time, a luminous body to be illuminated is selected. Thereby, the emission color of each key is made different, so that the same effect as in the fifth embodiment can be achieved. Note that, instead of mechanically moving the filter set 36 as in the fifth embodiment, the emission color can be changed by an electric signal, so that the color can be changed more quickly in this embodiment.

8. Eighth Embodiment FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a keyboard 10 of a keyboard instrument according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention and the vicinity thereof. This embodiment is
Instead of the coating layers 21 and 22, the hard coating layers 51 and 52 are disposed on the white key 11 and the black key 12, and the light guide 20 that emits light from the side surface is eliminated. Different from various embodiments. However, also in this embodiment, the front ends of the optical fibers 23 are embedded in the rear portions of the coating layers 51 and 52, and the coating layers 51 and 52 are directly illuminated with light emitted from the front ends of the optical fibers 23. It has become.

Under such an arrangement, the corresponding white key 11 or black key 12 is illuminated by light emitted from the entire side surface of the light guide 20, whereby the key to be pressed can be clearly identified by the player. Can be recognized, and the effect of the performance practice is enhanced. In order to provide such an effect, it is only necessary to use the optical fiber 23 that is a light guide that emits light from its own end, so that an inexpensive structure can be achieved.

The coating layers 51 and 52 are made of a transparent material (for example, resin such as acrylic) similarly to the coating layers 21 and 22 of the above-described embodiment. Further, the same light diffusion filler as that used in the light guide 20 may be mixed in the coating layers 51 and 52 to widen the illuminance distribution on the white key 11 and the black key 12. Furthermore, the covering layers 51 and 52 may be made of a translucent material so that the presence of the optical fiber 23 can be visually recognized by a player, and it may be as if the key itself emits light.

The shapes of the coating layers 51 and 52 and the procedure for disposing them are the same as those of the coating layers 21 and 22 described above, and various modifications and corrections applicable to the coating layers 21 and 22 and the light guide 20 are possible. Is similarly applicable to the coating layers 51 and 52 and the optical fiber 23. In the configuration shown in FIG. 10, the optical fiber 23 extends to near the center of the coating layers 51 and 52.
The front end of the optical fiber 23 may be arranged near the rear end face of the optical fiber 1, 52.

9. Other Modifications In addition to the various embodiments described above, the following changes or modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. (1) The arrangement of the light-emitting body, the light guide 20 and the optical fiber 23 as in the present invention can be performed on an existing keyboard instrument, and a keyboard instrument on which these are arranged is manufactured from the beginning. It is also possible.

(2) The coating layers 21, 22, 51,
52 prevents the player's finger from being caught or giving the player a sense of incongruity, but shortens or thins the light guide 20 so as not to disturb the player's performance. White key 11 and black key 1 so as to have a uniform thickness
The covering layers 21, 22, 51, and 52 may not be provided by laying over a wide area on 2.

(3) In the first to seventh embodiments, an optical fiber 23 is provided between the light emitting body and the light guide 20.
The light from the luminous body may be directly incident on the light guide 20 without interposition, and the outer periphery of the portion of the light guide 20 that is not visible to the player may be covered with a coating layer that reflects internally. According to this, even without the optical fiber 23, it is possible to reduce the loss of light in a part invisible to the player.

(4) The present invention is not limited to being applied only to ordinary keyboard musical instruments, but a solenoid unit for operating keys is provided for each key, and the music data reading device 3
The present invention is also applicable to a keyboard musical instrument of a type in which a solenoid of a corresponding scale is energized in accordance with the music data to be read out and a key is moved by a plunger to automatically play.
By illuminating the key to be operated at the same time as performing the automatic performance, it is possible to provide a lighting decoration function to this type of automatic performance keyboard instrument.

(5) The present invention is not limited to being applied only to the above-mentioned keyboard musical instruments. For example, the present invention has a keyboard similar to a keyboard musical instrument, but can reduce the sound when a key is pressed, The present invention can also be applied to a performance training device in which no sound is generated even when a key is pressed.

(6) In the above embodiment, each key 11,
The light guide 20 and / or the optical fiber 23
Is arranged so that this surface is illuminated. A light guide 20 and / or an optical fiber 23 is arranged inside or below each key 11, 12, and each key 11, 12 is arranged.
The light guide 20 and / or the optical fiber 23 may be exposed at the tip of the opening to illuminate the opening.

(7) In the above embodiment, the coating layer 2
Although a hard material is used as the material for 1, 22, 51, and 52, a material having high elasticity may be used. However, if a material having high elasticity is used, the feel when the keys 11 and 12 are depressed is different from that in the case of a piano of a normal natural musical instrument, and there is a problem in aging after long-term use. Therefore, the coating layers 21 and
In the case of forming the layers 22, 51, and 52, it is preferable to provide a light guide and a cover layer so as to avoid a portion where the player frequently touches with a finger as in the second embodiment. On the other hand, when a hard material is used as the material of the coating layers 21, 22, 51, and 52, the feel when pressing down the keys 11, 12 with a finger becomes similar to that of a piano of a normal natural musical instrument. With little change over time. Furthermore, the coating layer 2 which the player's finger touches
As the materials of 1, 22, 51, and 52, a material having high thermal conductivity, preferably a material having the same thermal conductivity as that of a normal piano key can be used. It is also possible to form the covering layers 21, 22, 51, 52 using a material having the same texture as a normal piano key when touched with a finger, for example, artificial ivory. As a result, the touch can be made the same as when playing a normal piano.

[0066]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The light emitted by the light guide from its side and / or end can illuminate the key to be pressed by the player. In order to provide such an effect, the side and / or
Alternatively, it is only necessary to use a light guide that emits light from the end, so that an inexpensive structure may be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a keyboard of a keyboard instrument according to a first embodiment of the present invention and the vicinity thereof.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a key constituting the keyboard.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the keyboard instrument.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a keyboard of a keyboard instrument according to a second embodiment of the present invention and the vicinity thereof.

FIG. 5 is a front sectional view of a black key and a white key of a keyboard device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front sectional view of a black key and a white key of a keyboard device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control system for a keyboard device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control system for a keyboard device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control system for a keyboard device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a keyboard of a keyboard instrument according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention and the vicinity thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... key, 11 ... white key, 12 ... black key, 20 ... light guide,
21, 22, 51, 52 ... coating layer, 23 ... optical fiber (light guide), 24 ... light emitter (light emitting means), 31 ... light emission controller (control means, color changing means), 36 ... filter set (light emitting means) 37, a filter driving section (light emitting means, color changing means); 40, a first light emitting body (light emitting means, color changing means); 41, a second light emitting body (light emitting means, color changing means); S: Light emitting set (light emitting means)

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] December 3, 1997

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0054

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The light emission controller 31 to which the music data read by the music data reading device 30 is input causes any of the light emitters to emit light according to the musical scale. At this time, a luminous body to be illuminated is selected. Thereby, the emission color of each key is made different, so that the same effect as in the fifth embodiment can be achieved. Note that, instead of mechanically moving the filter set 36 as in the sixth embodiment, the emission color can be changed by an electric signal, so that the color can be changed more quickly in this embodiment.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0056

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Under such an arrangement structure, in front of the optical fiber 23
The corresponding white key 11 or black key 12 is illuminated by the light emitted from the end face , whereby the player can clearly recognize the key to be pressed, and the effect of performance practice is enhanced. In order to provide such an effect, it is only necessary to use the optical fiber 23 that is a light guide that emits light from its own end, so that an inexpensive structure can be achieved.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A keyboard having a plurality of keys, and a plurality of flexible elongated members arranged on each of the keys and capable of emitting light from its own side and / or end. A light guide, a plurality of light emitting means for emitting light incident on each of the light guides, and a control means for selecting the light emitting means to emit light based on music data. Keyboard instrument. 2. The keyboard musical instrument according to claim 1, further comprising color changing means for changing a color of light emitted by each of said light emitting means. 3. An apparatus for assisting playing a keyboard instrument including a keyboard having a plurality of keys, comprising: a flexible elongated body disposed on each of the keys, the side and / or the end thereof. A plurality of light guides capable of emitting light from the light guide; a plurality of light emitting means for emitting light incident on each of the light guides; and selecting and emitting the light emitting means based on music data. A performance support apparatus for a keyboard instrument, comprising: a control unit. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising color changing means for changing a color of light emitted by each of said light emitting means.